bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hybrid Systems Modeling and Reachability-Based Controller Design Methods for Vehicular Automation
Authors: Park Jaeyong , Kurt Arda , Özgüner Ümit
Published: March 2014

In this study, applicability of verification and correct-by-design hybrid systems modeling and reachability-based controllers for vehicular automation are investigated. Two perspectives in hybrid systems modeling will be introduced, and then reachability analysis techniques will be developed to compute exact reachable sets from a specified unsafe set. Using level set methods, a Hamilton–Jacobi–Isaacs equation is derived whose solutions describe the boundaries of the finite time backward reachable set, which will be manipulated to design a safe controller that guarantees the safety of a given system. An automated longitudinal controller with a fully integrated collision avoidance functionality will be designed as a hybrid system and validated through simulations with a number of different scenarios in order to illustrate the potential of verification methods in automated vehicles.
Organomatics and organometrics: Novel platforms for long-term whole-organ culture
Authors: Bruinsma Bote G. , Yarmush Martin L. , Uygun Korkut
Published: March 2014

Organ culture systems are instrumental as experimental whole-organ models of physiology and disease, as well as preservation modalities facilitating organ replacement therapies such as transplantation. Nevertheless, a coordinated system of machine perfusion components and integrated regulatory control has yet to be fully developed to achieve long-term maintenance of organ function ex vivo. Here we outline current strategies for organ culture, or organomatics, and how these systems can be regulated by means of computational algorithms, or organometrics, to achieve the organ culture platforms anticipated in modern-day biomedicine.
Microbial communities in UK aquifers: current understanding and future research needs
Authors: Gregory S. P. , Maurice L. D. , West J. M. , Gooddy D. C.
Published: March 2014

The presence and activity of microorganisms in aquifers can affect, amongst other things, nutrient cycling, contaminant degradation and water flow. The introduction of a pollutant or other changes in water chemistry can alter the microbial community composition and affect aquifer functioning. To understand the microbial response to anthropogenically induced changes, a better knowledge of baseline microbial communities in uncontaminated aquifers is needed. Here, we review the information on microorganisms in UK aquifers together with examples of research from other countries on this topic, and discuss how these communities might respond to disturbance. Research into microbial communities in UK aquifers has mostly been limited to bacteria and often reveals a community dominated by Proteobacteria. The community composition is influenced by factors such as mineralogy and water chemistry, and the natural baseline community may be altered by aquifer contamination. A UK-wide survey of aquifer microbes, similar to one recently carried out in New Zealand, would provide valuable information about the current state of UK aquifer microbiology. This would lead to a greatly improved understanding of the ecosystem services provided by the microbial communities present in aquifers, allow future monitoring and assessment of the effects of pollution, and assist in groundwater resource management.
HARS
Authors: Lhuillier Yves , Ojail Maroun , Guerre Alexandre , Philippe Jean-Marc , Chehida Karim Ben , Thabet Farhat , Andriamisaina Caaliph , Jaber Chafic , David Raphaël
Published: March 2014

The current trend in embedded computing consists in increasing the number of processing resources on a chip. Following this paradigm, cluster-based many-core accelerators with a shared hierarchical memory have emerged. Handling synchronizations on these architectures is critical since parallel implementations speed-ups of embedded applications strongly depend on the ability to exploit the largest possible number of cores while limiting task management overhead. This article presents the combination of a low-overhead complete runtime software and a flexible hardware accelerator for synchronizations called HARS (Hardware-Assisted Runtime Software). Experiments on a multicore test chip showed that the hardware accelerator for synchronizations has less than 1% area overhead compared to a cluster of the chip while reducing synchronization latencies (up to 2.8 times compared to a
test-and-set
implementation) and contentions. The runtime software part offers basic features like memory management but also optimized execution engines to allow the easy and efficient extraction of the parallelism in applications with multiple programming models. By using the hardware acceleration as well as a very low overhead task scheduling software technique, we show that HARS outperforms an optimized state-of-the-art task scheduler by 13% for the execution of a parallel application.
Towards a scalable, low-power all-optical architecture for networks-on-chip
Authors: Koohi Somayyeh , Yin Yawei , Hessabi Shaahin , Yoo S. J. Ben
Published: March 2014

This article proposes a scalable wavelength-routed optical Network on Chip (NoC) based on the Spidergon topology, named Power-efficient Scalable Wavelength-routed Network-on-chip (PeSWaN). The key idea of the proposed all-optical architecture is the utilization of per-receiver wavelengths in the data network to prevent network contention and the adoption of per-sender wavelengths in the control network to avoid end-point contention. By performing a series of simulations, we study the efficiency of the proposed architecture, its power and energy consumption, and the data transmission delay. Moreover, we compare the proposed architecture with electrical NoCs and alternative ONoC architectures under various traffic patterns.
Energy optimization for real-time multiprocessor system-on-chip with optimal DVFS and DPM combination
Authors: Chen Gang , Huang Kai , Knoll Alois
Published: March 2014

Energy optimization is a critical design concern for embedded systems. Combining D
VFS
+D
PM
is considered as one preferable technique to reduce energy consumption. There have been optimal D
VFS
+D
PM
algorithms for periodic independent tasks running on uniprocessor in the literature. Optimal combination of D
VFS
and D
PM
for periodic dependent tasks on multicore systems is however not yet reported. The challenge of this problem is that the idle intervals of cores are not easy to model. In this article, a novel technique is proposed to directly model the idle intervals of individual cores such that both D
VFS
and D
PM
can be optimized at the same time. Based on this technique, the energy optimization problem is formulated by means of mixed integrated linear programming. We also present techniques to prune the exploration space of the formulation. Experimental results using real-world benchmarks demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach compared to existing approaches.
Characterization of Silk Fibroin Modified Surface: A Proteomic View of Cellular Response Proteins Induced by Biomaterials
Authors: Yang Ming-Hui , Yuan Shyng-Shiou , Chung Tze-Wen , Jong Shiang-Bin , Lu Chi-Yu , Tsai Wan-Chi , Chen Wen-Cheng , Lin Po-Chiao , Chiang Pei-Wen , Tyan Yu-Chang
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to develop the pathway of silk fibroin (SF) biopolymer surface induced cell membrane protein activation. Fibroblasts were used as an experimental model to evaluate the responses of cellular proteins induced by biopolymer material using a mass spectrometry-based profiling system. The surface was covered by multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and SF to increase the surface area, enhance the adhesion of biopolymer, and promote the rate of cell proliferation. The amount of adhered fibroblasts on CNTs/SF electrodes of quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) greatly exceeded those on other surfaces. Moreover, analyzing differential protein expressions of adhered fibroblasts on the biopolymer surface by proteomic approaches indicated that CD44 may be a key protein. Through this study, utilization of mass spectrometry-based proteomics in evaluation of cell adhesion on biopolymer was proposed.
Synthesis and Structural Study of the Bis(ethylenediamine)CdFe(CO)4 Monomer
Authors: Tofanelli Marcus , Arif Atta M. , Ernst Richard D.
Published: March 2014

The new (en)2CdFe(CO)4 complex has been isolated from the crystallization of [(en)CdFe(CO)4]x from ethylenediamine (en). The cadmium center bears square-pyramidal coordination, with the iron atom occupying the apical position. The iron coordination may be described either as trigonal bipyramidal, with the cadmium atom being in an axial position, or as monocapped (by cadmium) tetrahedral. The Cd-Fe distance was found to be 2.6250(2) Å. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/a with a=14.4137(3) Å, b=7.65740(10) Å, c=14.5465(2) Å, and β=119.4972(9)° at 150(1) K.
Two-Step Viscosity Approximation Scheme for Variational Inequality in Banach Spaces
Authors: Yang Liping , Kong Weiming
Published: March 2014

This paper introduces and analyzes a viscosity iterative algorithm for an infinite family of nonexpansive mappings{Ti}i=1∞in the framework of a strictly convex and uniformly smooth Banach space. It is shown that the proposed iterative method converges strongly to a common fixed point of{Ti}i=1∞, which solves specific variational inequalities. Necessary and sufficient convergence conditions of the iterative algorithm for an infinite family of nonexpansive mappings are given. Results shown in this paper represent an extension and refinement of the previously known results in this area.
Noncontiguous Pattern Containment in Binary Trees
Authors: Pudwell Lara , Scholten Connor , Schrock Tyler , Serrato Alexa
Published: March 2014

We consider the enumeration of binary trees containing noncontiguous binary tree patterns. First, we show that any two ℓ-leaf binary trees are contained in the set of all n-leaf trees the same number of times. We give a functional equation for the multivariate generating function for number of n-leaf trees containing a specified number of copies of any path tree, and we analyze tree patterns with at most 4 leaves. The paper concludes with implications for pattern containment in permutations.
Acquired Hemophilia A: A Frequently Overlooked Autoimmune Hemorrhagic Disorder
Authors: Sakurai Yoshihiko , Takeda Tomohiro
Published: March 2014

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare hemorrhagic disease in which autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII- (FVIII-) neutralizing antibodies (inhibitors) impair the intrinsic coagulation system. As the inhibitors developed in AHA are autoantibodies, the disease may have an autoimmune cause and is often associated with autoimmune disease. Although acute hemorrhage associated with AHA may be fatal and is costly to treat, AHA is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. AHA should thus be considered in the differential diagnosis particularly in postpartum women and the elderly with bleeding tendency or prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time. Cross-mixing tests and measurement of FVIII-binding antibodies are useful to confirm AHA diagnosis. For treatment of acute hemorrhage, hemostatic therapy with bypassing agents should be provided. Unlike in congenital hemophilia A with inhibitors, in which immune tolerance induction therapy using repetitive infusions of high-dose FVIII concentrates is effective for inhibitor eradication, immune tolerance induction therapy has shown poor efficacy in treating AHA. Immunosuppressive treatment should thus be initiated to eradicate inhibitors as soon as the diagnosis of AHA is confirmed.
A New Agile Radiating System Called Electromagnetic Band Gap Matrix Antenna
Authors: Abou Taam Hussein , Salah Toubet Moustapha , Monediere Thierry , Jecko Bernard , Rammal Mohammad
Published: March 2014

Civil and military applications are increasingly in need for agile antenna devices which respond to wireless telecommunications, radars, and electronic warfare requirements. The objective of this paper is to design a new agile antenna system called electromagnetic band gap (EBG) matrix. The working principle of this antenna is based on the radiating aperture theory and constitutes the subject of an accepted CNRS patent. In order to highlight the interest and the originality of this antenna, we present a comparison between it and a classical patch array only for the (one-dimensional) 1D configuration by using a rigorous full wave simulation (CST Microwave software). In addition, EBG matrix antenna can be controlled by specific synthesis algorithms. These algorithms use inside their; optimization loop an analysis procedure to evaluate the radiation pattern. The analysis procedure is described and validated at the end of this paper.
The Alterations of IL‐1Beta, IL‐6, and TGF‐Beta Levels in Hippocampal CA3 Region of Chronic Restraint Stress Rats after Electroacupuncture (EA) Pretreatment
Authors: Guo Tianwei , Guo Zhuo , Yang Xinjing , Sun Lan , Wang Sihan , Yingge A. , He Xiaotian , Ya Tu
Published: March 2014

Immunological reactions induced by proinflammatory cytokines have been involved in the pathogenesis of depressive disorders. Recent studies showed that Electroacupuncture (EA) was able to reduce depressive symptoms; however, the underlying mechanism and its potential targets remain unknown. In the present study, we used a 21‐day chronic restraint stress rats as a model to investigate how EA could alleviate depression. Open field test was carried out to evaluate the depressive symptoms at selected time points. At the end of study, immunohistochemistry (IHC) was performed to detect the expressions of IL‐1beta, IL‐6, and TGF‐beta in hippocampal CA3 region. We found that chronic restraint stress significantly decreased behavioral activities, whereas EA stimulation at points Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (GV 29) showed protective effect during the test period. In addition, the IL‐1beta, IL‐6, and TGF‐beta increased in rats exposed to chronic restraint stress, while EA downregulated the levels of IL‐1beta and IL‐6. These findings implied that EA pretreatment could alleviate depression through modulating IL‐1beta and IL‐6 expression levels in hippocampal CA3 region.
Development of a Numerical Model for an Expanding Tube with Linear Explosive Using AUTODYN
Authors: Choi Mijin , Lee Jung-Ryul , Kong Cheol-Won
Published: March 2014

Pyrotechnic devices have been employed in satellite launch vehicle missions, generally for the separation of structural subsystems such as stage and satellite separation. Expanding tubes are linear explosives enclosed by an oval steel tube and have been widely used for pyrotechnic joint separation systems. A numerical model is proposed for the prediction of the proper load of an expanding tube using a nonlinear dynamic analysis code, AUTODYN 2D and 3D. To compute a proper core load, numerical models of the open-ended steel tube and mild detonating tube encasing a high explosive were developed and compared with experimental results. 2D and 3D computational results showed good correlation with ballistic test results. The model will provide more flexibility in expanding tube design, leading to economic benefits in the overall expanding tube development procedure.
Modulation of Circulating Cytokine-Chemokine Profile in Patients Affected by Chronic Venous Insufficiency Undergoing Surgical Hemodynamic Correction
Authors: Tisato Veronica , Zauli Giorgio , Gianesini Sergio , Menegatti Erica , Brunelli Laura , Manfredini Roberto , Zamboni Paolo , Secchiero Paola
Published: March 2014

The expression of proinflammatory cytokines/chemokines has been reported inin vitro/ex vivosettings of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), but the identification of circulating mediators that might be associated with altered hemodynamic forces or might represent innovative biomarkers is still missing. In this study, the circulating levels of 31 cytokines/chemokines involved in inflammatory/angiogenic processes were analysed in (i) CVI patients at baseline before surgical hemody namic correction, (ii) healthy subjects, and (iii) CVI patients after surgery. In a subgroup of CVI patients, in whom the baseline levels of cytokines/chemokines were analyzed in paired blood samples obtained from varicose vein and forearm vein, EGF, PDGF, and RANTES were increased at the varicose vein site as compared to the general circulation. Moreover, while at baseline, CVI patients showed increased levels of 14 cytokines/chemokines as compared to healthy subjects, 6 months after surgery, 11 cytokines/chemokines levels were significantly reduced in the treated CVI patients as compared to the CVI patients before surgery. Of note, a patient who exhibited recurrence of the disease 6 months after surgery, showed higher levels of EGF, PDGF, and RANTES compared to nonrecurrent patients, highlighting the potential role of the EGF/PDGF/RANTES triad as sensitive biomarkers in the context of CVI.
Managing End-Stage Renal Disease in Older Patients: A Single Centre Experience with Renal Transplantation in the Elderly
Authors: Midtvedt Karsten , Lønning Kjersti , Heldal Kristian
Published: March 2014

The increase of patients developing end-stage renal disease (ESRD) has occurred predominantly in the older adult population. As a consequence, the nephrologists will need to decide whom of these older patients are siutable for transplantation. There are very few absolute contraindications, such as active infection and recent malignancy, but there are many relative or potential contraindications in older patients. Worldwide, organs available for transplantation are limited. Some centers are reluctant to use organs from expanded criteria donors also in elderly recipients. This leads to long waiting lists and many older patients will die while they are waiting for an organ. It is vital that the patients who are accepted for renal transplantation are those who will derive most benefit, and correct selection of patients and donor organs is therefore of outmost importance. This paper describes the previous and planned research our research group has performed with focus on older renal transplant recipients with special emphasis on survival, basic immunosuppression, selection of organs, and health related quality of life.
Frequencies and Specificities of “Enzyme-Only” Detected Erythrocyte Alloantibodies in Patients Hospitalized in Austria: Is an Enzyme Test Required for Routine Red Blood Cell Antibody Screening?
Authors: Enko Dietmar , Habres Claudia , Wallner Franz , Mayr Barbara , Halwachs-Baumann Gabriele
Published: March 2014

The aim of this study was to determine the frequencies and specificities of “enzyme-only” detected red blood cell (RBC) alloantibodies in the routine antibody screening and antibody identification in patients hospitalized in Austria. Routine blood samples of 2420 patients were investigated. The antibody screening was performed with a 3-cell panel in the low-ionic strength saline- (LISS-) indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) and with an enzyme-pretreated (papain) 3-cell panel fully automated on the ORTHO AutoVue Innova System. The antibody identification was carried out manually with an 11-cell panel in the LISS-IAT and with an enzyme-pretreated (papain) 11-cell panel. In total 4.05% (n=98) of all patients (n=2420) had a positive RBC antibody screening result. Of them 25.51% (25/98) showed “enzyme-only” detected specific or nonspecific RBC alloantibodies. Rhesus and Lewis system antibodies were found the only specificities of “enzyme-only” RBC alloantibodies: all in all 4.8% (4/98) were detected with anti-E, 3.06% (3/98) with anti-Lea, 3.06% (3/98) with anti-D after anti-D prophylaxis and 1.02% (1/98) with anti-e. In total, 14.29% (14/98) showed a nonspecific RBC alloantibody result with the enzyme test. The results of the present study demonstrate that a high number of unwanted positive reactions with the enzyme technique overshadows the detection of “enzyme-only” RBC alloantibodies. (Trial Registration: K-37-13).
Portfolio Strategy of Financial Market with Regime Switching Driven by Geometric Lévy Process
Authors: Zhou Liuwei , Wang Zhijie
Published: March 2014

The problem of a portfolio strategy for financial market with regime switching driven by geometric Lévy process is investigated in this paper. The considered financial market includes one bond and multiple stocks which has few researches up to now. A new and general Black-Scholes (B-S) model is set up, in which the interest rate of the bond, the rate of return, and the volatility of the stocks vary as the market states switching and the stock prices are driven by geometric Lévy process. For the general B-S model of the financial market, a portfolio strategy which is determined by a partial differential equation (PDE) of parabolic type is given by using Itô formula. The PDE is an extension of existing result. The solvability of the PDE is researched by making use of variables transformation. An application of the solvability of the PDE on the European options with the final data is given finally.
Implant-Bone Interface of Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Using iFuse Implant System
Authors: Scheyerer M. J. , Hüllner M. W. , Pietsch C. , Veit-Haibach P. , Werner C. M. L.
Published: March 2014

Introduction. Treatment of patients with SI joint pain is mostly limited to conservative care. However, in those with chronic pain and consequently prolonged mobilisation, internal fixation of the SI joint is often indicated. The aim of the present study was to assess stability and bone ingrowth of minimally invasive SI joint arthrodesis using a series of triangular, porous plasma coated implants (iFuse Implant System) using SPECT/CT. Material. We report ten cases of SI joint arthrodesis with a novel MIS SI joint fusion system. SPECT/CT was performed in all cases after a mean time of 5.8 months to evaluate bony ingrowth and stability within the SI joint. Results. In eight cases, no or only low tracer uptake could be visualized as an indicator of stability and bone ingrowth. Two patients have increased tracer uptake due to a second trauma-related ipsilateral sacral fracture and a low-grade infection. Conclusion. We could visualize satisfying osseous integration as well as stability within the SI joint after arthrodesis using iFuse Implant System. Therefore iFuse Implant System seems to be an effective treatment option in selected patients.
Can Ki-67 Play a Role in Prediction of Breast Cancer Patients' Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy?
Authors: Ingolf Juhasz-Böss , Russalina Mavrova , Simona Moga , Julia Radosa , Gilda Schmidt , Bohle Rainer M. , Andrea Hasenfus , Erich Solomayer , Daniel Herr
Published: March 2014

Background. Currently the choice of breast cancer therapy is based on prognostic factors. The proliferation marker Ki-67 is used increasingly to determine the method of therapy. The current study analyses the predictive value of Ki-67 in foreseeing breast cancer patients’ responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.Methods. This study includes patients with invasive breast cancer treated between 2008 and 2013. The clinical response was assessed by correlating Ki-67 to histological examination, mammography, and ultrasonography findings.Results. The average Ki-67 value in our patients collectively (n=77) is 34.9 ± 24.6%. The average Ki-67 value is the highest with 37.4 ± 24.0% in patients with a pCR. The Ki-67 values do not differ significantly among the 3 groups: pCR versus partial pathological response versus stable disease/progress (P=0.896). However, Ki-67 values of patients with luminal, Her2 enriched, and basal-like cancers differed significantly from each other. Furthermore, within the group of luminal tumors Ki-67 values of patients with versus without pCR also differed significantly.Conclusion. Our data shows that the Ki-67 value predicts the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy as a function of the molecular subtype, reflecting the daily routine concerning Ki-67 and its impressing potential and limitation as a predictive marker for neoadjuvant chemotherapy response.
ASM-Based Objectionable Image Detection in Social Network Services
Authors: Joo Sung-Il , Jang Seok-Woo , Han Seung-Wan , Kim Gye-Young
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a method for detecting harmful images using an active shape model (ASM) in social network services (SNS). For this purpose, our method first learns the shape of a woman's breast lines through principal component analysis and alignment, as well as the distribution of the intensity values of the corresponding control points. This method then finds actual breast lines with a learned shape and the pixel distribution. In this paper, to accurately select the initial positions of the ASM, we attempt to extract its parameter values for the scale, rotation, and translation. To obtain this information, we search for the location of the nipple areas and extract the location of the candidate breast lines by radiating in all directions from each nipple position. We then locate the mean shape of the ASM by finding the scale and rotation values with the extracted breast lines. Subsequently, we repeat the matching process of the ASM until saturation is reached. Finally, we determine objectionable images by calculating the average distance between each control point in a converged shape and a candidate breast line.
The Macrophage Inflammatory Proteins MIP1α(CCL3) and MIP2α(CXCL2) in Implant-Associated Osteomyelitis: Linking Inflammation to Bone Degradation
Authors: Dapunt Ulrike , Maurer Susanne , Giese Thomas , Gaida Matthias Martin , Hänsch Gertrud Maria
Published: March 2014

Bacterial infections of bones remain a serious complication of endoprosthetic surgery. These infections are difficult to treat, because many bacterial species form biofilms on implants, which are relatively resistant towards antibiotics. Bacterial biofilms elicit a progressive local inflammatory response, resulting in tissue damage and bone degradation. In the majority of patients, replacement of the prosthesis is required. To address the question of how the local inflammatory response is linked to bone degradation, tissue samples were taken during surgery and gene expression of the macrophage inflammatory proteins MIP1α(CCL3) and MIP2α(CXCL2) was assessed by quantitative RT-PCR. MIPs were expressed predominantly at osteolytic sites, in close correlation with CD14 which was used as marker for monocytes/macrophages. Colocalisation of MIPs with monocytic cells could be confirmed by histology. In vitro experiments revealed that, aside from monocytic cells, also osteoblasts were capable of MIP production when stimulated with bacteria; moreover, CCL3 induced the differentiation of monocytes to osteoclasts. In conclusion, the multifunctional chemokines CCL3 and CXCL2 are produced locally in response to bacterial infection of bones. In addition to their well described chemokine activity, these cytokines can induce generation of bone resorbing osteoclasts, thus providing a link between bacterial infection and osteolysis.
A Multiresolution Image Completion Algorithm for Compressing Digital Color Images
Authors: Gomathi R. , Vincent Antony Kumar A.
Published: March 2014

This paper introduces a new framework for image coding that uses image inpainting method. In the proposed algorithm, the input image is subjected to image analysis to remove some of the portions purposefully. At the same time, edges are extracted from the input image and they are passed to the decoder in the compressed manner. The edges which are transmitted to decoder act as assistant information and they help inpainting process fill the missing regions at the decoder. Textural synthesis and a new shearlet inpainting scheme based on the theory ofp-Laplacian operator are proposed for image restoration at the decoder. Shearlets have been mathematically proven to represent distributed discontinuities such as edges better than traditional wavelets and are a suitable tool for edge characterization. This novel shearletp-Laplacian inpainting model can effectively reduce the staircase effect in Total Variation (TV) inpainting model whereas it can still keep edges as well as TV model. In the proposed scheme, neural network is employed to enhance the value of compression ratio for image coding. Test results are compared with JPEG 2000 and H.264 Intracoding algorithms. The results show that the proposed algorithm works well.
A Multicenter Study of Beta-Lactamase ResistantEscherichia coliandKlebsiella pneumoniaeReveals High Level Chromosome Mediated Extended SpectrumβLactamase Resistance in Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Adeyankinnu Folasoge A. , Motayo Babatunde O. , Akinduti Akinniyi , Akinbo John , Ogiogwa Joseph I. , Aboderin Bukola W. , Agunlejika R. A.
Published: March 2014

As a result of the ever increasing problem of multiresistant bacteria, we instituted a surveillance program with the aim of identifying the basic molecular properties of ESBL in our environment. About 197 isolates ofEscherichia coliandKlebsiella pneumoniaewere selected and tested for ESBL production and antimicrobial susceptibility. Plasmid profiles were determined and curing ability was tested. ESBL prevalence was 26.4% for all isolates tested, withE. colihaving a greater proportion. There was absolute resistance to ampicilin, tetracycline, and co-trimaxole among tested isolates. There was above average susceptibility to the 2nd and 3rd generation cephalosporins. Plasmid profiles of tested isolates ranged from 9 kbp to 26 kbp with average of14.99±2.3 kbp forE. coliand20.98±1.8 kbpK. pneumoniae, 9.6% of ESBL positiveE. coliplasmids were cured, while 3.9% ofK. pneumoniaeplasmids were cured after treatment. The present study shows an upsurge in ESBL acquisition by gram negative bacteria and evidence of cocirculation of varying subtypes of ESBL with both plasmid transmissible and chromosome encoded subtypes. This calls for universal surveillance and more effort towards molecular epidemiology of this public health treatment.
Inflammation Induced by Perfluorocarbon Liquid: Intra- and Postoperative Use
Authors: Figueroa Marta S. , Casas Diego Ruiz
Published: March 2014

Perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) are useful and safe surgical tools in vitreoretinal surgery. The use of PFCL as a tamponade has been controversial due to the corneal toxicity, retinal infiltration, and inflammatory reaction in experimental studies. Several authors have studied in humans the anatomical and functional outcome and adverse effects of perfluorocarbon liquids used as short-, medium-, and long-term tamponade. PFCLs develop dispersion a few days after injection and droplets may move into the anterior chamber and cause corneal endothelial damage. When PFCLs are used as postoperative tamponades for more than one week, a foreign-body inflammatory reaction is observed in up to 30% of cases but such a reaction does not induce PVR, and it resolves after removal of PFCLs. Although most clinical studies have found no signs of retinal toxicity such as progressive visual acuity deterioration or macular anatomical changes, few performed ERG or retinal histological analysis.
Topology Optimization of Time Dependent Viscous Incompressible Flows
Authors: Abdelwahed Mohamed , Hassine Maatoug
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we consider topology and shape optimization problem related to the nonstationary Navier-Stokes system. The minimization of dissipated energy in the fluid flow domain is discussed. The proposed approach is based on a sensitivity analysis of a design function with respect to the insertion of a small obstacle in the fluid flow domain. Some numerical results show the efficiency and accurate of the proposed approach.
microRNAs as a New Mechanism Regulating Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Obesity and as a Novel Therapeutic Strategy in the Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Ge Qian , Brichard Sonia , Yi Xu , Li QiFu
Published: March 2014

Obesity is associated closely with the metabolic syndrome (MS). It is well known that obesity-induced chronic inflammation plays a fundamental role in the pathogenesis of MS. White adipose tissue (AT) is the primary site for the initiation and exacerbation of obesity-associated inflammation. Exploring the mechanisms of white AT inflammation and resetting the immunological balance in white AT could be crucial for the management of MS. Several prominent molecular mechanisms have been proposed to mediate inflammation in white AT, including hypoxia, endoplasmic reticulum stress, lipotoxicity, and metabolic endotoxemia. Recently, a growing body of evidence supports the role of miRNAs as a new important inflammatory mediator by regulating both the adaptive and innate immunity. This review will focus on the implication of miRNAs in white AT inflammation in obesity, and will also highlight the potential of miRNAs as targets for therapeutic intervention in MS as well as the challenges lying in miRNA-targeting therapeutics.
The Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Diet Affects Inflammation in Childhood Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized Cross-Over Clinical Trial
Authors: Saneei Parvane , Hashemipour Mahin , Kelishadi Roya , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad
Published: March 2014

Background: The effects of the DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet on inflammation in childhood metabolic syndrome (MetS) have still to be identified. Objective: To examine the effects of the DASH diet on markers of systemic inflammation in adolescents with MetS. Methods: In this randomized, cross-over clinical trial, 60 postpubescent girls with MetS were randomly assigned to receive either the DASH diet menu cycles or usual dietary advice (UDA) for 6 weeks. After a 4-week washout period, participants were crossed over to the alternate arm. The DASH diet was designed to maintain the current body weight. This diet contained high amounts of fruit, vegetables and low-fat dairy products and was low in saturated fats and cholesterol. UDA consisted of general oral advice and written information about healthy food choices based on the Healthy Eating Plate. Compliance to the DASH diet was assessed through quantification of plasma vitamin C levels. Fasting venous blood samples were taken 4 times from each participant: at baseline and at the end of each study arm. Circulating levels of biomarkers of systemic inflammation were quantified according to standard protocols. Results: Mean (SD) age and weight of participants was 14.2 years (1.7) and 69 kg (14.5), respectively. Serum vitamin C levels tended to increase during the DASH phase compared with the UDA phase (16.8 ± 12.9 vs. -13.8 ± 9.7 ng/dl, respectively, p = 0.06) indicating a relatively good compliance to the DASH diet. Adherence to the DASH diet, compared to the UDA, had a significant effect on serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels (p = 0.002). This effect remained significant even after adjustment for weight changes and after further controlling for changes in lipid profiles. We did not observe any significant effect of intervention on levels of serum tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6 and adiponectin, in either the crude or adjusted models. There were no significant group*time interactions for any dependent variable, except for IL-6; this was close to the significant level. Conclusion: In summary, consumption of the DASH eating pattern for 6 weeks may reduce circulating levels of hs-CRP among adolescents with MetS. Other inflammatory markers were not affected by the DASH diet.
Variations of MicroRNAs in Human Placentas and Plasma From Preeclamptic Pregnancy
Authors: Xu Peng , Zhao Yangyu , Liu Ming , Wang Yongqing , Wang Hao , Li Yu-xia , Zhu Xiaoming , Yao Yuanqing , Wang Haibin , Qiao Jie , Ji Lei , Wang Yan-ling
Published: March 2014

Preeclampsia is a major cause of maternal and fetal mortality and morbidity worldwide. The differential expression of several microRNAs (miRNAs) has been found in preeclamptic placentas. However, great conflict exists regarding this aspect, and detailed examinations have largely been lacking of miRNA profiles in different parts of the placenta and in maternal plasma of women with this disorder. In this study, a total of 9 downregulated miRNAs (miR-195, miR-223, miR-218, miR-17, miR-18a, miR-19b1, miR-92a1, miR-379, and miR-411) and 7 upregulated miRNAs (miR-210, miR-30a-3p, miR-518b, miR-524, miR-17-3p, miR-151, and miR-193b) were identified in severe preeclampsia (sPE) placentas when compared with normal pregnant controls. In addition, sampling position in the chorionic or basal plate of placenta led to evident variations in differential miRNAs of sPE placentas. In a prospective pregnant cohort, we found that the circulating levels of 3 members of miR-17-92 cluster (ie, miR-18a, miR-19b1, and miR-92a1) were significantly lower, whereas that of miR-210 was higher in sPE patients than those in normal controls at gestational weeks 15 to 18 and at term. The results of in situ hybridization revealed the localization of miR-18a, miR-92a1, and miR-210 in various subtypes of placental trophoblasts and endothelial cells. In human trophoblast cell line, HTR8/SVneo cells, miR-18a could promote trophoblast cell invasion via targeting and suppressing Smad2 expression. This study provides fundamental evidences for exploring the roles of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.
Bedside Tool for Predicting the Risk of Postoperative Atrial Fibrillation After Cardiac Surgery: The POAF Score
Authors: Mariscalco Giovanni , Biancari Fausto , Zanobini Marco , Cottini Marzia , Piffaretti Gabriele , Saccocci Matteo , Banach Maciej , Beghi Cesare , Angelini Gianni D.
Published: March 2014

Background

Atrial fibrillation (
AF
) remains the most common complication after cardiac surgery. The present study aim was to derive an effective bedside tool to predict postoperative
AF
and its related complications.

Methods and Results

Data of 17 262 patients undergoing adult cardiac surgery were retrieved at 3 European university hospitals. A risk score for postoperative
AF
(
POAF
score) was derived and validated. In the overall series, 4561 patients (26.4%) developed postoperative
AF
. In the derivation cohort age, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emergency operation, preoperative intra‐aortic balloon pump, left ventricular ejection fraction <30%, estimated glomerular filtration rate <15 mL/min per m
2
or dialysis, and any heart valve surgery were independent
AF
predictors.
POAF
score was calculated by summing weighting points for each independent
AF
predictor. According to the prediction model, the incidences of postoperative
AF
in the derivation cohort were 0, 11.1%; 1, 20.1%; 2, 28.7%; and ≥3, 40.9% (
P
<0.001), and in the validation cohort they were 0, 13.2%; 1, 19.5%; 2, 29.9%; and ≥3, 42.5% (
P
<0.001). Patients with a
POAF
score ≥3, compared with those without arrhythmia, revealed an increased risk of hospital mortality (5.5% versus 3.2%,
P
=0.001), death after the first postoperative day (5.1% versus 2.6%,
P
<0.001), cerebrovascular accident (7.8% versus 4.2%,
P
<0.001), acute kidney injury (15.1% versus 7.1%,
P
<0.001), renal replacement therapy (3.8% versus 1.4%,
P
<0.001), and length of hospital stay (mean 13.2 versus 10.2 days,
P
<0.001).

Conclusions

The
POAF
score is a simple, accurate bedside tool to predict postoperative
AF
and its related or accompanying complications.
China's Economy: Complacency, Crisis & the Challenge of Reform
Authors: Naughton Barry
Published: March 2014

China's economic success has bred a new complacency and resistance to change. This in turn has created a credibility crisis, as many Chinese citizens believe the opposition of vested interests makes reform impossible. However, proponents of economic reform argue that the current economic strategy is unsustainable. They point to reform backsliding, overinvestment, and financial fragility as problems that will collide with an inevitable economic slowdown caused by rapid demographic changes, and that will potentially cause economic and political crisis. Renewed economic reform is thus the only prudent and viable choice. The November 2013 Third Plenum shows that China's leaders have tentatively accepted the need for reform.
State & Social Protest
Authors: Lee Ching Kwan
Published: March 2014

This essay sketches an array of cultural, political, and bureaucratic mechanisms that mediate the Chinese Communist state's relationship with the major types of social protests, in the process exploring how governance and contention have transformed each other in the past six decades. In particular, it spotlights a noteworthy development in recent years: the increasingly salient market nexus between state and protest. While the regime response of making economic concessions to protesters is hardly unique in the context of China's own past, the transition from top-down mandated concession to pervasive bargaining between the state and protesters is a significant break with past patterns. The negotiability of cash and material rewards insinuates a market logic of governance that is made all the more poignant by the singularly formidable fiscal and infrastructural capacities of the current Chinese regime among its authoritarian counterparts worldwide.
Visual Memory in Unilateral Spatial Neglect: Immediate Recall versus Delayed Recognition
Authors: Moreh Elior , Malkinson Tal Seidel , Zohary Ehud , Soroker Nachum
Published: March 2014

Patients with unilateral spatial neglect (USN) often show impaired performance in spatial working memory tasks, apart from the difficulty retrieving “left-sided” spatial data from long-term memory, shown in the “piazza effect” by Bisiach and colleagues. This study's aim was to compare the effect of the spatial position of a visual object on immediate and delayed memory performance in USN patients. Specifically, immediate verbal recall performance, tested using a simultaneous presentation of four visual objects in four quadrants, was compared with memory in a later-provided recognition task, in which objects were individually shown at the screen center. Unlike healthy controls, USN patients showed a left-side disadvantage and a vertical bias in the immediate free recall task (69% vs. 42% recall for right- and left-sided objects, respectively). In the recognition task, the patients correctly recognized half of “old” items, and their correct rejection rate was 95.5%. Importantly, when the analysis focused on previously recalled items (in the immediate task), no statistically significant difference was found in the delayed recognition of objects according to their original quadrant of presentation. Furthermore, USN patients were able to recollect the correct original location of the recognized objects in 60% of the cases, well beyond chance level. This suggests that the memory trace formed in these cases was not only semantic but also contained a visuospatial tag. Finally, successful recognition of objects missed in recall trials points to formation of memory traces for neglected contralesional objects, which may become accessible to retrieval processes in explicit memory.
Functional Specialization within Macaque Dorsolateral Prefrontal Cortex for the Maintenance of Task Rules and Cognitive Control
Authors: Hussein Sabeeha , Johnston Kevin , Belbeck Brandon , Lomber Stephen G. , Everling Stefan
Published: March 2014

The abilities of switching between and maintaining task rules are fundamental aspects of goal-oriented behavior. The PFC is thought to implement the cognitive processes underling such rule-based behavior, but the specific contributions of the several cytoarchitecturally distinct subfields of PFC remain poorly understood. Here, we used bilateral cryogenic deactivation to investigate the relative contributions of two regions of the dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC)—the inferior dlPFC (idlPFC) area, consisting of the cortex lining the caudal principal sulcus, and the dorsally adjacent superior dlPFC (sdlPFC)—to different aspects of rule-based behavior. Macaque monkeys performed two variants of a task that required them to alternate unpredictably between eye movements toward (prosaccade) or away from (antisaccade) a visual stimulus. In one version of the task, the current rule was overtly cued. In the second, the task rule was uncued, and successful performance required the animals to detect rule changes on the basis of reward outcome and subsequently maintain the current task rule within working memory. Deactivation of the idlPFC impaired the monkeys' ability to perform pro- and antisaccades in the uncued task only. In contrast, deactivation of the sdlPFC had no effect on performance in either task. Combined deactivation of idlPFC and sdlPFC impaired performance on antisaccade, but not prosaccade, trials in both task variants. These results suggest that the idlPFC is required for mnemonic processes involved in maintenance of task rules, whereas both idlPFC and sdlPFC together are necessary for the deployment of the cognitive control required to perform antisaccades. Together, these data support the concept of a functional specialization of subregions within the dlPFC for rule-guided behavior.
Discovery of Hyptis pseudolantana in Jalisco and Michoacán, and description of H. cualensis and H. macvaughii (Ocimeae, Lamiaceae), two new species from western Mexico
Authors: González-Gallegos Jesús Guadalupe , CASTRO-CASTRO ARTURO , FLORES-ARGÜELLES ALEJANDRA , ROMERO-GUZMÁN ARIOSTO RAFAEL
Published: March 2014

The distribution of Hyptis pseudolantana is documented in the states of Jalisco and Michoacán, species previously reported exclusively from the state of Guerrero, Mexico. An expanded description, distribution map and photographs are provided for it. Hyptis cualensis and H. macvaughii are also described and illustrated by photographs, as two new species from the Mexican states of Jalisco and Nayarit, respectively. Also, an identification key to species of tribe Hyptidinae in western Mexico is provided.
On the Changing Contribution of Snow to the Hydrology of the Fraser River Basin, Canada
Authors: Kang Do Hyuk , Shi Xiaogang , Gao Huilin , Déry Stephen J.
Published: March 2014

This paper presents an application of the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model to the Fraser River basin (FRB) of British Columbia (BC), Canada, over the latter half of the twentieth century. The Fraser River is the longest waterway in BC and supports the world’s most abundant Pacific Ocean salmon populations. Previous modeling and observational studies have demonstrated that the FRB is a snow-dominated system, but with climate change, it may evolve to a pluvial regime. Thus, the goal of this study is to evaluate the changing contribution of snow to the hydrology of the FRB over the latter half of the twentieth century. To this end, a 0.25° atmospheric forcing dataset is used to drive the VIC model from 1949 to 2006 (water years) at a daily time step over a domain covering the entire FRB. A model evaluation is first conducted over 11 major subwatersheds of the FRB to quantitatively assess the spatial variations of snow water equivalent (SWE) and runoff (R). The ratio of the spatially averaged maximum SWE to R (RSR) is used to quantify the contribution of snow to the runoff in the 11 subwatersheds of interest. From 1949 to 2006, RSR exhibits a significant decline in 9 of the 11 subwatersheds (with p < 0.05 according to the Mann–Kendall test statistics). To determine the sensitivity of RSR, the air temperature and precipitation in the forcing dataset are then perturbed. The ratio RSR decreases more significantly, especially during the 1990s and 2000s, when air temperatures have warmed considerably compared to the 1950s. On the other hand, increasing precipitation by a multiplicative factor of 1.1 causes RSR to decrease. As the climate continues to warm, ecological processes and human usage of natural resources in the FRB may be substantially affected by its transition from a snow to a hybrid (nival/pluvial) and even a rain-dominated system.