bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
US Government Mandates for Clinical and Translational Research
Authors: Shuster Jonathan J.
Published: January 2012

This commentary is germane for clinical and translational researchers. Basic scientists may face different obstacles to developing their research careers. Over the past several years, the federal government has seen reductions in funding for extramural research. It seems that under the adverse economic forecasts, things are going to get worse. It might seem logical for the federal government to stretch whatever limited resources exist, by asking the institutions to cost‐share greater fractions of the actual research costs, and as an incentive, avoid the imposition of unfunded mandates. But alas, although well intended, there have been expensive requirements imposed by the government, making it difficult for investigators and institutions to adequately fund and conduct their research and for scientific journals to maintain paying subscribers. Five prominent and costly changes, which are the focus of this commentary are (1) HIPAA, (2) http://ClinicalTrials.Gov, (3) Clinical and Translational Science Awards, (4) Upcoming rule changes for IRBs, and (5) PubMedCentral, each of which will be discussed in the ensuing paragraphs. Clin Trans Sci 2012; Volume 5: 83–84
Allele frequency covariance among cohorts and its use in estimating effective size of age‐structured populations
Authors: JORDE PER ERIK
Published: January 2012

A general expression for the covariance of allele frequencies among cohorts in age‐structured populations is derived. The expression is used to extend the so‐called temporal method for estimating effective population size from allele frequency shifts among samples from cohorts born any number of years apart. Computer simulations are used to check on the accuracy and precision of the method, and an application to coastal Atlantic cod is presented.
Microstructure modifications of silicates induced by the collection in aerogel: Experimental approach and comparison with Stardust results
Authors: STODOLNA Julien , JACOB Damien , LEROUX Hugues , BURCHELL Mark J.
Published: January 2012

Abstract– Particles from comet 81P/Wild 2 were captured with silica aerogel during the flyby Stardust mission. A significant part of the collection was damaged during the impact at hypervelocity in the aerogel. In this study, we conducted impact experiments into aerogel of olivine and pyroxene powder using a light‐gas gun in similar conditions as that of the comet Wild 2 particles collection. The shot samples were investigated using transmission electron microscopy to characterize their microstructure. Both olivine and pyroxene samples show evidence of thermal alteration due to friction with the aerogel. All the grains have rounded edges after collection, whereas their shape was angular in the initial shot powder set. This is probably associated with mass loss of particles. The rims of the grains are clearly melted and mixed with aerogel. The core of olivine grains is fairly well preserved, but some grains contain dislocations in glide configuration. We interpret these dislocations as generated by the thermal stresses that have emerged due to the high temperature gradients between the core and the rim of the grains. Most of the pyroxene grains have been fully melted. Their high silica concentration reflects a strong impregnation with melted aerogel. The preferential melting of pyroxene compared with olivine is due to a difference in melting temperatures of 300°. This melting point difference probably induces a bias in the measurements of the ratio olivine/pyroxene in the Wild 2 comet. The proportion of pyroxene was probably higher on Wild 2 than expected from the samples collected into aerogel.
Simulation of Low Pressure MEMS Sensor for Biomedical Application
Authors: Sathyanarayanan S. , Vimala Juliet A.
Published: January 2012

Micromachining technology has greatly benefited from the success of developments in implantable biomedical microdevices. In this paper, microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) capacitive pressure sensor operating for biomedical applications in the range of 20–400 mm Hg was designed. Employing the microelectromechanical systems technology, high sensor sensitivities and resolutions have been achieved. Capacitive sensing uses the diaphragm deformation-induced capacitance change. The sensor composed of a rectangular polysilicon diaphragm that deflects due to pressure applied over it. Applied pressure deflects the 2 µm diaphragm changing the capacitance between the polysilicon diaphragm and gold flat electrode deposited on a glass Pyrex substrate. The MEMS capacitive pressure sensor achieves good linearity and large operating pressure range. The static and thermo electromechanical analysis were performed. The finite element analysis data results were generated. The capacitive response of the sensor performed as expected according to the relationship of the spacing of the plates.
Wnt-Induced Calcium Signaling Mediates Axon Growth and Guidance in the Developing Corpus CallosumA presentation from Neuroscience 2009, the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting, in Chicago, IL, 17 to 21 October 2009.
Authors: Hutchins B. Ian , Li Li , Kalil Katherine
Published: January 2012

Wnt-mediated axon repulsion requires the calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.
Science Signaling
Podcast: 10 January 2012
Authors: Biechele Travis L. , Chien Andy J. , Moon Randall T. , VanHook Annalisa M.
Published: January 2012

Exploiting crosstalk between signaling pathways may lead to more effective melanoma therapies.
From Nucleoside Recycling to Histiocytosis
Authors: Hurtley Stella M.
Published: January 2012

Lack of the transporter critical for recycling of nucleosides after phagocytosis results in a fatal expansion of macrophages.
Going LARGE
Authors: Hurtley Stella M.
Published: January 2012

A bifunctional enzyme adds a heteropolysaccharide to an extracellular matrix receptor, enabling it to bind laminin.
Rictor Acetylation and Akt
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: January 2012

Acetylation of rictor, an adaptor protein in mTORC2, stimulates the phosphorylation and activation of Akt.
ENT1, a Ribavirin Transporter, Plays a Pivotal Role in Antiviral Efficacy of Ribavirin in a Hepatitis C Virus Replication Cell System
Authors: Iikura Minami , Furihata Tomomi , Mizuguchi Misa , Nagai Miki , Ikeda Masanori , Kato Nobuyuki , Tsubota Akihito , Chiba Kan
Published: January 2012

We previously showed that equilibrative nucleoside transporter 1 (ENT1) is a primary ribavirin transporter in human hepatocytes. However, because the role of this transporter in the antiviral mechanism of the drug remains unclear, the present study aimed to elucidate the role of ENT1 in ribavirin antiviral action. OR6 cells, a hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication system, were used to evaluate both ribavirin uptake and efficacy. The ribavirin transporter in OR6 cells was identified by mRNA expression analyses and transport assays. Nitrobenzylmercaptopurine riboside (NBMPR) and micro-RNA targeted to ENT1 mRNA (miR-ENT1) were used to reduce the ribavirin uptake level in OR6 cells. Our results showed that ribavirin antiviral activity was associated with its accumulation in OR6 cells, which was also closely associated with the uptake of the drug. It was found that the primary ribavirin transporter in OR6 cells was ENT1 and that inhibition of ENT1-mediated ribavirin uptake by NBMPR significantly attenuated the antiviral activity of the drug as well as its accumulation in OR6 cells. The results also showed that even a small reduction in the ENT1-mediated ribavirin uptake, achieved in this case using miR-ENT1, caused a significant decrease in its antiviral activity, thus indicating that the ENT1-mediated ribavirin uptake level determined its antiviral activity level in OR6 cells. In conclusion, our results show that by facilitating its uptake and accumulation in OR6 cells, ENT1 plays a pivotal role in the antiviral effectiveness of ribavirin and therefore provides an important insight into the efficacy of the drug in anti-HCV therapy.
New Statistical Technique for Analyzing MIC-Based Susceptibility Data
Authors: van de Kassteele Jan , van Santen-Verheuvel Marga G. , Koedijk Femke D. H. , van Dam Alje P. , van der Sande Marianne A. B. , de Neeling Albert J.
Published: January 2012

Seventeen laboratories participated in a cooperative study to validate the regional susceptibility testing ofNeisseria gonorrhoeaein The Netherlands. International reference strains were distributed. Each laboratory determined the MICs of ciprofloxacin, penicillin, and tetracycline, for each strain by Etest. To explore a more transparent assessment of quality and comparability, a statistical regression model was fitted to the data that accounted for the censoring of the MICs. The mean MICs found by all of the laboratories except three were closer than one 2-fold dilution step to the overall mean, and the mean MICs of each antimicrobial agent were close to the MICs for the international reference strains. This approach provided an efficient tool to analyze the performance of the Dutch decentralized gonococcal resistance monitoring system and confirmed good and comparable standards.
Trimethoprim-Sulfamethoxazole Prophylaxis and Antibiotic Nonsusceptibility in Invasive Pneumococcal Disease
Authors: Soeters Heidi M. , von Gottberg Anne , Cohen Cheryl , Quan Vanessa , Klugman Keith P.
Published: January 2012

Among 5,043 invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) isolates identified through South African national surveillance from 2003 to 2007, we estimated the effect of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) prophylaxis on antimicrobial resistance. Patients on TMP-SMX prophylaxis were more likely to have a pneumococcal isolate nonsusceptible to TMP-SMX, penicillin, and rifampin. TMP-SMX nonsusceptibility was associated with nonsusceptibility to penicillin, erythromycin, and rifampin and multidrug resistance. This study informs empirical treatment of suspected IPD in patients with a history of TMP-SMX use.
Microbiologically and Clinically Diagnosed Vertebral Osteomyelitis: Impact of Prior Antibiotic Exposure
Authors: Kim Chung-Jong , Song Kyoung-Ho , Park Wan Beom , Kim Eu Suk , Park Sang Won , Kim Hong-Bin , Oh Myoung-don , Kim Nam Joong
Published: January 2012

We retrospectively reviewed medical records to identify the factors that affect the results of culture in patients with pyogenic vertebral osteomyelitis. In multivariate analysis, the presence of paravertebral abscess was associated with positive results of microbiologic culture. Prior antibiotic exposure, especially of longer duration, was strongly associated with negative results.
Mild Plasmodium falciparum Malaria following an Episode of Severe Malaria Is Associated with Induction of the Interferon Pathway in Malawian Children
Authors: Krupka Malkie , Seydel Karl , Feintuch Catherine M. , Yee Kenny , Kim Ryung , Lin Chang-Yun , Calder R. Brent , Petersen Christine , Taylor Terrie , Daily Johanna
Published: January 2012

Infection withPlasmodium falciparumcan lead to a range of severe to minimal symptoms, occasionally resulting in death in young children or nonimmune adults. In areas of high transmission, older children and adults generally suffer only mild or asymptomatic malaria infections and rarely develop severe disease. The immune features underlying this apparent immunity to severe disease remain elusive. To gain insight into host responses associated with severe and mild malaria, we conducted a longitudinal study of five children who first presented with severe malaria and, 1 month later, with mild malaria. Employing peripheral blood whole-genome profiling, we identified 68 genes that were associated with mild malaria compared to their expression in the severe malaria episode (paired Studentsttest,P< 0.05). These genes reflect the interferon (IFN) pathway and T cell biology and include IFN-induced protein transcripts 1 to 3, oligoadenylate synthetases 1 and 3, and the T cell markers cathepsin W and perforin. Gene set enrichment analysis identified Gene Ontology (GO) pathways associated with mild malaria to include the type I interferon-mediated signaling pathway (GO 0060337), T cell activation (GO 0042110), and other GO pathways representing many aspects of immune activation. In contrast, only six genes were associated with severe malaria, including thymidine kinase 1, which was recently found to be a biomarker of cerebral malaria susceptibility in the murine model, and carbonic anhydrase, reflecting the blood's abnormal acid base environment during severe disease. These data may provide potential insights to inform pathogenesis models and the development of therapeutics to reduce severe disease outcomes due toP. falciparuminfection.
An overview of asthma and airway hyper-responsiveness in Olympic athletes
Authors: Fitch Kenneth D
Published: January 2012

Data from the past five Olympic Games obtained from athletes seeking to inhale β2 adrenoceptor agonists (IBA) have identified those athletes with documented asthma and airway hyper-responsiveness (AHR). With a prevalence of about 8%, asthma/AHR is the commonest chronic medical condition experienced by Olympic athletes. In Summer and Winter athletes, there is a marked preponderance of asthma/AHR in endurance-trained athletes. The relatively late onset of asthma/AHR in many older athletes is suggestive that years of endurance training may be a contributory cause. Inspiring polluted or cold air is considered a significant aetiological factor in some but not all sports. During the last five Olympic Games, there has been improved management of athletes with asthma/AHR with a much higher proportion of athletes combining inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) with IBA and few using long-acting IBA as monotherapy. Athletes with asthma/AHR have consistently outperformed their peers, which research suggests is not due to their treatment enhancing sports performance. Research is necessary to determine how many athletes will continue to experience asthma/AHR in the years after they cease intensive endurance training.
Long-term water quality changes in a multiple-stressor system: a diatom-based paleolimnological study of Lake Simcoe (Ontario, Canada)
Authors: Hawryshyn Jessica , Rühland Kathleen M. , Quinlan Roberto , Smol John P.
Published: January 2012

Diatom-based paleolimnological techniques were used to assess long-term changes in the water quality of Lake Simcoe (Ontario, Canada) using210Pb-dated sediment cores from four sites across the lake. Modest lake-wide shifts in diatom community composition occurred in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, suggesting that early cultural disturbances (e.g., land clearance and canal construction) had relatively minor effects on Lake Simcoe water quality. However, starting in the 1930s, phosphorus loading to the lake increased, which was closely tracked by increases in diatom taxa indicative of eutrophic conditions. The most pronounced lake-wide shift in diatom assemblages occurred in the mid- to late 20th century, the nature and timing of which strongly suggested a response to regional climate warming. An additional and marked lake-wide shift in diatom assemblages occurred in the mid-1990s, coinciding with the invasion of dreissenid mussels in Lake Simcoe. Our results indicate that Lake Simcoe water quality has been affected by the interaction of numerous environmental stressors over the past two centuries, the complexity of which has been amplified by recent warming.
Ploidy dimorphism and reproductive biology inStenodrepanum bergii(Leguminosae), a rare South American endemism
Authors: Caponio Irene , Anton Ana M. , Fortunato Renée H. , Norrmann G.A.
Published: January 2012

This is the first report on chromosome numbers and the reproductive behaviour in Stenodrepanum Harms, a rare endemic and monotypic legume genus from the arid and salty areas of central–western Argentina. Sixty individuals belonging to two populations from two salty areas (“salinas”) were surveyed and included mostly triploid (2n = 3x = 36) and only two diploid (2n = 2x = 24) plants. Meiosis in diploids is regular, with bivalent pairing and uniform and viable pollen. In contrast, meiosis in triploids is characterized by high trivalent pairing, with irregularly shaped pollen and variation in cytoplasm content and stainability, which is in agreement with an unbalanced segregation occurring in anaphases I and II. However, different triploid plants/individuals showed various degrees of pollen fertility, which may be attributed to particular genotypes. Research on reproductive biology events indicates sexual cross-pollinated reproduction enhanced by protogyny in both cytotypes. All plants produced seeds, but seedlings were only recovered from diploid plants pollinated with triploids, and even those eventually perished. Chromosome counts in these seedlings revealed aneuploid chromosome numbers owing to the combination of unbalanced gametes.
Is RNA editing implicated in group II intron survival in the angiosperm mitochondrial genome?
Authors: Kagami Hiroyo , Nagano Hironori , Takahashi Yoshiya , Mikami Tetsuo , Kubo Tomohiko
Published: January 2012

Introns may be considered as optional because they are removed from mRNA molecules, but introns are fairly preserved for unknown reasons. Previously, the mitochondrial rps3 gene of sugar beet ( Beta vulgaris L., Caryophyllales) was shown to represent a unique example of an intron loss. We have determined the distribution of the rps3 intron in 19 Caryophyllalean species. The intron was absent from the Amaranthaceae and the Achatocarpaceae. In the Caryophyllaceae, Dianthus japonicus rps3 was pseudogenized, but the intronic sequence was retained. Intact intron-bearing rps3 copies were cloned from Portulaca grandiflora and Myrtillocactus geometrizans , members of the sister clade of the Amaranthaceae–Achatocarpaceae–Caryophyllaceae clade. Most of the C-to-U RNA-editing sites in P. grandiflora and M. geometrizans rps3 transcripts were homologous in the two species, as well as in the sugar beet rps3, which, unlike the other 12 rps3 transcripts, lacks editing in the exonic regions around the intron. Provided that the loss of editing preceded the loss of rps3 intron, it appears conceivable that a requirement for editing could have prevented the loss of group II introns retained in angiosperm mitochondrial genomes. This interpretation is an alternative to the conventional one that views the loss of editing as a mere trace of RNA-mediated gene conversion.
Production of two bacteriocins in various growth conditions produced by gram-positive bacteria isolated from chicken cecum
Authors: Wang Qiuju , Cui Yizhe , Wang Wenmei , Xu Jili , Xu Li
Published: January 2012

Lactobacillus plantarum CLP29 and Enterococcus faecium CLE34 isolated from the cecal contents of young broiler chicks were identified based on physiological and biochemical characteristics, and identification was confirmed by 16S rRNA sequencing. Both bacteria showed a broad range of inhibitory action against bacteria such as Salmonella and Escherichia coli and produced two peptides, plantaricin CLP29 and enterocin CLE34. Treatment with proteinase K, trypase, or benase resulted in the loss of activity of the two peptides, confirming their proteinaceous nature. The highest activity levels for both bacteria were recorded in de Man – Rogosa – Sharpe agar at pH 5.0, 6.0, and 7.0, at 37 °C. Carbon and nitrogen sources affected the antibacterial activities of the two bacteriocins in different combinations, which suggested that the antibacterial abilities of different bacteriocins produced in nutrient sources were various.
Isolation and characterization of heavy-metal-mobilizing bacteria from contaminated soils and their potential in promoting Pb, Cu, and Cd accumulation by Coprinus comatus
Authors: Jing Xiao-bing , He Nan , Zhang Ying , Cao Yan-ru , Xu Heng
Published: January 2012

The enhanced effect of heavy-metal-mobilizing bacteria on the uptake of Pb, Cu, and Cd by Coprinus comatus from Pb-, Cu-, and Cd-multicontaminated soil was assessed in this study. Thirteen strains, tolerating 800 mg·L–1 Pb, 200 mg·L–1 Cu, and 200 mg·L–1 Cd simultaneously were selected for heavy-metal-solubilizing experiments in soil. The mobilization of heavy metals depended on the characteristics of bacteria and heavy metals. Correlation analysis demonstrated that for Pb solubilization, the acid-producing ability was the most significant factor, while for Cu and Cd, siderophores played a leading role in this process. Four strains, based on their excellent ability to solubilize heavy metal in soil, were applied in pot experiments. The results showed that all strains can promote the growth of C. comatus and meanwhile help mushroom accumulate more heavy metals (Pb, Cd, and Cu). The maximum uptake for total Pb and Cu by C. comatus was observed in inoculations with Bacillus sp. strain JSG1 (2.02- and 2.13-fold, respectively, compared with uninoculated soil), while for Cd, it was recorded in Bacillus sp. strain PB2 treated soil (2.03-fold). Therefore, this work suggests that the mushroom–bacteria interaction can be developed into a novel bioremediation strategy.
Bacterial endophyte communities of two wheatgrass varieties following propagation in different growing media
Authors: Ringelberg D. , Foley K. , Reynolds C.M.
Published: January 2012

Bacterial endophyte communities of two wheatgrass varieties currently being used in the revegetation of military training ranges were studied. Culturable and direct 16S rDNA PCR amplification techniques were used to describe bacterial communities present in Siberian and slender wheatgrass seeds, leaf tissues, and root tissues following propagation in either sand or a peat-based growing mix. Our hypothesis was that the resulting plant endophytic communities would be distinct, showing not only the presence of endophytes originating from the seed but also the characteristics of growth in the two different growing media. Both culture and culture-independent assays showed the likely translocation of Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Gammaproteobacteria from seed to mature plant tissues as well as subsequent colonization by exogenous organisms. Statistical analysis of 16S terminal restriction fragment profiles identified growing media as having a greater significant effect on the formation of the endpoint endophytic communities than either plant tissue or wheatgrass variety. In silico digests of the ribosomal database produced putative identifications indicating an increase in overall species diversity and increased relative abundances of Firmicutes and Cyanobacteria following propagation in sand and Betaproteobacteria following propagation in the peat-based growing mix. Results indicated a substantial translocation of endophytes from seed to mature plant tissues for both growing media and that growing medium was a dominant determinant of the final taxonomy of the endpoint plant endophytic communities.
Diverse effects of variant doses of dexamethasone in lithium–pilocarpine induced seizures in rats
Authors: Al-Shorbagy Muhammad Y. , El Sayeh Bahia M. , Abdallah Dalaal M.
Published: January 2012

Corticosteroids are used in the management of several epileptic aliments; however, their effectiveness in combating seizures remains controversial, with pro- and anti-convulsive effects ascribed. The current study aimed to address the modulatory effect of dexamethasone (DEX) utilizing 3 dose levels (5, 10, and 20 mg/kg body mass of male Wistar rat) in the rat lithium–pilocarpine (Li-PIL) epilepsy model. Li-PIL induced seizures that were associated with neuronal cell loss in the CA3 region, and increased prostaglandin (PG)E2, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-10, nitric oxide, and neutrophil infiltration in the hippocampus. However, Li-PIL compromised the oxidant–antioxidant balance of the hippocampus. Effective anticonvulsant activity was only observed with10 mg DEX/kg body mass, which reduced seizure production and incidence, as well as neuronal cell loss in the CA3 region. At this anticonvulsant dose, enhancements in the antioxidant system and IL-10, as well as suppression of altered inflammatory markers were observed. Conversely, doubling the dose showed a tendency to shorten seizure latency, and neither affected seizure incidence nor CA3 neuronal cell loss. These effects were associated with an increase in levels of PGE2and TNF-α. The present study found a lack of protection at 5 mg DEX/kg body mass, an anticonvulsant effect at 10 mg/kg, and a loss of protection at 20 mg/kg in the Li-PIL epilepsy model, which indicates that there is an optimal dose of DEX for preventing the induction of seizures.
Influence of gender and estrous cycle on plasma and renal catecholamine levels in rats
Authors: Gomes Helena L. , Graceli Jones B. , Gonçalves Washington L.S. , dos Santos Roger L. , Abreu Gláucia R. , Bissoli Nazaré S. , Pires José G.P. , Cicilini Maria A. , Moysés Margareth R.
Published: January 2012

Several studies have demonstrated that gonadal hormones show significant effects on the brain and signaling pathways of effector organs/cells that respond to neurotransmitters. Since little information is available concerning the impact of male and female gonadal hormones on the renal and peripheral sympathetic system, the objective of this study was to further assess whether and how the renal content and plasma concentration of catecholamines are influenced by gender and the estrous cycle in rats. To achieve this, males Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups: (i) sham (i.e., control), (ii) gonadectomized, (iii) gonadectomized and nandrolone decanoate replacement at physiological levels or (iv) gonadectomized and nandrolone decanoate replacement at high levels. Female Wistar rats were divided into 6 groups: (i) ovariectomized (OVX), (ii) estrogen replacement at physiological levels and (iii) estrogen replacement at at high levels, (iv) progesterone replacement at physiological levels and (v) progesterone replacement at at high levels, and (vi) sham. The sham group was subdivided into four subgroups: (i) proestrus, (ii) estrus, (iii) metaestrus, and (iv) diestrus. Ten days after surgery, the animals were sacrificed and their plasma and renal catecholamine levels measured for intergroup comparisons. Gonadectomy led to an increase in the plasma catecholamine concentration in females, as well as in the renal catecholamine content of both male and female rats. Gonadectomized males also showed a lower level of plasma catecholamine than the controls. The urinary flow, and the fractional excretion of sodium and chloride were significantly increased in gonadectomized males and in the OVX group when compared with their respective sham groups.
RESIDUAL CLOSENESS AND GENERALIZED CLOSENESS
Authors: DANGALCHEV CHAVDAR
Published: January 2012

In the last few years a new definition for closeness has been established because of the ability to measure not connected graphs and the possibility to create convenient formulas for calculations. Based on this definition a new, more sensitive measure for network vulnerability is created - residual closeness. The residual closeness utilizes closeness received after the removal of a link or a vertex and its links. In this article some formulas for easy calculation of residual closeness are given. The definition for closeness is generalized and its properties are explored.
AGENT-BASED, CONTEXT-AWARE INFORMATION SHARING FOR AMBIENT INTELLIGENCE
Authors: OLARU ANDREI , GRATIE CRISTIAN
Published: January 2012

In a future vision of Ambient Intelligence — or AmI — our surrounding environment will integrate a pervasive, interconnected network of sensors, intelligent appliances and computer-like devices. This implies, on the one hand, hardware and interface related issues, and, on the other hand, a layer of context-aware services that manages the large quantities of information generated throughout a system formed mostly of devices with limited capabilities. This paper presents the first steps toward the realization of the AmIciTy framework: a multi-agent system that relies on local interaction and the self-organization of agents, having as purpose the context-aware sharing of pieces of information. The paper presents the structure of the system, the design of the agents, the manner of building scenarios, experiments and the evaluation of a prototype.
FORMALIZATION AND MODELING OF RULES USING THE XTT2 METHOD
Authors: NALEPA GRZEGORZ J. , LIGĘZA ANTONI , KACZOR KRZYSZTOF
Published: January 2012

The paper discusses a new knowledge representation for rule-based systems called XTT2. It combines decision trees and decision tables forming a transparent and hierarchical visual representation of the decision units linked into a workflow-like structure. There are two levels of abstraction in the XTT2 model: the lower level, where a single knowledge component defined by a set of rules working in the same context is represented by a single decision table, and the higher level, where the structure of the whole knowledge base is considered. This model has a concise formalization which opens up possibility of well-defined, structured design and verification of formal characteristics. Based on the visual XTT2 model, a textual representation of the rule base is generated. A dedicated engine provides a unified run-time environment for the XTT2 rule bases. The focus of the paper is on the formalization of the presented approach. It is based on the so-called ALSV(FD) logic that provides an expressive calculus for rules.
A NEW METHODOLOGY FOR DOMAIN ONTOLOGY CONSTRUCTION FROM THE WEB
Authors: FRIKH BOUCHRA , DJAANFAR AHMED SAID , OUHBI BRAHIM
Published: January 2012

Resources like ontologies are used in a number of applications, including natural language processing, information retrieval(especially from the Internet). Different methods have been proposed to build such resources. This paper proposes a new method to extract information from the Web to build a taxonomy of terms and Web resources for a given domain. Firstly, a (CHIR) method is used to identify candidat terms. Then a similarity (SIM) measure is introduced to select relevant concepts to build the ontology. Our new algorithm, called (CHIRSIM), is easy to implement and can be efficiently integrated into an information retrieval system to help improve the retrieval performance. Experimental results show that the proposed approach can effectively and efficiently construct a cancer domain ontology from unstructured text documents.
Geometry of Entanglement Witnesses for Two Qutrits
Authors: Chruściński Dariusz , Wudarski Filip A.
Published: January 2012

We characterize a convex subset of entanglement witnesses for two qutrits. Equivalently, we provide a characterization of the set of positive maps in the matrix algebra of 3 × 3 complex matrices. It turns out that boundary of this set displays elegant representation in terms of SO(2) rotations. We conjecture that maps parametrized by rotations are optimal, i.e. they provide the strongest tool for detecting quantum entanglement. As a byproduct we found a new class of decomposable entanglement witnesses parametrized by improper rotations from the orthogonal group O(2).
Variational Principle for Conditional Pressure with Subadditive Potential
Authors: Zhao Yun , Cheng Wen-Chiao
Published: January 2012

The purpose of this paper is to define and study conditional pressure for subadditive potentials which is an extension of conditional entropy. This study reveals a variational principle of topological conditional pressure for subadditive potentials. Besides, we discuss the topological conditional pressure for asymptotically subadditive potentials. The main idea of the proof is quite similar to that of Cao, Feng and Huang's approximations.
OPENNESS IN PRODUCT AND PROCESS INNOVATION
Authors: HUANG FANG , RICE JOHN
Published: January 2012

Open innovation has generally been explored in terms of improved innovation performance vis-à-vis product/service innovation performance. However, process innovation is often ignored in the open innovation literature. In this study, we assess the impact of openness on innovation in products/services, and also on process innovation, drawing on a large-scale sample of Australian firms. In essence, we find that open innovation models are useful for firms seeking to innovate in processes as well as products and services. However, we find that openness to external information sources may, after a time, lead to decreasing marginal returns as measured by innovation performance. We also observe that, within our sample, the proposed complementarities between internal and external knowledge are generally only evident as precursors to the introduction of new products and services, and may not be as beneficial in stimulating process innovations. It is also shown by our study that investment in absorptive capacity has a declining marginal effect on the innovation performance of new processes, but not on the introduction of new products and services.
KILLING MUSHROOMS: THE REALPOLITIK OF TERMINATING INNOVATION PROJECTS
Authors: DALY JOHN A. , SÆTRE ALF STEINAR , BRUN ERIC
Published: January 2012

Successful organizations depend not only on highly successful ideas and projects, but also on terminating poorer projects so that they do not drain their intellectual and other resources. There is, however, evidence that organizations let many projects go on for too long before terminating them. This paper investigates managers' termination behaviors in the energy industry along two dimensions — termination and accommodation. Managers have two main concerns when terminating innovative ideas and projects. One is that the idea is actually abandoned (termination) and the other is that whoever came up with the idea does not become de-motivated when a project is terminated (accommodation). We explore the variance in the data to generate categories of termination and accommodation behaviors. We group our findings into seven major categories of termination strategies that vary with respect to accommodation. We then discuss three major features of accommodation strategies.
An overview of a spatial hypertext wiki and its applications
Authors: Solis Carlos
Published: January 2012

Wikis allow users to collaboratively create hypertext. However, complex relations among wiki pages cannot be expressed using hyperlinks. This paper presents an overview of a Spatial Hypertext Wiki (ShyWiki) which uses visual and spatial properties to represent implicit relations among wiki pages. Also, several of ShyWiki's applications to knowledge management and software engineering are presented.
A new architecture for FPGA based implementation of conversion of binary to double base number system (DBNS) using parallel search technique
Authors: Singha Satrughna , Ghosh Aniruddha , Sinha Amitabha
Published: January 2012

Compute intensive signal Processing Algorithms demand efficient execution of high performance arithmetic operations. Since, double base number system (DBNS) offers high performance arithmetic units, it is gaining attention to many researchers .However, the advantage of DBNS can not be exploited due to large conversion time from binary to DBNS. Keeping this issue in view, this paper presents a novel conversion scheme using parallel search technique.
Report on the first summer school on NLP and IR in Beijing
Authors: Church Ken , Nie Jian-Yun , Sun Le , Sun Maosong , Wang Haifeng , Xun Endong
Published: January 2012

The first Summer School on NLP and IR has been organized in China in July 2011 just before SIGIR conference. This report describes the event.
Workshop on evaluating personal search
Authors: Kelly Liadh , Kim Jinyoung , Elsweiler David
Published: January 2012

The first ECIR workshop on Evaluating Personal Search was held on 18th April 2011 in Dublin, Ireland. The workshop consisted of 6 oral paper presentations and several discussion sessions. This report presents an overview of the scope and contents of the workshop and outlines the major outcomes.
Report on the joint WICOW/AIRWeb workshop on web quality (WebQuality 2011)
Authors: Castillo Carlos , Gyongyi Zoltan , Jatowt Adam , Tanaka Katsumi
Published: January 2012

The Joint WICOW/AIRWeb Workshop on Web Quality (WebQuality 2011) was held in conjunction with the 20th International World Wide Web Conference in Hyderabad, India on the 28th March 2011. Seven full-papers presentations and a keynote talk were delivered in three sessions. This report briefly summarizes the workshop.
Oncogenic Viruses and Tumor Glucose Metabolism: Like Kids in a Candy Store
Authors: Noch Evan , Khalili Kamel
Published: January 2012

Oncogenic viruses represent a significant public health burden in light of the multitude of malignancies that result from chronic or spontaneous viral infection and transformation. Although many of the molecular signaling pathways that underlie virus-mediated cellular transformation are known, the impact of these viruses on metabolic signaling and phenotype within proliferating tumor cells is less well understood. Whether the interaction of oncogenic viruses with metabolic signaling pathways involves enhanced glucose uptake and glycolysis (both hallmark features of transformed cells) or dysregulation of molecular pathways that regulate oxidative stress, viruses are adept at facilitating tumor expansion. Through their effects on cell proliferation pathways, such as the PI3K and MAPK pathways, the cell cycle regulatory proteins p53 and ATM, and the cell stress response proteins HIF-1α and AMPK, viruses exert control over critical metabolic signaling cascades. Additionally, oncogenic viruses modulate the tumor metabolomic profile through direct and indirect interactions with glucose transporters, such as GLUT1, and specific glycolytic enzymes, including pyruvate kinase, glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase, and hexokinase. Through these pathways, oncogenic viruses alter the phenotypic characteristics and energy-use methods of transformed cells; therefore, it may be possible to develop novel antiglycolytic therapies to target these dysregulated pathways in virus-derived malignancies. Mol Cancer Ther; 11(1); 14–23. ©2012 AACR.
Adapted Timed Up and Go: A Rapid Clinical Test to Assess Gait and Cognition in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Allali G. , Laidet M. , Assal F. , Beauchet O. , Chofflon M. , Armand S. , Lalive P.H.
Published: January 2012

Background/Aims: To measure the Timed Up and Go (TUG), imagined TUG (iTUG), and the difference of time between these two tests (delta time) in 20 patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) and 20 healthy age-matched controls and to examine whether an association with cognitive functions, motor impairment, and behavioral changes can be determined. Methods: The mean ± SD of TUG, iTUG and delta time were used as outcomes. Spatiotemporal gait parameters were recorded by a 12-camera optoelectronic system during straight walking at usual self-selected speed. Cognitive functions were assessed by a standardized neuropsychological examination. Results: Patients performed the TUG slower than the controls (10.00 ± 1.70 s vs. 8.71 ± 1.04 s, p = 0.01, respectively). The TUG was correlated with gait parameters, cognitive functions, and behavior, whereas delta time was correlated only with cognitive functions. Conclusion: TUG represents an interesting test to reveal subtle deficits in RRMS patients with low disability and is related to motor, cognitive, and behavioral functioning. Combining with the TUG, delta time could easily give additional information on specific cognitive functions in the assessment of patients with RRMS.
Histone Deacetylase in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia
Authors: Wang J.C. , Kafeel M.I. , Avezbakiyev B. , Chen C. , Sun Y. , Rathnasabapathy C. , Kalavar M. , He Z. , Burton J. , Lichter S.
Published: January 2012

Background: Elevated histone deacetylase (HDAC) isoenzyme levels have been described in patients with carcinomas and leukemias. HDAC inhibitors (HDACi) have shown promise in the treatment of carcinomas and are currently under intense research. To make better use of HDACi in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), HDAC isoenzyme levels were studied. Methods: Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction for HDAC isoenzyme was measured in 32 patients with CLL and compared with 17 normal volunteer controls. ZAP-70, CD38 and CD44 were also assayed and correlated to HDAC isoenzyme levels. Results: The results showed: (1) HDAC isoenzyme levels in CLL were significantly increased in class I including HDAC1 and HDAC3, in class II including HADC6, HDAC7, HDAC9 and HDAC10, and in class III including SIRT1 and SIRT6; (2) higher expression of HDAC isoenzyme levels was found in ZAP-70+ compared to ZAP-70– patients, and CD44 expression levels were correlated with HDAC isoenzyme expression levels in the majority of HDAC classes. Conclusions: These results suggest: (1) in CLL, elevated HDAC isoenzyme activity is not restricted to one class, and therefore, HDACi therapy may need to be directed to more than one specific class of HDAC; (2) higher HDAC expression activity may indicate a poor prognosis and more advanced disease stage (through indirect evidence), since higher values were found in patients with ZAP-70+ and higher CD44 expression levels.
Pirandello’s Analogy: A Source for a Better Understanding of the Social Impact of Stroke
Authors: van Haaren M.A.C. , Lawrence M. , Goossens P.H. , van den Bossche B. , Wermer M.J.H. , Kaptein A.A.
Published: January 2012

Background: Suffering a stroke has major implications for the patient. To understand human suffering, one should understand society. Pirandello described society as a higher entity than the individual, thereby justifying human adaptability to society. We explore a qualitative finding that suggests that social trends may influence how stroke patients prioritize aspects of their rehabilitation. Methods: We compare a contemporary patient’s experience of stroke recovery with that of a fictional character from the works of Luigi Pirandello. Both patients had two main residual symptoms: hemiparesis and aphasia. Results: The rehabilitation priorities of the two patients differed, and appeared to reflect the contemporaneous demands of society. Mobility was prioritized in 1910; communication was prioritized in 2010. However, essential aspects of ‘being a stroke patient’ remained unchanged; both patients retained a sense of self and both coped emotionally by being hopeful. Conclusions: We conclude that stroke patients respond to society’s contemporaneous demands and expectations. Currently, society demands participation in a large social environment and this is reflected in stroke patients’ priorities. This analogy could enable medical professionals to better understand the social impact of stroke, and consequently offer appropriate interventions to improve rehabilitation outcomes for individual patients.
Efficacious Treatment of Non-Dermatophyte Mould Onychomycosis with Topical Amphotericin B
Authors: Lurati Massimo , Baudraz-Rosselet Florence , Vernez Maxime , Spring Phillip , Bontems Olympia , Fratti Marina , Monod Michel
Published: January 2012

Background: Dermatophytes are the main cause of onychomycosis, but various non-dermatophyte moulds (NDMs) are often the infectious agents in abnormal nails. In particular, Fusarium spp. and other NDMs are mostly insensitive to standard onychomycosis treatment with topical agents as well as with oral terbinafine and itraconazole. Objective: The aim of this work is to report the efficacy of a topical amphotericin B solution on NDM onychomycosis in a series of 8 patients resistant to multiple conventional topical and systemic treatments. Methods: Treatment consisted in the application of an optimized amphotericin B solution once daily to the affected nails and surrounding tissue. No mechanical debridement or medications were allowed except for trimming excessively long nails or in some cases occasionally applying urea-based cream to soften thickened nail plates. Results: Onychomycosis was clinically cured in all patients after a 12-month treatment. Mycological cure was obtained in all but 1 patient. Conclusions: Topical amphotericin B is an efficacious, safe, cheap and easy-to-apply treatment which should be considered as first-line therapy for NDM onychomycosis.
Topical Mannitol Reduces Inflammatory Edema in a Rat Model of Arthritis
Authors: Cavone L. , Calosi L. , Cinci L. , Moroni F. , Chiarugi A.
Published: January 2012

The hexahydric alcohol mannitol is widely used to shift fluids from the intracellular to the extracellular compartments, to increase diuresis and improve mucus clearance in the airways. In principle, because of its physicochemical properties, topical mannitol might also draw fluids out of epidermis or mucosa. Here, we report that topical mannitol applications on the hind paws of rats with adjuvant-induced arthritis reduced paw thickness and tissue edema without affecting the inflammatory infiltrates. Of note, the anti-edema effects of acute (4 h) mannitol application occurred earlier than those prompted by a similar treatment with classic anti-inflammatory drugs such as diclofenac or ketoprofen. Yet, the extent of edema reduction was higher with diclofenac or ketoprofen than with mannitol when the drugs were applied in a chronic (16 h) paradigm. Together, data demonstrate that topical application of mannitol exerts potent and fast anti-edema effects in a rat model of joint inflammation, suggesting a possible utilization in patients affected by osseo-arthritic disorders.
GPR35 Is a Target of the Loop Diuretic Drugs Bumetanide and Furosemide
Authors: Yang Yuhua , Fu Angela , Wu Xiaosu , Reagan Jeff D.
Published: January 2012

We report that the loop diuretic drugs bumetanide and furosemide used in the treatment of hypertension are GPR35 agonists. We utilized calcium flux, inositol phosphate accumulation, and dynamic redistribution assays to examine the pharmacology of these compounds on the human, mouse and rat GPR35. While potent on human GPR35, neither bumetanide nor furosemide were active against mouse or rat GPR35. Furthermore, the Na+-Cl– cotransporter inhibi- tors chlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide were inactive against GPR35 in all three species. We also demonstrate that GPR35 is expressed in human skin where it has been shown that loop diuretics inhibit histamine-induced flare and itch response. These findings suggest that GPR35 may play an important role in skin cell biology and be a potential target for the treatment of a variety of immune disorders.
Mechanisms of Pleural Involvement in Orphan Diseases
Authors: Anevlavis Stavros , Tzouvelekis Argyris , Bouros Demosthenes
Published: January 2012

Over the past 10 years, the widespread clinical applicability of semi-invasive and noninvasive diagnostic tools including medical thoracoscopy and ultrasonography has expanded the occurrence of pleural effusions to include several rare diseases such as granulomatous, connective tissue and autoimmune disorders including sarcoidosis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis (Wegener’s), systemic sclerosis, lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjögren’s syndrome, amyloidosis, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, and others. The purpose of this review is to summarize the current state of the knowledge regarding pathogenetic mechanisms of pleural involvement in rare disease entities and to highlight the need for more efforts to understand the underlying mechanisms for a more effective therapy.