bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intravenous busulfan dose individualization – impact of modeling approach on dose recommendation
Authors: Abdel‐Rahman Susan M. , Casey K. Leigh , Garg Uttam , Dalal Jignesh
Published: February 2016

TDM is intended to limit unintended consequences of drugs with narrow therapeutic indices. However, the application of different sampling strategies and pharmacokinetic approaches results in different dosing recommendations and ostensibly different outcomes. TDM approaches for intravenous busulfan dose individualization employ compartmental or non‐compartmental modeling with anywhere from three to seven drug levels. This investigation was designed to examine the differences in dosing recommendations that arise in children (n = 30) when five different TDM approaches were employed. Significant differences in recommended doses between modeling strategies were observed. More importantly, the recommendations were discordant in 13 cases with at least one model recommending a dose adjustment in the opposite direction relative to the remaining models. The mathematical differences introduced by the application of different TDM approaches are not purely academic. Unification of busulfan TDM approaches should be considered to mitigate inconsistently applied dose adjustment, and facilitate comparisons of outcome, between clinical centers.
Arsenic hyperaccumulation induces metabolic reprogramming in Pityrogramma calomelanos to reduce oxidative stress
Authors: Campos Naiara V. , Araújo Talita O. , Arcanjo‐Silva Samara , Freitas‐Silva Larisse , Azevedo Aristéa A. , Nunes‐Nesi Adriano
Published: February 2016

Arsenic (As) pollution is a major environmental concern due to its worldwide distribution and high toxicity to organisms. The fern Pityrogramma calomelanos is one of the few plant species known to be able to hyperaccumulate As, although the mechanisms involved are largely unknown. This study aimed to investigate the metabolic adjustments involved in the As‐tolerance of P. calomelanos. For this purpose, ferns with five to seven fronds were exposed to a series of As concentrations. Young fronds were used for biochemical analysis and metabolite profiling using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. As treatment increased the total concentration of proteins and soluble phenols, enhanced peroxidase activities, and promoted disturbances in nitrogen and carbon metabolism. The reduction of the glucose pool was one of the striking responses to As. Remarkable changes in amino acids levels were observed in As‐treated plants, including those related to biosynthesis of glutathione and phenols, osmoregulation and two photorespiratory intermediates. In addition, increases in polyamines levels and antioxidant enzyme activities were observed. In summary, this study indicates that P. calomelanos tolerates high concentration of As due to its capacity to upregulate biosynthesis of amino acids and antioxidants, without greatly disturbing central carbon metabolism. At extremely high As concentrations, however, this protective mechanism fails to block reactive oxygen species production, leading to lipid peroxidation and leaf necrosis.
Late Quaternary barrier and fringing reef development of Bora Bora (Society Islands, south Pacific): First subsurface data from the Darwin‐type barrier‐reef system
Authors: Gischler Eberhard , Hudson J. Harold , Humblet Marc , Braga Juan C. , Eisenhauer Anton , Isaack Anja , Anselmetti Flavio S. , Camoin Gilbert F.
Published: February 2016

The universally known subsidence theory of Darwin, based on Bora Bora as a model, was developed without information from the subsurface. To evaluate the influence of environmental factors on reef development, two traverses with three cores, each on the barrier and the fringing reefs of Bora Bora, were drilled and 34 uranium‐series dates obtained and subsequently analysed. Sea‐level rise and, to a lesser degree, subsidence were crucial for Holocene reef development in that they have created accommodation space and controlled reef architecture. Antecedent topography played a role as well, because the Holocene barrier reef is located on a Pleistocene barrier reef forming a topographic high. The pedestal of the fringing reef was Pleistocene soil and basalt. Barrier and fringing reefs developed contemporaneously during the Holocene. The occurrence of five coralgal assemblages indicates an upcore increase in wave energy. Age–depth plots suggest that barrier and fringing reefs have prograded during the Holocene. The Holocene fringing reef is up to 20 m thick and comprises coralgal and microbial reef sections and abundant unconsolidated sediment. Fringing reef growth started 8780 ± 50 yr bp; accretion rates average 5·65 m kyr−1. The barrier reef consists of >30 m thick Holocene coralgal and microbial successions. Holocene barrier‐reef growth began 10 030 ± 50 yr bp and accretion rates average 6·15 m kyr−1. The underlying Pleistocene reef formed 116 900 ± 1100 yr bp, i.e. during marine isotope stage 5e. Based on Pleistocene age, depth and coralgal palaeobathymetry, the subsidence rate of Bora Bora was estimated to be 0·05 to 0·14 m kyr−1. In addition to subsidence, reef development on shorter timescales like in the late Pleistocene and Holocene has been driven by glacioeustatic sea‐level changes causing alternations of periods of flooding and subaerial exposure. Comparisons with other oceanic barrier‐reef systems in Tahiti and Mayotte exhibit more differences than similarities.
Three‐dimensional imaging: a novel, valid, and reliable technique for measuring wound surface area
Authors: Rashaan Z. M. , Stekelenburg C. M. , van der Wal M. B. A. , Euser A. M. , Hagendoorn B. J. M. , van Zuijlen P. P. M. , Breederveld R. S.
Published: February 2016

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of a novel three‐dimensional imaging technique using Artec MHT™ 3D Scanner for measuring the wound surface area.

Methods

The validity was tested by measuring the surface area of 60 stickers (gold standard) on 20 volunteers. Stickers with standardized areas of 2590, 7875, and 15,540 mm2 were applied on the thorax, forearm, and thigh, respectively. For the reliability test, 58 burn wounds on 48 patients were assessed twice by two different observers with the Artec MHT™ 3D Scanner. Scanning, post‐processing, and surface area measurements were performed by two clinicians.

Results

The results for the validity analysis showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99 and coefficient of variation of the thorax, forearm, and thigh were 1.1%, 0.9%, and 0.6%, respectively. The reliability analysis showed an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.99, a coefficient of variation of 6.3%, and limits of agreement between measurements of two observers were calculated at 0 ± 0.17 × mean surface area.

Conclusion

Three‐dimensional imaging using the Artec MHT™ 3D Scanner is a valid and reliable method for measuring the wound surface area.
Resistant cytomegalovirus in intestinal and multivisceral transplant recipients
Authors: Timpone J.G. , Yimen M. , Cox S. , Teran R. , Ajluni S. , Goldstein D. , Fishbein T. , Kumar P.N. , Matsumoto C.
Published: February 2016

Background

Intestinal and multivisceral transplantation can be complicated by cytomegalovirus (CMV)‐related viremia and disease. Intravenous ganciclovir (GCV) and oral valganciclovir remain the treatment of choice in this setting. Limited data are available on GCV‐resistant (GCV‐R) CMV infection in small intestine and multivisceral transplant recipients.

Method

A retrospective review was performed on all patients who underwent small intestine or multivisceral transplantation from November 8, 2003 through November 30, 2008. Those with CMV viremia and invasive disease were identified. GCV resistance was suspected in patients who continued to have viremic episodes or invasive disease despite appropriate GCV treatment. Genotypic analyses were performed to detect the presence of GCV resistance genes UL97 and UL54.

Results

During the study period, 88 small intestine or multivisceral transplants were performed on 85 patients. Of the 88 transplantations, 16 patients developed CMV viremia with or without end‐organ disease (18.2%) and 5.7% developed GCV‐R CMV infection. In patients diagnosed with CMV infection, 31.3% (5/16) had GCV‐R CMV infection. Of patients with GCV‐R CMV infection, 80% (4/5) developed CMV allograft enteritis, resulting in allograft explantation in 3 patients. All patients with GCV‐R CMV infection were CMV donor positive/recipient negative. Patients with tissue‐invasive CMV disease were 18 times more likely to be infected with GCV‐R CMV (95% confidence interval 1.24–260.93; P‐value 0.0341).

Conclusion

Small intestinal and multivisceral transplant recipients have a higher rate of GCV‐R CMV infection compared with other solid organ transplant recipients, which is often associated with tissue‐invasive disease and allograft loss.
Storage of platelets at 4°C in platelet additive solutions prevents aggregate formation and preserves platelet functional responses
Authors: Getz Todd M. , Montgomery Robbie K. , Bynum James A. , Aden James K. , Pidcoke Heather F. , Cap Andrew P.
Published: February 2016

BACKGROUND

Platelet (PLT) storage has been limited to 5 days at room temperature due to metabolic decline and risk for bacterial contamination. Refrigeration preserves PLT metabolism and function as well as limits bacterial growth; however, cold storage of PLTs also leads to aggregate formation. We hypothesized that storage of PLT concentrates at 4°C leads to glycoprotein (GP)IIb‐IIIa activation and thus aggregate formation through fibrinogen binding and that this could be prevented by storing PLTs in PLT additive solution (PAS) without compromising PLT function.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Apheresis PLTs in plasma (AP) or apheresis PLTs in PAS were stored at 22 or 4°C for up to 15 days. Measurements include PLT counts, blood gases, aggregation response, flow cytometry analysis of integrin levels, activation markers, and microparticle formation.

RESULTS

Storage of AP 4°C led to a gradual decline in PLT count and an increase in aggregate formation that was mediated by intracellular calcium leak and fibrinogen receptor activation. Storage of PAS at 4°C prevented aggregate formation due to dilution of plasma fibrinogen. PAS stored at 4°C maintained aggregation responses to multiple agonists better than 22°C controls.

CONCLUSION

Storage of AP at 4°C leads to low level GPIIb‐IIIa activation and results in aggregate formation over time. Separating the PLTs from the plasma component and storing them in PAS at 4°C resolves aggregate formation and preserves the metabolic and functional responses of these stored PLTs.
SalmonellaVaccination in Pigs: A Review
Authors: Wales A. D. , Davies R. H.
Published: February 2016

The control ofSalmonella entericain pig production is necessary for both public and animal health. The persistent and frequently asymptomatic nature of porcineSalmonellainfection and the organism's abilities to colonize other animal species and to survive in the environment mean that effective control generally requires multiple measures. Vaccination is one such measure, and the present review considers its role and its future, drawing on studies in pigs from the 1950s to the present day. Once established in the body as an intracellular infectious agent,Salmonellacan evade humoral immunity, which goes some way to explaining the often disappointing performance of inactivatedSalmonellavaccines. More recent approaches, using mucosal presentation of antigens, live vaccines and adjuvants to enhance cell‐mediated immunity, have met with more success. Vaccination strategies that involve stimulating both passive immunity from the dam plus active immunity in offspring appear to be most efficacious, although either approach alone can yield significant control ofSalmonella. Problems that remain include relatively poor control ofSalmonellaserovars that are dissimilar to the vaccine antigen mix, and difficulties in measuring and predicting the performance of candidate vaccines in ways that are highly relevant to their likely use in commercial production.
Neural FFA3 activation inversely regulates anion secretion evoked by nicotinic ACh receptor activation in rat proximal colon
Authors: Kaji Izumi , Akiba Yasutada , Konno Kohtarou , Watanabe Masahiko , Kimura Shunsuke , Iwanaga Toshihiko , Kuri Ayaka , Iwamoto Ken‐ichi , Kuwahara Atsukazu , Kaunitz Jonathan D.
Published: February 2016

Key points

Luminal short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) influence gut physiological function via SCFA receptors and transporters.

The contribution of an SCFA receptor, free fatty acid receptor (FFA)3, to the enteric nervous system is unknown.

FFA3 is expressed in enteric cholinergic neurons.

Activation of neural FFA3 suppresses Cl− secretion induced by nicotinic ACh receptor activation via a Gi/o pathway.

Neural FFA3 may have an anti‐secretory function by modulating cholinergic neural reflexes in the enteric nervous system.

The proximal colonic mucosa is constantly exposed to high concentrations of microbially‐produced short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Although luminal SCFAs evoke electrogenic anion secretion and smooth muscle contractility via neural and non‐neural cholinergic pathways in the colon, the involvement of the SCFA receptor free fatty acid receptor (FFA)3, one of the free fatty acid receptor family members, has not been clarified. We investigated the contribution of FFA3 to cholinergic‐mediated secretory responses in rat proximal colon. FFA3 was immunolocalized to enteroendocrine cells and to the enteric neural plexuses. Most FFA3‐immunoreactive nerve fibres and nerve endings were cholinergic, colocalized with protein gene product (PGP)9.5, the vesicular ACh transporter, and the high‐affinity choline transporter CHT1. In Ussing chambered mucosa–submucosa preparations (including the submucosal plexus) of rat proximal colon, carbachol (CCh)‐induced Cl− secretion was decreased by TTX, hexamethonium, and the serosal FFA3 agonists acetate or propionate, although not by an inactive analogue 3‐chloropropionate. Serosal application of a selective FFA3 agonist (N‐[2‐methylphenyl]‐[4‐furan‐3‐yl]‐2‐methyl‐5‐oxo‐1,4,5,6,7,8‐hexahydro‐quinoline‐3‐carboxamide; MQC) dose‐dependently suppressed the response to CCh but not to forskolin, with an IC50 of 13 μm. Pretreatment with MQC inhibited nicotine‐evoked but not bethanechol‐evoked secretion. The inhibitory effect of MQC was reversed by pretreatment with pertussis toxin, indicating that FFA3 acts via the Gi/o pathway. Luminal propionate induced Cl− secretion via the cholinergic pathway, which was reduced by MQC, as well as by TTX, hexamethonium or removal of the submucosal plexus. These results suggest that the SCFA‐FFA3 pathway has a novel anti‐secretory function in that it inhibits cholinergic neural reflexes in the enteric nervous system.
Growth and characterization of GaAs1−x−ySbxNy/GaAs heterostructures for multijunction solar cell applications
Authors: Maros Aymeric , Faleev Nikolai , King Richard R. , Honsberg Christiana B.
Published: February 2016

The GaAsSbN dilute-nitride alloy can be grown lattice-matched to GaAs with a bandgap of 1 eV, making it an ideal candidate for use in multijunction solar cells. In this work, using molecular beam epitaxy in conjunction with a radio-frequency nitrogen plasma source, the authors focus first on the growth optimization of the GaAsSb and GaAsN alloys in order to calibrate the Sb and N compositions independently of each other. After the optimum growth conditions to maintain two-dimensional growth were identified, the growth of GaAsSbN films was demonstrated. Both a GaAsSb0.076N0.018/GaAs heterostructure (100 nm thick) and a GaAsSb0.073N0.015/GaAs quantum well (11 nm thick) were grown. X-ray diffraction analysis reveals quite high crystal quality with a small lattice mismatch of 0.13%–0.16%. Secondary ion mass spectrometry profiling revealed that nitrogen was unintentionally incorporated in the GaAs buffer layer during the plasma ignition and stabilization. Nevertheless, a low temperature photoluminescence peak energy of 1.06 eV was measured for the GaAsSbN heterostructure sample while the quantum well emitted photoluminescence at 1.09 eV, which demonstrates promise for realizing 1-eV solar cells.
SIMS characterization of surface-modified nanostructured titania electrodes for solar energy conversion devices
Authors: Vitale Stefania , Zappalà Gabriella , Tuccitto Nunzio , Torrisi Alberto , Napolitani Enrico , Licciardello Antonino
Published: February 2016

This paper deals with the investigation of a stepwise surface priming strategy based on zirconium phosphate-phosphonate chemistry (ZP priming), which was applied for the first time to nanostructured, micrometer-thick titanium dioxide electrodes. Through the extensive use of secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) depth profiling technique, it was possible to monitor the composition of the titania samples after every single reaction step of the priming. In particular, the impregnation of the surface with zirconium was found to be the determining step of the whole treatment. SIMS data allowed for the identification of the diffusion mechanism that governs the uptake of zirconium from an aqueous Zr(IV)-containing solution. Furthermore, from the depth profiling results, it was possible to optimize the priming experimental conditions in order to achieve the desired uniform surface modification along the entire nanostructured TiO2 layer. ZP-priming of nanostructured titania electrodes could be exploited within the field of dye-sensitized devices for solar energy conversion, by providing an anchoring platform for stable binding, at the oxide surface, of photoactive molecular systems bearing phosphonic moieties.
Vision 20/20: Magnetic resonance imaging‐guided attenuation correction in PET/MRI: Challenges, solutions, and opportunities
Authors: Mehranian Abolfazl , Arabi Hossein , Zaidi Habib
Published: February 2016

Attenuation correction is an essential component of the long chain of data correction techniques required to achieve the full potential of quantitative positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. The development of combined PET/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems mandated the widespread interest in developing novel strategies for deriving accurate attenuation maps with the aim to improve the quantitative accuracy of these emerging hybrid imaging systems. The attenuation map in PET/MRI should ideally be derived from anatomical MR images; however, MRI intensities reflect proton density and relaxation time properties of biological tissues rather than their electron density and photon attenuation properties. Therefore, in contrast to PET/computed tomography, there is a lack of standardized global mapping between the intensities of MRI signal and linear attenuation coefficients at 511 keV. Moreover, in standard MRI sequences, bones and lung tissues do not produce measurable signals owing to their low proton density and short transverse relaxation times. MR images are also inevitably subject to artifacts that degrade their quality, thus compromising their applicability for the task of attenuation correction in PET/MRI. MRI‐guided attenuation correction strategies can be classified in three broad categories: (i) segmentation‐based approaches, (ii) atlas‐registration and machine learning methods, and (iii) emission/transmission‐based approaches. This paper summarizes past and current state‐of‐the‐art developments and latest advances in PET/MRI attenuation correction. The advantages and drawbacks of each approach for addressing the challenges of MR‐based attenuation correction are comprehensively described. The opportunities brought by both MRI and PET imaging modalities for deriving accurate attenuation maps and improving PET quantification will be elaborated. Future prospects and potential clinical applications of these techniques and their integration in commercial systems will also be discussed.
“Stop Photoshopping!”: A Visual Participatory Inquiry Into Students’ Responses to a Body Curriculum
Authors: Azzarito Laura , Simon Mara , Marttinen Risto
Published: February 2016

In today’s school climate of accountability, researchers in Physical Education (PE) pedagogy have contested current fitness curricula that aim to manage, control, and normalize young people’s bodies. This participatory visual research incorporated a Body Curriculum into a fitness unit in a secondary school (a) to assist young people critically deal with the media narratives of perfect bodies they consume in their daily lives, and (b) to examine how participants responded to a Body Curriculum. It was found that while participants rejected media fabrications of the “ideal body” and the “unhealthy” ideals they circulate in society, they recognized the difficulty of not being “caught up” in media storytelling. Participants’ views of their own bodies, however, were not malleable, but rooted in narrow, fixed heteronormative white ideals of “looking a certain way” to “fit” society norms of physical appearance and attractiveness. The benefits and limitations of implementing a Body Curriculum are recognized.
Moving in My World: From School PE to Participants-Centered Art Exhibitions
Authors: Azzarito Laura
Published: February 2016

To address persistent health and physical activity issues, listening to the opinions and needs of a diverse population should be at the forefront of a social justice agenda. This article examines how a participant-centered photo exhibition, as the culmination of a two-year-long visual participatory research project, provided a site of public pedagogy for the audience to be acculturated around issues of ethnically diverse young people’s physical activity. Drawing from constructivist theory, I first present ethnically diverse young people as “experts of their own lives” and as active agents in their self-expression of their embodiments. I then demonstrate how young people’s visual narratives created alternative visions to media-driven body ideals, and to current schooling practices of body control and regulation. Last, I consider the benefits and limitations of organizing a photo exhibition as a pedagogical means to disseminate research findings to a larger audience, beyond the “academic monopoly,” for social change.
Extensive and ulcerated malignant proliferating trichilemmal (pilar) tumour, arising from multiple, large, degenerated trichilemmal (pilar) cysts
Authors: Morgado Bruno , Agostini Patrick , Rivero António , Silva Nuno
Published: February 2016

We report a rare case of a 61-year-old homeless man with a 15-year history of multiple trichilemmal cysts that served as a forerunner for the emergence of a malignant proliferating pilar tumour. The patient presented multiple, large, purulent, ulcerated lesions ranging from 10 to 150 mm in diameter, covering most of the scalp, with large areas superimposed by extensive myiasis infestation. The patient presented with no other major clinical findings. A CT scan showed no detectable signs of local or distant metastatic invasion. Initial supportive treatment was implemented. Given the extent of the injury, further surgical excision was considered, which required transfer to a specialised surgical centre. This social case is of educational value, as it can raise clinician awareness about the ability of trichilemmal cysts to undergo malignant transformation. Additionally, it highlights the importance of adequate social assistance structures for patients in need.
Phaeochromocytoma presenting with ST segment elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Ahmed Mohamed A , Abdullah Abdullah Sayied , Kiernan Thomas John
Published: February 2016

Phaeochromocytoma is a rare endocrine disorder with different cardiovascular presentations. In this brief report, we discuss a case of a 59-year-old woman who presented with acute ST segment elevation myocardial infarction secondary to phaeochromocytoma. Coronary angiogram showed non-obstructive coronary artery disease.
Histamine H2 receptor blockade augments blood pressure responses to acute submaximal exercise in males
Authors: Doh Hyung-Woo , Stebbins Charles L. , Choi Hyun-Min , Park Joonsung , Nho Hosung , Kim Jong-Kyung
Published: February 2016

Histamine is a potent vasodilator that has been found to increase during exercise. We tested the hypothesis that histamine would attenuate blood pressure (BP), cardiac output (CO), and vascular resistance responses to short-term, submaximal dynamic exercise during H2 receptor blockade. Fourteen healthy men (20–29 years of age) were studied. Systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), and mean arterial (MAP) BP and heart rate (HR) were assessed at rest and during the last minute of 10 min of submaximal cycling exercise (60% of peak oxygen consumption) in the absence and presence of histamine H2 receptor blockade (ranitidine, 300 mg). Stroke volume (SV) (impedance cardiography) and plasma norepinephrine (NE) were measured, and CO, rate × pressure product (RPP), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were calculated. Plasma levels of histamine were also measured. H2 blockade had no effects on any variables at rest. During exercise, SBP (184 ± 3 mm Hg vs. 166 ± 2 mm Hg), MAP (121 ± 2 mm Hg vs. 112 ± 5 mm Hg), and RPP (25.9 ± 0.8 × 103 mm Hg·beats/min vs. 23.5 ± 0.8 × 103 mm Hg/beats·min) were greater during blocked conditions (P < 0.05), and an interaction was observed for TPR. SV, DBP, HR, and NE levels were unaffected by blockade. Plasma histamine increased from 1.83 ± 0.14 ng/mL at rest to 2.33 ± 0.23 ng/mL during exercise (P < 0.05) and was not affected by H2 blockade (1.56 ± 0.23 ng/mL vs. 1.70 ± 0.24 ng/mL). These findings suggest that, during submaximal exercise, histamine attenuates BP, vascular resistance, and the work of the heart via activation of H2 receptors and that these effects occurred primarily in the vasculature and not in the myocardium.
Transient drainage of the thin film of linearly viscous MHD fluid on a slippery flat belt
Authors: Siddiqui A.M. , Walait A. , Haroon T. , Smeltzer J.
Published: February 2016

This paper considered the transient drainage of a linearly viscous magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) fluid down a vertical flat slippery belt. An inhomogeneous partial differential equation with an inhomogeneous boundary condition was developed. Exact solutions for the velocity distribution, flow rate, surface profile, and variable thickness were then computed. The effect of MHD and the slip parameter on the velocity, flow rate, and surface profile were then considered. The effect of the magnetic field on the derived flow properties was discussed and represented graphically. It was determined that the absence of the magnetic field and the assumption of no-slip boundary conditions reduced the problem to the well-known Jeffreys problem.
Diode-end-pumped, passively Q-switched, dual-wavelength, Nd:YAG crystal laser with monolayer graphene as saturable absorber operating at 1319 and 1338 nm
Authors: Gao Shang
Published: February 2016

A diode-end-pumped, passively Q-switched, Nd:YAG laser with a monolayer graphene as saturable absober simultaneously emitting at 1319 and 1338 nm was demonstrated for the first time. The maximum output power, the minimum pulse duration and the highest repetition rate were 586 mW, 317 ns, and 102 kHz, respectively. The corresponding peak power was about 18.1 W.
Population- and individual-level prey selection by a solitary predator as determined with two estimates of prey availability
Authors: Elbroch L. Mark , Lendrum Patrick E. , Robinson Hugh , Quigley Howard B.
Published: February 2016

Prey selection is exhibited by predator populations that kill a prey species disproportionate to its availability, or alternatively, individual predators that select prey disproportionate to the mean selection exhibited by their populations. Prey selection is a simple calculation when one can determine prey availability; however, measuring prey availability is challenging. We compared population- and individual-level prey selection as determined with two measures of prey availability for five ungulate species killed by pumas (Puma concolor (L., 1771)) in the Southern Yellowstone Ecosystem, USA: (1) annual prey counts and (2) total prey killed by marked pumas. We also tested whether individual pumas in the population exhibited a narrower dietary niche breadth compared with their population as a whole. The two methods yielded different estimates of prey availability and highlighted the need to consciously match prey availability estimates with appropriate ecological questions. Prey counts may have overestimated elk (Cervus canadensis (Erxleben, 1777)) abundance and underestimated deer abundance, whereas predation data may have better captured the influence of prey size on puma-specific prey vulnerability and availability. Prey counts were the more appropriate metric for analyzing population-level prey selection or differences in interspecific foraging, whereas total prey killed was the more appropriate metric for intraspecific comparisons.
Discovering Best Teams for Data Leak-Aware Crowdsourcing in Social Networks
Authors: Amor Iheb Ben , Benbernou Salima , Ouziri Mourad , Malik Zaki , Medjahed Brahim
Published: February 2016

Crowdsourcing is emerging as a powerful paradigm to help perform a wide range of tedious tasks in various enterprise applications. As such applications become more complex, crowdsourcing systems often require the collaboration of several experts connected through professional/social networks and organized in various teams. For instance, a well-known car manufacturer asked fans to contribute ideas for the kinds of technologies that should be incorporated into one of its cars. For that purpose, fans needed to collaborate and form teams competing with each others to come up with the best ideas. However, once teams are formed, each one would like to provide the best solution and treat that solution as a “trade secret,” hence preventing any data leak to its competitors (i.e., the other teams). In this article, we propose a data leak--aware crowdsourcing system called
SocialCrowd
. We introduce a clustering algorithm that uses social relationships between crowd workers to discover all possible teams while avoiding interteam data leakage. We also define a ranking mechanism to select the “best” team configurations. Our mechanism is based on the semiring approach defined in the area of soft constraints programming. Finally, we present experiments to assess the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Assessing Dependability with Software Fault Injection
Authors: Natella Roberto , Cotroneo Domenico , Madeira Henrique S.
Published: February 2016

With the rise of software complexity, software-related accidents represent a significant threat for computer-based systems. Software Fault Injection is a method to anticipate worst-case scenarios caused by faulty software through the deliberate injection of software faults. This survey provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the art on Software Fault Injection to support researchers and practitioners in the selection of the approach that best fits their dependability assessment goals, and it discusses how these approaches have evolved to achieve fault representativeness, efficiency, and usability. The survey includes a description of relevant applications of Software Fault Injection in the context of fault-tolerant systems.
Detecting Spam and Promoting Campaigns in Twitter
Authors: Zhang Xianchao , Li Zhaoxing , Zhu Shaoping , Liang Wenxin
Published: February 2016

Twitter has become a target platform for both promoters and spammers to disseminate their messages, which are more harmful than traditional spamming methods, such as email spamming. Recently, large amounts of campaigns that contain lots of spam or promotion accounts have emerged in Twitter. The campaigns cooperatively post unwanted information, and thus they can infect more normal users than individual spam or promotion accounts. Organizing or participating in campaigns has become the main technique to spread spam or promotion information in Twitter. Since traditional solutions focus on checking individual accounts or messages, efficient techniques for detecting spam and promotion campaigns in Twitter are urgently needed. In this article, we propose a framework to detect both spam and promotion campaigns. Our framework consists of three steps: the first step links accounts who post URLs for similar purposes; the second step extracts candidate campaigns that may be for spam or promotion purposes; and the third step classifies the candidate campaigns into normal, spam, and promotion groups. The key point of the framework is how to measure the similarity between accounts' purposes of posting URLs. We present two measure methods based on Shannon information theory: the first one uses the URLs posted by the users, and the second one considers both URLs and timestamps. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed methods can extract the majority of the candidate campaigns correctly, and detect promotion and spam campaigns with high precision and recall.
Computing the Distance between Piecewise-Linear Bivariate Functions
Authors: Moroz Guillaume , Aronov Boris
Published: February 2016

We consider the problem of computing the distance between two piecewise-linear bivariate functions
f
and
g
defined over a common domain
M
, induced by the
L
2
norm—that is, ‖
f
-
g
‖2 = √∫

M

(
f
-
g
)
2
. If
f
is defined by linear interpolation over a triangulation of
M
with
n
triangles and
g
is defined over another such triangulation, the obvious naive algorithm requires Θ(
n
2
) arithmetic operations to compute this distance. We show that it is possible to compute it in
O
(
n
log
4
n
log log
n
) arithmetic operations by reducing the problem to multipoint evaluation of a certain type of polynomials.

We also present several generalizations and an application to terrain matching.
Width of Points in the Streaming Model
Authors: Andoni Alexandr , Nguyêݱn Huy L.
Published: February 2016

In this article, we show how to compute the width of a dynamic set of low-dimensional points in the streaming model. In particular, we assume that the stream contains both insertions of points and deletions of points to a set
S
, and the goal is to compute the width of the set
S
, namely the minimal distance between two parallel hyperplanes sandwiching the point set
S
.

Our algorithm (1 + ϵ) approximates the width of the set
S
using space polylogarithmic in the size of
S
and the aspect ratio of
S
. This is the first such algorithm that supports both insertions and deletions of points to the set
S
: previous algorithms for approximating the width of a point set only supported additions [Agarwal et al. 2004; Chan 2006], or a sliding window [Chan and Sadjad 2006].

This solves an open question from the “2009 Kanpur list” of open problems in data streams, property testing, and related topics [Indyk et al. 2011].
Workload Characterization
Authors: Calzarossa Maria Carla , Massari Luisa , Tessera Daniele
Published: February 2016

Workload characterization is a well-established discipline that plays a key role in many performance engineering studies. The large-scale social behavior inherent in the applications and services being deployed nowadays leads to rapid changes in workload intensity and characteristics and opens new challenging management and performance issues. A deep understanding of user behavior and workload properties and patterns is therefore compelling. This article presents a comprehensive survey of the state of the art of workload characterization by addressing its exploitation in some popular application domains. In particular, we focus on conventional web workloads as well as on the workloads associated with online social networks, video services, mobile apps, and cloud computing infrastructures. We discuss the peculiarities of these workloads and present the methodological approaches and modeling techniques applied for their characterization. The role of workload models in various scenarios (e.g., performance evaluation, capacity planning, content distribution, resource provisioning) is also analyzed.
Detection of Polyphase Codes Radar Signals in Low SNR
Authors: Tian Runlan , Zhang Guoyi , Zhou Rui , Dong Wei
Published: February 2016

A novel effective detection method is proposed for electronic intelligence (ELINT) systems detecting polyphase codes radar signal in the low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) scenario. The core idea of the proposed method is first to calculate the time-frequency distribution of polyphase codes radar signals via Wigner-Ville distribution (WVD); then the modified Hough transform (HT) is employed to cumulate all the energy of WVD’s ridges effectively to achieve signal detection. Compared with the generalised Wigner Hough transform (GWHT) method, the proposed method has a superior performance in low SNR and is not sensitive to the code type. Simulation results verify the validity of the proposed method.
Penis Allotransplantation in Beagle Dog
Authors: Zhao Yongbin , Hu Weilie , Zhang Lichao , Guo Fei , Wang Wei , Wang Bangqi , Zhang Changzheng
Published: February 2016

This is an original research of penis allotransplantation. The paper presents an experiment allogenic penis transplantation model in Beagles, with a focus on recovery of blood supply and changes in tissue architecture. Twenty adult Beagles were allocated to 10 pairs for penile transplantation. After operation, the skin and glans were observed. If adverse symptoms occurred, the transplanted penis was resected and pathologically examined. Frequency of urination, urinary stream, and patency level were recorded 7 days after transplantation. Cystourethrography was performed on Day 10. The transplanted penises were resected on Day 14 for pathological examination. The research showed that transplanted penises survived after allotransplantation, and the dogs regained urination ability. Penis autotransplantation in Beagles is feasible. This preliminary study shows a potential for application of this new procedure for penis transplantation in humans.
Synthesis, Structural Characterization, and Thermal Properties of the Poly(methylmethacrylate)/δ-FeOOH Hybrid Material: An Experimental and Theoretical Study
Authors: Corrêa Silviana , Lacerda Lívia C. T. , Pires Maíra dos S. , Rocha Marcus V. J. , Nogueira Francisco G. E. , da Silva Adilson C. , Pereira Marcio C. , de Brito Angela D. B. , da Cunha Elaine F. F. , Ramalho Teodorico C.
Published: February 2016

Theδ-FeOOH/PMMA nanocomposites with 0.5 and 2.5 wt.% ofδ-FeOOH were prepared by grafting 3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl methacrylate on the surface of the iron oxyhydroxide particles. The FTIR spectra of theδ-FeOOH/PMMA nanocomposites showed that the silane monomers were covalently attached to theδ-FeOOH particles. Because of the strong interaction between the PMMA andδ-FeOOH nanoparticles, the thermal stability of theδ-FeOOH/PMMA nanocomposites was improved compared to the pure PMMA. The SEM analysis conferred the size agglomerate of particles regarding the morphology of samples. The theoretical study enabled a better understanding of the interaction of the polymer with the iron oxyhydroxide. The DFT-based calculations reinforce the radical trapping mechanism of stabilization of nanocomposites; that is, Fe3+species might be able to accept electrons coming from the organic phase that decomposes via radical unzipping. The radical scavenge effect delays the weight loss of polymer.
Use of Scrambler Therapy in Acute Paediatric Pain: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Congedi Sabrina , Spadini Silvia , Di Pede Chiara , Ometto Martina , Franceschi Tatiana , De Tommasi Valentina , Agosto Caterina , Lazzarin Pierina , Benini Franca
Published: February 2016

We report our clinical experience on the effect of Scrambler Therapy (ST) for a child with acute mixed pain refractory to pharmacological treatment. ST, recently proposed as an alternative treatment for chronic neuropathic pain in adults, is a noninvasive approach to relieve pain, by changing pain perception at brain level. It is safe and has no side effects. Further research is needed to assess its efficacy for acute pain and for paediatric population.
Construction and Testing of Lightweight and Low-Cost Pneumatically Inflated Solar Concentrators
Authors: De Los Santos-García F. M. I. , Nahmad-Molinari Y. , Nieto-Navarro J. , Alanís-Ruiz C. , Patiño-Jiménez Felipe
Published: February 2016

Design, construction, and evaluation of a cylindrical-trough solar concentrator with 1.3 m aperture, 2.15 m length, and 0.54 m focal length, with heat-pipe or vacuum tube receiver and one axis tracking system, are presented. Design performance was tested under ASHRAE standard 93-1986 (RA 91). The concentrator system is lightweight and inexpensive since it was made of polymeric membranes and was pneumatically inflated to acquire its cylindrical shape achieving good optical quality. Further implementation of a flat and a cylindrical extension of the concentrating mirror as secondary mirrors was incorporated into the concentrator design in order to compensate for seasonal variations of collected radiation. Total initial investment of $163.30 or $58.5/m2and efficiencies ranging from 33 to 25% for 25 up to 65°C show an excellent cost-performance ratio. Construction, costs, and efficiencies obtained by us and developed by other groups are compared to emphasize the high cost/benefit ratio and efficiencies of this approach.
A Bilateral Traumatic Hip Obturator Dislocation
Authors: Karaarslan Ahmet Adnan , Acar Nihat , Karci Tolga , Sesli Erhan
Published: February 2016

A case of a bilateral simultaneous traumatic obturator dislocation of both hip joints in an 18-year-old young man following a traffic accident is presented. We reduced the dislocated femoral heads immediately under general anesthesia followed by passive and active exercises and early full-weight bearing mobilization. After 5 years, the result was excellent.
Effects of Osseointegration by Bone Morphogenetic Protein-2 on Titanium Implants In Vitro and In Vivo
Authors: Teng Fu-Yuan , Chen Wen-Cheng , Wang Yin-Lai , Hung Chun-Cheng , Tseng Chun-Chieh
Published: February 2016

This study designed a biomimetic implant for reducing healing time and achieving early osseointegration to create an active surface. Bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) is a strong regulator protein in osteogenic pathways. Due to hardly maintaining BMP-2 biological function and specificity, BMP-2 efficient delivery on implant surfaces is the main challenge for the clinic application. In this study, a novel method for synthesizing functionalized silane film for superior modification with BMP-2 on titanium surfaces is proposed. Three groups were compared with and without BMP-2 on modified titanium surfaces in vitro and in vivo: mechanical grinding; electrochemical modification through potentiostatic anodization (ECH); and sandblasting, alkali heating, and etching (SMART). Cell tests indicated that the ECH and SMART groups with BMP-2 markedly promoted D1 cell activity and differentiation compared with the groups without BMP-2. Moreover, the SMART group with a BMP-2 surface markedly promoted early alkaline phosphatase expression in the D1 cells compared with the other surface groups. Compared with these groups in vivo, SMART silaning with BMP-2 showed superior bone quality and created contact areas between implant and surrounding bones. The SMART group with BMP-2 could promote cell mineralization in vitro and osseointegration in vivo, indicating potential clinical use.
A New Least Squares Support Vector Machines Ensemble Model for Aero Engine Performance Parameter Chaotic Prediction
Authors: Du Dangdang , Jia Xiaoliang , Hao Chaobo
Published: February 2016

Aiming at the nonlinearity, chaos, and small-sample of aero engine performance parameters data, a new ensemble model, named the least squares support vector machine (LSSVM) ensemble model with phase space reconstruction (PSR) and particle swarm optimization (PSO), is presented. First, to guarantee the diversity of individual members, different single kernel LSSVMs are selected as base predictors, and they also output the primary prediction results independently. Then, all the primary prediction results are integrated to produce the most appropriate prediction results by another particular LSSVM—a multiple kernel LSSVM, which reduces the dependence of modeling accuracy on kernel function and parameters. Phase space reconstruction theory is applied to extract the chaotic characteristic of input data source and reconstruct the data sample, and particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to obtain the best LSSVM individual members. A case study is employed to verify the effectiveness of presented model with real operation data of aero engine. The results show that prediction accuracy of the proposed model improves obviously compared with other three models.
Further Results on Resistance Distance and Kirchhoff Index in Electric Networks
Authors: Liu Qun , Liu Jia-Bao , Cao Jinde
Published: February 2016

In electric circuit theory, it is of great interest to compute the effective resistance between any pairs of vertices of a network, as well as the Kirchhoff index. LetQ(G)be the graph obtained fromGby inserting a new vertex into every edge ofGand by joining by edges those pairs of these new vertices which lie on adjacent edges ofG. The set of such new vertices is denoted byI(G). TheQ-vertex corona ofG1andG2, denoted byG1⊙QG2, is the graph obtained from vertex disjointQ(G1)andVG1copies ofG2by joining theith vertex ofV(G1)to every vertex in theith copy ofG2. TheQ-edge corona ofG1andG2, denoted byG1⊖QG2, is the graph obtained from vertex disjointQ(G1)andIG1copies ofG2by joining theith vertex ofI(G1)to every vertex in theith copy ofG2. The objective of the present work is to obtain the resistance distance and Kirchhoff index for composite networks such asQ-vertex corona andQ-edge corona networks.
Surgical Treatment of Posttraumatic Radioulnar Synostosis
Authors: Pfanner S. , Bigazzi P. , Casini C. , De Angelis C. , Ceruso M.
Published: February 2016

Radioulnar synostosis is a rare complication of forearm fractures. The formation of a bony bridge induces functional disability due to limitation of the pronosupination. Although the etiology of posttraumatic synostosis is unknown, it seems that the incidence is higher in patients who have suffered a concomitant neurological or burn trauma, and extensive soft tissue injury, mainly due to high-energy impact. Surgical treatment, such as reinsertion of distal biceps tendon into the radius, seems to be another possible factor. The aim of the surgical treatment is to remove the bony bridge and restore complete range of movement (ROM), thus preventing recurrence. Literature does not indicate a preferred type of surgical procedure for the aforementioned complication; however, it has been shown that surgical interposition of inert material reduces the formation rate of recurrent bony bridge. We describe a surgical technique in two cases in which the radius and ulna were wrapped with allogenic, cadaver fascia lata graft to prevent bony bridge formation. The data from 2 years of follow-up are reported, indicating full restoration of ROM and no recurrence of synostosis.
Adipose‐Derived Stem Cells for Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine Applications
Authors: Dai Ru , Wang Zongjie , Samanipour Roya , Koo Kyo-in , Kim Keekyoung
Published: February 2016

Adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) are a mesenchymal stem cell source with properties of self‐renewal and multipotential differentiation. Compared to bone marrow‐derived stem cells (BMSCs), ASCs can be derived from more sources and are harvested more easily. Three‐dimensional (3D) tissue engineering scaffolds are better able to mimic the in vivo cellular microenvironment, which benefits the localization, attachment, proliferation, and differentiation of ASCs. Therefore, tissue‐engineered ASCs are recognized as an attractive substitute for tissue and organ transplantation. In this paper, we review the characteristics of ASCs, as well as the biomaterials and tissue engineering methods used to proliferate and differentiate ASCs in a 3D environment. Clinical applications of tissue‐engineered ASCs are also discussed to reveal the potential and feasibility of using tissue‐engineered ASCs in regenerative medicine.