bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
RETRACTED: Ultrastructural study by backscattered electron imaging and elemental microanalysis of biomaterial‐to‐bone interface and mineral degradation of bovine xenografts in maxillary sinus floor elevation
Authors: Ramírez‐Fernández María Piedad , Calvo‐Guirado José Luis , Delgado‐Ruiz Rafael Arcesio , Maté‐Sánchez del Val José Eduardo , Negri Bruno , Peñarrocha Diago María
Published: March 2012

Objectives

The aim of this study was to perform an ultrastructural study of the bone‐to‐biomaterial interface and biomaterial mineral degradation in retrieved bone biopsies following maxillary sinus augmentation using bovine xenografts (Endobon®) in 15 clinical cases.

Materials and methods

Nine months after sinus lifting, bone cores were harvested from the maxillary sinus. The specimens were processed for observation under a scanning electron microscope with backscattered electron imaging (SEM‐BSE). In addition, chemical analysis and elemental mapping of the mineral composition were generated using a microanalytical system based on energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry (EDX).

Results

No clinical complications occurred during surgery. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that newly formed bone was closely attached to the xenograft. Elemental analysis showed a significantly high Ca/P ratio in the residual biomaterials (3.031 ± 0.104) compared with the interface (2.908 ± 0.115) and new bone (2.889 ± 0.113), which suggests that there may be a gradual diffusion of Ca ions from the biomaterial into the newly forming bone at the interface as part of the biomaterial's resorption process. EDX analysis of the residual bovine biomaterial showed particle categories with different mean Ca/P ratios according to size, pointing to different stages of the resorption process.

Conclusions

The biomaterial proved to be biocompatible and osteoconductive when used as a bone substitute for maxillary sinus elevation. The grafting material used is not a completely resorbable material over the time period covered by this study.
Increased frequencies of IL‐31‐producing T cells are found in chronic atopic dermatitis skin
Authors: Szegedi Krisztina , Kremer Andreas E. , Kezic Sanja , Teunissen Marcel B.M. , Bos Jan D. , Luiten Rosalie M. , Res Pieter C. , Middelkamp‐Hup Maritza A.
Published: March 2012

Abstract:  Interleukin (IL)‐31 has been associated with pruritus, a characteristic feature of atopic dermatitis (AD). Local T cell responses may be responsible for the increased level of IL‐31 mRNA observed in AD. We investigated the frequency of IL‐31‐producing T cells in AD lesions, as well as their cytokine profile. T cells were isolated from chronic AD lesions, autologous blood and healthy donor skin. Intracellular expression of IL‐31, IFN‐γ, IL‐13, IL‐17 and IL‐22 was measured using flow cytometry. T cells from AD lesions contained significantly higher percentages of IL‐31‐producing T cells compared to autologous blood and donor skin. Many IL‐31‐producing T cells co‐produced IL‐13 and to lesser extent IL‐22, but rarely IFN‐γ or IL‐17. A substantial part of the IL‐31‐producing T cells did not co‐produce any of the other cytokines and could therefore not be linked to any of the known functionally different T cell subsets. The T cell infiltrates were also relatively enriched for Th2/Tc2 and Th22/Tc22 cells, while frequencies of Th1/Tc1 and Th17 cells were decreased. This is the first report describing the detection of IL‐31 at protein level in skin‐infiltrating T cells. We show here that T cells in chronic AD skin produce IL‐31 and that AD lesions contain increased levels of these IL‐31‐producing T cells. This suggests that a substantial part of previously reported increased IL‐31 mRNA levels in AD skin is T cell derived and that these cells may be involved in the pathogenesis of AD.
Seasonal and diel effects on the activity of northern pike studied by high‐resolution positional telemetry
Authors: Baktoft Henrik , Aarestrup Kim , Berg Søren , Boel Mikkel , Jacobsen Lene , Jepsen Niels , Koed Anders , Svendsen Jon C. , Skov Christian
Published: March 2012

Abstract –  Temperate lakes can be ice covered for several months each year, yet little is known about the behaviour and activity of the fish during the cold season. As northern pike represents the top of the food web in many northern temperate lakes and may structure the ecosystem both directly and indirectly, a detailed understanding of the behaviour of this species during winter is important. We continuously monitored the activity of adult northern pike (Esox lucius) in a small temperate lake from late summer to winter for two consecutive years using an automatic acoustic positional telemetry system. Four subsample periods representing different temperature regimes from each year were chosen for further investigation. The results revealed that pike activity was similar between seasons. In all periods, a distinct diel pattern, showing increased activity during day as compared to night, was evident. Our findings indicate that the fish component of temperate lentic ecosystems can be more active during the cold season than previously assumed. This may have implications for the structuring effect of pike on the lower trophic levels.
Biologics in oral medicine: oral Crohn’s disease and orofacial granulomatosis
Authors: O’Neill ID , Scully C
Published: March 2012

Oral Diseases (2012) 18, 633–638

Antitumour necrosis factor (TNF‐α) therapy has a potential to benefit patients with oral lesions of Crohn’s disease (CD) and patients with orofacial granulomatosis (OFG). The most appropriate use would appear to be in patients with severe or multisystem features, where other available agents have failed or have been associated with adverse effects. TNF‐α antagonists (infliximab in particular) have a role in the management of orofacial CD and OFG, but potential adverse effects of TNF‐α antagonists include acute infusion reactions, infection and increased risk of malignancy. Thus, a full risk–benefit analysis is indicated, with patient selection, use and subsequent monitoring coordinated with gastroenterologists with appropriate training and experience in biological therapies.
Mapping vegetation communities across home ranges of mountain goats in theNorthCascades for conservation and management
Authors: Wells Adam G. , Rachlow Janet L. , Garton Edward O. , Rice Clifford G.
Published: March 2012

Question

What is the composition of vegetation communities found across mountain goat ranges? Can we useLandSat 5TMto model those vegetation communities across a mountain range to guide conservation and management plans?

Location

TheCascadeMountains ofWashington,USA.

Methods

We surveyed vegetation across previously undocumented home ranges of mountain goats, which we determined viaGPStelemetry and tracking. We used non‐hierarchical cluster analysis to identify vegetation communities found therein. We linked the results of the fieldwork to a supervised classification of threeLandSat 5TM(bands 2: 0.52–0.60 μm, 3: 0.63–0.69 and 4: 0.76–0.90 μm) images acquired consecutively on 29July 2005 and to aerial imagery with 1‐m resolution from theNationalAgricultureInventoryProgram (NAIP) to create a map of vegetation communities across theCascadeMountain range. Finally, we evaluated the success of the classification accuracy after transforming categorical land cover into percentage cover classes at a resolution that matches the positional error of theGPStelemetry collars.

Results

Field reconnaissance and analysis identified eight vegetation communities across mountain goat home ranges: montane forest, sub‐alpine forest, heather, huckleberry, east‐side shrub, sparse meadow, dense meadow and cryptogram (talus). Analysis of imagery linked the vegetation communities found on mountain goat ranges to specific thematic classes and projected the classification across the entire range. We identified a scale of analysis (ca. 2 ha) that achieved balance between bias and precision resulting in an accuracy of ca. 80% based on comparison with 1‐m digital aerial imagery and survey results.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrate that common and readily available data can be used to produce reliable maps of percentage cover type in mountainous terrain for specific applications. Our work is the first to describe the type and distribution of vegetation communities occurring within and across mountain goat ranges along the length of theWashingtonCascades.
Adding denture cleanser to microwave disinfection regimen to reduce the irradiation time and the exposure of dentures to high temperatures
Authors: Senna Plinio M. , Sotto‐Maior Bruno S. , Silva Wander J. da , Del Bel Cury Altair A.
Published: March 2012

Background:  The microwave energy is an efficient disinfection method; however, it can generate high temperatures that can result in distortion of the dentures.

objectives:  To evaluate whether the addition of an enzymatic cleanser to microwave disinfection regimen would disinfect dentures with shorter irradiation time.

Materials and methods:  Seven resin discs colonized with Candida albicans biofilm were placed on the palatal surface of sterile dentures to be randomly assigned to the following treatments: immersion in distilled water for 3 min with 0 (DW), 1 (DW + M1), 2 (DW + M2), or 3 min (DW + M3) of microwave irradiation; or immersion in denture cleanser for 3 min with 0 (DC), 1 (DC + M1), 2 (DC + M2) or 3 min (DC + M3) of irradiation. After the treatments, the viable cells were counted by a blinded examiner. The temperature was measured immediately after irradiation. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests (α = 0.05).

Results:  No viable cells were found after DC + M2, DC + M3, and DW + M3 treatments, of which DC + M2 achieved the lowest temperature. No significant difference was found between the effectiveness of DW, DW + M1 and DC treatments (p > 0.05).

Conclusion:  Within the limits of this study, the association of a denture cleanser and microwave energy is efficient to disinfect dentures in lower irradiation time and temperature.
One hundred tasks an hour: An observational study of emergency department consultant activities
Authors: Kee Rongsheng , Knott Jonathan C , Dreyfus Suelette , Lederman Reeva , Milton Simon , Joe Keith
Published: March 2012

Objective: To determine work activity patterns undertaken by ED consultants.

Methods: A single observer time‐motion study of consultants rostered to clinical shifts: primarily administrative (Duty) or clinical (Resuscitation). Direct observation of 130 h was undertaken using purpose developed time‐stamping software. Primary outcome was task number and time spent in predetermined categories of activity. Comparisons occurred by role delineation, sex, weekday and time of day.

Results: For each observed hour consultants performed 101 discrete tasks. A high proportion was spent multitasking; 77 min of overlapping activity in each hour of observation. Consultants spent 42% of each hour on communication, 35% on direct clinical care and 24% on computer use; only 9% was spent on non‐clinical tasks. Consultants spent little time (0.6%) accessing e‐resources. Duty consultants undertook more tasks than Resuscitation consultants, 111 versus 90, and more time was spent on communication (47% vs 35%) and computer use (32% vs 15%) with less on clinical care (29% vs 43%). Female consultants undertook 119 tasks per hour compared with 93 for male consultants; more time was spent on communication (51% vs 38%) and computer use (28% vs 22%). No difference in activity occurred by time of day or weekday.

Conclusion: ED consultants have very high hourly task rates dominated by communication and clinical activities and frequently multitask. The activity is relatively constant throughout the week but is influenced by sex and role delineation. Appreciation of activity distribution might allow informed interventions to realign the workload or divert tasks to supporting resources.
A New, Innovative, Lengthening Surgical Procedure for Peyronie’s Disease by Penile Prosthesis Implantation with Double Dorsal-Ventral Patch Graft: The “Sliding Technique”
Authors: Rolle Luigi , Ceruti Carlo , Timpano Massimiliano , Sedigh Omidreza , Destefanis Paolo , Galletto Elisa , Falcone Marco , Fontana Dario
Published: March 2012

Introduction

Peyronie’s disease is the result of the formation of fibrous plaques in the tunica albuginea of the penis; typical presentations of the disease are represented by pain during erection, erectile dysfunction, and penile deformities, such as curvature, narrowing, and penile shortening. The most complex treatment is related to penile shortening.

Aim

To find a safe procedure in penile shortening due to Peyronie’s disease providing a satisfactory lengthening, allowing an early stabilization of the penis, and preventing axial tension on the neurovascular bundles during dilation.

Methods

We describe a new lengthening surgical procedure based on a ventro-dorsal incision of the tunica albuginea, penile prosthesis implantation, and double dorsal-ventral patch grafting with porcine small intestinal submucosa. Three patients, affected by Peyronie’s disease with penile shortening and erectile dysfunction, underwent this procedure with approval of our local ethical committee.

We evaluated the penis lengthening, intraoperative and postoperative complications, patient’s preoperative and postoperative sexual life satisfaction (International Index of Erectile Function [IIEF] questionnaire).

Results

The average operative time was 2 hours and 50 minutes. No major intraoperative nor postoperative complications occurred. No significant bleedings were recorded. Patients were discharged after 48–72 hours.

The average increase in length obtained was 3.2 cm. All patients resumed sexual intercourses with satisfaction; no significant loss of sensitivity or any sign of vascular distress of the glans was recorded. The follow-up is 13 months. The average IIEF score is 60.

Conclusions

The lengthening of the penis by a double dorsal-ventral patch graft is an innovative procedure that is based on current techniques of plaque incision and grafting, and that can easily resolve severe shortening of the penis due to Peyronie’s disease. In the cases presented, this procedure resulted easily, effectively, and safely. Nevertheless, the technique proposed in this article shall be validated through prospective studies with larger samples.
A Catalog of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Compatibility of Penile Prostheses
Authors: Lowe Gregory , Smith Ryan P. , Costabile Raymond A.
Published: March 2012

Introduction

Erectile dysfunction has been successfully treated with penile prosthesis implantation for over 50 years. Ferromagnetic implants or devices may create a potentially hazardous or painful situation during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A modern catalog of the MRI compatibility of penile prostheses is not available.

Aim

Evaluate the safety profile of implanted, penile prostheses during MRI.

Main Outcome Measure

Review available in vitro safety data and reported patient complications experienced during MRI with a penile prosthesis in place.

Methods

A search of PubMed™ for articles documenting a penile prosthesis present during MRI was performed. Radiology texts and product information from manufacturers’ producing a penile prosthesis were reviewed. Direct discussion with product manufacturers was also performed to obtain additional safety and compatibility information.

Results

Nine clinical articles noted the presence of a penile prosthesis at the time of magnetic resonance imaging. No articles documented a complication from MRI of a man with a penile prosthesis. A single patient with an unnamed malleable prosthesis was noted to have twisting of the device during MRI which did not result in discomfort or malfunction of the device. In vitro studies support the safety of most prostheses during MRI.

Conclusion

The available data suggests there is little risk for most patients with a penile prosthesis who undergo MRI. Notable exceptions include Dacomed’s Omniphase and Duraphase device and the MRI-conditional Spectra device manufactured by AMS. Current manufacturers of penile implants provide wallet cards and medical letters to support safety when undergoing an MRI. Prior prosthesis implantation should not preclude patients from having an MRI.
High‐throughput Phenotyping and Genomic Selection: The Frontiers of Crop Breeding ConvergeF
Authors: Cabrera‐Bosquet Llorenç , Crossa José , von Zitzewitz Jarislav , Serret María Dolors , Luis Araus José
Published: March 2012

Genomic selection (GS) and high‐throughput phenotyping have recently been captivating the interest of the crop breeding community from both the public and private sectors world‐wide. Both approaches promise to revolutionize the prediction of complex traits, including growth, yield and adaptation to stress. Whereas high‐throughput phenotyping may help to improve understanding of crop physiology, most powerful techniques for high‐throughput field phenotyping are empirical rather than analytical and comparable to genomic selection. Despite the fact that the two methodological approaches represent the extremes of what is understood as the breeding process (phenotype versus genome), they both consider the targeted traits (e.g. grain yield, growth, phenology, plant adaptation to stress) as a black box instead of dissecting them as a set of secondary traits (i.e. physiological) putatively related to the target trait. Both GS and high‐throughput phenotyping have in common their empirical approach enabling breeders to use genome profile or phenotype without understanding the underlying biology. This short review discusses the main aspects of both approaches and focuses on the case of genomic selection of maize flowering traits and near‐infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and plant spectral reflectance as high‐throughput field phenotyping methods for complex traits such as crop growth and yield.

image

[ José Luis Araus (Corresponding author)]
The discovery of high-power high synchrotron peak blazars
Authors: Padovani P. , Giommi P. , Rau A.
Published: March 2012

We study the quasi-simultaneous near-IR, optical, ultraviolet and X-ray photometry of 11 γ-ray selected blazars for which redshift estimates larger than 1.2 have been recently provided. Four of these objects turn out to be high-power blazars with the peak of their synchrotron emission between ∼3 × 1015 and ∼1016 Hz, and therefore of a kind predicted to exist but never seen before. This discovery has important implications for our understanding of physical processes in blazars, including the so-called ‘blazar sequence’, and might also help in constraining the extragalactic background light through γ-ray absorption since two sources are strongly detected even in the 10–100 GeV Fermi-LAT band. Based on our previous work and their high powers, these sources are very likely high-redshift flat-spectrum radio quasars, with their emission lines swamped by the non-thermal continuum.
Theoretical Studies of QSAR and Molecular Design on a Novel Series of Ethynyl‐3‐Quinolinecarbonitriles as Src Inhibitors
Authors: Fang Dan Qing , Wu Wen Juan , Zhang Rong , Zeng Guo Hua , Zheng Kang Cheng
Published: March 2012

A theoretical study on the two‐dimensional, three‐dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationships and docking analysis of a novel series of ethynyl‐3‐quinolinecarbonitriles acting as Src inhibitors has been carried out. To correlate the c‐Src kinase‐inhibition activity of these compounds with the two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional structural properties for 39 known compounds, some excellent quantitative structure–activity relationships models with satisfying internal and external predictive abilities were established. A combined method of the density functional theory, molecular mechanics and statistics as well as the comparative molecular field analysis was applied to develop two‐dimensional‐ and three‐dimensional‐quantitative structure–activity relationship models. The leave‐one‐out cross‐validation q2 values of two‐dimensional‐quantitative structure–activity relationship and comparative molecular field analysis models are 0.834 and 0.812, respectively. The predictive abilities of these models were further validated by the test set including 10 compounds, and the predicted IC50 values were in a good agreement with the experimental ones. The appropriate binding orientations and conformations of these compounds interacting with c‐Src kinase were also revealed by the docking study. Based on two‐dimensional‐ and three‐dimensional‐quantitative structure–activity relationship results along with docking analysis, some important factors responsible for inhibitory activity of this series of compounds were discussed in detail. These factors can be summarized as follows: selecting certain large‐size substituent R2, increasing the negative charge of the first atom of substituent R1 and the net charge of the C15 atom on ring‐C will enhance the activity. Meanwhile, the interaction information between protein and ligand was also revealed in detail. These results help to understand the action mechanism and designing novel potential Src inhibitors. Based on the established models and some designing considerations, three new compounds with rather high predicted Src‐inhibitory activity have been theoretically designed and presented to experimenters for reference.
Investigation of the Sunscreen Octocrylene’s Interaction with Amino Acid Analogs in the Presence of UV Radiation
Authors: Karlsson Isabella , Persson Elin , Mårtensson Jerker , Börje Anna
Published: March 2012

Octocrylene is an organic UV filter, commonly used in sunscreens and cosmetics, which can give rise to both contact and photocontact allergy. Our aim was to investigate octocrylene’s interaction with amino acid analogs in the presence of UV radiation to better understand the reason for octocrylene’s photoallergenic capacity. The amino acid analogs were photolysed in presence and absence of octocrylene for 1 h in cyclohexane. The rate of degradation was considerably slower for all amino acid analogs when octocrylene was present in the mixture. Benzylamine, the lysine analog, did react with octocrylene during the photolysis and the corresponding amide was formed in an acylation reaction. By varying the benzylamine concentration and keeping the octocrylene concentration fixed the reaction rate was shown to be independent of the amine concentration. The same type of acylation reaction took place when octocrylene alone was photolysed in ethanol in which the ethyl ester was formed from octocrylene and ethanol. Our results suggest that octocrylene’s ability to cause photocontact allergy could be due to its photoinduced reactivity toward primary amines and alcohols.
Species richness and temporal partitioning in the beetle fauna of oak trees (Quercus robur L.) in Richmond Park, UK
Authors: STORK NIGEL E. , HAMMOND PETER M.
Published: March 2012

1. Species richness, abundance, body size, biomass, guild structure and temporal partitioning were examined in samples of 150 beetle species from oaks (Quercus robur L.) in southern Britain.

2. Abundance, species richness and biomass were highest in late June when leaves are in full flush, similar through much of the year for oak specialist beetle species, but were highest in July for generalists. Body size did not appear to vary significantly during the sampling period.

3. Temporal partitioning of feeding guilds was evident; predators and herbivores, peaked earlier in May–June, and fungivores and scavengers peaked in July–August.

4. Groups of closely related species, in Carabidae, Cantharidae and Curculionidae, often had similar seasonal patterns suggesting that temporal variation in both overall species richness and abundance for different guilds may be driven by resource availability rather than competition between closely related species.

5. Multidimensional scaling ordination shows an almost circular pattern in the beetle community underpinned by the most abundant species occurring throughout the year; vector analysis indicates that as temperatures increase and food resources become available, other species become abundant and influence patterns of similarity.

6. These patterns are also influenced by species that (i) have life cycles of 2 or more years, (ii) move between the ground, tree trunks and the canopy during the year and (iii) move from other tree species to oaks as these tree species lose their leaves earlier in Autumn.

7. The hypothesis that temporal patterns for invertebrate species in temperate trees are more coordinated than those in tropical trees is not supported.
Restoring insulin production for type 1 diabetes
Authors: Tudurí Eva , Bruin Jennifer E. , Kieffer Timothy J.
Published: March 2012

Current therapies for the treatment of type 1 diabetes include daily administration of exogenous insulin and, less frequently, whole‐pancreas or islet transplantation. Insulin injections often result in inaccurate insulin doses, exposing the patient to hypo‐ and/or hyperglycemic episodes that lead to long‐term complications. Islet transplantation is also limited by lack of high‐quality islet donors, early graft failure, and chronic post‐transplant immunosuppressive treatment. These barriers could be circumvented by designing a safe and efficient strategy to restore insulin production within the patient’s body. Porcine islets have been considered as a possible alternative source of transplantable insulin‐producing cells to replace human cadaveric islets. More recently, embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells have also been examined for their ability to differentiate in vitro into pancreatic endocrine cells. Alternatively, it may be feasible to generate new β‐cells by ectopic expression of key transcription factors in endogenous non‐β‐cells. Finally, engineering surrogate β‐cells by in vivo delivery of the insulin gene to specific tissues is also being studied as a possible therapy for type 1 diabetes. In the present review, we discuss these different approaches to restore insulin production.
p53‐Induced Uncoupling Expression of Aquaporin‐4 and Inwardly Rectifying K+4.1 Channels in Cytotoxic Edema after Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Yan Jun‐hao , Khatibi Nikan H. , Han Hong‐bin , Hu Qin , Chen Chun‐hua , Li Li , Yang Xiao‐mei , Zhou Chang‐man
Published: March 2012

Aims:To investigate the mechanism behind cytotoxic edema formation following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).Methods:We explored the role of aquaporin‐4 (AQP4), inwardly rectifying K+4.1 (Kir4.1) channels and their upstream orchestrators p53 and p38MAPK in this process. A p53 inhibitor, pifithrin‐α (PFT‐α) was administered intraperitoneally to rats undergoing SAH by endovascular perforation. Totally, 98 male SD rats were categorized into sham, SAH, SAH+ dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), SAH+ 0.2 or 2.0 mg/kg PFT‐α groups. At 24 h after SAH, MRI (diffusion‐weighted imaging [DWI]), immunohistochemistry, and Western blot were used.Results:MRI (DWI) showed a significant cytotoxic edema in the brain following SAH with PFT‐α therapy reducing it. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot showed an increased level of p53, phosphorylated‐p38MAPK and AQP4 and a reduced level of Kir4.1; all of which could be reversed following PFT‐α treatment. Treble labeling staining revealed colocalization of p53 with phosphorylated‐p38MAPK and unmatched expression of AQP4 and Kir4.1 within astrocyte cells.Conclusion:These results indicated p53 mediates the formation of cytotoxic edema in the brain following SAH; an uncoupling expression of AQP4 and Kir4.1 on astrocytic end feets orchestrated by p38MAPK was partly responsible.
Construction of an automated screening system to predict breast cancer diagnosis and prognosis
Authors: Jin Sou‐Young , Won Jae‐Kyung , Lee Hojin , Choi Ho‐Jin
Published: March 2012

Background and aim: Using machine learning methods can be helpful in the clinical decision processes such as pathological diagnosis with the aid of microscopic feature datasets. In the present study using the Breast Cancer Wisconsin dataset, an optimal algorithm (classifiers) which can predict both diagnosis (benign vs malignant) and prognosis (recur vs non‐recur) was devised by comparing several classification algorithms. Methods: The performance of a two‐step algorithm, which sequentially decides diagnosis and prognosis, was compared with that of a multi‐class classifier, which divides classes simultaneously. Results: In the two‐step classifier, it was discovered that the functional trees (FT) algorithm is the best for the first step of classification, and Naïve Bayes is the best for the second step of classification. On the other hand, the one‐step classifier shows better accuracy and better prediction on benign and non‐recurring cases than the two‐step classifier, but it shows lower accuracy on predicting recurring cases, leading to lower sensitivity. Conclusions: We conclude that the two‐step classifier with FT and Naïve Bayes is better than the one‐step classifier. This work will be helpful in setting the automated screening system in real clinics and highlight clues to improve the accuracy by refining data and algorithm selection in data mining or machine learning processes.
Exotic encounters with dental implants: managing complications with unidentified systems
Authors: Mattheos N , Janda M Schittek
Published: March 2012

As the application of dental implants increases worldwide, so is the number of technical and biological complications that general dental practitioners will be called to manage, while maintaining implant patients. In addition, the greater patient mobility encountered today combined with a growing trend of ‘dental implant tourism’ will very often result in situations where the dentist is requested to deal with complications in implants placed elsewhere and which sometimes might be of an ‘exotic’ system one cannot directly recognize. Such a situation can pose significant challenges to even experienced clinicians. The challenges are not only in the scientific field, but often include professional and ethical implications. This case report will discuss strategies for the management of implant complications in cases of unidentified implant systems. Critical factors in such situations would be the clinician’s experience and special training, the correct radiographic technique, as well as access to the appropriate tools and devices.
Thermoplastic Forming of Bulk Metallic Glasses
Authors: Gravier Sébastien , Kapelski Georges , Suéry Michel , Blandin Jean‐Jacques
Published: March 2012

Metallic glasses display interesting mechanical properties including high mechanical resistance and large capacity to store elastic energy. Since metallic glasses can now be produced in bulk conditions, they can be used for structural applications. In this new context, thermoforming of metallic glasses can be a particularly well adapted technique for production of small size components with good surface finish. As for other glasses, metallic glasses can be preferentially thermoformed in their supercooled liquid region. However, since metallic glasses are still emerging materials, the mechanisms of high temperature deformation remain not completely understood and intensive work is currently carried out to identify the elementary mechanisms of deformation. Moreover, since thermoforming is performed in the supercooled liquid region, the thermal stability of the glass to be formed is a key point for the success of the thermoforming process. Finally, it is also shown that thermoforming conditions can be used to produce multi materials associating metallic glasses and conventional metallic alloys.
Non-inclusion complexes between riboflavin and cyclodextrins
Authors: de Jesus Marcelo Bispo , Fraceto Leonardo Fernandes , Martini Maria Florencia , Pickholz Monica , Ferreira Carmen Veríssima , de Paula Eneida
Published: March 2012

Objectives

To investigate the molecular interaction between β-cyclodextrin (βCD) or hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) and riboflavin (RF), and to test the anticancer potential of these formulations.

Methods

The physicochemical characterization of the association between RF and CDs was performed by UV-vis absorption, fluorescence, differential scanning calorimetry and NMR techniques. Molecular dynamics simulation was used to shed light on the mechanism of interaction of RF and CDs. Additionally, in-vitro cell culture tests were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the RF–CD complexes against prostate cancer cells.

Key findings

Neither βCD nor HPβCD led to substantial changes in the physicochemical properties of RF (with the exception of solubility). Additionally, rotating frame Overhauser effect spectroscopy experiments detected no spatial correlations between hydrogens from the internal cavity of CDs and RF, while molecular dynamics simulations revealed ‘out-of-ring’ RF–CD interactions. Notwithstanding, both RF–βCD and RF–HPβCD complexes were cytotoxic to PC3 prostate cancer cells.

Conclusions

The interaction between RF and either βCD or HPβCD, at low concentrations, seems to be made through hydrogen bonding between the flavonoid and the external rim of both CDs. Regardless of the mechanism of complexation, our findings indicate that RF–CD complexes significantly increase RF solubility and potentiate its antitumour effect.
Assessment of the pharmacological properties of 5-methoxyindole derivatives at 5-HT4 receptors
Authors: Coupar Ian M , Irving Helen R , Manallack David T , Tan Yean Y , Ayad Fadi , Iulio Juliana Di , Tochon-Danguy Nathalie , Iskander Magdy N
Published: March 2012

Objectives

The aim was to examine the biological activity of 5-methoxytryptamine derivatives at the 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)4 receptor to explore the effect of substitution on the aliphatic amine of the 5-methoxyamine scaffold.

Methods

Three compounds were tested for affinity at the 5-HT4 receptor by radioligand binding and functional activity using guinea-pig ileum and human colon circular muscle preparations and also in the mouse whole gut transit test.

Key findings

The three compounds all had agonist properties at the 5-HT4 receptor but their efficacy differed in the different functional tests. Compound 3 had the highest affinity for the 5-HT4 receptor and was a full agonist at relaxing human colon circular muscle with efficacy closest to 5-HT. Compounds 1 and 2 were partial agonists in this assay with lower efficacies; compound 2 was a full agonist in the guinea-pig ileum assay whereas compound 3 was a partial agonist. Compounds 1 and 2 also showed activity in the mouse gut transit assay while compound 3 had no activity.

Conclusions

Of the compounds tested, compound 3 was the most promising 5-HT4 receptor agonist and the results highlight the value of using human tissue in functional tests when assessing compounds for potential activity.
Performance Evaluation of an IP-SAN Initiator Based on Multi-Core Network Processors
Authors: Li Mingzhe , Zhang Wu , Chen Xiao , Dong Xiaofei
Published: March 2012

To satisfy users' rapidly increasing demand for data storage, high performance storage architectures are being developed. This paper proposes a design of server platform equipped with IP storage capability based on Multi-core network processors. Running the iSCSI protocol, the server actually works as an iSCSI initiator when exchanging data with an IP-based storage area network, known as IP-SAN. To evaluate I/O performance of this platform's storage service, an Intel X86 based multicore server is used as a contrast. According to test results, this multi-core network processor based server platform exhibits good storage I/O performance.
Reconstruction of Missing Data in VHR Images Using Bandelet and Exemplar Based Inpainting Strategies
Authors: Pandian K. K. Soundara , Kumar E. Madhan , Sophia D. Linett
Published: March 2012

The process of inpainting is to reconstruct the lost or deteriorated parts of images. The reconstruction of missing data in very high spatial remote sensed image is of great challenge due to its complexity. Remotely sensed Very High Resolution (VHR) images may be partly contaminated by cloud and accurate reconstruction of such images is of great problem. In this paper two strategies were proposed one for cloud removal and other for reconstruction of missing regions to improve the accuracy. The cloud removal problem is achieved by means of bandelet transform and multiscale geometrical grouping algorithm. This algorithm aims at removing the cloud contaminated portions from the VHR images. Then Exemplar based inpainting strategy (approach) is used for reconstruction of missing regions. The two algorithms used here are very simple and efficient results can be obtained.
Role and Structure of Information Technologies for the Development of Electric Power Systems
Authors: Shahinzadeh Hossein , Fadaee Mohammad , Adivi Reza Ghanbari , Mashayekhi Naser
Published: March 2012

All countries, however, It is accepted that information technology (IT) is important to highlight the rapid expansion of power systems. The facility is expected to take some patience to install communication networks as a means to ensure the monitoring of power systems Can be more widely used in the system more stable and Reliable systems with sufficient power. Given that communication infrastructtures Generally have value, They can be used for purposes other than monitoring the power system. These new technologies bring new challenges to information and communication technology and organization structure in relation to the power companies. In this paper, The authors of the above problems And a discussion of methods to provide a solution that is feasible in reality. The authors would like to raise awareness among the owners of the power system for network security issues related to ICT. Examples are given to illustrate the challenges, And an interdisciplinary approach to ensure information security is recommended.
Detection of Harmful Insects Based on Gray-Level Cooccurrence Matrix (GLCM) in Rural Areas Mehdi Ebadi
Authors: Manaa  , Al-Abaedy Raaid N. , Hamed Wessam Abbas , Oudah Atheer Yousif , Abbas Tawfiq A.
Published: March 2012

There are many types of insects that affect agricultural fields. These harmful insects should be classified in a smart implementation for the rural fields. The main point to detect depends on their texture color. These textures are different from one insect to another. We propose a new hybrid method based on Gray Level Co-occurrence Matrix (GLCM) to detect the harmful insects in agricultural fields. The main idea shows that a tested image is composed of different texture regions of the insect and this will help to extract feature value. This paper consists of three steps: the first step extracts texture features using GLCM in four directions which are 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees from the gray image. The second step trains the neural network depending on texture features in a large number of variety insect's images. The third step tests the unknown insect's image to classify it whether harmful or not. The purpose of this study helps rural farmers to detect the harmful insects and classify them to take care of their crops.
Finite Element Based Simulation of Piezoelectric Materials for Vibration Suppression
Authors: Ramesh S
Published: March 2012

This research concerns active vibration suppression of composite cantilever beam configuration consisting of aluminum face sheets and a core composed of honeycomb Aluminum panels by using piezoelectric smart materials as actuators. MSC/MARC can be utilized in the numerical simulation of active feedback control for the purpose of vibration suppression of structural systems. The Positive Position Feedback (PPF) control algorithm is coupled with an MSC/MARC dynamical structural model. The transient response of the beam with and without the active control is examined. The MSC/MARC solution is found to be in good agreement with experimental values from previous work.
The Application and Research of Improved Decision Tree Algorithm in University Performance Analysis
Authors: Gao Wushi , Dong Yunfeng , Qi Bei
Published: March 2012

With the promoting of education informationization process, more and more complex data is accumulated, the data mining techniques used in education. The work, that finding in hidden and useful information to guide education from large number of educational data, will be helpful to the education reform and development. This article proposes one kind of improvement ID3 algorithm, this algorithm simplified information entropy solution, which is the standard of attribute selection and reduced complication of calculation. Its application to analysis of university students performance will find out the influence of implicit factors, improve the quality of teaching.
Power Quality Improvement in Windmill System Using STATCOM
Authors: Mastanamma Y. , Naresh B.
Published: March 2012

Wind turbine installation is increasing rapidly. Especially, the behavior of wind turbines during a power system disturbance would affect power system stability and supply security. STATCOM unit is developed to inject reactive power to mitigate power quality problems and to get stable grid operation. Due to continuously varying wind speed components, the active and reactive power along with terminal voltage fluctuates continuously. By connecting STATCOM into the grid, the active power, reactive power and terminal voltage is maintained constant [1]. The STATCOM as a pure static device with no switched passive components provides outstanding performance for both steady state and dynamic operation.
Holmorphic Automorphism Group of a Sort of Three Dimensional Hopf Manifold
Authors: Yang Yongju
Published: March 2012

The main results of this paper are the following: A sort of three-dimensional Hopf manifold is constructed by applications of linear matrix cyclic group action on K1hler manifold; A method which could be calculated the holomorphic automorphism groups of the three-dimensional Hopf manifold is provided by means of several complex holomorphic function and universal covering theory.
Security Analysis of Peyravian-Jeffries's Remote User Authentication Protocol
Authors: Guo Yongning , Liu Chenglian
Published: March 2012

Peyravian and Jeffries proposed a secure remote user access over insecure network in 2006. Shortly after, Munila and Peinada gave an off-line password-guessing attack to Peyravian-Jeffries's remote user authentication protocol. In the same time, Shim also presented a security flaws of remote user access over insecure network based on Peyravian-Jeffries scheme. In 2008, Holbl et al. proposed an improvement of Peyravian-Jeffries's user authentication protocol and password change protocol based on their finding which it immune against the attack. In this paper, we propose a method different from the previous attacks, the method is based on the mutually exclusive or among the fundamental problems in the computer system.
Vegetation and Climate Changes in Central Asia during over the Last 28,000 YRS: A High-Resolution Pollen Record from Valikhanov Section, Kazakhstan
Authors: Huang Changqing , Liu Kam-Biu , Feng Zhaodong , Ran Ming
Published: March 2012

A high-resolution pollen-based bioclimatic reconstruction from Valikhanov section in Kazakhstan, supported by 6 AMS dates reveals vegetation and climate change history during last glaciations and Holocene. The vegetation probably was Artemisia arid steppe during 1Â¼28,000 - 1Â¼18,000 14C yr BP., then turned to be Artemisia steppe during 1Â¼18,000 - 1Â¼10,000 14C yr BP, an Atermisia-Chenopodiaceae desert steppe during 1Â¼10,000 - 1Â¼5,000 14C yr BP and a Chenopodiaceae-Artemisia steppe after 1Â¼5,000 14C yr BP in this region. Climate is cold and slightly wet during 28,000–10,000 14C yr BP., dry and mild during 10,000–5,000 14C yr BP., wet after 1Â¼5,000 14C yr BP in this region. Climate in the Central Asian domain was constantly wetter than that in the East Asian domain during MIS2. The Central Asian domain experienced a wetter climate in late Holocene whereas the East Asian domain expereinced a wetter climate in early Holocene. Climate in the Central Asian domain was constantly wetter than that in the East Asian domain during MIS2. The Central Asian domain experienced a wetter climate in late Holocene whereas the East Asian domain expereinced a wetter climate in early Holocene.
Design and Implementation of Sureplay, A User Friendly Multimedia Content Management System for Digital Signage
Authors: Najafi Amir , Letchumanan Vijayeaswaran
Published: March 2012

Digital signage as an emerging communication technology is playing a crucial role in today's digital world. In this paper we present SurePlay, a multimedia content management system (CMS) for digital signage. The system provides a robust and scalable platform for scheduling and transmitting multimedia content on display systems. The proposed system has client-server architecture and performs on a LAN/WAN environment. It's user-friendly, reliable, and costeffective. The conceptual and technical design of the system, software functionality and architecture, and several industry deployments are described in this paper.
Image Segmentation Algorithm Research Based on SVM
Authors: Kun Luo
Published: March 2012

Fingerprint image segmentation is an important part of fingerprint image preprocessing. It located in the front-end of preprocessing, aimed at separating the image area which is poor quality in fingerprint image and hard to recover in the subsequent processing, so that subsequent processing can focus on the effective area. Segmentation processing can not only improve the accuracy of feature extraction, and can greatly reduce fingerprint preprocessing time. Therefore, the quality of fingerprint image segmentation algorithm has a very important influence on fingerprint recognition. This paper presents a fingerprint image segmentation method basing on support vector which can block the fingerprint image, and according to the characteristics of image block contrast early split, in order to remove the relatively small change gray white background, using the RBF kernel SVM classifiers to classify, obtain a good segmentation effectiveness.
The Complementary DNA Segment Cloning and Bioinformatics Analysis of INTS2 Gene in Goose
Authors: Ma Shuang , Han Chunchun , Wang Jiwen
Published: March 2012

To clone the INTS2 (Integrator complex subunit 2) cDNA segment in goose, we isolated total RNA from goose liver. The 488bp cDNA segment was amplified by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The obtained segment had 3 open reading frames (ORF) and two of them are separately 100% and 99% relative to the sequences of chicken. One of the segment contains 113 amino acids, 63.7% of them form helix and 36.3% loop. And the other 45AA segment contains 22.2% helix, 17.8% strand and 60% loop. Comparison analysis indicated that the nucleotide sequence and amino acid sequence of INTS2 gene segment were highly homologous to some species reported, such as Gallus gallus, Taeniopygia guttata, Ornithorhynchus anatinus ect.. Homology between Sichuan White Goose and Gallus gallus was 94%, and Taeniopygia guttata 88%. We confirmed the sequence to be segment of INTS2 gene.
Modeling Time Using Metapattern
Authors: Narang Tulika , Yadav Dharmendra Kr , Yadav R. S.
Published: March 2012

Metapattern is an approach to conceptual modelling. It is technique for meta-information analysis and modelling that emphasizes reusabilty of software. It is a framework that is appropriate to represent the real world domain. It considers context as a fundamental concept. Context is an ordered collection of objects and relationships. An object for information modelling exists in one or more contexts. Another essential principle in information modelling is time. Time helps capturing the dynamic behavior of the real world. It represents changes in states due to an event. Objects in real world exhibit dynamic behavioral features by combination of attributes and values. It is a framework that includes the concepts of context, intext and time. These concepts are suitable to describe a domain under consideration. They are applicable to various application domains. It serves both as the basis for communication and domain understanding. It is in the form of tuple and describes the application domain at meta-level.