bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Next Link in the Chain Reaction: Symbolic Racism and Obama's Religious Affiliation
Authors: Maxwell Angie , Dowe Pearl Ford , Shields Todd
Published: September 2012

Objectives

During the 2008 presidential election, questions about Barack Obama's religious affiliations spread rapidly over the Internet and became a regular story in the national news. Despite Obama's repeated testimony that he is a Christian, surveys indicated that a sizeable portion of the public believed that he was a Muslim, while others indicated that they were “unsure” of his religious allegiances. We evaluate the extent to which racial attitudes played a role in how the public viewed Obama's religious affiliations.

Methods

We used nationally representative surveys conducted by the Pew Foundation and a state‐level survey conducted in Arkansas.

Results

Our findings suggest that attitudes about Obama's religious affiliation were significantly influenced by symbolic racism.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the American public dialogue about racial politics has evolved in recent years to include religious denominations.
Financial Interests and Economic Diversity in State Legislatures
Authors: Battista James C.
Published: September 2012

Objective

I examine how the prevalence of U.S. state legislators economically connected to an industry, and the diversity of economic connections in a legislature, vary in response to the employment share of that industry in the state, the partisan split of the legislature, and professionalization (or its components).

Methods

I use conflict‐of‐interest filings for 1999–2000, 2000 Census employment data, and related data to examine the prevalence of connections to several sectors using seemingly unrelated regression.

Results

The employment share of an industry in the state is a powerful predictor of connections to that industry among legislators, as is the partisan split of the chamber. Professionalization plays a role, dominated by its pay component, but to a smaller degree. Professionalization is the primary predictor of the diversity of connections.

Conclusion

Legislators’ economic connections are driven in part by underlying conditions such as the economic makeup of the state.
Importance of Superior Vena Cava Isolation in Successful Ablation of Persistent Atrial Fibrillation in Patient with Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Vein
Authors: AGARWAL SHARAD C. , BITTINGER LOGAN , TANG ANTHONY S.
Published: September 2012

Ectopic foci arising from pulmonary veins (PVs) are the predominant sources for the initiation and maintenance of atrial fibrillation (AF) in a vast majority of cases. However, ectopic foci also exist in the non‐PV areas like superior vena cava (SVC) in 10–20% of the cases. We report the significance of SVC isolation in a patient with persistent AF and anomalous pulmonary venous connection of the right superior pulmonary vein into the SVC. (PACE 2013; 36:e146–e149)
The Use of Online Focus Groups to Design An Online Food Safety Education Intervention
Authors: Mayer Ashley Bramlett , Harrison Judy A.
Published: September 2012

Abstract:  In the development of an online food safety education intervention for college students, online focus groups were used to determine the appropriate format and messages. Focus groups are often used in qualitative research and formative evaluation of public health programs, yet traditional focus groups can be both difficult and expensive to coordinate. Online focus groups offer an alternative means of discovering the attitudes and opinions of hard‐to‐reach populations. Online focus groups were facilitated in a university‐supported web‐based learning environment (E‐Learning Commons) with students at the University of Georgia, and students discussed questions related to food safety and Internet‐based education. Focus group transcripts were categorized by responses to each of the questions, and results were reported in terms of frequency. Students identified personally relevant food safety messages, preferred delivery tools and strategies for food safety education, and known sources for food safety information. Online focus groups were found to be an effective and inexpensive means of determining students’ preferences for learning about food safety using the Internet and social media. Results from the online focus groups were used to design a social media‐based food safety education intervention to improve young adults’ food safety attitudes, practices and knowledge.
Use of Practitioner‐Based and Self‐Care Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States: A Demand for Health Perspective
Authors: Bhargava Vibha , Hong Gong‐Soog , Montalto Catherine P.
Published: September 2012

This study examined the economic and noneconomic predictors of the likelihood of practitioner‐based and self‐care Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) utilization. Two practitioner‐based CAM modalities, chiropractic and massage therapy, and two self‐care CAM modalities, herbs and yoga, were examined using the 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The hypotheses were based on an economic model of demand for health proposed by Grossman (). Geographic region of residence, resources including income, time factors including presence of children under age 18 and hours of work, productivity factors including age, education, and health status, and preference factors including gender, race/ethnicity, marital status, and health behaviors were significant predictors of likelihood of CAM use. There was some variation in both direction and magnitude of the effects of economic and noneconomic predictors of CAM use across the modalities.
2D Barcodes: A Novel and Simple Method for Denture Identification
Authors: Sudheendra Udyavara S. , Sowmya Kasetty , Vidhi Mathur , Shreenivas Kallianpur , Prathamesh Joshi
Published: September 2012

Several methods of denture marking have been described in the literature. However, most of them are expensive, time‐consuming, and do not permit the incorporation of large amounts of information. We propose a novel and simple method incorporating 2D codes which has several advantages over the existing methods. A 2D code was generated in the dental office and inserted into a maxillary denture. The code was then read using software downloaded into a mobile phone giving access to the website containing details about the patient. The denture was also subjected to durability tests, which did not hamper the efficacy of the 2D code. 2D coding for dentures is a simple, less expensive method with the potential of storing a large amount of information that can be accessed on‐site by the forensic investigator, thus allowing quick identification of the denture wearer.
Guidelines for Brief Focused Assessment: AFCC Task Force on Brief Focused Assessments.
Authors: Cavallero Linda , Hanks Susan E.
Published: September 2012

The Association of Family and Conciliations Courts (AFCC) Task on Brief Focused Assessment was convened in 2007 to study the issues inherent in the use of brief focused assessment models in family courts. The resultant “Guidelines for Brief Focused Assessment” were approved by the AFCC Board of Directors in 2009 and are presented here to prompt discussion and further dialogue about this clearly needed practice.

Key Points for the Family Court Community

Issue‐specific assessments are increasingly requested by family court judges

Practice guidelines for clinicians conducting brief focused assessments (BFAs)

Types of issues/questions appropriate for BFAs

Advantages and pitfalls of BFAs

Comparison of BFAs and comprehensive child custody evaluations
Imaging and diagnostic criteria for Multiple Sclerosis: Are we there yet?
Authors: Josey Lawrence , Curley Michael , Jafari Mousavi Foroogh , Taylor Bruce V , Lucas Robyn , Coulthard Alan
Published: September 2012

Introduction

Excluding post traumatic injury, Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is the most common disabling neurological disorder of young adults. Although the effect on mortality is limited, the association of a young demographic and significant morbidity combine to make MS a devastating disease. Since MS was given its first detailed description in 1868, diagnostic criteria continue to evolve. Recently, there has been an international commitment to combine both clinical and paraclinical tests to arrive at an earlier diagnosis. Widespread acceptance of the use of MRI in diagnosis, monitoring and research has made the role of the radiologist more critical than ever in this disease. The primary diagnostic criteria for MS are the International Panel criteria, commonly referred to as the McDonald criteria and it is essential that the radiology community is aware of the work preceding these criteria, so that they are understood in the correct context and the importance acknowledged.

Methods

Literature review utilising key word search to obtain the historical and current context of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of MS.

Results

A succinct description of the evolution of criteria for the diagnosis of MS.

Conclusions

Radiologists must recognise that there are specific diagnostic criteria for MS that continue to evolve as a result of new research, improved technology and clinical experience and it is crucial that these criteria be applied in daily practice. It should be evident that diagnostic imaging criteria for MS will be most effective when combined with standardised MRI protocols such as those published by the international Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centres.
Efficacy and safety of indomethacin 0.1% eye drops compared with ketorolac 0.5% eye drops in the management of ocular inflammation after cataract surgery
Authors: Weber Michel , Kodjikian Laurent , Kruse Friedrich E. , Zagorski Zbigniew , Allaire Catherine M.
Published: September 2012

Purpose:  To determine whether indomethacin 0.1% eye drops are at least as effective as ketorolac 0.5% eye drops in treating ocular inflammation following cataract surgery.

Methods:  Prospective, multicenter, investigator‐masked, parallel‐group, randomized, active‐controlled clinical trial. Cataract patients were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive indomethacin or ketorolac administered QID for 3 weeks beginning 1 day before surgery. The primary end‐point was aqueous flare measured by laser flare meter at postoperative Days 1 and 7. Secondary end‐points included retinal thickness, slit lamp and funduscopic examinations and postsurgical pain ratings. Safety and tolerability were also assessed.

Results:  A total of 86 patients were included in the per protocol population (n = 43 per treatment group). Indomethacin was found non‐inferior to ketorolac for comparison of aqueous flare at postoperative Days 1 and 7 (Day 1: 95% CI: −2.37, 5.50; non‐inferiority upper margin, 15 ph/ms and Day 7: 95% CI: −7.83, −0.94; non‐inferiority upper margin, 8 ph/ms) and statistically better than ketorolac at Day 7 (p = 0.013). There were no significant between‐group differences in aqueous flare and change from baseline in retinal thickness at postoperative Days 30 and 90. Indomethacin showed a higher subjective tolerance rating than ketorolac at postoperative Days 7 and 30 (p ≤ 0.044).

Conclusion:  Indomethacin 0.1% was at least as effective as ketorolac 0.5% at Day 1 and more effective than ketorolac 0.5% at Day 7 in treating ocular inflammation after uncomplicated cataract surgery. Indomethacin was better tolerated than ketorolac. There were no clinically meaningful safety concerns with either treatment.
Scalpels v. Hammers: Mitgating Exempt Well Impacts
Authors: Bracken Nathan S.
Published: September 2012

Most western states allow landowners to withdraw certain amounts of groundwater for specified purposes without obtaining a water right permit. As water demands increase in the West, some developers are using exempt wells to supply water to residential developments without acquiring the permits and water rights needed to build public water supply systems. This has led to concerns that the cumulative impact of these wells could impair senior water rights, create environmental problems, and threaten water quality in some areas. This article explores the considerations associated with mitigating exempt well impacts and argues that surgical approaches focused on specific issues and geographic areas (scalpels) are more politically and administratively feasible than broad efforts to repeal or reduce exemptions on a statewide basis (hammers). The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and do not represent those of the Western States Water Council or its member states.
Ordinary (mesostasis) and not‐so‐ordinary (symplectites) late‐stage assemblages in howardites
Authors: PATZER Andrea , McSWEEN JR. Harry Y
Published: September 2012

Abstract– Two categories of symplectites have been observed in howardites: three‐phase, composed of vermicular intergrowths of ferroan augite, fayalitic olivine, and silica, and two‐phase, composed of vermicular intergrowths of orthopyroxene and troilite. Three‐phase symplectites have been previously shown to represent the breakdown products of metastable pyroxene. In howardites, they appear to be genetically related to gabbroic eucrites. In some cases and under yet‐to‐be specified conditions, ferroan clinopyroxene in gabbroic eucrites may undergo only localized decomposition resulting in oriented exsolution‐like features. Breakdown phases in those cases are fayalitic olivine, silica, and—depending on the MgO content of the system—orthopyroxene. As opposed to three‐phase symplectites, two‐phase symplectites are most likely of diogenitic origin. They probably formed via impact‐induced localized melting of diogenitic orthopyroxene in the presence of troilite (grain boundary melting). Three‐phase symplectites in howardites occasionally contain accessory amounts of ilmenite, troilite, and/or kamacite and are exclusively associated with medium‐grained FeO‐rich pyroxene, silica, and plagioclase. All minerals involved are late‐stage crystallites or mesostasis phases. In general, highly evolved eucritic lithologies constitute only a minor fraction of howardites. However, considering that three‐phase symplectites are generated in a low‐pressure, i.e., near‐surface, environment, FeO‐ and CaO‐rich eucritic rocks may be exposed locally on Vesta’s surface. This, in turn, is highly relevant to the ongoing DAWN mission.
Stem cells of the lamina propria of human oral mucosa and gingiva develop into mineralized tissues in vivo
Authors: Treves‐Manusevitz Sandra , Hoz Lia , Rachima Heled , Montoya Gonzalo , Tzur Ephraim , Vardimon Alexander , Narayanan A. Sampath , Amar Salomon , Arzate Higinio , Pitaru Sandu
Published: September 2012

Aims

To characterize the mineralized tissue formed constitutively in the supracalvarial region of scid mice by a primitive stem cell population (hOMSC) derived from the lamina propria of the human oral mucosa and gingiva.

Material and Methods

Fibrin–hOMSC constructs were cultured for 14 days at which time point they were analysed for the expression of osteoblastic/cementoblastic markers and implanted between the skin and calvaria bones into scid mice. After 8 weeks, the animals were sacrificed and the implantation sites analysed.

Results

Two‐week‐old cultures of fibrin–hOMSC constructs expressed osteogenic/cementogenic markers at the gene level. Macroscopic and radiographic examinations revealed mineralized masses at the implantation sites of fibrin–hOMSC constructs. Histology, histochemistry and immunofluorescence showed mineralized masses consisting of avascular cellular and acellular matrices that stained positively for collagen, Ca, cementum attachment protein, cementum protein 1, bone sialoprotein, alkaline phosphatase, osteocalcin, amelogenin and ameloblastin. Positive anti‐human nuclear antigen indicated the human origin of the cells. Atomic force microscopy depicted long prismatic structures organized in lamellar aggregates.

Conclusions

Within the limitation of this study, the results indicate for the first time that fibrin–hOMSC constructs are endowed with the constitutive capacity to develop into mineralized tissues that exhibit certain similarities to cementum and bone.
Everyday regional anesthesia in children
Authors: Marhofer Peter , Ivani Giorgio , Suresh Santhanam , Melman Estela , Zaragoza Guadalupe , Bosenberg Adrian
Published: September 2012

Regional anesthesia in children is an evolving technique with many advantages in perioperative management. Although most regional anesthesia techniques are sufficiently described in the literature, the implementation of these techniques into daily clinical practice is still lacking. The main problems associated with pediatric regional anesthesia (PRA) include the appropriate selection of blockade, the management around the block, and how to teach these techniques in an optimal manner. This review article provides an overview of these ‘hot’ topics in PRA.
Ultrasound for vascular access in pediatric patients
Authors: Schindler Ehrenfried , Schears Gregory J. , Hall Stuart R. , Yamamoto Tomohiro
Published: September 2012

Objectives

In pediatric patients vascular access is often more difficult than in adults because of the smaller size of the vessels and the inability of the patient to cooperate without deep sedation or general anesthesia. Therefore Ultrasound has already become an invaluable tool for vascular access, but the full potential of ultrasound has yet to be fully realized. Improvements in image quality and a better understanding of optimal insertion techniques continue to help clinicians safely and efficiently place catheters with fewer complications.

Methods and Technique

The probes used for the vascular access are mainly linear and convex type. Higher‐ frequency ultrasound provides a vivid image; however, the signals are remarkably attenuated. Therefore, the choice of the probe with appropriate frequency is essential. As blood vessels are relatively easily identified with ultrasound, ultrasound‐guided vascular access does not require as sharp images as ultrasound‐guided nerve block. For pediatric vascular access, the linear probe with 5–15 MHz, 2–5 cm depth is ideal and adequate for almost all cases. Ultrasound‐guided vascular access has two main approaches: ‘long‐axis’ or ‘in‐plane approach’ and ‘short‐axis’ or ‘transverse approach’. The long‐axis approach visualizes the vessel along the insertion pathway and is commonly used to monitor the entire approach of the needle into the vessel. The short‐axis approach is easier to show the positional relationship and depth of target vessels, but it is much harder to follow the needle tip within the tissues.

Conclusion

The use of ‘real‐time’ ultrasound has been shown to increase first insertion success, reduce access time, have a higher overall success, and reduce arterial puncture. As the technology continues to improve the use of ultrasound will become as ubiquitous as the lines themselves.
Aeroelastic Stability Assessment of an Industrial Compressor Blade Including Mistuning Effects
Authors: Zhai Yaoguang , Bladh Ronnie , Dyverfeldt Göran
Published: September 2012

This paper presents a comprehensive investigation into the aeroelastic stability behavior of a transonic front blade in an industrial compressor when operating outside its normal range of service parameters. The evolution of the airfoil’s aeroelastic stability in the first flexural mode is studied as the front blade operation progresses towards choked flow conditions. First, linearized 3D flutter computations representing today’s industry standard are performed. The linearized calculations indicate a significant, shock-driven flutter risk at these off-design flow conditions. To further explore the aeroelastic behavior of the rotor and to find a viable solution toward flutter risk elimination, two parallel investigations are undertaken: (i) flow perturbation nonlinearity effects and potential presence of limit-cycle oscillation, and (ii) effects of blade mistuning and flutter mitigation potential of intentional mistuning, including its impact on forced response behavior. The nonlinear harmonic analyses show that the minimum aerodynamic damping increases rapidly and essentially linearly with blade oscillation amplitude beyond the linear regime. Thus, a state of safe limit-cycle oscillation is predicted for the fully tuned blade. Additionally, it is found that intentional, realizable blade frequency offsets in an alternating pattern efficiently stabilize the blade. Finally, it is verified that alternating mistuning has a beneficial effect versus the inevitable random mistuning also in the forced response.
T-DUALITY OF NSR SUPERSTRING: THE WORLDSHEET PERSPECTIVE
Authors: MAHARANA JNANADEVA
Published: September 2012

We formulate target space duality symmetry of NSR superstring from the perspectives of worldsheet. The worldsheet action is presented in the superspace formalism in the presence of massless backgrounds. We start from a [Formula: see text]-dimensional target space worldsheet action and compactify the theory on a d-dimensional torus, Td. It is assumed that the backgrounds are independent of compact (super)coordinates. We adopt the formalism of our earlier work to introduce dual supercoordinates along compact directions and introduce the corresponding dual backgrounds. It is demonstrated that combined equations of motion of the two sets of coordinates can be expressed in a manifestly O(d, d) covariant form analogous to the equations of motions for closed bosonic string derived by us. Furthermore, we show that the vertex operators associated with excited massive levels of NSR string can be expressed in an O(d, d) invariant form generalizing earlier result for closed bosonic string.
My new PC is a mobile phone
Authors: Baudisch Patrick , Holz Christian
Published: September 2012

Techniques and devices are being developed to better suit what we think of as the new smallness.
Heads in the cloud
Authors: Miller Robert C. , Little Greg , Bernstein Michael , Bigham Jeffrey P. , Chilton Lydia B. , Goldman Max , Horton John J. , Nayak Rajeev
Published: September 2012

A professor and several PhD students at MIT examine the challenges and opportunities in human computation.
Beyond freebird
Authors: Shamma David A.
Published: September 2012

Exploring Twitter and live events by structure and context can shed light on what people think.
Why I don't rob banks for a living
Authors: Immorlica Nicole
Published: September 2012

Can game theory 'prove' that online robbery is irrational?
The networked vehicle 1.0
Authors: Letendre Steven , Kempton Willet , Tomić Jasna
Published: September 2012

The electric car revolution is back in gear and ready to plug into the mass market.
Inventing open government
Authors: Tauberer Joshua
Published: September 2012

Internet startup POPVOX connects constituents to Congress in a play to disrupt the world of advocacy.
An interview with Dr. Beth Simone Noveck
Authors: Kinnaird Peter
Published: September 2012

The former U.S. Deputy Chief Technology Officer and the author of
Wiki Government: How Technology Can Make Government Better, Democracy Stronger and Citizens More Powerful
discusses open government and what it really means.
Invitation to complexity theory
Authors: Goldreich Oded
Published: September 2012

Complexity theory provides new viewpoints on various phenomena that were considered by past thinkers.
The tale of the PCP theorem
Authors: Moshkovitz Dana
Published: September 2012

How the search for the limits of computing led to the discovery of the unexpected power of proofs.
Peregrine: Low-latency queries on Hive warehouse data
Authors: Murthy Raghotham , Goel Rajat
Published: September 2012

How Facebook is analyzing big data.
CPHASH
Authors: Metreveli Zviad , Zeldovich Nickolai , Kaashoek M. Frans
Published: September 2012

CPHash is a concurrent hash table for multicore processors. CPHash partitions its table across the caches of cores and uses message passing to transfer lookups/inserts to a partition. CPHash's message passing avoids the need for locks, pipelines batches of asynchronous messages, and packs multiple messages into a single cache line transfer. Experiments on a 80-core machine with 2 hardware threads per core show that CPHash has ~1.6x higher throughput than a hash table implemented using fine-grained locks. An analysis shows that CPHash wins because it experiences fewer cache misses and its cache misses are less expensive, because of less contention for the on-chip interconnect and DRAM. CPServer, a key/value cache server using CPHash, achieves ~5% higher throughput than a key/value cache server that uses a hash table with fine-grained locks, but both achieve better throughput and scalability than memcached. The throughput of CPHash and CPServer also scale near-linearly with the number of cores.
On LevelpSiegel Cusp Forms of Degree Two
Authors: Kodama Hirotaka , Nagaoka Shoyu , Nakamura Yoshitsugu
Published: September 2012

We give a simple formula for the Fourier coefficients of some degree-two Siegel cusp form with levelp.
Efficacy of a Multimodal Cognitive Rehabilitation Including Psychomotor and Endurance Training in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Reuter I. , Mehnert S. , Sammer G. , Oechsner M. , Engelhardt M.
Published: September 2012

Mild cognitive impairment, especially executive dysfunction might occur early in the course of Parkinson's disease. Cognitive training is thought to improve cognitive performance. However, transfer of improvements achieved in paper and pencil tests into daily life has been difficult. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether a multimodal cognitive rehabilitation programme including physical exercises might be more successful than cognitive training programmes without motor training. 240 PD-patients were included in the study and randomly allocated to three treatment arms, group A cognitive training, group B cognitive training and transfer training and group C cognitive training, transfer training and psychomotor and endurance training. The primary outcome measure was the ADAS-Cog. The secondary outcome measure was the SCOPA-Cog. Training was conducted for 4 weeks on a rehabilitation unit, followed by 6 months training at home. Caregivers received an education programme. The combination of cognitive training using paper and pencil and the computer, transfer training and physical training seems to have the greatest effect on cognitive function. Thus, patients of group C showed the greatest improvement on the ADAS-Cog and SCOPA-COG and were more likely to continue with the training programme after the study.
Life Behavior of a System under Discrete Shock Model
Authors: Eryilmaz Serkan
Published: September 2012

We study the life behavior of a system which is subjected
to shocks of random magnitudes over discrete time periods. We obtain the
survival function and mean time to failure of the system assuming that the
sizes of the shocks follow a discrete probability distribution under cumulative
and mixed shock models.
Common Fixed Point for Two Pairs of Mappings Satisfying (E.A) Property in Generalized Metric Spaces
Authors: Long Wei , Abbas Mujahid , Nazir Talat , Radenović Stojan
Published: September 2012

Recently, Abbas et al. (2012) obtained some unique common fixed‐point results for a pair of mappings satisfying (E.A) property under certain generalized strict contractive conditions in the framework of a generalized metric space. In this paper, we present common coincidence and common fixed points of two pairs of mappings when only one pair satisfies (E.A) property in the setup of generalized metric spaces. We present some examples to support our results. We also study well‐posedness of common fixed‐point problem.
Viscosity Methods of Asymptotically Pseudocontractive and Asymptotically Nonexpansive Mappings for Variational Inequalities
Authors: Wu Xionghua , Liou Yeong-Cheng , Wu Zhitao , Yang Pei-Xia
Published: September 2012

Let {tn}⊂(0,1) be such that tn → 1 as n → ∞, let α and β be two positive numbers such that α + β = 1, and let f be a contraction. If T be a continuous asymptotically pseudocontractive self‐mapping of a nonempty bounded closed convex subset K of a real reflexive Banach space with a uniformly Gateaux differentiable norm, under suitable conditions on the sequence {tn}, we show the existence of a sequence {xn} n satisfying the relation xn = (1 − tn/kn)f(xn) + (tn/kn)Tnxn and prove that {xn} converges strongly to the fixed point of T, which solves some variational inequality provided T is uniformly asymptotically regular. As an application, if T be an asymptotically nonexpansive self‐mapping of a nonempty bounded closed convex subset K of a real Banach space with a uniformly Gateaux differentiable norm and which possesses uniform normal structure, we prove that the iterative process defined by z0 ∈ K, zn+1 = (1 − tn/kn)f(zn) + (αtn/kn)Tnzn + (βtn/kn)zn converges strongly to the fixed point of T.
Basis Properties of Eigenfunctions of Second‐Order Differential Operators with Involution
Authors: Kopzhassarova Asylzat , Sarsenbi Abdizhakhan
Published: September 2012

We study the basis properties of systems of eigenfunctions and associated functions for one kind of generalized spectral problems for a second‐order ordinary differential operator.
Robust Adaptive Finite‐Time Synchronization of Two Different Chaotic Systems with Parameter Uncertainties
Authors: Hu Yun-An , Li Hai-Yan , Zhang Chun-Ping , Liu Liang
Published: September 2012

This paper is concerned with the finite‐time synchronization problem for two different chaotic systems with parameter uncertainties. Using finite‐time control approach and robust control method, an adaptive synchronization scheme is proposed to make the synchronization errors of the systems with parameter uncertainties zero in a finite time. On the basis of Lyapunov stability theory, appropriate adaptive laws are derived to deal with the unknown parameters of the systems. And the convergence of the parameter errors is guaranteed in a finite time. The proposed method can be applied to a variety of chaos systems. Numerical simulations are given to demonstrate the efficiency of the proposed control scheme.
Deposition of Cerium-Based Conversion Coatings on Aluminum Alloy 380
Authors: Lin Ci , Maddela Surender , Fahrenholtz William G. , O'Keefe Matthew J.
Published: September 2012

Cerium-based conversion coatings were deposited on as-cast aluminum alloy 380 substrates by a spontaneous immersion process. In this study, the effects of rinsing temperature prior to immersion in the coating deposition solution were studied with respect to the surface morphology, electrochemical response, and corrosion resistance of the coatings. Panels rinsed at25°Cprior to coating had large cracks and holes in the coating. In contrast, panels rinsed at100°Cprior to coating had a uniform coating morphology with fewer, smaller cracks. Electrochemical testing revealed that coatings deposited on substrates rinsed at100°Chad higher impedance (~80 kΩ·cm2) and lower corrosion current (~0.34 μA/cm2) compared to coatings deposited on substrates rinsed at25°C, which had 10 kΩ·cm2impedance and 2.7 μA/cm2corrosion current. Finally, ASTM B117 salt spray testing showed that rinsing at100°Cprior to coating resulted in cerium-based conversion coatings that could resist the formation of salt tails for at least 8 days.
Joint 2D-DOA and Frequency Estimation for L-Shaped Array Using Iterative Least Squares Method
Authors: Xu Ling-yun , Zhang Xiao-fei , Xu Zong-ze , Yu Miao
Published: September 2012

We introduce an iterative least squares method (ILS) for estimating the 2D-DOA and frequency based on L-shaped array. The ILS iteratively finds direction matrix and delay matrix, then 2D-DOA and frequency can be obtained by the least squares method. Without spectral peak searching and pairing, this algorithm works well and pairs the parameters automatically. Moreover, our algorithm has better performance than conventional ESPRIT algorithm and propagator method. The useful behavior of the proposed algorithm is verified by simulations.
Attention-Related Potentials Allow for a Highly Accurate Discrimination of Mild Cognitive Impairment Subtypes
Authors: Missonnier Pascal , Herrmann François R. , Richiardi Jonas , Rodriguez Cristelle , Deiber Marie-Pierre , Gold Gabriel , Giannakopoulos Panteleimon
Published: September 2012

The three most frequent forms of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are single-domain amnestic MCI (sd-aMCI), single-domain dysexecutive MCI (sd-dMCI) and multiple-domain amnestic MCI (md-aMCI). Brain imaging differences among single domain subgroups of MCI were recently reported supporting the idea that electroencephalography (EEG) functional hallmarks can be used to differentiate these subgroups. We performed event-related potential (ERP) measures and independent component analysis in 18 sd-aMCI, 13 sd-dMCI and 35 md-aMCI cases during the successful performance of the Attentional Network Test. Sensitivity and specificity analyses of ERP for the discrimination of MCI subgroups were also made. In center-cue and spatial-cue warning stimuli, contingent negative variation (CNV) was elicited in all MCI subgroups. Two independent components (ICA1 and 2) were superimposed in the time range on the CNV. The ICA2 was strongly reduced in sd-dMCI compared to sd-aMCI and md-aMCI (4.3 vs. 7.5% and 10.9% of the CNV component). The parietal P300 ERP latency increased significantly in sd-dMCI compared to md-aMCI and sd-aMCI for both congruent and incongruent conditions. This latency for incongruent targets allowed for a highly accurate separation of sd-dMCI from both sd-aMCI and md-aMCI with correct classification rates of 90 and 81%, respectively. This EEG parameter alone performed much better than neuropsychological testing in distinguishing sd-dMCI from md-aMCI. Our data reveal qualitative changes in the composition of the neural generators of CNV in sd-dMCI. In addition, they document an increased latency of the executive P300 component that may represent a highly accurate hallmark for the discrimination of this MCI subgroup in routine clinical settings.
Absence of Functional LIN28B Mutations in a Large Cohort of Patients with Idiopathic Central Precocious Puberty
Authors: Silveira-Neto Acácio P. , Leal Leticia Ferro , Emerman Amy B. , Henderson Katherine D. , Piskounova Elena , Henderson Brian E. , Gregory Richard I. , Silveira Letícia F. Gontijo , Hirschhorn Joel N. , Nguyen Thutrang T. , Beneduzzi Daiane , Tusset Cintia , Reis Ana Claudia S. , Brito Vinicius N. , Mendonca Berenice B. , Palmert Mark R. , Antonini Sonir R. , Latronico Ana Claudia
Published: September 2012

Aim: To investigate LIN28B gene variants in children with idiopathic central precocious puberty (CPP). Patients and Methods: We studied 178 Brazilian children with CPP (171 girls, 16.8% familial cases). A large multiethnic group (1,599 subjects; Multiethnic Cohort, MEC) was used as control. DNA analysis and biochemical in vitro studies were performed. Results: A heterozygous LIN28B variant, p.H199R, was identified in a girl who developed CPP at 5.2 years. This variant was absent in 310 Brazilian control individuals, but it was found in the same allele frequency in women from the MEC cohort, independent of the age of menarche. Functional studies revealed that when ectopically expressed in cells, the mutant protein was capable of binding pre-let-7 microRNA and inhibiting let-7 expression to the same extent as wild-type Lin28B protein. Other rare LIN28B variants (p.P173P, c.198+ 32_33delCT, g.9575731A>C and c.-11C>T) were identified in CPP patients and controls. Therefore, no functional mutation was identified. Conclusion: In vitro studies revealed that the rare LIN28B p.H199R variant identified in a girl with CPP does not affect the Lin28B function in the regulation of let-7 expression. Although LIN28B SNPs were associated with normal pubertal timing, rare variations in this gene do not seem to be commonly involved in the molecular pathogenesis of CPP.
Diagnosing the Nature of Land–Atmosphere Coupling: A Case Study of Dry/Wet Extremes in the U.S. Southern Great Plains
Authors: Santanello Joseph A. , Peters-Lidard Christa D. , Kennedy Aaron , Kumar Sujay V.
Published: September 2012

Land–atmosphere (L–A) interactions play a critical role in determining the diurnal evolution of land surface and planetary boundary layer (PBL) temperature and moisture states and fluxes. In turn, these interactions regulate the strength of the connection between surface moisture and precipitation in a coupled system. To address model deficiencies, recent studies have focused on development of diagnostics to quantify the strength and accuracy of the land–PBL coupling at the process level. In this paper, a diagnosis of the nature and impacts of local land–atmosphere coupling (LoCo) during dry and wet extreme conditions is presented using a combination of models and observations during the summers of 2006 and 2007 in the U.S. southern Great Plains. A range of diagnostics exploring the links and feedbacks between soil moisture and precipitation is applied to the dry/wet regimes exhibited in this region, and in the process, a thorough evaluation of nine different land–PBL scheme couplings is conducted under the umbrella of a high-resolution regional modeling test bed. Results show that the sign and magnitude of errors in land surface energy balance components are sensitive to the choice of land surface model, regime type, and running mode. In addition, LoCo diagnostics show that the sensitivity of L–A coupling is stronger toward the land during dry conditions, while the PBL scheme coupling becomes more important during the wet regime. Results also demonstrate how LoCo diagnostics can be applied to any modeling system (e.g., reanalysis products) in the context of their integrated impacts on the process chain connecting the land surface to the PBL and in support of hydrological anomalies.
Emergent Organization and Responsive Technologies in Crisis
Authors: Porter Amanda J.
Published: September 2012

I articulate and employ a situational boundary-making approach to study the emergence of organization and technology at a shelter during Hurricane Katrina. My analysis of qualitative data shows how emergent organization occurred at the shelter as situational entanglements consisting of three main elements: a salient moment in time, key actors, and boundary-making practices. Key actors’ responses to salient moments in time enacted both distinction and dependency between organizational and technological actors, resulting in a divided organization. This analysis extends emergent approaches by showing how organization and technology are situationally organized and emerges through the (in)determinacy of meaning. Implications are also discussed for disaster managers to assess the success and failure of technology during a response.
AbsIDconvert: An absolute approach for converting genetic identifiers at different granularities
Authors: Mohammad Fahim , Flight Robert M , Harrison Benjamin J , Petruska Jeffrey C , Rouchka Eric C
Published: September 2012

Background

High-throughput molecular biology techniques yield vast amounts of data, often by detecting small portions of ribonucleotides corresponding to specific identifiers. Existing bioinformatic methodologies categorize and compare these elements using inferred descriptive annotation given this sequence information irrespective of the fact that it may not be representative of the identifier as a whole.

Results

All annotations, no matter the granularity, can be aligned to genomic sequences and therefore annotated by genomic intervals. We have developed AbsIDconvert, a methodology for converting between genomic identifiers by first mapping them onto a common universal coordinate system using an interval tree which is subsequently queried for overlapping identifiers. AbsIDconvert has many potential uses, including gene identifier conversion, identification of features within a genomic region, and cross-species comparisons. The utility is demonstrated in three case studies: 1) comparative genomic study mapping plasmodium gene sequences to corresponding human and mosquito transcriptional regions; 2) cross-species study of Incyte clone sequences; and 3) analysis of human Ensembl transcripts mapped by Affymetrix®; and Agilent microarray probes. AbsIDconvert currently supports ID conversion of 53 species for a given list of input identifiers, genomic sequence, or genome intervals.

Conclusion

AbsIDconvert provides an efficient and reliable mechanism for conversion between identifier domains of interest. The flexibility of this tool allows for custom definition identifier domains contingent upon the availability and determination of a genomic mapping interval. As the genomes and the sequences for genetic elements are further refined, this tool will become increasingly useful and accurate. AbsIDconvert is freely available as a web application or downloadable as a virtual machine at:http://bioinformatics.louisville.edu/abid/.
Integration of shot-gun proteomics and bioinformatics analysis to explore plant hormone responses
Authors: Zhang Yixiang , Liu Sanmin , Dai Susie Y , Yuan Joshua S
Published: September 2012

Background

Multidimensional protein identification technology (MudPIT)-based shot-gun proteomics has been proven to be an effective platform for functional proteomics. In particular, the various sample preparation methods and bioinformatics tools can be integrated to improve the proteomics platform for applications like target organelle proteomics. We have recently integrated a rapid sample preparation method and bioinformatics classification system for comparative analysis of plant responses to two plant hormones, zeatin and brassinosteroid (BR). These hormones belong to two distinct classes of plant growth regulators, yet both can promote cell elongation and growth. An understanding of the differences and the cross-talk between the two types of hormone responses will allow us to better understand the molecular mechanisms and to identify new candidate genes for plant engineering.

Results

As compared to traditional organelle proteomics, the organelle-enrichment method both simplifies the sample preparation and increases the number of proteins identified in the targeted organelle as well as the entire sample. Both zeatin and BR induce dramatic changes in signaling and metabolism. Their shared-regulated protein components indicate that both hormones may down-regulate some key components in auxin responses. However, they have shown distinct induction and suppression of metabolic pathways in mitochondria and chloroplast. For zeatin, the metabolic pathways in sucrose and starch biosynthesis and utilization were significantly changed, yet the lipid biosynthesis remained unchanged. For BR, lipid biosynthesis and β-oxidation were both down-regulated, yet the changes in sucrose and starch metabolism were minor.

Conclusions

We present a rapid sample preparation method and bioinformatics classification for effective proteomics analysis of plant hormone responses. The study highlighted the largely differing response to zeatin and brassinosteroid by the metabolic pathways in chloroplast and mitochondria.
Illegitimate recombination: An efficient method for random mutagenesis in Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis
Authors: Khattak Faisal Asghar , Kumar Ashutosh , Kamal Elisabeth , Kunisch Ralph , Lewin Astrid
Published: September 2012

Background

The genusMycobacterium(M.) comprises highly pathogenic bacteria such asM. tuberculosisas well as environmental opportunistic bacteria called non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM). While the incidence of tuberculosis is declining in the developed world, infection rates by NTM are increasing. NTM are ubiquitous and have been isolated from soil, natural water sources, tap water, biofilms, aerosols, dust and sawdust. Lung infections as well as lymphadenitis are most often caused byM. aviumsubsp.hominissuis(MAH), which is considered to be among the clinically most important NTM. Only few virulence genes fromM. aviumhave been defined among other things due to difficulties in generatingM. aviummutants. More efforts in developing new methods for mutagenesis ofM. aviumand identification of virulence-associated genes are therefore needed.

Results

We developed a random mutagenesis method based on illegitimate recombination and integration of a Hygromycin-resistance marker. Screening for mutations possibly affecting virulence was performed by monitoring of pH resistance, colony morphology, cytokine induction in infected macrophages and intracellular persistence. Out of 50 randomly chosen Hygromycin-resistant colonies, four revealed to be affected in virulence-related traits. The mutated genes wereMAV_4334(nitroreductase family protein),MAV_5106(phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase),MAV_1778(GTP-binding protein LepA) andMAV_3128(lysyl-tRNA synthetase LysS).

Conclusions

We established a random mutagenesis method for MAH that can be easily carried out and combined it with a set of phenotypic screening methods for the identification of virulence-associated mutants. By this method, four new MAH genes were identified that may be involved in virulence.
Inhibitor of neuronal nitric oxide synthase improves gas exchange in ventilator-induced lung injury after pneumonectomy
Authors: Suborov Evgeny V , Smetkin Alexey A , Kondratiev Timofey V , Valkov Andrey Y , Kuzkov Vsevolod V , Kirov Mikhail Y , Bjertnaes Lars J
Published: September 2012

Background

Mechanical ventilation with high tidal volumes may cause ventilator-induced lung injury (VILI) and enhanced generation of nitric oxide (NO). We demonstrated in sheep that pneumonectomy followed by injurious ventilation promotes pulmonary edema. We wished both to test the hypothesis that neuronal NOS (nNOS), which is distributed in airway epithelial and neuronal tissues, could be involved in the pathogenesis of VILI and we also aimed at investigating the influence of an inhibitor of nNOS on the course of VILI after pneumonectomy.

Methods

Anesthetized sheep underwent right pneumonectomy, mechanical ventilation with tidal volumes (VT) of 6 mL/kg and FiO2 0.5, and were subsequently randomized to a protectively ventilated group (PROTV; n = 8) keeping VT and FiO2 unchanged, respiratory rate (RR) 25 inflations/min and PEEP 4 cm H2O for the following 8 hrs; an injuriously ventilated group with VT of 12 mL/kg, zero end-expiratory pressure, and FiO2 and RR unchanged (INJV; n = 8) and a group, which additionally received the inhibitor of nNOS, 7-nitroindazole (NI) 1.0 mg/kg/h intravenously from 2 hours after the commencement of injurious ventilation (INJV + NI; n = 8). We assessed respiratory, hemodynamic and volumetric variables, including both the extravascular lung water index (EVLWI) and the pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI). We measured plasma nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels and examined lung biopsies for lung injury score (LIS).

Results

Both the injuriously ventilated groups demonstrated a 2–3-fold rise in EVLWI and PVPI, with no significant effects of NI. In the INJV group, gas exchange deteriorated in parallel with emerging respiratory acidosis, but administration of NI antagonized the derangement of oxygenation and the respiratory acidosis significantly. NOx displayed no significant changes and NI exerted no significant effect on LIS in the INJV group.

Conclusion

Inhibition of nNOS improved gas exchange, but did not reduce lung water extravasation following injurious ventilation after pneumonectomy in sheep.