bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
JET MODELS FOR NEUTRON STAR X-RAY BINARIES
Authors: MIGLIARI SIMONE , GHISELLINI GABRIELE , MILLER-JONES JAMES , RUSSELL DAVID
Published: April 2012

A variety of different models for jet formation have been developed over the years (mainly) for black hole systems and young stellar objects. Conclusive observational constraints which would favor one particular mechanism are difficult to obtain. Neutron star X-ray binaries are crucial for advancing our understanding of jet formation in general, building a bridge between the two most studied jet-producing classes of systems: black holes, i.e. non-magnetized, relativistic objects, and young stellar objects, i.e. non-relativistic, magnetized stars. I will briefly review the status of our observational knowledge of jets in neutron star X-ray binaries, with a focus on the parameters which might be involved in the production of jets. I will present recent works and current observational programs aiming to quantify the role of the compact object in the formation of jets in neutron star systems. Finally, I will test a jet model developed for young stellar objects, the X–wind model, on a neutron star system.
SEARCH FOR NEUTRINO EMISSION FROM GAMMA-RAY SOURCES WITH THE ANTARES TELESCOPE
Authors: BIGONGIARI C.
Published: April 2012

ANTARES is the first undersea neutrino detector ever built and presently the neutrino telescope with the largest effective area operating in the Northern Hemisphere. A three-dimensional array of photomultiplier tubes detects the Cherenkov light induced by the muons produced in the interaction of high energy neutrinos with the matter surrounding the detector. The detection of astronomical neutrino sources is one of the main goals of ANTARES. The search for point-like neutrino sources with the ANTARES telescope is described and the preliminary results obtained with data collected from 2007 to 2010 are shown. No cosmic neutrino source has been observed and neutrino flux upper limits have been calculated for the most promising source candidates.
CURRENT DRIVEN INSTABILITY OF A SUB-ALFVÉNIC RELATIVISTIC JET
Authors: HARDEE PHILIP E. , MIZUNO YOSUKE , NISHIKAWA KEN-ICHI
Published: April 2012

We have investigated the influence of velocity shear on the linear and non-linear development of the CD kink instability. We follow temporal development of the instability within a periodic computational box. We find that helically distorted density structure propagates along the jet with speed and flow structure dependent on the location of the velocity shear relative to the characteristic radius of the helically twisted force-free magnetic field. At small radius the plasma flows through the kink. The kink propagation speed increases as the radius increases and the kink becomes more embedded in the plasma flow. Larger velocity shear radius leads to slower linear growth, makes a later transition to the nonlinear stage, and with larger maximum amplitude than occurs for a static plasma column. However, when the velocity shear radius is much greater than the characteristic radius of the helical magnetic field, linear and non-linear development become more similar to the development of a static plasma column.
USING TWISTED FILAMENTS TO MODEL THE M87 JET
Authors: HARDEE PHILIP E. , EILEK JEAN A.
Published: April 2012

Radio and optical images of the M 87 jet show bright filaments, twisted into an apparent double helix, extending from HST-1 to knot A. Proper motions within the jet suggest a decelerating jet flow passing through a slower, accelerating wave pattern. A mass and energy flux conserving model requires the jet to be an internally hot, but subrelativistic plasma, from HST-1 to knot A. Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) elliptical mode generated twisted filaments require the cocoon to be cooler than the jet at HST-1 but nearly as hot as the jet at knot A. A pseudo-synchrotron image of our model jet shows both similarities and differences when compared to an image of the real jet.
RELAXATION OF PULSAR WIND NEBULA VIA CURRENT-DRIVEN KINK INSTABILITY
Authors: MIZUNO YOSUKE , LYUBARSKY YURI , NISHIKAWA KEN-ICHI , HARDEE PHILIP E.
Published: April 2012

We have investigated the relaxation of a hydrostatic hot plasma column containing toroidal magnetic field by the Current-Driven (CD) kink instability as a model of pulsar wind nebulae. In our simulations the CD kink instability was excited by a small initial velocity perturbation and developed turbulent structure inside the hot plasma column. We demonstrated that, as envisioned by Begelman, the hoop stress declines and the initial gas pressure excess near the axis decreases. The magnetization parameter "σ", the ratio of the magnetic energy to the thermal energy for a hot plasma, declined from an initial value of 0.3 to about 0.01 when the CD kink instability saturated. Our simulations demonstrated that axisymmetric models strongly overestimate the elongation of the pulsar wind nebulae. Therefore, the previous requirement for an extremely low pulsar wind magnetization can be abandoned. The observed structure of the pulsar wind nebulae do not contradict the natural assumption that the magnetic energy flux still remains a good fraction of the total energy flux after dissipation of alternating fields.
A MODEL FOR THE HIGH-ENERGY EMISSION FROM BLAZARS
Authors: REYNOSO MATIAS M. , ROMERO GUSTAVO E. , MEDINA MARIA C. , BRUN PIERRE
Published: April 2012

We study the production of VHE emission in blazars as a superposition of a steady a component from a baryonic jet, and a time-dependent contribution from an inner e-e+ beam launched by the black hole. Both primary electrons and protons are injected near the base of the jet, and the particle distributions along it are found solving a stationary one-dimensional transport equation accounting for convection and cooling. The short-timescale variability of the emission is explained by perturbations introduced by Kelvin-Helmholtz (KH) instabilities and their interaction with relativistic shocks. For illustration purposes, we apply the model to the case of PKS 2155-304.
Behavioral and neural correlates of visuomotor adaptation observed through a brain-computer interface in primary motor cortex
Authors: Chase Steven M. , Kass Robert E. , Schwartz Andrew B.
Published: April 2012

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) provide a defined link between neural activity and devices, allowing a detailed study of the neural adaptive responses generating behavioral output. We trained monkeys to perform two-dimensional center-out movements of a computer cursor using a BCI. We then applied a perturbation by randomly selecting a subset of the recorded units and rotating their directional contributions to cursor movement by a consistent angle. Globally, this perturbation mimics a visuomotor transformation, and in the first part of this article we characterize the psychophysical indications of motor adaptation and compare them with known results from adaptation of natural reaching movements. Locally, however, only a subset of the neurons in the population actually contributes to error, allowing us to probe for signatures of neural adaptation that might be specific to the subset of neurons we perturbed. One compensation strategy would be to selectively adapt the subset of cells responsible for the error. An alternate strategy would be to globally adapt the entire population to correct the error. Using a recently developed mathematical technique that allows us to differentiate these two mechanisms, we found evidence of both strategies in the neural responses. The dominant strategy we observed was global, accounting for ∼86% of the total error reduction. The remaining 14% came from local changes in the tuning functions of the perturbed units. Interestingly, these local changes were specific to the details of the applied rotation: in particular, changes in the depth of tuning were only observed when the percentage of perturbed cells was small. These results imply that there may be constraints on the network's adaptive capabilities, at least for perturbations lasting only a few hundreds of trials.
Local field potentials allow accurate decoding of muscle activity
Authors: Flint Robert D. , Ethier Christian , Oby Emily R. , Miller Lee E. , Slutzky Marc W.
Published: April 2012

Local field potentials (LFPs) in primary motor cortex include significant information about reach target location and upper limb movement kinematics. Some evidence suggests that they may be a more robust, longer-lasting signal than action potentials (spikes). Here we assess whether LFPs can also be used to decode upper limb muscle activity, a complex movement-related signal. We record electromyograms from both proximal and distal upper limb muscles from monkeys performing a variety of reach-to-grasp and isometric wrist force tasks. We show that LFPs can be used to decode activity from both proximal and distal muscles with performance rivaling that of spikes. Thus, motor cortical LFPs include information about more aspects of movement than has been previously demonstrated. This provides further evidence suggesting that LFPs could provide a highly informative, long-lasting signal source for neural prostheses.
Conformational analysis of peptides derived from the BRI gene
Authors: Lelyveld Victor , El–Agnaf Omar , Siligardi Giuliano , Hussain Rohana , Haris Parvez I. , Lee Maria , Austen Brian
Published: April 2012

The 34‐residue peptides (ABri and ADan) derived from the 3′ end of the gene BRI which is mutated in British and Danish families with dementia, have been synthesized, with and without the predicted intramolecular disulphides. CD measurements show that the oxidised and reduced forms have tendencies to adopt β‒structure at neutral pH with prolonged time of incubation. The shift to β‒structure is accompanied by oligomer formation. The neurotoxic properties of these oligomers in vitro may explain the cognitive decline seen in the patients. Structural analyses will be useful in the design of therapeutic drugs.
Hospital Surgical Volume, Utilization, Costs and Outcomes of Retroperitoneal Lymph Node Dissection for Testis Cancer
Authors: Yu Hua-yin , Hevelone Nathanael D. , Patel Sunil , Lipsitz Stuart R. , Hu Jim C.
Published: April 2012

Objectives. Retroperitoneal lymph node dissection (RPLND) outcomes for testis cancer originate mostly from single-center series. We characterized population-based utilization, costs, and outcomes and assessed whether higher volume affects outcomes.Methods and Materials. Using the US Nationwide Inpatient Sample from 2001–2008, we identified 993 RPLND and used propensity score methods to assess utilization, costs, and inpatient outcomes based on hospital surgical volume.Results. 51.6% of RPLND were performed at hospitals where there were two or fewer cases per year. RPLND was more commonly performed at large urban teaching hospitals, where men were younger, more likely to be white and earning incomes exceeding the 50th percentile (allP≤.05). Higher hospital volumes were associated with fewer complications and more routine home discharges (allP≤.047). However, higher volume hospitals had more transfusions (P=.004) and incurred $1,435 more in median costs (P<.001). Limitations include inability to adjust for tumor characteristics and absence of outpatient outcomes.Conclusions. Sociodemographic differences exist between high versus low volume RPLND hospitals. Although higher volume hospitals had more transfusions and higher costs, perhaps due to more complex cases, they experienced fewer complications. However, most RPLND are performed at hospitals where there were two or fewer cases per year.
HSV-1 miR-H6 Inhibits HSV-1 Replication and IL-6 Expression in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells In Vitro
Authors: Duan Fang , Liao Jingyu , Huang Qiang , Nie Yuhong , Wu Kaili
Published: April 2012

HSV-1 infection in the cornea could lead to blindness. The infected cell polypeptide 4 (ICP4) of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) is a regulator of viral transcription that is required for productive infection. It has been previously demonstrated that miR-H6 encoded from HSV-1 genome targets ICP4 to help maintain latency. In this study, synthesized miR-H6 mimics were transfected into HSV-1-infected human cornea epithelial (HCE) cells. The inhibition of HSV-1 replication and viral ICP4 expression in miR-H6-transfected HCE was confirmed by plaque assay, immunofluorescence, and Western blot. Compared to nontransfection or mock, miR-H6 produced a low-titer HSV-1 and weak ICP4 expression. In addition, miR-H6 can decrease the interleukin 6 released into the medium, which was determined by ELISA. Taken together, the data suggests that miR-H6 targeting of ICP4 inhibits HSV-1 productive infection and decreases interleukin 6 production in HCE, and this may provide an approach to prevent HSV-1 lytic infection and inhibit corneal inflammation.
Results of a Feasibility and Acceptability Trial of an Online Smoking Cessation Program Targeting Young Adult Nondaily Smokers
Authors: Berg Carla J. , Schauer Gillian L.
Published: April 2012

Despite increases in nondaily smoking among young adults, no prior research has aimed to develop and test an intervention targeting this group. Thus, we aimed to develop and test the feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness of an online intervention targeting college student nondaily smokers. We conducted a one-arm feasibility and acceptability trial of a four-week online intervention with weekly contacts among 31 college student nondaily smokers. We conducted assessments at baseline (B), end of treatment (EOT), and six-week followup (FU). We maintained a 100% retention rate over the 10-week period. Google Analytics data indicated positive utilization results, and 71.0% were satisfied with the program. There were increases (P<.001) in the number of people refraining from smoking for the past 30 days and reducing their smoking from B to EOT and to FU, with additional individuals reporting being quit despite recent smoking. Participants also increased in their perceptions of how bothersome secondhand smoke is to others (P<.05); however, no other attitudinal variables were altered. Thus, this intervention demonstrated feasibility, acceptability, and potential effectiveness among college-aged nondaily smokers. Additional research is needed to understand how nondaily smokers define cessation, improve measures for cessation, and examine theoretical constructs related to smoking among this population.
Composition of Algal Oil and Its Potential as Biofuel
Authors: Schlagermann Pascal , Göttlicher Gerold , Dillschneider Robert , Rosello-Sastre Rosa , Posten Clemens
Published: April 2012

First test flights using blends with algae oil are already carried out and expectations by the aviation and other industries are high. On the other hand technical data about performance of cultivation systems, downstream processing, and suitability of algae oil as fuel are still limited. The existing microalgae growing industry mainly produces for the food and feed market. Energy efficiency is so far out of scope but needs to be taken into account if the product changes to biofuel. Energy and CO2balances are used to estimate the potential of algae oil to fulfil the EU sustainability criteria for biofuels. The analysis is supported by lab tests as well as data gained by a pilot scale demonstrator combined with published data for well-known established processes. The algae oil composition is indicator of suitability as fuel as well as for economic viability. Approaches attaining high value fractions are therefore of great importance and will be discussed in order to determine the most intended market.
Slowing of Motor Imagery after a Right Hemispheric Stroke
Authors: Malouin Francine , Richards Carol L. , Durand Anne
Published: April 2012

The temporal congruence between real and imagined movements is not always preserved after stroke. We investigated the dependence of temporal incongruence on the side of the hemispheric lesion and its link with working memory deficits. Thirty-seven persons with a chronic stroke after a right or left hemispheric lesion (RHL : n=19; LHL : n=18) and 32 age-matched healthy persons (CTL) were administered a motor imagery questionnaire, mental chronometry and working memory tests. In contrast to persons in the CTL group and LHL subgroup, persons with a RHL had longer movement times during the imagination than the physical execution of stepping movements on both sides, indicating a reduced ability to predict movement duration (temporal incongruence). While motor imagery vividness was good in both subgroups, the RHL group had greater visuospatial working memory deficits. The bilateral slowing of stepping movements in the RHL group indicates that temporal congruence during motor imagery is impaired after a right hemispheric stroke and is also associated with greater visuospatial working memory deficits. Findings emphasize the need to use mental chronometry to control for movement representation during motor imagery training and may indicate that mental practice through motor imagery will have limitations in patients with a right hemispheric stroke.
The Hybrid RFNN Control for a PMSM Drive Electric Scooter Using Rotor Flux Estimator
Authors: Lin Chih-Hong , Lin Chih-Peng
Published: April 2012

The hybrid recurrent fuzzy neural network (HRFNN) control for permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive system using rotor flux estimator is developed to control electric scooter in this paper. First, the dynamic models of a PMSM drive system were derived in according to electric scooter. Owing to the load of electric scooter exited many uncertainties, for example, nonlinear friction force of the transmission belt, and so forth. The electric scooter with nonlinear uncertainties made the PI controller to disable speed tracking control. Moreover, in order to reduce interference of encoder and cost down, an HRFNN control system using rotor flux estimator was developed to control PMSM drive system in order to drive electric scooter. The rotor flux estimator consists of the estimation algorithm of rotor flux position and speed based on the back electromagnetic force (EMF) in order to supply with HRFNN controller. The HRFNN controller consists of the supervisor control, RFNN, and compensated control with adaptive law is applied to PMSM drive system. The parameters of RFNN are trained according to different speeds in electric scooter. The electric scooter is operated to provide disturbance torque. To show the effectiveness of the proposed controller, comparative studies with PI controller are demonstrated by experimental results.
Data and Feature Reduction in Fuzzy Modeling through Particle Swarm Optimization
Authors: Ahmad S. Sakinah S. , Pedrycz Witold
Published: April 2012

The study is concerned with data and feature reduction in fuzzy modeling. As these reduction activities are advantageous to fuzzy models in terms of both the effectiveness of their construction and the interpretation of the resulting models, their realization deserves particular attention. The formation of a subset of meaningful features and a subset of essential instances is discussed in the context of fuzzy-rule-based models. In contrast to the existing studies, which are focused predominantly on feature selection (namely, a reduction of the input space), a position advocated here is that a reduction has to involve both data and features to become efficient to the design of fuzzy model. The reduction problem is combinatorial in its nature and, as such, calls for the use of advanced optimization techniques. In this study, we use a technique of particle swarm optimization (PSO) as an optimization vehicle of forming a subset of features and data (instances) to design a fuzzy model. Given the dimensionality of the problem (as the search space involves both features and instances), we discuss a cooperative version of the PSO along with a clustering mechanism of forming a partition of the overall search space. Finally, a series of numeric experiments using several machine learning data sets is presented.
The Role of Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Signaling in Intestinal Inflammation
Authors: Cahill Catherine M. , Rogers Jack T. , Walker W. Allan
Published: April 2012

The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling pathway plays a central role in regulating the host inflammatory response. The net effect can either be pro- or anti-inflammatory depending on the system and cellular context studied. This paper focuses on phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling in innate and adaptive immune cells of the intestinal mucosa. The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase signaling in mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease is also discussed. With the development of new isoform specific inhibitors, we are beginning to understand the specific role of this complex pathway, in particular the role of theγisoform in intestinal inflammation. Continued research on this complex pathway will enhance our understanding of its role and provide rationale for the design of new approaches to intervention in chronic inflammatory conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease.
The NHF Interactions in the X-Pyridazine Complexes: Substituent Effects and Energy Components
Authors: Ebrahimi Ali , Habibi-Khorassani Mostafa , Badichi Akher Farideh , Farrokhzadeh Abdolkarim
Published: April 2012

The effects of substituents on the N⋯HF interactions in the X-pyridazine (X = N(CH3)2, NHCH3, NH2, C2H5, CH3, OCH3, OH, CN, OF, NO2, F, Br, Cl, and ) complexes have been studied at the B3LYP/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. In all complexes, the binding energies increase for the electron-donating substituents and decrease for the electron-withdrawing substituents. A negative cooperativity is observed for two hydrogen bond interactions. There are meaningful relationships between the Hammett constants and the energy data and the results of population analysis in the binary and ternary complexes. Symmetryadapted perturbation theory (SAPT) analysis was also carried out to unveil the nature of hydrogen bond in the complexes 2 and 3. The electron-donating substituents increase the magnitude of the SAPT interaction energy components and the electron-withdrawing substituents decrease those components. The highest/lowest change is observed for the component. The effect of C2H5 (or CH3) on different components is higher than OCH3 in the complex 2 while the trend is reversed in the complex 3. It is demonstrated that the electrostatic interaction plays a main role in the interaction, although induction and dispersion interactions are also important.
Unusual Ant Hosts of the Socially Parasitic AntAnergates atratulus(Schenck, 1852) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae)
Authors: Lapeva-Gjonova Albena , Kiran Kadri , Aksoy Volkan
Published: April 2012

The extreme inquiline antAnergates atratulus(Schenck, 1852) (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) was collected in ant nests ofTetramorium moravicumKratochvil, 1941 in Bulgaria and ofT. chefketiForel, 1911 in Bulgaria and Turkey. The reported ant hosts belong to theTetramorium chefketispecies complex in contrast with the typical hosts fromTetramorium caespitum/impurumcomplex. This finding confirms the assumption that a broader range of host species for the socially parasitic speciesA. atratulusmay be expected. Present data on the new host species expand knowledge about biology of this rare ant species, included in the IUCN Red List of threatened species.
Modified Sequential Therapy Regimen versus Conventional Triple Therapy forHelicobacter pyloriEradication in Duodenal Ulcer Patients in China: A Multicenter Clinical Comparative Study
Authors: Zhou Ying-Qun , Xu Ling , Wang Bing-Fang , Fan Xiao-Ming , Wu Jian-Ye , Wang Chun-Yan , Guo Chuan-Yong , Xu Xuan-Fu
Published: April 2012

Objective. Antimicrobial resistance has decreased eradication rates forHelicobacter pyloriinfection worldwide. To observe the effect of eradicatingHelicobacter pylori (H. pylori)and the treatment of duodenal ulcer by 2 kinds of modified sequential therapy through comparing with that of 10-day standard triple therapy.Methods. A total of 210 patients who were confirmed in duodenal ulcer active or heal period by gastroscopy andH. pyloripositive confirmed by rapid urease test, serum anti-H. pyloriantibody (ELASE), or histological examination enrolled in the study. All the patients were randomly divided into three groups: group A (70 cases) and group B (70 cases) were provided 10-day modified sequential therapy; group C (70 cases) was provided 10-day standard triple therapy. Patients of group A received 20 mg of Esomeprazole, 500 mg of Clarithromycin for the first 5 days, followed by 20 mg of Esomeprazole, 500 mg of Clarithromycin, and 1000 mg of Amoxicillin for the remaining 5 days. Group B received 20 mg of Esomeprazole, 1000 mg of Amoxicillin for the first 5 days, followed by 20 mg of Esomeprazole, 500 mg of Clarithromycin, and 1000 mg of Amoxicillin for the remaining 5 days. Group C received 20 mg of Esomeprazole, 500 mg of Clarithromycin, and 1000 mg of Amoxicillin for standard 10-day therapy. All drugs were given twice daily.H. pylorieradication rate was checked four to eight weeks after taking the medicine by using a13C urea breath test. In the first, second, third, seventh, twenty-first, thirty-fifth days respectively, the symptoms of patients such as epigastric gnawing, burning pain, and acidity were evaluated simultaneously.Results. Overall, 210 patients accomplished all therapy schemes, 9 case patients were excluded. The examination result indicated that theH. pylorieradication rate of each group was as follows: group A 92.5% (62/67), group B 86.8% (59/68), and group C 78.8% (52/66). TheH. pylorieradication rate of group A was slightly higher than group B (P<0.05) and both of them were obviously higher than group C (P<0.05). Modified sequential therapy was significantly more effective in patients with clarithromycin-resistant strains (80%/67% versus 31%;P=0.02). Symptoms improvement: all the three groups could improve the symptoms such as epigastric gnawing, burning pain, and acidity since the first day. There was no significant difference in total score descending of symptoms between each group (P>0.05).Conclusions. All the three therapy schemes could alleviate symptoms of duodenal ulcer patients in China efficiently. But as far as eradicatingH. pyloriis concerned, the modified sequential therapy was better than standard triple therapy, especially the therapy scheme used in group A.
Existence and Algorithm for Solving the System of Mixed Variational Inequalities in Banach Spaces
Authors: Saewan Siwaporn , Kumam Poom
Published: April 2012

The purpose of this paper is to study the existence and convergence analysis of the solutions of the system of mixed variational inequalities in Banach spaces by using the generalized f projection operator. The results presented in this paper improve and extend important recent results of Zhang et al. (2011) and Wu and Huang (2007) and some recent results.
Glove Technique in Single-Port Access Laparoscopic Surgery: Results of an Initial Experience
Authors: Livraghi Lorenzo , Berselli Mattia , Bianchi Veronica , Latham Lorenzo , Farassino Luca , Cocozza Eugenio
Published: April 2012

Introduction. Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) is a virtually “scarless” technique. A retrospective analysis is performed to evaluate an initial experience of this surgical approach.Materials and Methods. From January 2010 to October 2011, SILS was considered as a minimally invasive approach to abdominal disease. The access was made by a standard wound protector and a size 6 glove. A series of little accesses were made on the tips of the glove-fingers to induce pneumoperitoneum and to create a working channel for the laparoscopic instruments. An analysis of costs of this technique was made too.Results. SILS was successfully completed with low cost in 34 patients: 20 appendectomy, 12 cholecystectomy, and 2 right colectomy were performed with a median operative time of 35, 45, and 67.5 minutes, respectively. In no patient any conversion to standard laparoscopy or to open surgery was needed. The postoperative course was uneventful in all patients. In right hemicolectomy, the oncological parameters were respected.Conclusions. In this paper the glove-port technique showed multiple advantages. The SILS is a feasible approach for some pathologies in selected patients. The glove-port is a simple, low-cost, reproducible, and sure method to perform SILS in a high-experienced laparoscopic surgical centre.
Bladder Cancer Detection Using Electrical Impedance Technique (Tabriz Mark 1)
Authors: Keshtkar Ahmad , Salehnia Zeinab , Keshtkar Asghar , Shokouhi Behrooz
Published: April 2012

Bladder cancer is the fourth most common malignant neoplasm in men and the eighth in women. Bladder pathology is usually investigated visually by cystoscopy. In this technique, biopsies are obtained from the suspected area and then, after needed procedure, the diagnostic information can be taken. This is a relatively difficult procedure and is associated with discomfort for the patient and morbidity. Therefore, the electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), a minimally invasive screening technique, can be used to separate malignant areas from nonmalignant areas in the urinary bladder. The feasibility of adapting this technique to screen for bladder cancer and abnormalities during cystoscopy has been explored and compared with histopathological evaluation of urinary bladder lesions. Ex vivo studies were carried out in this study by using a total of 30 measured points from malignant and 100 measured points from non-malignant areas of patients bladders in terms of their biopsy reports matching to the electrical impedance measurements. In all measurements, the impedivity of malignant area of bladder tissue was significantly higher than the impedivity of non-malignant area this tissue ().
The Relationship between Health and Household Economic Status Using Spatial Measures in Iraq, 2004
Authors: Khamis Faisal G.
Published: April 2012

This study addresses spatial effects by applying spatial analysis in studying whether household economic status (HES) is related to health across governorates in Iraq. The aim is to assess variation in health and whether this variation is accounted for by variation in HES. A spatial univariate and bivariate autocorrelation measures were applied to cross-sectional data from census conducted in 2004. The hypothesis of spatial clustering for HES was confirmed by a positive global Moran’sIof 0.28 withP=  0.010, while for health was not confirmed by a negative global Moran’sIof −0.03. Based on local Moran’sIi, two and seven significant clusters in health and in HES were found respectively. Bivariate spatial correlation between health and HES wasn’t found significant (Ixy=-0.08) withP=0.80. In conclusion, geographical variation was found in each of health and HES. Based on visual inspection, the patterns formed by governorates with lowest health and those with lowest HES were partly identical. However, this study cannot support the hypothesis that variation in HES may spatially explain variation in health. Further research is needed to understand mechanisms underlying the influence of neighbourhood context.
Management of a Dog with Poorly Regulated Diabetes Mellitus, Chronic Pancreatitis, and Suspected Atopy with Cyclosporine
Authors: Steiner Jörg M. , Huber Brian J.
Published: April 2012

A 3-year-and-9-months old male neutered Bichon Frise was presented for a second opinion for diabetes mellitus, weight loss, pruritus, and loss of hair. During further work-up, the dog was diagnosed with uncontrolled diabetes mellitus and concurrent diagnoses of pancreatitis and atopy were also suspected. Multiple adjustments of insulin therapy did not improve control of diabetes mellitus. Also, a variety of different treatments failed to improve pruritus. The dog was seen by a veterinary dermatologist who further suspected atopy and started treatment with cyclosporine. Pruritus improved and coincidentally serum Spec cPL and fructosamine concentrations normalized after therapy, suggesting the possibility that cyclosporine may have controlled pancreatic inflammation and improved control of diabetes mellitus. This case report would suggest that further research into autoimmunity in dogs with chronic pancreatitis is warranted. Also, a controlled study is needed and in progress before the use of cyclosporine in dogs with chronic pancreatitis or a subgroup thereof can be advocated.
Polymer Composite—A Potential Biomaterial for the Removal of Reactive Dye
Authors: Palanisamy P. N. , Agalya A. , Sivakumar P.
Published: April 2012

Poly Pyrrle saw dust composite was prepared by reinforcement of natural wood saw dust (obtained from Euphorbia Tirucalli L wood) and Poly Pyrrole matrix phase. The present study investigates the adsorption behaviour of Poly Pyrrole Saw dust Composite towards reactive dye. The batch adsorption studies were carried out by varying solution pH, initial dye concentration, contact time and temperature. The kinetic study showed that adsorption of Reactive Red by PPC was best represented by pseudo‐second order kinetics with ion exchange adsorption. The equilibrium data were analyzed by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm model. The equilibrium isotherm data were fitted well with Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities calculated by Langmuir model were 204.08 mg/g for Reactive Red at 303 K. The thermodynamic parameters suggest the spontaneous, endothermic nature of ion exchange adsorption with weak Vader walls force of attraction. Activation energy for the adsorption of Reactive by Poly Pyrrole Composite was 11.6387 kJ/mole, Isosteric Heat of adsorption was 48.5454 kJ/mole also supported the ion exchange adsorption process in which forces of attraction between dye molecules and PPC is weak.
Effects of Calcination Temperature on Preparation of Boron-Doped TiO2by Sol-Gel Method
Authors: Zhang Wenjie , Yang Bo , Chen Jinlei
Published: April 2012

Boron-doped TiO2photocatalyst was prepared by a modified sol-gel method. Being calcinated at temperatures from 300°C to 600°C, all the 3% B-TiO2samples presented anatase TiO2phase, and TiO2crystallite sizes were calculated to be 7.6, 10.3, 13.6, and 27.3 nm, respectively. The samples were composed of irregular particles with rough surfaces in the size range within 3 μm. Ti atoms were in an octahedron skeleton and existed mainly in the form of Ti4+, while the Ti-O-B structure was the main boron existing form in the 3% B-TiO2sample. When calcination temperature increased from 300°C to 600°C, specific surface area decreased sharply from 205.6 m2/g to 31.8 m2/g. The average pore diameter was 10.53 nm with accumulative pore volume of 0.244 mL/g for the 3% B-TiO2sample calcinated at 400°C, which performed optimal photocatalytic degradation activity. After 90 min of UV-light irradiation, degradation rate of methyl orange was 96.7% on the optimized photocatalyst.
Advanced Method for Calculations of Core Burn-Up, Activation of Structural Materials, and Spallation Products Accumulation in Accelerator-Driven Systems
Authors: Stankovskiy A. , Van den Eynde G.
Published: April 2012

The ALEPH2 Monte Carlo depletion code has two principal features that make it a flexible and powerful tool for reactor analysis. First of all, it uses a nuclear data library covering neutron- and proton-induced reactions, neutron and proton fission product yields, spontaneous fission product yields, radioactive decay data, and total recoverable energies per fission. Secondly, it uses a state-of-the-art numerical solver for the first-order ordinary differential equations describing the isotope balances, namely, a Radau IIA implicit Runge-Kutta method. The versatility of the code allows using it for time behavior simulation of various systems ranging from single pin model to full-scale reactor model, including such specific facilities as accelerator-driven systems. The core burn-up, activation of the structural materials, irradiation of samples, and, in addition, accumulation of spallation products in accelerator-driven systems can be calculated in a single ALEPH2 run. The code is extensively used for the neutronics design of the MYRRHA research facility which will operate in both critical and subcritical modes.
Role of Adipokines and Other Inflammatory Mediators in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Previous Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Vrachnis Nikolaos , Belitsos Panagiotis , Sifakis Stavros , Dafopoulos Konstantinos , Siristatidis Charalambos , Pappa Kalliopi I. , Iliodromiti Zoe
Published: April 2012

Previous Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (pGDM) is a common condition and has been associated with future development of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and Metabolic Syndrome (MS) in women affected. The pathogenesis and risk factors implicated in the development of these conditions later in the lives of women with pGDM are not as yet fully understood. Research has recently focused on a group of substances produced mainly by adipose tissue called adipokines, this group including, among others, adiponectin, leptin, Retinol-Binding Protein-4 (RBP-4), and resistin. These substances as well as other inflammatory mediators (CRP, IL-6, PAI-1, TNF-α) seem to play an important role in glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity dysregulation in women with pGDM. We summarize the data available on the role of these molecules.
Treatment of Kidney Stones Using Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) and Double-J Stent in Infants
Authors: Younesi Rostami Mehdi , Taghipour-Gorgikolai Mehrdad , Sharifian Rayka
Published: April 2012

Background. Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has progressively acquired popularity as being the gold standard treatment for upper urinary tract lithiasis in infants since 1980. Our aim was to evaluate the outcome of ESWL for kidney stones and the use of double-J stent in infants.Material and Methods. A prospective clinical trial study performed on 50 infants with renal calculi at pelvic admitted in the Urology ward of Shafa Hospital, Sari, Iran, between 2001 and 2010. Main outcome measure of our study was clearing stones after one or more consecutive sessions of ESWL.Results. The study included 50 patients with renal calculi at pelvic. Among them, there were 35 (70%) boys and 15 (30%) girls with the age ranging from 1 to 13 months (mean of 7 month ± 3 days). All of them were treated by standard ESWL using Simons Lithostor plus machine. The stone sizes ranged from 6 mm to 22 mm. Double-J stents were placed in 11 infants (22%) with stones larger than 13 mm. Most of the patients required only one ESWL session.Conclusion. Since there were no complications following ESWL treatment, we can conclude that, in short term, ESWL is an effective and safe treatment modality for renal lithiasis in infants. In addition, we recommend double-J stent in infants with stones larger than 13 mm.
Inflammation and Oxidative Stress in Obesity-Related Glomerulopathy
Authors: Tang Jinhua , Yan Haidong , Zhuang Shougang
Published: April 2012

Obesity-related glomerulopathy is an increasing cause of end-stage renal disease. Obesity has been considered a state of chronic low-grade systemic inflammation and chronic oxidative stress. Augmented inflammation in adipose and kidney tissues promotes the progression of kidney damage in obesity. Adipose tissue, which is accumulated in obesity, is a key endocrine organ that produces multiple biologically active molecules, including leptin, adiponectin, resistin, that affect inflammation, and subsequent deregulation of cell function in renal glomeruli that leads to pathological changes. Oxidative stress is also associated with obesity-related renal diseases and may trigger the initiation or progression of renal damage in obesity. In this paper, we focus on inflammation and oxidative stress in the progression of obesity-related glomerulopathy and possible interventions to prevent kidney injury in obesity.
Synthesis, Chacterization, and Thermal Study of Terpolymeric Resin Derived from m‐cresol, Hexamine and Formaldehyde
Authors: Khedkar K. M. , Hiwase V. V. , Kalambe A. B. , Deosarkar S. D.
Published: April 2012

Terpolymeric resin was prepared from m‐cresol (0.1M), hexamine (0.05M) and formaldehyde (0.2M) by acid catalyzed polycondensation method using 1M HCl in temperature range of 122‐130°C.The resin was abbreviated as m‐CHF‐I. The molecular weight of terpolymer was determined by non‐aqueous conductometric titration technique. The structure of resin was determined by its elemental analysis, UV‐VIS, IR, and NMR data. The thermokinetic parameters were determined using Freeman‐Carroll (FC) and Sharp Wentworth (SW) method in temperature range (410‐485°C).The values of activation energies (Ea), entropy (∆S), and free energies (∆G) were in good agreement . The order of degradation reaction determined by FC method was confirmed by SW method.
An Efficient Periodic Broadcasting with Small Latency and Buffer Demand for Near Video on Demand
Authors: Chen Ying-Nan , Tseng Li-Ming
Published: April 2012

Broadcasting Protocols can efficiently transmit videos that simultaneously shared by clients with partitioning the videos into segments. Many studies focus on decreasing clients' waiting time, such as the fixed-delay pagoda broadcasting (FDPB) and the harmonic broadcasting schemes. However, limited-capability client devices such as PDAs and set-top boxes (STBs) suffer from storing a significant fraction of each video while it is being watched. How to reduce clients' buffer demands is thus an important issue. Related works include the staircase broadcasting (SB), the reverse fast broadcasting (RFB), and the hybrid broadcasting (HyB) schemes. This work improves FDPB to save client buffering space as well as waiting time. In comparison with SB, RFB, and HyB, the improved FDPB scheme can yield the smallest waiting time under the same buffer requirements.
Improving the RF Performance of Carbon Nanotube Field Effect Transistor
Authors: Hamieh S.
Published: April 2012

Compact model of single‐walled semiconducting carbon
nanotube field‐effect transistors (CNTFETs) implementing the
calculation of energy conduction subband minima under VHDLAMS
simulator is used to explore the high‐frequency performance
potential of CNTFET. The cutoff frequency expected for
a MOSFET‐like CNTFET is well below the performance limit,
due to the large parasitic capacitance between electrodes. We
show that using an array of parallel nanotubes as the transistor
channel combined in a finger geometry to produce a single
transistor significantly reduces the parasitic capacitance per tube
and, thereby, improves high‐frequency performance.
Microchimerism in Graves' Disease
Authors: Galofré Juan C.
Published: April 2012

Microchimerism is the presence of cells from one individual in another genetically distinct individual. Pregnancy is the main cause of natural microchimerism through transplacental bidirectional cell trafficking between mother and fetus. The consequences of pregnancy-related microchimerism are under active investigation. However, many authors have suggested a close relationship linking fetal microchimerism and the development of autoimmune diseases. It has been more than ten years now since the demonstration of the presence of a significant high number of fetal microchimeric cells residing in thyroid glands from operated patients with Graves' disease. This intrathyroidal fetal microchimerism is an attractive candidate mechanism for the modulation of Graves’ disease in pregnancy and the postpartum period.
Transcriptional Regulations on the Low-Temperature-Induced Floral Transition in anOrchidaceaeSpecies,Dendrobium nobile: An Expressed Sequence Tags Analysis
Authors: Liang Shan , Ye Qing-Sheng , Li Rui-Hong , Leng Jia-Yi , Li Mei-Ru , Wang Xiao-Jing , Li Hong-Qing
Published: April 2012

Vernalization-induced flowering is a cold-relevant adaptation in many species, but little is known about the genetic basis behind inOrchidaceaespecies. Here, we reported a collection of 15017 expressed sequence tags (ESTs) from the vernalized axillary buds of anOrchidaceaespecies,Dendrobium nobile, which were assembled for 9616 unique gene clusters. Functional enrichment analysis showed that genes in relation to the responses to stresses, especially in the form of low temperatures, and those involving in protein biosynthesis and chromatin assembly were significantly overrepresented during 40 days of vernalization. Additionally, a total of 59 putative flowering-relevant genes were recognized, including those homologous to known key players in vernalization pathways in temperate cereals orArabidopsis, such as cerealVRN1,FT/VRN3, andArabidopsis AGL19. Results from this study suggest that the networks regulating vernalization-induced floral transition are conserved, but just in a part, inD. nobile, temperate cereals, andArabidopsis.
A Cost‐Effective Planning Graph Approach for Large‐Scale Web Service Composition
Authors: Lin Szu-Yin , Lin Guan-Ting , Chao Kuo-Ming , Lo Chi-Chun
Published: April 2012

Web Service Composition (WSC) problems can be considered as a service matching problem, which means that the output parameters of a Web service can be used as inputs of another one. However, when a very large number of Web services are deployed in the environment, the service composition has become sophisticated and complicated process. In this study, we proposed a novel cost‐effective Web service composition mechanism. It utilizes planning graph based on backward search algorithm to find multiple feasible solutions and recommends a best composition solution according to the lowest service cost. In other words, the proposed approach is a goal‐driven mechanism, which can recommend the approximate solutions, but it consumes fewer amounts of Web services and less nested levels of composite service. Finally, we implement a simulation platform to validate the proposed cost‐effective planning graph mechanism in large‐scale Web services environment. The simulation results show that our proposed algorithm based on the backward planning graph has reduced by 94% service cost in three different environments of service composition that is compared with other existing service composition approaches which are based on a forward planning graph.
Blow‐Up Criteria of Smooth Solutions for the Cahn‐Hilliard‐Boussinesq System with Zero Viscosity in a Bounded Domain
Authors: Zhou Yong , Fan Jishan
Published: April 2012

We prove that a smooth solution of the 3D Cahn‐Hilliard‐Boussinesq system with zero viscosity in a bounded domain breaks down if a certain norm of vorticity blows up at the same time. Here, this norm is weaker than bmo‐norm.
Effect of Central Nervous System Metastases on Treatment Discontinuation and Survival in Older Women Receiving Trastuzumab for Metastatic Breast Cancer
Authors: Danese Mark D. , Lindquist Karla , Doan Justin , Lalla Deepa , Brammer Melissa , Griffiths Robert I.
Published: April 2012

Background. Trastuzumab improves survival in HER2-positive women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). The consequences of longer survival include a higher likelihood of additional metastases, including those in the central nervous system (CNS). The effect of CNS metastases on both trastuzumab discontinuation and survival in older patients has not been described.Patients and Methods. We used the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Medicare data to identify a cohort of 562 women age 66 or older with MBC who were diagnosed between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2005, free of CNS metastases, and initiated trastuzumab after MBC diagnosis. Time to discontinuation and time to death were analyzed using proportional hazards models.Results. Newly diagnosed CNS metastases were associated with both higher risk of trastuzumab discontinuation (relative hazard[RH]=1.78, 95% CI 1.11–2.87) and higher risk of death (RH=2.49, 95% CI 1.84–3.37). The incidence rate of new CNS metastases was comparable among various sites of metastasis (10.7 to 14.7 per 1,000 patient-months), except for bone which was higher (24.1 per 1,000).Conclusion. The diagnosis of CNS metastases was associated with an increase in both the likelihood of discontinuing trastuzumab therapy as well as the risk of death.