bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of drainage conditions, bed thickness, and age on the shear strength of mine tailings in a very low stress range
Authors: Dimitrova Rozalina S. , Yanful Ernest K.
Published: February 2012

The present study utilized a specially built tilting tank to measure the shear strength of deposited mine tailings beds under different degrees of drainage and in the stress range below 1 kPa. Two modes of tilting were employed to simulate drained and partially drained conditions. The slow tilting mode ensured that the excess pore pressure generated in the tailings bed in response to shearing remained low and did not influence the shear strength of the bed. During rapid tilting, the excess pore pressure build-up was significant and ultimately led to bed failure. Failure occurred at a plane parallel to the surface of the bed and at a depth of 0.4 to 1.5 cm. Linear drained and partially drained shear strength envelopes with zero cohesion intercept were defined over the vertical stress range of 0 to 1 kPa. The effective friction angles were determined to be 40.4° and 40.8° for the 3 and 12 day old beds, respectively. For beds of the same thickness and age, the total friction angles obtained from partially drained tests were 23.3° and 23.8°, respectively. Small variations in total and effective friction angles with consolidation time were observed.
Influence of degradation of structure on the behaviour of a full-scale embankment
Authors: Panayides S. , Rouainia M. , Muir Wood D.
Published: February 2012

The advanced constitutive model KHSM for structured clays, which incorporates the effects of loss of structure within an elastoplastic framework, has been implemented in a finite element procedure and used to investigate the failure height and pore-water pressures of embankment A constructed at Saint Alban, Quebec. For the purpose of model comparison, simulations were also performed using the standard bubble model (KHM) without destructuration. The numerical predictions of pore-water pressures and settlements are also compared with field measurements. The results clearly demonstrate the importance of including the effects of loss of structure in the analysis.
Small-strain stiffness of Zenoz kaolin in unsaturated conditions
Authors: Biglari Mahnoosh , d’Onofrio Anna , Mancuso Claudio , Jafari Mohammad Kazem , Shafiee Ali , Ashayeri Iman
Published: February 2012

An experimental study has been carried out to investigate the effects of isotropic compression, wetting, and drying on the initial shear stiffness of Zenoz kaolin, an unsaturated lean clay, both in normally consolidated and overconsolidated conditions. The proposed study was conducted using fixed–free resonant column – torsional shear (RCTS). Specimens were compacted using the undercompaction technique. Initial shear stiffness was measured almost continuously along complex stress paths including (i) an initial equalization stage to a suction value of 0, 50, 150, and 300 kPa; (ii) an isotropic compression stage at constant suction, up to a net stress high enough to move the loading collapse line; (iii) an isotropic unloading stage at constant suction; (iv) a wetting and (or) drying path. The mentioned stress path allowed elimination or determination of the overconsolidation effect on the initial shear stiffness measured. The behavior observed is qualitatively similar to that of saturated soil, while wetting data clearly indicate that G0 depends significantly on volumetric behavior. In normally consolidated samples where wetting is accompanied by collapse, reduction in suction has no remarkable effect on G0. Conversely, in overconsolidated samples G0 reduces significantly as suction decreases.
METABOLIC NETWORKS ROBUSTNESS: THEORY, SIMULATIONS AND RESULTS
Authors: VITABILE SALVATORE , CONTI VINCENZO , LANZA BARBARA , CUSUMANO DOMENICO , SORBELLO FLIPPO
Published: February 2012

Metabolic networks are composed of several functional modules, reproducing metabolic pathways and describing the entire cellular metabolism of an organism. In the last decade, an enormous interest has grown for the study of tolerance to errors and attacks in metabolic networks. Studies on their robustness have suggested that metabolic networks are tolerant to errors, but very vulnerable to targeted attacks against highly connected nodes. However, many findings on metabolic networks suggest that the above classification is too simple and imprecise, since hub node attacks can be by-passed if alternative metabolic paths can be exploited. On the contrary, non-hub nodes attacks can affect cell survival when the node is the only path within a functional module. In this paper an integrated approach for metabolic networks robustness analysis is presented. With more details, statistical, topological, and functional analysis are used together to evaluate metabolic network behavior under normal operation conditions and under random or targeted attacks. Two real biological metabolic networks have been used to test the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
TOWARDS CONTEXT-AWARE REAL-WORLD ENVIRONMENTS: THE CASE OF A REMOTE AUTONOMOUS ENERGY AWARE MONITORING SYSTEM
Authors: BESSIS NIK , MCLAUCHLAN NICHOLAS , ASIMAKOPOULOU ELEANA , BROWN ANTONY , NORRINGTON PETER
Published: February 2012

Work is underway on issues associated with the development of tools and services to reduce energy consumption. Current trends suggest that energy consumption is increasing and carbon reserves are decreasing whilst green technologies for energy generation are yet to prove themselves. In industry, there are many legacy installations of equipment capable of transmitting their energy usage via the MODBUS protocol. Here we introduce a means of logging energy usage data and transmitting it to a database. The motivation is that making energy users aware of their consumption can help assist them in taking informed action towards the reduction of wasted energy. Thus, we offer a state-of-the-art of possible networking technologies, which have led to a real-world implementation. We present requirements whilst we mathematically model the compression technique. On the development side, we use GSM/GPRS technology, embedded KJava runtime and a bespoke Java application as the framework to email the usage data to the database.
BLUEPRINT FOR AN ALGORITHMIC ECONOMICS
Authors: KINSELLA STEPHEN
Published: February 2012

Algorithmic economics helps us stipulate, formulate, and resolve economic problems in a more precise manner than mainstream mathematical economics. It does so by aligning theorizing about an economic problem with both the data generated by the real world and the computers used to manipulate that data. Theoretically coherent, numerically meaningful, and therefore policy relevant, answers to economic problems can be extrapolated more readily using algorithmic economics than present day mathematical economics. An algorithmic economics would allow mathematical economics to prove theorems relating to economic problems, such as the existence of equilibria defined on some metric space, with embedded mechanisms for getting to the equilibria of these problems. A blueprint for such an economics is given and discussed with an example.
COMPUTABLE ECONOMICS: RECONSTRUCTING THE NONCONSTRUCTIVE
Authors: ZAMBELLI STEFANO
Published: February 2012

In this paper, a case for Velupillai's Computable Economics is made. It is claimed that the methodological approach and results (theorems) of classical recursion theory and constructive mathematics should be at the foundation of theorizing in economics. The major point is that Turing machine equivalent computations set an upper bound to rational choice that cannot be circumvented with a non-rigorous and teleological "as if" assumption. Clearly, given that the optimal choices are almost always not constructible the paradigm of rational behavior as optimizing behavior is deprived of any practical, operational or theoretical meaning. It is Computable Economics that provides the proper foundation for a formally rigorous and meaningful definition of rationality.
EINSTEIN MEETS GÖDEL
Authors: DORIA FRANCISCO ANTONIO , DORIA MANUEL
Published: February 2012

In order to ponder the question of (space) time, we consider exotic spacetimes in the sense of differential geometry, and then present undecidability and incompleteness results about general relativity, with the nature of time and the existence of some kind of "cosmic time" as central questions. We conclude with a discussion on the possible interpretation of our results.
RECENT PROGRESS IN BORON- AND NITROGEN-BASED CHEMICAL HYDROGEN STORAGE
Authors: LU ZHANG-HUI , XU QIANG
Published: February 2012

Boron- and nitrogen-based chemical hydrogen storage materials, such as metal borohydrides, ammonia borane, hydrazine borane, metal-nitrogen-hydrogen systems, ammonia, and hydrazine, have been extensively investigated in the past years. A variety of methods have been developed to decrease the reaction temperature and enhance the reaction kinetics of these systems. This feature article is to serve as an up to date account of the recent progress in chemical hydrogen storage with the boron- and nitrogen-based materials.
RAPID SYNTHESIS OF CoSb3/GRAPHENE NANOCOMPOSITES BY ONE-POT SOLVOTHERMAL ROUTE AND THEIR ELECTROCHEMICAL PROPERTIES
Authors: ZHENG YUN-XIAO , XIE JIAN , LIU SHUANG-YU , SONG WEN-TAO , ZHU TIE-JUN , CAO GAO-SHAO , ZHAO XIN-BING
Published: February 2012

A facile synthetic approach for CoSb3 /graphene nanocomposite has been developed in this work. By adjusting Co/Sb molar ratio, reaction temperature, and reaction time, we found that nanocrystalline CoSb3 (5–10 nm) can form at a low temperature of 180°C and a short time of only 1 h via a one-pot solvothermal route. At the same time, graphite oxide can be reduced to graphene with uniformly loaded CoSb3 nanoparticles. The composites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanocomposite shows improved cycling stability compared to bare CoSb3 .
ABOUT THE TRANSFORMATION PHASE ZONES OF SHAPE MEMORY ALLOYS' FRACTURE TESTS ON SINGLE EDGE-CRACKED SPECIMEN
Authors: TAILLEBOT V. , LEXCELLENT C. , VACHER P.
Published: February 2012

The thermomechanical behavior of shape memory alloys is now well mastered. However, a hindrance to their sustainable use is the lack of knowledge of their fracture behavior. With the aim of filling this partial gap, fracture tests on edge-cracked specimens in NiTi have been made. Particular attention was paid to determine the phase transformation zones in the vicinity of the crack tip. In one hand, experimental kinematic fields are observed using digital image correlation showing strain localization around the crack tip. In the other hand, an analytical prediction, based on a modified equivalent stress criterion and taking into account the asymmetric behavior of shape memory alloys in tension-compression, provides shape and size of transformation outset zones. Experimental results are relatively in agreement with our analytical modeling.
CHARGE TRANSFER AND DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF TiO2–GRAPHENE COMPOSITES
Authors: ZHOU CAI-HUA , XU QIAN , LI SHENG-TAO , ZHAO XIANG
Published: February 2012

The electronic structures and dielectric properties of TiO2 –graphene composites are studied using pseudo-potential density functional theory. It is shown that interfacial charge transfer properties of graphene/ TiO2 are influenced by the atomic type on TiO2 surface. The interfacial interaction of graphene with Ti -terminated surface is so strong that it causes a buckling structural graphene, and the titanium atomic d electrons are transferred obviously from TiO2 to graphene. It is revealed that dielectric properties of the composites are greatly affected by both band structures and electronic transitions. Compared with bulk TiO2 , dielectric constants of TiO2 –graphene composites are significantly improved.
GROWTH AND DEPTH-DEPENDENCE OF SATURATION MAGNETIZATION OF IRON NITRIDE THIN FILMS ON MgO SUBSTRATE
Authors: JI NIAN , LAUTER VALERIA , AMBAYE HAILEMARIAM , WANG JIAN-PING
Published: February 2012

We used polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) to investigate the depth-dependent saturation magnetization (4πMs) of bi-layer structured Fe–N/Fe grown on MgO substrates, which were prepared by a facing target sputtering method followed by a subsequent annealing process to purposely study the N inter-diffusive effect. It is observed that by tuning the Fe layer thickness from 2 nm to 5 nm, the magnetic properties of the resulting product varies substantially. According to X-ray diffraction, an additional peak, indexed to Fe16N2(004) , was developed in the sample with thinner (2 nm) underlayer. Its corresponding PNR study shows a 4πMs of up to 2.82 T towards the substrate interface, which is 14% higher than the known limit ( Fe 65 Co 35 ~ 4πMs = 2.45 T ). We attribute this giant magnetization to the presence of chemically ordered Fe1N2 . We have seen evidence that the high Ms is favorably stabilized due to the lattice misfit. The thickness range is consistent with the strained region of the films. This depth-dependent saturation magnetization analysis can shed a light to help understand the previous magnetization reports by classical magnetometry methods for the samples prepared using the same underlayer.
Hydrogeology in support of British military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan 2003 to 2009
Authors: Dow Robert I. L. , Rose Edward P. F.
Published: February 2012

In 2003, three British reserve army geologists contributed hydrogeological advice to assist planning for the Coalition invasion of Iraq by predicting likely groundwater and drilling conditions. In consequence, 521 Specialist Team Royal Engineers (Water Development) was deployed in theatre soon after hostilities began, to provide a water supply infrastructure for British troops. However, a speedy end to combat, and concentration of British troops in southern Iraq where surface waters were the primary source of supply, necessitated only four new boreholes. Elements of 521 STRE deployed to Afghanistan in 2006, again with hydrogeological guidance, to enhance water supplies for a Provincial Reconstruction Team and Forward Operating Base (FOB), and to develop a water supply infrastructure for the main British operational base at Camp Bastion. Local contractors were used to drill 11 wells, each to over 100 m depth, in Quaternary alluvium. Subsequently, hydrogeology was used to guide successful groundwater development at four out of five FOBs, involving 28 new boreholes, minimizing risks associated with water supply by road or helicopter, and to facilitate expansion of Camp Bastion to accommodate a surge of Coalition troops. Tasks in Afghanistan have generated the most significant British military use of hydrogeology in recent years.
Opportunity-driven hydrological model development in US Army research and development programs
Authors: Downer Charles W. , Ogden Fred L. , Martin William D. , Harmon Russell S.
Published: February 2012

The US Army has compelling needs for making hydrological forecasts. These range from tactical predictions of water levels and soil moisture, to strategic protection of both Army and civilian assets and environmental resources. This paper discusses the history of hydrological model development by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as influenced by changes in needs and technologies. It concludes with a description of the Gridded Surface/Subsurface Hydrologic Analysis (
GSSHA
™) model, a two-dimensional, structured-grid, physics-based hydrological, hydrodynamic, sediment and nutrient/contaminant transport model, developed over the past two decades, that is currently used by the USACE. The surface hydrology of the USA has been divided by the US Geological Survey into 21 major geographic domains that contain either the drainage area of a major river or the combined drainage areas of a series of rivers of similar character developed in one geographic province. Eighteen of the regions occupy the land area of the conterminous USA. Alaska, the Hawaiian Islands and Puerto Rico are separate domains. This approach provides a framework for the hydrological modelling discussed in this paper for sites within six of these regions. That the physics-based
GSSHA
modelling capability has so far been applied with success gives confidence in its more widespread application.
Tension over equitable allocation of water: estimating renewable groundwater resources beneath the West Bank and Israel
Authors: Mansour M. M. , Peach D. W. , Hughes A. G. , Robins N. S.
Published: February 2012

Competition for water resources between Palestine and Israel is an ongoing cause of tension. The Western Aquifer Basin forms a major part of the complex, largely karst, limestone system of the West Bank Mountain Aquifer. The aquifer crops out and is recharged solely in the semi-arid uplands of the West Bank and groundwater flows west beneath Israel to discharge at the Yarqon and Nahal Taninim springs near the Mediterranean coast. Annual recharge to the aquifer is not easy to quantify but lies within the range 270×10
6
to 455×10
6
m
3
a
−1
, and current uncertainties do not support definition of a single value of long-term average recharge. The resource is heavily exploited and abstraction is directly controlled and apportioned between Israel and the West Bank by Israel. The key to equitable apportionment is the determination of the long-term average recharge to the basin, which also requires definition of the eastern boundary of the basin to confirm the recharge area. Calculations include empirical formulae and process-based models that are likely to constrain the best estimate provided that there is appropriate, ongoing monitoring. Improved understanding can then be fed back into the model.
Skew Dependence of Nanophotonic Devices Based on Optical Near-Field Interactions
Authors: Naruse Makoto , Peper Ferdinand , Akahane Kouichi , Yamamoto Naokatsu , Kawazoe Tadashi , Tate Naoya , Ohtsu Motoichi
Published: February 2012

We examine the timing dependence of nanophotonic devices based on optical excitation transfer via optical near-field interactions at the nanometer scale. We theoretically analyze the dynamic behavior of a two-input nanophotonic switch composed of three quantum dots based on a density matrix formalism while assuming arrival-time differences, or skew, between the inputs. The analysis reveals that the nanophotonic switch is resistant to a skew longer than the input signal duration, and the tolerance to skew is asymmetric with respect to the two inputs. The skew dependence is also experimentally examined based on near-field spectroscopy of InGaAs quantum dots, showing good agreement with the theory. Elucidating the dynamic properties of nanophotonics, together with the associated spatial and energy dissipation attributes at the nanometer scale, will provide critical insights for novel system architectures.
A Torus-Based Hierarchical Optical-Electronic Network-on-Chip for Multiprocessor System-on-Chip
Authors: Ye Yaoyao , Xu Jiang , Wu Xiaowen , Zhang Wei , Liu Weichen , Nikdast Mahdi
Published: February 2012

Networks-on-chip (NoCs) are emerging as a key on-chip communication architecture for multiprocessor systems-on-chip (MPSoCs). Optical communication technologies are introduced to NoCs in order to empower ultra-high bandwidth with low power consumption. However, in existing optical NoCs, communication locality is poorly supported, and the importance of floorplanning is overlooked. These significantly limit the power efficiency and performance of optical NoCs. In this work, we address these issues and propose a torus-based hierarchical hybrid optical-electronic NoC, called THOE. THOE takes advantage of both electrical and optical routers and interconnects in a hierarchical manner. It employs several new techniques including floorplan optimization, an adaptive power control mechanism, low-latency control protocols, and hybrid optical-electrical routers with a low-power optical switching fabric. Both of the unfolded and folded torus topologies are explored for THOE. Based on a set of real MPSoC applications, we compared THOE with a typical torus-based optical NoC as well as a torus-based electronic NoC in 45nm on a 256-core MPSoC, using a SystemC-based cycle-accurate NoC simulator. Compared with the matched electronic torus-based NoC, THOE achieves 2.46X performance and 1.51X network switching capacity utilization, with 84% less energy consumption. Compared with the optical torus-based NoC, THOE achieves 4.71X performance and 3.05X network switching capacity utilization, while reducing 99% of energy consumption. Besides real MPSoC applications, a uniform traffic pattern is also used to show the average packet delay and network throughput of THOE. Regarding hardware cost, THOE reduces 75% of laser sources and half of optical receivers compared with the optical torus-based NoC.
Probabilistic ω-automata
Authors: Baier Christel , Grösser Marcus , Bertrand Nathalie
Published: February 2012

Probabilistic ω-automata are variants of nondeterministic automata over infinite words where all choices are resolved by probabilistic distributions. Acceptance of a run for an infinite input word can be defined using traditional acceptance criteria for ω-automata, such as Büchi, Rabin or Streett conditions. The accepted language of a probabilistic ω-automata is then defined by imposing a constraint on the probability measure of the accepting runs. In this paper, we study a series of fundamental properties of probabilistic ω-automata with three different language-semantics: (1) the probable semantics that requires positive acceptance probability, (2) the almost-sure semantics that requires acceptance with probability 1, and (3) the threshold semantics that relies on an additional parameter λ ∈ ]0,1[ that specifies a lower probability bound for the acceptance probability. We provide a comparison of probabilistic ω-automata under these three semantics and nondeterministic ω-automata concerning expressiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, we address closure properties under the Boolean operators union, intersection and complementation and algorithmic aspects, such as checking emptiness or language containment.
Polylogarithmic concurrent data structures from monotone circuits
Authors: Aspnes James , Attiya Hagit , Censor-Hillel Keren
Published: February 2012

This article presents constructions of useful concurrent data structures, including max registers and counters, with step complexity that is sublinear in the number of processes,
n
. This result avoids a well-known lower bound by having step complexity that is polylogarithmic in the number of values the object can take or the number of operations applied to it.

The key step in these implementations is a method for constructing a
max register
, a linearizable, wait-free concurrent data structure that supports a write operation and a read operation that returns the largest value previously written. For fixed
m
, an
m
-valued max register is constructed from one-bit multi-writer multi-reader registers at a cost of at most ⌈log
m
⌉ atomic register operations per write or read. An
unbounded
max register is constructed with cost
O
(min(log
v
,
n
)) to read or write a value
v
.

Max registers are used to transform any monotone circuit into a wait-free concurrent data structure that provides write operations setting the inputs to the circuit and a read operation that returns the value of the circuit on the largest input values previously supplied. One application is a simple, linearizable, wait-free counter with a cost of
O
(min(log
n
log
v
,
n
)) to perform an increment and
O
(min(log
v
,
n
)) to perform a read, where
v
is the current value of the counter. For polynomially-many increments, this becomes
O
(log
2
n
), an exponential improvement on the best previously known upper bounds of
O
(
n
) for exact counting and
O
(
n
4/5+ϵ
) for approximate counting.

Finally, it is shown that the upper bounds are almost optimal. It is shown that for deterministic implementations, even if they are only required to satisfy solo-termination, min(⌈log
m
⌉,
n
-1) is a lower bound on the worst-case complexity for an
m
-valued bounded max register, which is exactly equal to the upper bound for
m
≤ 2

n
-1

, and min(
n
-1, ⌈ log
m
⌉ - log(⌈ log
m
⌉ +
k
)) is a lower bound for the read operation of an
m
-valued
k
-additive-accurate counter, which is a bounded counter in which a read operation is allowed to return a value within an additive error of ±
k
of the number of increment operations linearized before it. Furthermore, even in a solo-terminating randomized implementation of an
n
-valued max register with an oblivious adversary and global coins, there exist simple schedules in which, with high probability, the worst-case step complexity of a read operation is Ω(log
n
/log log
n
) if the write operations have polylogarithmic step complexity.
Making alive register transfer level and transaction level modeling in Ada
Authors: Mahani Negin
Published: February 2012

Over the past 50 years, design of hardware has evolved from transistor level to register transfer level (RTL), and now to transaction level. Transaction Level Modeling (TLM) enhances simulation performance of today's complex digital systems and also provides the ability of early design space exploration. TLM divides a system into computation parts, i.e. processing elements, and communication parts, i.e. channels and sockets. The inherent concurrency of Ada along with its object oriented features gives it potentials for being used as a TLM language.

In this paper, we use a specialized form of Ada as a system description language, like the way SystemC is used for description of systems. We refer to our form of Ada as SystemAda and we use a public Ada compiler (Gnat) to evaluate system descriptions written in Ada. SystemAda is meant for modeling system behavior and structure at the transaction level and we consider possible approaches for extending Ada to meet these requirements. This paper discusses the specification of our proposed SystemAda, its hardware description style, its RTL link, and description of a TLM 1.0 channel using SystemAda.
Gem #77
Authors: Briot Emmanuel
Published: February 2012

Ada Gem #77 --- A number of tools and libraries exist to monitor memory usage, detect memory leaks, and more generally solve issues with memory management. This Gem, and others to follow, offer an overview of these issues and explain how you can benefit from these tools in your own development.
Gem #83
Authors: Moy Yannick
Published: February 2012

Ada Gem #83 --- Ada's strong type system makes it quite convenient to check at compilation time that certain security properties are verified, for example that a tainted value is not used where a trusted one is expected, or that data is properly validated before being used in a sensitive context (think of SQL injection attacks). In the first Gem of this series of two, we discussed how to handle tainted data. In this Gem, we explain how to validate the input given to an SQL command. (For an amusing comic-strip description of what SQL injection is, see: http://xkcd.com/327/.
Gem #85
Authors: Quinot Thomas
Published: February 2012

Ada Gem #85 --- This is the second in a series of Gems introducing the facilities defined by the optional annex for Distributed Systems (Annex E) of the Ada Reference Manual. In the first installment, we showed how a simple client/server architecture can be implemented easily with the Distributed Systems Annex (DSA). We now introduce distributed objects, which allow dynamic relationships between components of a distributed application.
Gem #86
Authors: Ochem Quentin
Published: February 2012

This Gem is one in a series of occasional Ada quizzes exploring various features of the language, extracted from the AdaCore training courses. (For more information about our courses, visit http://www.adacore.com/home/products/gnatpro/professional_services/training/.)
Human L-Ficolin (Ficolin-2) and Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Kilpatrick David C. , Chalmers James D.
Published: February 2012

Human L-ficolin (P35, ficolin-2) is synthesised in the liver and secreted into the bloodstream where it is one of the major pattern recognition molecules of plasma/serum. Like other ficolins, it consists of a collagen-like tail region linked to a fibrinogen-related globular head; a basic triplet subunit arises via a collagen-like triple helix, and this then forms higher multimers (typically a 12-mer, Mr 400K). Unlike other ficolins, it has a complex set of binding sites arranged within an internal cleft enabling it to recognise a variety of molecular patterns including acetylated sugars and certain 1,3-β-glucans. It is one of the few molecules known to activate the lectin pathway of complement. Recently, some disease association studies (at either the DNA or protein level) have implicated L-ficolin in innate immunity, where it might cooperate with pentraxins and collectins. Emerging lines of evidence point to a role for L-ficolin in respiratory immunity, where its affinity forPseudomonas aeruginosacould be significant.
Interobserver Reliability of Tongue Diagnosis Using Traditional Korean Medicine for Stroke Patients
Authors: Ko Mi Mi , Lee Ju Ah , Kang Byoung-Kab , Park Tae-Yong , Lee Jungsup , Lee Myeong Soo
Published: February 2012

Observation of the tongue, also known as tongue diagnosis, is an important procedure in diagnosis by inspection in Traditional Korean medicine (TKM). We investigated the reliability of TKM tongue diagnosis in stroke patients by evaluating interobserver reliability regarding tongue indicators as part of the project named the Fundamental Study for the Standardization and Objectification of Pattern Identification in TKM for Stroke (SOPI-Stroke). A total of 658 patients with stroke admitted to 9 oriental medical university hospitals participated. Each patient was independently seen by two experts from the same department for an examination of the status of the tongue. Interobserver agreement about subjects regarding pattern identification with the same opinion between the raters (n=451) was generally high, ranging from “moderate” to “excellent”. Interobserver agreement was nearly perfect for certain signs of special tongue appearance (mirror, spotted, and bluish purple), poor for one of the tongue colors (pale) and moderate for others. Clinicians displayed measurable agreement regarding tongue indicators via both observation and pattern identification consistency. However, interobserver reliability regarding tongue color and fur quality was relatively low. Therefore, it is necessary to improve objectivity and reproducibility of tongue diagnosis through the development of detail-oriented criteria and enhanced training of clinicians.
Genotype-dependent Burst of Transposable Element Expression in Crowns of Hexaploid Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during Cold Acclimation
Authors: Laudencia-Chingcuanco Debbie , Fowler D. Brian
Published: February 2012

The expression of 1,613 transposable elements (TEs) represented in the Affymetrix Wheat Genome Chip was examined during cold treatment in crowns of four hexaploid wheat genotypes that vary in tolerance to cold and in flowering time. The TE expression profiles showed a constant level of expression throughout the experiment in three of the genotypes. In winter Norstar, the most cold-hardy of the four genotypes, a subset of the TEs showed a burst of expression after vernalization saturation was achieved. About 47% of the TEs were expressed, and both Class I (retrotransposons) and Class II (DNA transposons) types were well represented.GypsyandCopiawere the most represented among the retrotransposons whileCACTAandMarinerwere the most represented DNA transposons. The data suggests that theVrn-A1region plays a role in the stage-specific induction of TE expression in this genotype.
Properties of Arboreal Ant and Ground-Termite Nests in relation to Their Nesting Sites and Location in a Tropical-Derived Savanna
Authors: Echezona B. C. , Igwe C. A. , Attama L. A.
Published: February 2012

Ecosystem engineers such as ants and termites play an important role in the fertility of tropical soils. Physicochemical analyses were thus carried out on some arboreal ant nests collected from mango (Mangifera indica), bush mango (Irvingia gabonensis), kola (Cola nitida), newbouldia plant (Newbouldia laevis), and oil bean plant (Pentaclethra macrophylla) and on ground nest of termite,Odontotermes sudanensisSjost. (Isoptera: Termitidae) in Nigeria. Arboreal nests, particularly those ofM. indica, were significantly richer in the chemical constituents sampled, compared to those of ground-termite nests or adjacent unaffected soils. Available water capacity of nests fromM. indica(60.0%) was significantly higher than those of other sites or locations sampled. While biogenic structures were sandy-loamy in texture, their corresponding adjacent soils were either sandy or sandy-loamy. Soils worked by ants and termites had greater proportions of silt-sized (17.9 versus 9.7) and clay-sized (19.2 versus 9.3) to the detriment of coarse-sized particles (51.2 versus 60.9) and fine-sand-sized particles (11.7 versus 20.1) relative to the adjacent soils. Generally, biogenic structures were about 348% richer in P than their corresponding adjacent soils; an attribute, which holds a strong promise in bioremediation and biofortification of soils especially during amendment.
Geoelectrical Surveys for Characterization of the Coastal Saltwater Intrusion in Metapontum Forest Reserve (Southern Italy)
Authors: Satriani Antonio , Loperte Antonio , Imbrenda Vito , Lapenna Vincenzo
Published: February 2012

A geoelectrical survey was carried out in the Metapontum Forest Reserve located along the Ionian coast of the Basilicata region (Southern Italy). In this work we used the method of two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography for obtaining high-resolution electrical images in the investigated site. In particular, three electrical resistivity tomography, all orthogonal to the coastline, in the investigated area were carried out. To complete and integrate the geophysical data, soil and groundwater samplings, seventeen and five, respectively, were analyzed using chemical physical techniques. Geoelectrical survey, supported by laboratory analysis of soil and water samples have revealed the presence of a process of saltwater in coastal Forest Reserve of Metapontum, which have caused the decline of the existing pine forest with the consequent erosion and desertification problems. The results have disclosed the way to identify and discriminate large areas affected by intensive soil salinization and high resolution electrical images of the subsurface electrical resistivity plays a key role in delineating the saltwater intrusion front in coastal areas. Furthermore, our integrated study represents a contribution to the future programs for the protection, planning, and management of the terrestrial and marine resources in this coastal area.
Stimulators and Activators of Soluble Guanylate Cyclase: Review and Potential Therapeutic Indications
Authors: Nossaman Bobby , Pankey Edward , Kadowitz Philip
Published: February 2012

The heme-protein soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) is the intracellular receptor for nitric oxide (NO). sGC is a heterodimeric enzyme withαandβsubunits and contains a heme moiety essential for binding of NO and activation of the enzyme. Stimulation of sGC mediates physiologic responses including smooth muscle relaxation, inhibition of inflammation, and thrombosis. In pathophysiologic states, NO formation and bioavailability can be impaired by oxidative stress and that tolerance to NO donors develops with continuous use. Two classes of compounds have been developed that can directly activate sGC and increase cGMP formation in pathophysiologic conditions when NO formation and bioavailability are impaired or when NO tolerance has developed. In this report, we review current information on the pharmacology of heme-dependent stimulators and heme-independent activators of sGC in animal and in early clinical studies and the potential role these compounds may have in the management of cardiovascular disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Psychiatric Disorders in Pakistan: A Case Control Study
Authors: Butt Amna Subhan , Salih Mohammad , Jafri Wasim , Yakoob Javed , Wasay Mohammad , Hamid Saeed
Published: February 2012

Background. The psychiatric disorders like anxiety and depression could have a profound influence on onset, expression, and course of Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).Aim. To estimate the frequency and strength of association of common mental disorders (CMDs) in patients with IBS and patients with other chronic diseases, that is, migraine and hypertension.Method. This was a case control study. Individuals aged 18–70 years diagnosed as IBS were enrolled as cases. The control groups consisted of patients without IBS but diagnosed to have a chronic disease, that is, migraine or HTN. Self-Reporting Questonnaire-20(SRQ-20) was used as a screening tool for the detection of CMD.Results. 82 patients were enrolled in each group. Mean SRQ score was significantly higher in IBS group than controls ( versus , ). CMDs were more frequent (67.1% versus 22%) and the odds of CMD were 7.24 times higher among IBS patients than controls (95% CI 3.6–14.5, ). No difference was found in frequency of CMDs among various subtypes of IBS.Conclusion. We found that CMDs are more common and strongly associated with IBS as compared to other chronic diseases. Early screening for CMDs might be useful for an effective management of IBS.
Seatbelt: A Double-Edged Sword
Authors: Raychaudhuri P. , Cheung N. K. , Bendinelli C. , Puvaneswary M. , Ferch R. , Kumar Rajendra
Published: February 2012

Intra-abdominal vascular injury due to blunt trauma is unusual in children. Due to its rarity, detailed reports dealing with its management are scarce in paediatric literature. Diagnosis of these injuries is challenging, and a high degree of awareness is necessary for rapid identification and treatment of these injuries. We report the case of a child with seatbelt sign and mesenteric vein injury due to blunt trauma to the abdomen during a motor vehicle accident where the seatbelt was incorrectly placed. She also sustained cervical vertebral injury. The pattern of injuries in children in these situations may differ from that found in adults. While seatbelts have undoubtedly saved many lives, awareness about correct placement of these restraints is extremely necessary.
β-Secretases, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Down Syndrome
Authors: Webb Robin L. , Murphy M. Paul
Published: February 2012

Individuals with Down Syndrome (DS), or trisomy 21, develop Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology by approximately 40 years of age. Chromosome 21 harbors several genes implicated in AD, including the amyloid precursor protein and one homologue of theβ-site APP cleaving enzyme, BACE2. Processing of the amyloid precursor protein byβ-secretase (BACE) is the rate-limiting step in the production of the pathogenic Aβpeptide. Increased amounts of APP in the DS brain result in increased amounts of Aβand extracellular plaque formation beginning early in life. BACE dysregulation potentially represents an overlapping biological mechanism with sporadic AD and a common therapeutic target. As the lifespan for those with DS continues to increase, age-related concerns such as obesity, depression, and AD are of growing concern. The ability to prevent or delay the progression of neurodegenerative diseases will promote healthy aging and improve quality of life for those with DS.
Dynamical Behavior in a Four-Dimensional Neural Network Model with Delay
Authors: Xu Changjin , Li Peiluan
Published: February 2012

A four-dimensional neural network model with delay is investigated. With the help
of the theory of delay differential equation and Hopf bifurcation, the conditions of the equilibrium
undergoing Hopf bifurcation are worked out by choosing the delay as parameter. Applying the
normal form theory and the center manifold argument, we derive the explicit formulae for
determining the properties of the bifurcating periodic solutions. Numerical simulations are
performed to illustrate the analytical results.
Hybrid Algorithm for Common Fixed Points of Uniformly Closed Countable Families of Hemirelatively Nonexpansive Mappings and Applications
Authors: Ai Sumei , Su Yongfu
Published: February 2012

The authors have obtained the following results: (1) the definition of uniformly closed countable family of nonlinear mappings, (2) strong convergence theorem by the monotone hybrid algorithm for two countable families of hemirelatively nonexpansive mappings in a Banach space with new method of proof, (3) two examples of uniformly closed countable families of nonlinear mappings and applications, (4) an example which is hemirelatively nonexpansive mapping but not weak relatively nonexpansive mapping, and (5) an example which is weak relatively nonexpansive mapping but not relatively nonexpansive mapping. Therefore, the results of this paper improve and extend the results of Plubtieng and Ungchittrakool (2010) and many others.
Axisymmetric Vibration of Piezo-Lemv Composite Hollow Multilayer Cylinder
Authors: Nehru E. S.
Published: February 2012

Axisymmetric vibration of an infinite piezolaminated multilayer hollow cylinder made of piezoelectric layers of 6 mm class and an isotropic LEMV (Linear Elastic Materials with Voids) layers is studied. The frequency equations are obtained for the traction free outer surface with continuity conditions at the interfaces. Numerical results are carried out for the inner, middle, and outer hollow piezoelectric layers bonded by LEMV (It is hypothetical material) layers and the dispersion curves are compared with that of a similar 3-layer model and of 3 and 5 layer models with inner, middle, and outer hollow piezoelectric layers bonded by CFRP (Carbon fiber reinforced plastics).
Efficacy ofBidens pilosaExtract against Herpes Simplex Virus InfectionIn VitroandIn Vivo
Authors: Nakama Shinji , Tamaki Kazumi , Ishikawa Chie , Tadano Masayuki , Mori Naoki
Published: February 2012

The development of strains of herpes simplex virus (HSV) resistant to drugs has been reported among the immunocompromised patients. Thus, there is a need to develop new therapeutic agents for HSV infections. We evaluated the anti-HSV activity ofBidens pilosa(B. pilosa), a tropical weed, in tissue culture cells and a mouse model.B. pilosaextract showed potent virucidal activity. It inhibited plaque formation and suppressed virus yield in Vero and RAW 264.7 cells infected with HSV-1 and HSV-2. Both the binding of virus to host cells and penetration of virus into cells were also blocked byB. pilosa. Furthermore,B. pilosawas effective against thymidine kinase-deficient and phosphonoacetate-resistant HSV-1 strains.B. pilosatreatment increased the survival rate of HSV-infected mice and limited the development of skin lesions. Our results indicate thatB. pilosahas anti-HSV activity and is thus a potentially useful medical plant for treatment of HSV infection.
Tunable Single-Longitudinal-Mode High-Power Fiber Laser
Authors: Valiunas Jonas K. , Das Gautam
Published: February 2012

We report a novel CW tunable high-power single-longitudinal-mode fiber laser with a linewidth of∼9 MHz. A tunable fiber Bragg grating provided wavelength selection over a 10 nm range. An all-fiber Fabry-Perot filter was used to increase the longitudinal mode spacing of the laser cavity. An unpumped polarization-maintaining erbium-doped fiber was used inside the cavity to eliminate mode hopping and increase stability. A maximum output power of 300 mW was produced while maintaining single-longitudinal-mode operation.
Endothelial Dysfunction in Diabetes Mellitus: Possible Involvement of Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress?
Authors: Basha Basma , Samuel Samson Mathews , Triggle Chris R. , Ding Hong
Published: February 2012

The vascular complications of diabetes mellitus impose a huge burden on the management of this disease. The higher incidence of cardiovascular complications and the unfavorable prognosis among diabetic individuals who develop such complications have been correlated to the hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress and associated endothelial dysfunction. Although antioxidants may be considered as effective therapeutic agents to relieve oxidative stress and protect the endothelium, recent clinical trials involving these agents have shown limited therapeutic efficacy in this regard. In the recent past experimental evidence suggest that endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in the endothelial cells might be an important contributor to diabetes-related vascular complications. The current paper contemplates the possibility of the involvement of ER stress in endothelial dysfunction and diabetes-associated vascular complications.
Comparison of Endocrine Profile andIn VitroFertilization Outcome in Patients with PCOS, Ovulatory PCO, or Normal Ovaries
Authors: Zhong Yi-Ping , Ying Ying , Wu Hai-Tao , Zhou Can-Quan , Xu Yan-Wen , Wang Qiong , Li Jie , Shen Xiao-Ting , Li Jin
Published: February 2012

Aim. To compare the basic endocrine profile and outcomes ofin vitrofertilization (IVF) in women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), ovulatory polycystic ovaries (PCO), or normal ovaries (NO).Methods. The basic clinical features andin vitrofertilization and embryo transfer outcome in patients receiving IVF or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) were retrospectively analyzed.Results. The body mass index, basal luteinizing hormone, and testosterone levels were significantly lower in patients with ovulatory PCO compared to those in patients with PCOS. The PCOS patients exhibited the shortest duration of ovarian stimulation and lowest dose of gonadotropin, followed by the ovulatory PCO and NO patients. The ovulatory PCO and PCOS patients showed similar levels of E2 on the human chorionic gonadotropin treatment day and numbers of oocytes, which were both significantly higher than those of the NO patients. The fertilization rate of the PCOS patients was significantly lower than the other two groups. Compared to NO patients, the cleavage rate was lower in both PCOS and ovulatory PCO patients, however, the number of available embryos was significantly more in these two groups. The incidence of the moderate to severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) was markedly higher in the PCOS and ovulatory PCO patients.Conclusion. Ovulatory PCO patients do not express similar endocrine abnormalities as PCOS patients. Although the fertilization rate and cleavage rate were relatively low in PCOS patients, ultimately, all the three groups showed similar transferred embryo numbers, clinical pregnancy rates, and implantation rates. Since the incidence of OHSS was much higher in the PCOS and ovulatory PCO patients, we should take more care of these patients and try to prevent severe OHSS.
Oral Leukoplakia as It Relates to HPV Infection: A Review
Authors: Feller L. , Lemmer J.
Published: February 2012

Leukoplakia is the most common potentially malignant lesion of the oral cavity and can be categorised according to its clinical appearance as homogeneous or nonhomogenous. Tobacco and areca nut use, either alone or in combination are the most common risk factors for oral leukoplakia, but some oral leukoplakias are idiopathic. Some leukoplakias arise within fields of precancerized oral epithelium in which the keratinocytes may be at different stages of cytogenetic transformation. Leukoplakias may unpredictably regress, may remain stable, or may progress to carcinoma. There is a greater risk of carcinomatous transformation of idiopathic leukoplakia, of non-homogenous leukoplakia, of leukoplakia affecting the floor of the mouth; the ventrolateral surface of the tongue and the maxillary retromolar and adjoining soft palate (collectively called high-risk sites), of leukoplakia with high-grade epithelial dysplasia, and of leukoplakia in which the keratinocytes carry cytogenetic alterations associated with carcinomatous transformation. Although there appears to be some link between human papillomavirus (HPV) and oral leukoplakia, there is little evidence to support a causal relationship either between HPV infection and oral leukoplakia or between HPV-infected leukoplakic keratinocytes and their carcinomatous transformation.