bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Concise Review: Current Status of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine in Lung Biology and Diseases
Authors: Weiss Daniel J.
Published: August 2013

Lung diseases remain a significant and devastating cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. In contrast to many other major diseases, lung diseases notably chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPDs), including both asthma and emphysema, are increasing in prevalence and COPD is expected to become the third leading cause of disease mortality worldwide by 2020. New therapeutic options are desperately needed. A rapidly growing number of investigations of stem cells and cell therapies in lung biology and diseases as well as in ex vivo lung bioengineering have offered exciting new avenues for advancing knowledge of lung biology as well as providing novel potential therapeutic approaches for lung diseases. These initial observations have led to a growing exploration of endothelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem (stromal) cells in clinical trials of pulmonary hypertension and COPD with other clinical investigations planned. Ex vivo bioengineering of the trachea, larynx, diaphragm, and the lung itself with both biosynthetic constructs as well as decellularized tissues have been used to explore engineering both airway and vascular systems of the lung. Lung is thus a ripe organ for a variety of cell therapy and regenerative medicine approaches. Current state-of-the-art progress for each of the above areas will be presented as will discussion of current considerations for cell therapy-based clinical trials in lung diseases. Stem Cells  2014;32:16–25
Partial Proteasome Inhibitors Induce Hair Follicle Growth by Stabilizing β-Catenin
Authors: Yucel Gozde , Arnam John , Means Paula Casey , Huntzicker Erik , Altindag Banu , Lara Maria Fernanda , Yuan Jenny , Kuo Calvin , Oro Anthony E.
Published: August 2013

The activation of tissue stem cells from their quiescent state represents the initial step in the complex process of organ regeneration and tissue repair. While the identity and location of tissue stem cells are becoming known, how key regulators control the balance of activation and quiescence remains mysterious. The vertebrate hair is an ideal model system where hair cycling between growth and resting phases is precisely regulated by morphogen signaling pathways, but how these events are coordinated to promote orderly signaling in a spatial and temporal manner remains unclear. Here, we show that hair cycle timing depends on regulated stability of signaling substrates by the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Topical application of partial proteasomal inhibitors (PaPIs) inhibits epidermal and dermal proteasome activity throughout the hair cycle. PaPIs prevent the destruction of the key anagen signal β-catenin, resulting in more rapid hair growth and dramatically shortened telogen. We show that PaPIs induce excess β-catenin, act similarly to the GSK3β antagonist LiCl, and antagonize Dickopf-related protein-mediated inhibition of anagen. PaPIs thus represent a novel class of hair growth agents that act through transiently modifying the balance of stem cell activation and quiescence pathways. Stem Cells  2014;32:85–92
Identification of DPPA4 and DPPA2 as a novel family of pluripotency-related oncogenes
Authors: Tung Po-Yuan , Varlakhanova Natalia V. , Knoepfler Paul S.
Published: August 2013

In order to identify novel pluripotency-related oncogenes, an expression screen for oncogenic foci-inducing genes within a retroviral human embryonic stem cell cDNA library was conducted. From this screen, we identified not only known oncogenes but also intriguingly the key pluripotency factor, DPPA4 (developmental pluripotency-associated four) that encodes a DNA binding SAP domain-containing protein. DPPA4 has not been previously identified as an oncogene but is highly expressed in embryonal carcinomas, pluripotent germ cell tumors, and other cancers. DPPA4 is also mutated in some cancers. In direct transformation assays, we validated that DPPA4 is an oncogene in both mouse 3T3 cells and immortalized human dermal fibroblasts. Overexpression of DPPA4 generates oncogenic foci (sarcoma cells) and causes anchorage-independent growth. The in vitro transformed cells also give rise to tumors in immunodeficient mice. Furthermore, functional analyses indicate that both the DNA-binding SAP domain and the histone-binding C-terminal domain are critical for the oncogenic transformation activity of DPPA4. Downregulation of DPPA4 in E14 mouse embryonic stem cells and P19 mouse embryonic carcinoma cells causes decreased cell proliferation in each case. In addition, DPPA4 overexpression induces cell proliferation through genes related to regulation of G1/S transition. Interestingly, we observed similar findings for family member DPPA2. Thus, we have identified a new family of pluripotency-related oncogenes consisting of DPPA2 and DPPA4. Our findings have important implications for stem cell biology and tumorigenesis.
Leveraging Variability Modeling Techniques for Architecture Trade Studies and Analysis
Authors: Ryan Jessica , Sarkani Shahram , Mazzuchi Thomas
Published: August 2013

Increasing complexity in modern systems, as well as cost and schedule constraints, require a new paradigm of Systems Engineering to fulfill stakeholder needs. Challenges facing efficient trade studies include poor tool interoperability, lack of simulation coordination (design parameters), and requirements flow down. A recent trend toward Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) includes flexible architecture definition, program documentation, requirements traceability, and Systems Engineering reuse. As a rapidly evolving practice, MBSE still lacks governing standards and commonly accepted frameworks. This paper proposes a framework for efficient architecture definition using MBSE in conjunction with domain specific simulation to evaluate alternatives. Variant modeling techniques are introduced as an extension to capturing parameterized architecture options. Initial exploration applies such variant modeling techniques to design for adaptability trade study criteria, as a means to evaluate candidate architecture configurations against multiple requirement sets. A general framework is provided, followed with a specific example including a method for designing a trade study, defining candidate architectures, planning simulations to fulfill requirements, and designing a weighted decision analysis to optimize system objectives.
Fostering Confidence and Risk Taking in MA in TESOL Students via Community English Teaching
Authors: Rueckert Daniel L.
Published: August 2013

In 2011, Oklahoma City University (OCU) opened its Community English School. This school implemented a project‐based curriculum that was designed to accommodate English language learners from various proficiency levels and with varying amounts of time to invest in learning a new language. The school was staffed completely by students in OCU's MA in TESOL program. This study followed the students who volunteered to work at the school to discover how their participation in this new program impacted their willingness to teach English in English, teach using nontraditional methods, and apply what they had been taught during their courses via service‐learning. In addition, it explored the impact of their applications of course content and new methods on shaping their identities as professional teachers of English.
Energy poverty in the European Union: landscapes of vulnerability
Authors: Bouzarovski Stefan
Published: August 2013

Energy poverty can be seen as situation in which a household lacks a socially and materially necessitated level of energy services in the home. In the context of the European Union (EU), its causes and consequences largely coincide with those of the more narrowly defined notion of ‘fuel poverty’, which has attracted a significant amount of public attention, scientific research, and state policy in Ireland and the UK. Outside of these two countries, however, EU energy poverty scholarship, debates, and policies are embryonic. From the limited amount of research that has been published to date, it is possible to conclude that the condition is predicated upon high energy prices, low household incomes, inefficient buildings and appliances, and specific households energy needs. It is particularly widespread in Eastern, Central, and Southern Europe, where it tends to affect groups who are already vulnerable to income poverty. Recent years have seen a conceptual shift in the mainstream theorization of domestic energy deprivation, onto more complex and nuanced issues of household needs, built environment flexibility, and social resilience.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Efficiency > Economics and Policy

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy

Energy and Development > Systems and Infrastructure
RNAs with multiple personalities
Authors: Maute Roy L. , Dalla‐Favera Riccardo , Basso Katia
Published: August 2013

In the last decade, advances in sequencing technology and a renewed focus on the regulatory potential of RNA molecules have combined to stimulate an enormous expansion in the catalog of known eukaryotic RNAs. Beyond the sheer numerical diversity of RNA species, recent studies have begun to uncover hints of even greater functional complexity. An increasing number of RNA molecules, including those from classic, well‐studied classes, have been found to act in previously unanticipated regulatory roles, or as substrate for the biogenesis of functionally distinct RNA molecules, or both. Thus, these molecules can fulfill multiple, parallel functions, compounding the already rich landscape of RNA biology, and potentially connecting disparate biological regulatory networks in unexpected ways. In this article, we review recently discovered instances of RNA multifunctionality, with a particular focus on regulatory small RNAs. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:1–13. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1193

This article is categorized under:

RNA Processing > Processing of Small RNAs

Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Regulatory RNAs
Buckets of tops
Authors: Buckley Matthew R. , Plehn Tilman , Takeuchi Michihisa
Published: August 2013

Abstract

Reconstructing hadronically decaying top quarks is a key challenge at the LHC, affecting a long list of Higgs analyses and new physics searches. We propose a new method of collecting jets in buckets, corresponding to top quarks and initial state radiation. This method is particularly well suited for moderate transverse momenta of the top quark, closing the gap between top taggers and traditional top reconstruction. Applying it to searches for supersymmetric top squarks we illustrate the power of buckets.
Shifting From Laparotomy to Thoracoscopic Repair of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia in Neonates: Early Experience
Authors: Nam So Hyun , Cho Min Jeong , Kim Dae Yeon , Kim Seong Chul
Published: August 2013

Background

Thoracoscopic repair of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is now widely performed by pediatric surgeons. We compare our experience with this operation versus the results for a group of CDH patients treated by laparotomy at the same center over the same period.

Methods

From January 2008 to December 2011, we reviewed the medical records of 50 neonates who underwent surgery for posterolateral CDH (34 by laparotomy, 16 by thoracoscopy). Two thoracoscopic operations (12.5 %) were converted to thoracotomy. Eight patients treated with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) underwent laparotomy.

Results

There were no significant differences in demographic characteristics between the two groups. Both nitric oxide (p = 0.13) and high‐frequency oscillatory ventilation (p = 0.06) tended to be required more frequently in the laparotomy group than in the thoracoscopy group. A patch was applied to nine patients (five laparotomy, four thoracoscopy, p = 0.42). Mean operation time was longer for the thoracoscopy group, but not significantly so (p = 0.06). Times to feeding and lengths of hospital stays were similar, as were days of postoperative ventilator use and of total ventilator use. CDH recurred in two patients, both in the thoracoscopy group (p = 0.08), and intestinal obstruction occurred in five patients in the laparotomy group. Of eight patients who received ECMO treatment, only three survived.

Conclusions

Except in patients receiving ECMO treatment, thoracoscopic repair is useful and feasible regardless of defect size or need for patching. Operation time is longer, but cosmetic appearance is better and intestinal obstruction uppers to be less frequent. However, intensive training is needed to prevent the recurrence.
Is Mode of Presentation of B3 Breast Core Biopsies (Screen‐Detected or Symptomatic) a Distinguishing Factor in the Final Histopathologic Result or Risk of Diagnosis of Malignancy?
Authors: MacLean Gael M. , Courtney Stephen P. , Umeh Hilary , Sanjeev Siriathan , McCormick Colin , Smith Brendan M.
Published: August 2013

Background

The relation between histopathologic subclassification and mode of patient presentation (with a screen‐detected vs. symptomatic lesion) with an abnormality in the breast core biopsy classified as having uncertain malignant potential (B3) has not been previously examined. We compared the histopathologic subclassification of these lesions and the frequency of malignancy in screen‐detected and symptomatic patient groups.

Methods

All B3 core biopsies from one breast unit at the Royal Berkshire Hospital over a 5‐year period (2006–2010) were analyzed (n = 131). After dividing the B3 biopsies into screen‐detected and symptomatic groups, the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme histopathologic subclassification was used to further divide the groups into six subtypes. After surgery, a final diagnosis of invasive or in situ carcinoma was also noted.

Results

B3 classification comprised 3.8 % (131/3,440) of all core biopsies during that time period. There were 78 specimens from symptomatic (59 %) and 53 from screen‐detected (41 %) patients. There was no statistically significant difference between papillary and fibroepithelial diagnoses between the two groups (47 vs. 42 %, p = 0.59, NS). There was no difference between the groups for atypia, lobular neoplasia, or sclerosing lesions (49 vs. 51 %, p = 0.8, NS). Cancer was found in 20 % of the symptomatic patients and in 17 % of the screen‐detected group (p = 0.65, NS).

Conclusions

Mode of patient presentation (with a screen‐detected or symptomatic lesion) was not a distinguishing factor for breast histopathologic subclassification or for the final cancer diagnosis in patients whose breast core biopsy was classified as B3.
Single Dual‐Trained Surgeon for Breast Care Leads to Higher Reconstruction Rates After Mastectomy
Authors: Shaterian Ashkaun , Saba Salim C. , Yee Brittany , Tokin Christopher , Mailey Brian , Dobke Marek K. , Wallace Anne M.
Published: August 2013

Background

Breast reconstruction improves the quality of life for mastectomy patients but is underutilized in the United States. This study investigated reconstruction rates for a dual‐trained oncologic plastic surgeon to explore how provider‐based factors influence reconstruction.

Methods

We evaluated consecutive mastectomy patients treated at the University of California, San Diego Medical Center between 2009 and 2012. We identified mastectomy patients based on Current Procedural Terminology codes and evaluated them for patient‐ and disease‐specific variables. We evaluated reconstruction rates for the traditional team model of collaborating plastic and oncologic surgeons versus a single surgeon, dual trained in surgical breast oncology and plastic surgery. A multivariate regression analysis was then used to identify the significant predictors of reconstruction.

Results

Mastectomy was performed in 344 patients. The surgeon group was a significant predictor of postmastectomy reconstruction (p < 0.05). The traditional team of oncologic and plastic surgeons reconstructed 93 (63.3 %) of 147 mastectomy patients, whereas the single dual‐trained surgeon reconstructed 140 (71.1 %) of 197 mastectomy patients. Race and insurance status did not influence the receipt of reconstruction in our single‐surgeon model, however, patients of older age [odds ratio (OR) 0.93, confidence interval (CI) 0.89–0.98, p < 0.01], higher body mass index (OR 0.89, CI 0.82–0.97, p < 0.01), or more advanced disease (p < 0.01) were less likely to undergo reconstruction.

Conclusions

A single dual‐trained surgeon for breast care influences reconstruction rates. A dual‐trained surgeon increases the likelihood of reconstruction and obtains rates higher than previously reported. This may reflect the comprehensive care provided by a multidisciplinary‐trained professional. A single surgeon providing care in oncology and reconstruction represents a comprehensive approach to breast care and demonstrates a relationship between provider practice and breast reconstruction.
Awareness of Genetic Counseling and Perceptions of its Purpose: A Survey of the Canadian Public
Authors: Maio Melissa , Carrion Prescilla , Yaremco Elyse , Austin Jehannine C.
Published: August 2013

Genetic counseling can result in better outcomes when clients understand what to expect, and at least theoretically, at some point in their lifespan, anyone could be referred for or benefit from genetic counseling. Thus, in order to identify (and ultimately address) issues around awareness of genetic counseling and perceptions of its purpose, we surveyed the Canadian general population. We acquired 1,000 telephone numbers corresponding to a demographically representative sample of Canada from Survey Sampling International, and invited individuals to participate in a telephone‐based survey. We administered a purpose‐designed survey (in either French or English) comprising questions regarding: demographics, whether or not the individual had heard of genetic counseling, and 15 Likert scale‐rated (strongly disagree—strongly agree) items about the possible purposes of genetic counseling. Responses to these 15 items were used to generate a total “knowledge score”. Of the 1,000 numbers, n = 372 could not be reached, and the survey was successfully administered to n = 188 individuals (response rate 30 %). Most respondents (n = 129, 69 %) had not heard of genetic counseling, and substantial proportions thought that genetic counseling aims to prevent genetic diseases and abnormalities, help couples have children with desirable characteristics, and help people to understand their ancestry. These data could be used to inform the strategy for development of future awareness efforts, and as a baseline from which to measure their effects.
GOLD GLASS TESSERAE SAID TO BE FROM THE ROMAN VILLA SITE AT SOUTHWICK, WEST SUSSEX
Authors: James Liz , Leigh G J , Schibille Nadine
Published: August 2013

This paper seeks to characterise through elemental analysis some unusual gold glass tesserae said to have been found at a Roman villa site in Southwick, West Sussex. The site is no longer accessible, being underneath a Methodist chapel, but it has been excavated, to some extent, on several occasions. Glass tesserae are not common in a British setting but they are by no means unusual in Roman mosaics. Gold glass tesserae, however, in which gold leaf is sandwiched between two layers of glass, are very unusual: fewer than twenty such tesserae are known from Roman Britain and the seven examples from Southwick make up the largest single group. However, the provenance of these Southwick tesserae remains doubtful and so they were analysed and compared to gold glass tesserae from Roman London to try and establish whether they are compositionally related to typical Roman glass. For comparative reasons, the handful of coloured glass tesserae from Southwick were also analysed. Our results suggest that the tesserae said to be from Southwick are anomalous in relation to the other material and cannot be assigned to the Roman period.
Natural feed contaminant zearalenone decreases the expressions of important pro- and anti-inflammatory mediators and mitogen-activated protein kinase/NF-κB signalling molecules in pigs
Authors: Pistol Gina Cecilia , Gras Mihail Alexandru , Marin Daniela Eliza , Israel-Roming Florentina , Stancu Mariana , Taranu Ionelia
Published: August 2013

Zearalenone (ZEA) is an oestrogenic mycotoxin produced byFusariumspecies, considered to be a risk factor from both public health and agricultural perspectives. In the presentin vivostudy, a feeding trial was conducted to evaluate thein vivoeffect of a ZEA-contaminated diet on immune response in young pigs. The effect of ZEA on pro-inflammatory (TNF-α, IL-8, IL-6, IL-1β and interferon-γ) and anti-inflammatory (IL-10 and IL-4) cytokines and other molecules involved in inflammatory processes (matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)/tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP), nuclear receptors: PPARγ and NF-κB1, mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK): mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase kinase 7 (TAK1)/mitogen-activated protein kinase 14 (p38α)/mitogen-activated protein kinase 8 (JNK1)/ mitogen-activated protein kinase 9 (JNK2)) in the liver of piglets was investigated. The present results showed that a concentration of 316 parts per billion ZEA leads to a significant decrease in the levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines at both gene expression and protein levels, correlated with a decrease in the levels of other inflammatory mediators, MMP and TIMP. The results also showed that dietary ZEA induces a dramatic reduction in the expressions ofNF-κB1andTAK1/p38αMAPK genes in the liver of the experimentally intoxicated piglets, and has no effect on the expression ofPPARγmRNA. The present results suggest that the toxic action of ZEA begins in the upstream of the MAPK signalling pathway by the inhibition of TAK1, a MAPK/NF-κB activator. In conclusion, the present study shows that ZEA alters several important parameters of the hepatic cellular immune response. From an economic point of view, these data suggest that, in pigs, ZEA is not only a powerful oestrogenic mycotoxin but also a potential hepatotoxin when administered through the oral route. Therefore, the present results represent additional data from cellular and molecular levels that could be taken into account in the determination of the regulation limit of the tolerance to ZEA.
EXTENSION OF FUNCTORS FOR ALGEBRAS OF FORMAL DEFORMATION
Authors: MARTINS ANA RITA , MONTEIRO FERNANDES TERESA , RAIMUNDO DAVID
Published: August 2013

Suppose we are given complex manifoldsXandYtogether with substacks$\mathcal{S}$and$\mathcal{S}'$of modules over algebras of formal deformation$\mathcal{A}$onXand$\mathcal{A}'$onY, respectively. Also, suppose we are given a functor Φ from the category of open subsets ofXto the category of open subsets ofYtogether with a functorFof prestacks from$\mathcal{S}$to$\mathcal{S}'\circ\Phi$. Then we give conditions for the existence of a canonical functor, extension ofFto the category of coherent$\mathcal{A}$-modules such that the cohomology associated to the action of the formal parameter$\hbar$takes values in$\mathcal{S}$. We give an explicit construction and prove that when the initial functorFis exact on each open subset, so is its extension. Our construction permits to extend the functors of inverse image, Fourier transform, specialisation and micro-localisation, nearby and vanishing cycles in the framework of$\mathcal{D}[[\hbar]]$-modules. We also obtain the Cauchy–Kowalewskaia–Kashiwara theorem in the non-characteristic case as well as comparison theorems for regular holonomic$\mathcal{D}[[\hbar]]$-modules and a coherency criterion for proper direct images of good$\mathcal{D}[[\hbar]]$-modules.
ATaenia crassicepsmetacestode factor enhances ovarian follicle atresia and oocyte degeneration in female mice
Authors: Solano S. , Zepeda N. , Copitin N. , Fernandez A.M. , Tato P. , Molinari J.L.
Published: August 2013

The histopathological effects ofTaenia crassicepsinfection orT. crassicepsmetacestode factor inoculation on the mouse ovary were determined using six female mice in three groups: infected mice, mice inoculated with the metacestode factor and control mice. The control group was subcutaneously inoculated with healthy peritoneal fluid. The infected group was intraperitoneally inoculated with 40T. crassicepsmetacestodes, and the metacestode factor group was subcutaneously inoculated withT. crassicepsmetacestode factor (MF). Light and electron microscopy and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labelling) assays revealed a significant increase in ovarian follicular atresia (predominantly in antral/preovulatory stages of development), oocyte degeneration (P< 0.05), and a decrease in the amount of corpus luteum in follicles of mice infected and inoculated with MF compared with the control group. Significant abnormalities of the granulosa cells and oocytes of the primordial, primary and secondary ovarian follicles occurred in both treated mouse groups (P< 0.05) compared with no degeneration in the control group. These pathological changes in female mice either infected withT. crassicepsmetacestodes or inoculated withT. crassicepsMF may have consequences for ovulation and fertility.
Diet composition and food habits ofDiplodus puntazzo(Sparidae) from the Gulf of Gabès (Central Mediterranean)
Authors: Chaouch Houda , Hamida Olfa Ben Abdallah-Ben Hadj , Ghorbel Mohamed , Jarboui Othman
Published: August 2013

The diet and feeding habits of the sharpsnout seabream,Diplodus puntazzo, from the Gulf of Gabès were investigated using stomach contents of 490 specimens ranging from 12.6 cm to 26.1 cm total length in size and from 29.95 g to 230.83 g in weight collected from commercial catches between April 2008 and March 2009. Of the total number of examined stomachs, 279 were empty (%VI = 56.94). This percentage varied significantly with months, attaining a maximum in spring (74.88%) and a minimum in autumn (37.38%). Eight major taxa were identified (Plantae, Spongia, Tunicata, Echinodermata, Crustacea, Annelida, Mollusca and Teleostei) in stomach contents ofD. puntazzo. Plants were the most important food source, constituting 89.88% of the total Index of relative importance. The other groups, such as teleosts, molluscs, crustaceans and annelids represented accessory food. Significant differences in diet were observed in relation to season. Plants were the most important food source item in all seasons, especially during the autumn. The estimation of trophic level gave an average of 2.57 ± 0.2 for the whole population ofD. puntazzoin the Gulf of Gabès. Based on the composition of its diet, this species may be considered as an omnivorous fish with a preference for vegetable material, and showing specialist feeding strategy.
Qualified to speak: Rush Rhees on the (vexed) subject of euthanasia
Authors: Fitzpatrick Kevin
Published: August 2013

The latest attempt by a determined, well-resourced lobby to introduce a law to permit assisted suicide/euthanasia in the UK was announced 15 May 2013 in the House of Lords. There are many dangerous facets to their arguments, not least of which is the rôle they cast for doctors in this debate.

Rush Rhees' remarks on the topic display a depth that is lacking in the current debate in the public square, which needs to be lifted from its current low level.

I try to show inter alia why the question of who is ‘qualified to speak’ in this deep moral dilemma is important (doctors are not special moral agents); why resistance is vital against a law, which must be general, permitting assisted suicide/euthanasia (‘hard cases’ make notoriously bad law which can have catastrophic consequences); how one group of (non-disabled) people judging another group of (disabled) people as candidates for elimination, is based on the false notion that a disabled life is ‘not worth living’; that so many of the deep moral questions raised by assisted suicide/euthanasia are not even considered in the contemporary impoverished public debate.
Collimation of hot electron beams by external field from magnetic-flux compression
Authors: Gu Yuqiu , Yu Jinqing , Zhou Weimin , Wu Fengjuan , Wang Jian , Liu Hongjie , Cao Leifeng , Zhang Baohan
Published: August 2013

In fast ignition of inertial confinement fusion, hot electron beam is considered to be an appropriate energy source for ignition. However, hot electrons are divergent as they are transporting in over-dense plasma. So collimating the hot electrons becomes one of the most important issues in fast ignition. A method to collimate hot electron beam by external magnetic field is proposed in this paper. The external field can be generated by compressing a seed magnetic field at the stage of laser-driven implosion. This method is confirmed by particle-in-cell simulations. The results show that hot electrons are well collimated by external magnetic field from magnetic-flux compression.
Social Position and Frailty
Authors: St. John Philip D. , Montgomery Patrick R. , Tyas Suzanne L.
Published: August 2013

Cette étude visait à déterminer (1) si des mesures de position sociale sont associées à la fragilité, (2) si une association observée entre la position sociale et la fragilité est un effet de seuil ou de gradient, et (3) si une relation observée est indépendante des facteurs de confusion possibles. Les données ont été tirées d’un échantillon de 1 751 adultes, habitants des communautés, âgés de 65 ans et plus, habitant la province canadienne de Manitoba en 1991. On a utilisé, comme mesures de la position sociale l’éducation, et la suffisance et la satisfaction du revenu selon auto-évaluation personnelle. La précarité a été classée selon la perte fontionnelle, la cognition et l’incontinence urinaire. Des analyses de régressions multiples ont révelés, après ajustement pour les facteurs possibles de confusion, que toutes les mesures de la position sociale étaient fortement associées à la fragilité par gradient d’effet, plutôt que d’effet de seuil. Nous concluons que les gradients sociaux de la fragilité sont présents chez les adultes âgés, même si un mécanisme causatif n’est pas encore clair.
Determinants of Health in Discharge Planning for Seniors: Asking the Right Questions
Authors: MacNaughton-Doucet Lisa J.
Published: August 2013

Les praticiens sont encouragés à envisager un changement de perspective philosophie sur la façon dont les équipes interdisciplinaires interrogent les personnes âgées et leurs soignants au cours du processus de la sortie de l’hôpital. Les équipes engagées dans le planification des congés de l’hôpital peuvent commencer systematiquement à poser des questions qui vont au-delà du mise au point médical traditionnel sur les prescriptions, la réhabilitation et les soins, s’ils sont engagés dans un cadre de la décharge englobant attention aux déterminants sociaux de la santé. Une telle approche pourrait révéler les points forts et aussi pourrait exposer les inégalités sanitaires et sociales que les aînés doivent confronter en arrivant chez eux. Cette information peut ouvrir une porte d’entrée reliant les personnes âgées aux ressources sociales et économiques qui les soutiennes afin qu’elles puissent rester en bonne santé et productives.
Decadal timescale variability in ecosystem properties in the ponds of the McMurdo Ice Shelf, southern Victoria Land, Antarctica
Authors: Hawes Ian , Howard-Williams Clive , Sorrell Brian
Published: August 2013

Meltwater ponds are important biodiversity elements in continental Antarctica. Many occupy closed basins and are vulnerable to changes in the balance between water accrual, through melting of ice and snow, and water loss by ablation and evaporation. We use a two-decade long record of ponds on the McMurdo Ice Shelf to assess temporal variability in key limnological variables. Ponds underwent many-fold change in biologically conservative variables, such as conductivity, and changes were similar in ponds from different catchments but of comparable area. In contrast, biologically active variables (pH, inorganic nutrients and planktonic/benthic biomass) are buffered by in-pond processes and show consistency between years and no coherence across catchments. Coherent behaviour across catchments implies an overarching, climatic effect. However, we could identify no signature of summer air temperature or irradiance in pond dynamics, although winter snow deposition may leave a legacy of low conductivity to the following summer. While ponds are clearly affected by climate, our data show that ecosystem responses are complex and highlight the need for system-appropriate, long-term observation if directional environmental change is to be separated from inherent variability in systems that respond to multiple climatic variables and which have significant biological buffering capacity.
Iran's Disaster Risk: Now is the Time for Community-based Public Health Preparedness
Authors: Ardalan Ali , Mowafi Hani , Burkle Frederick M.
Published: August 2013

The Bandar Bushehr, Iran earthquake of April 9, 2013 gravely illustrates how disaster-prone areas of the world are compounding their risk of disaster and major public health emergencies when there is a geographical convergence of natural and technological hazards. Scientists must emphasize to policy makers that ever-increasing regional industrialization and the broader introduction of nuclear facilities, especially in the Middle East, must parallel sound prevention and community-level public health preparedness planning.

ArdalanA, MowafiH, BurkleFM, Jr. Iran's disaster risk: now is the time for community-based public health preparedness. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2013;28(5):1-2.
IN SEARCH OF DRAKON
Authors: Carey Chris
Published: August 2013

This paper takes issue with two widely held views on Drakon. The first is the claim made at least as early as the fourth century BC that only the homicide laws survived the subsequent intervention of Solon; the second is the repeated assertion that Drakon's laws were uniformly harsh. It argues that more of Drakon's work survived into the Classical period, both in substance and in procedure, than the Athenians realised or admitted, and that the harshness has been exaggerated.
CATP is a critical component of the Neurospora circadian clock by regulating the nucleosome occupancy rhythm at the frequency locus
Authors: Cha Joonseok , Zhou Mian , Liu Yi
Published: August 2013

Rhythmic frq transcription is essential for the function of the Neurospora circadian clock. Here we show that there is a circadian histone occupancy rhythm at the frq promoter that is regulated by FREQUENCY (FRQ). Using a combination of forward genetics and genome sequencing, we identify Clock ATPase (CATP) as an essential clock component. Our results demonstrate that CATP associates with the frq locus and other WCC target genes and promotes histone removal at these loci to allow circadian gene transcription. These results indicate that the rhythmic control of histone occupancy at clock genes is critical for circadian clock function.
Erratum: Global marine bacterial diversity peaks at high latitudes in winter
Authors: Ladau Joshua , Sharpton Thomas J , Finucane Mariel M , Jospin Guillaume , Kembel Steven W , O’Dwyer James , Koeppel Alexander F , Green Jessica L , Pollard Katherine S
Published: August 2013

Correction to: The ISME Journal advance online publication, 21 March 2013; doi:10.1038/ismej.2013.37 Since the online publication of this article, the authors have noticed that a supplementary file has not been included with the paper. The supplementary file (Supplementary file 4) has now been included, and appears alongside the online version of the original article.
Completing the folate biosynthesis pathway in Plasmodium falciparum: p-aminobenzoate is produced by a highly divergent promiscuous aminodeoxychorismate lyase
Authors: Magnani Giovanni , Lomazzi Michela , Peracchi Alessio
Published: August 2013

Enzymes that produce or recycle folates are the targets of widely used antimalarial drugs. Despite the interest in the folate metabolism of Plasmodium falciparum, the molecular identification of ADCL (aminodeoxychorismate lyase), which synthesizes the p-aminobenzoate moiety of folate, remained unresolved. In the present study, we demonstrate that the plasmodial gene PF14_0557 encodes a functional ADCL and report a characterization of the recombinant enzyme.
Fingerprint retrieval by spatial modelling and distorted sample generation
Authors: Leung Ka‐Chung , Leung Cheung‐Hoi
Published: August 2013

In this study, the authors extend and refine the process of fingerprint retrieval, with the goal of boosting recognition rates for the first rank candidate and low penetration rates. On top of a baseline retrieval system which extracts Gabor features in multiple directions from fingerprint images, the authors propose spatial modelling techniques to generate artificial samples for training the system. Translational modelling, rotational modelling and distorted sample generation techniques are used to augment the original training set in order to boost the accuracy of fingerprint retrieval. The effectiveness of the models is evaluated using the well‐known National Institute of Standards and Technology database 4. Experimental results, with reference to some leading fingerprint retrieval rates reported in the literature, confirm that the authors’ proposed system is promising in recognition performance.
Traffic flow estimation and vehicle‐type classification using vision‐based spatial–temporal profile analysis
Authors: Yang Mau‐Tsuen , Jhang Rang‐Kai , Hou Jia‐Sheng
Published: August 2013

Vision‐based traffic surveillance plays an important role in traffic management. However, outdoor illuminations, the cast shadows and vehicle variations often create problems for video analysis and processing. Thus, the authors propose a real‐time cost‐effective traffic monitoring system that can reliably perform traffic flow estimation and vehicle classification at the same time. First, the foreground is extracted using a pixel‐wise weighting list that models the dynamic background. Shadows are discriminated utilising colour and edge invariants. Second, the foreground on a specified check‐line is then collected over time to form a spatial–temporal profile image. Third, the traffic flow is estimated by counting the number of connected components in the profile image. Finally, the vehicle type is classified according to the size of the foreground mask region. In addition, several traffic measures, including traffic velocity, flow, occupancy and density, are estimated based on the analysis of the segmentation. The availability and reliability of these traffic measures provides critical information for public transportation monitoring and intelligent traffic control. Since the proposed method only process a small area close to the check‐line to collect the spatial–temporal profile for analysis, the complete system is much more efficient than existing visual traffic flow estimation methods.
Automatic object segmentation of unstructured scenes using colour and depth maps
Authors: He Hu , Upcroft Ben
Published: August 2013

This study presents a segmentation pipeline that fuses colour and depth information to automatically separate objects of interest in video sequences captured from a quadcopter. Many approaches assume that cameras are static with known position, a condition which cannot be preserved in most outdoor robotic applications. In this study, the authors compute depth information and camera positions from a monocular video sequence using structure from motion and use this information as an additional cue to colour for accurate segmentation. The authors model the problem similarly to standard segmentation routines as a Markov random field and perform the segmentation using graph cuts optimisation. Manual intervention is minimised and is only required to determine pixel seeds in the first frame which are then automatically reprojected into the remaining frames of the sequence. The authors also describe an automated method to adjust the relative weights for colour and depth according to their discriminative properties in each frame. Experimental results are presented for two video sequences captured using a quadcopter. The quality of the segmentation is compared to a ground truth and other state‐of‐the‐art methods with consistently accurate results.
Network utility maximisation framework with multiclass traffic
Authors: Vo Phuong Luu , Tran Nguyen Hoang , Hong Choong Seon , Lee Sungwon
Published: August 2013

The concave utilities in the basic network utility maximisation (NUM) problem are only suitable for elastic flows. In networks with both elastic and inelastic traffic, the utilities of inelastic traffic are usually modelled by the sigmoidal functions which are non‐concave functions. Hence, the basic NUM problem becomes a non‐convex optimisation problem. To address the non‐convex NUM, the authors approximate the problem which is equivalent to the original one to a strictly convex problem. The approximation problem is solved efficiently via its dual by the gradient algorithm. After a series of approximations, the sequence of solutions to the approximation problems converges to a local optimal solution satisfying the Karush‐Kuhn‐Tucker conditions of the original problem. The proposed algorithm converges with any value of link capacity. The authors also extend their work to jointly allocate the rate and the power in a multihop wireless network with elastic and inelastic traffic. Their framework can be used for any log‐concave utilities.
Energy and quality of service aware FUZZY‐technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution based vertical handover decision algorithm for heterogeneous wireless networks
Authors: Kantubukta Vasu , Maheshwari Sumit , Mahapatra Sudipta , Kumar Cheruvu Siva
Published: August 2013

Next generation networks will use multiple transport technologies that offer unrestricted user access to different service providers and support generalised mobility to allow consistent and ubiquitous service provisioning to users. Different networks have widely varying characteristics, which makes it difficult to maintain the requested quality of service (QoS) after executing handoff from one transport technology to another. Maintaining the QoS during handoff in heterogeneous networks needs an intelligent decision mechanism. Moreover, the developed algorithms should be energy aware as the devices involved rely on battery power. This study proposes a novel vertical handover decision mechanism namely FUZZY‐technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (FUZZY‐TOP), obtained by combining a fuzzy rule‐based mechanism with the technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution approach. Simulation results based on a generalised Markov chain show that compared with existing vertical handover decision algorithms, the proposed FUZZY‐TOP decision algorithm performs better for different traffic classes.
Performance analysis of collision alleviating distributed coordination function protocol in congested wireless networks – a Markov chain analysis
Authors: Gottapu Sasi Bhushana Rao , Tatineni Madhavi , Kumar MNVSS
Published: August 2013

IEEE 802.11 is the most popular wireless local area network (WLAN) standard in use. WLANs support broadband multimedia communication and hence providing quality of service requirements such as good throughput and minimum end‐to‐end delay are the two main challenging issues in designing of WLAN protocols for supporting real‐time applications. Until now, several Markov chain models have been developed to evaluate and to enhance the performance of the IEEE 802.11 distributed coordination function (DCF) protocol. However, these models cannot accurately predict the performance of the network. Also, the existing models suffer with high packet collisions resulting in degradation of throughput and end‐to‐end delay particularly under congested environments. This study proposes an exact Markov chain model to accurately predict the performance of the wireless networks. To alleviate the collisions and to avoid channel capture effect, the authors introduce a post‐backoff stage to provide inter packet backoff (IPB) delay between successive packet transmissions. The analysis is carried out by considering the non‐saturated traffic and the impact of channel errors because of Rayleigh fading. Results show significant improvement in throughput and reduction in delay using the proposed model when compared with the existing models.
Upper bounds for the failure probability of random linear network coding for multicast network
Authors: Han Hongyu , Peng Daiyuan , Wang Lian
Published: August 2013

The random linear network coding was proposed as an adoptable coding technique for many practical communication networks. This study focuses on analysing the failure probabilities of random linear network coding to study its performance for multicast network, emphatically some known upper bounds of the failure probabilities have been improved and the worst cases are indicated for these bounds. Besides, if the more network topology information is achieved, the better upper bounds can be obtained. Furthermore when the field size goes to infinity the limit behaviours of the failure probabilities are discussed.
Survey on social networking services
Authors: Irfan Rizwana , Bickler Gage , Khan Samee U. , Kolodziej Joanna , Li Hongxiang , Chen Dan , Wang Lizhe , Hayat Khizar , Madani Sajjad Ahmad , Nazir Babar , Khan Imran A. , Ranjan Rajiv
Published: August 2013

The social computing, such as social networking services (SNSs) and social Networking Platforms (SNPs) provide a coherent medium through which people can be interactive and socialize. The SNP is a Web‐based social space, specifically designed for end user‐driven applications that facilitate communication, collaboration and sharing of the knowledge through a variety of SNSs, such as text, video and audio streams. In the conventional SNPs, such as Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace, computers are not capable of acquiring the information based on the common intelligence and human behaviour. This survey provides a comprehensive overview of the current SNSs and discusses different possibilities of incorporating the existing SNSs into the context‐aware techniques that include semantic Web, social search and social recommendations. The context‐aware computing provides services customisation based on the individual human characteristics, such as human preferences, mood, behaviours, and emotions. The Integration of contextual information with SNSs can be more useful and productive for the development of the intelligent social communicational services. This survey provides several possible future research directions especially in the field of social search and recommendation that can provide better social communication capabilities. Moreover, this study will provide new directions to the future researcher for designing future generation context‐based SNSs that provide services based on the on‐demand collaboration.