bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lamotrigine in Pregnancy: Pharmacokinetics During Delivery, in the Neonate, and During Lactation
Authors: Ohman Inger , Vitols Sigurd , Tomson Torbjörn
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: To investigate the pharmacokinetics of lamotrigine (LTG) during delivery, during the neonatal period, and lactation.

Methods: High‐performance liquid chromatography was used to determine plasma and milk levels of LTG in nine pregnant women with epilepsy treated with LTG, and plasma levels in their 10 infants. Samples were obtained at delivery, the first 3 days postpartum, and at breast‐feeding 2–3 weeks after delivery.

Results: At delivery, maternal plasma LTG concentrations were similar to those from the umbilical cord, indicating extensive placental transfer of LTG. There was a slow decline in the LTG plasma concentration in the newborn. At 72 h postpartum, median LTG plasma levels in the infants were 75% of the cord plasma levels (range, 50–100%). The median milk/maternal plasma concentration ratio was 0.61 (range, 0.47–0.77) 2–3 weeks after delivery, and the nursed infants maintained LTG plasma concentrations of –30% (median, range 23–50%) of the mother's plasma levels. Maternal plasma LTG concentrations increased significantly during the first 2 weeks after parturition, the median increase in plasma concentration/dose ratio being 170%.

Conclusions: Our data demonstrate a marked change in maternal LTG kinetics after delivery, possibly reflecting a normalization of an induced metabolism of LTG during pregnancy. LTG is excreted in considerable amounts in breast milk (the dose to the infant can be estimated to 0.2–1 mg/kg/day 2–3 weeks postpartum), which in combination with a slow elimination in the infants, may result in LTG plasma concentrations comparable to what is reported during active LTG therapy. No adverse effects were observed in the infants, however.
The Coordinated Psychosocial and Neurologic Care of Children with Seizures and Their Families
Authors: Ziegler Robert G. , Erba Giuseppe , Holden Lynn , Dennison Helen
Published: August 2005

Summary: As the medical and surgical management of epilepsy continues to advance, issues associated with the quality of life of patients and their families can be addressed. Whenever associated with other handicaps, such as learning disabilities, attentional or behavioral disorders, and problems in psychological adjustment, dual‐diagnosis issues must be identified. To provide comprehensive care for children with epilepsy, a team approach to psychosocial assessment and treatment must be provided and coordinated with neurologic care. When the age‐related needs in the life stage of the individual and family are identified, the best possible adaptation of the patient and his or her family can be supported.
An Unusual Complication of Intracranial Electrodes
Authors: Jobst Barbara C. , Williamson Peter D. , Coughlin Christopher T. , Thadani Vijay M. , Roberts David W.
Published: August 2005

Summary: This report describes two patients who developed persistent neurologic deficits during intracranial EEG recording without clear evidence of intracranial edema or infarction. Both patients had previously received high‐dose brain radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Because of this experience, we strongly caution the use of intracranial electrodes in patients with similar profiles.
Intracarotid Amobarbital Procedure and Prediction of Postoperative Memory in Patients with Left Temporal Lobe Epilepsy and Hippocampal Sclerosis
Authors: Bell Brian D. , Davies Keith G. , Haltiner Alan M. , Walters Gina L.
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: Although temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with dominant hemisphere hippocampal sclerosis generally have good cognitive outcome after anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL), a minority of patients experience at least mild post‐ATL decline on one or more standardized measures of episodic and semantic memory. The goal of this investigation was to determine whether memory outcome in this group could be predicted from preoperative intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) recognition memory scores.

Methods: Data from 22 left TLE patients were studied retrospectively. All were left hemisphere language dominant and had IAP scores for each hemisphere, a significant degree of pathology‐confirmed left hippocampal sclerosis (HS+), and no positive MRI findings other than atrophy. Cognitive outcome status was represented by the number of pre‐ to post‐ATL declines across three tests, as defined by 90th percentile Reliable Change Index (RCI) criteria.

Results: Only 14% of the sample exhibited decline on more than one memory test. Low right IAP (left hemisphere injection) scores and relatively high preoperative cognitive ability and age at surgery predicted a greater risk of post‐ATL memory decline.

Conclusions: A minority of left TLE HS+ patients experience at least a mild degree of RCI‐defined decline in episodic or semantic memory after ATL. The right hemisphere IAP memory score, which reflects the functional reserve of the contralateral hemisphere, can help predict the risk of postoperative memory decline for TLE patients in whom HS+ is likely based on the presence of hippocampal atrophy on MRI or early age of seizure onset.
7‐Nitroindazole Differentially Affects the Anticonvulsant Activity of Antiepileptic Drugs Against Amygdala‐Kindled Seizures in Rats
Authors: Borowicz Kinga K. , Kleinrok Zdzislaw , Czuczwar Stanislaw J.
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the interaction of the preferential brain nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor, 7‐nitroindazole (7‐NI), with conventional antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) against amygdala‐kindled seizures in rats.

Methods: Experiments were performed on fully kindled rats. Adverse effects were evaluated with the rotorod test, which assesses motor coordination, and the passive‐avoidance task, which assesses memory. Plasma levels of AEDs were measured by immunofluorescence.

Results: 7‐NI (up to 100 mg/kg) failed to modify seizure parameters. However, it reduced the severity and duration of kindled seizures when coadministered with otherwise ineffective doses of carbamazepine (CBZ) (10–20 mg/kg) or phenobarbital (PB) (20 mg/kg). Combinations of 7‐NI with valproate (VPA), diphenylhydantoin (DPH), or clonazepam (CLO) were not protective. l‐Arginine (500 mg/kg) did not reverse the seizure‐suppressing interactions between 7‐NI and the conventional AEDs. The combinations of 7‐NI and CBZ or PB did not impair performance in the rotorod test. Coadministration of 7‐NI with CBZ did not affect long‐term memory, and 7‐NI given with PB didn't affect the mnemonic effect of PB. Finally, 7‐NI did not affect the free plasma levels of CBZ or PB.

Conclusions: Pharmacokinetic interactions do not seem to account for the anticonvulsant effects of 7‐NI combined with CBZ or PB. Central nitric oxide (NO) is possibly not involved in the synergism between 7‐NI and these AEDs.
Epilepsy Surgery in Children with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Presurgical Evaluation and Outcome
Authors: Koh Susan , Jayakar Prasanna , Dunoyer Catalina , Whiting Sharon E. , Resnick Trevor J. , Alvarez Luis A. , Morrison Glenn , Ragheb John , Prats Antonio , Dean Patricia , Antel Samson B. , Gilman Jamie , Duchowny Michael S.
Published: August 2005

Summary:Purpose: Children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) benefit from excisional surgery if seizures can be localized to a single tuber. We evaluated the role of noninvasive studies to localize the epileptogenic tuber/region (ET/R) and the outcome of focal resection.

Methods: We identified 21 children with TSC, ages 3 months to 15 years (mean 4.8 years). All had video‐(electroencephalogram) EEG and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, and 18 also had ictal single photon emission‐computed tomography (SPECT) studies. An ET/R was localized in 17 patients. Thirteen patients underwent resection guided by intraoperative electrocorticography (n = 7) or subdural monitoring (n = 6).

Results: Interictal EEG revealed a principal spike focus (PSF) that corresponded to the ET/R in 14 children. In seven, PSFs occurred in rhythmic runs. PSFs were not observed remote from the ET/R. Focal polymorphic slowing and attenuation occurred in the region of the PSF in 11 patients. Sixteen patients demonstrated an ictal focus corresponding to the ET/R. Ictal SPECT revealed focal hyperperfusion correlating with the ET/R in 10 patients. Although the MRIs in all children revealed multiple tubers, the ET/R corresponded to a large discrete tuber in 8 patients and a calcified tuber in 13 patients. Patchy calcified tubers were also seen elsewhere in six patients. At a mean follow‐up of 26 months, 9 of the 13 children who underwent surgery were seizure‐free, one had greater than 75% reduction in seizures, two were unchanged, and one was lost to follow‐up. New seizures developed in one child from a contralateral tuber.

Conclusions: Surgical resection of an ET/R alleviates seizures in most children with TSC and intractable epilepsy. The scalp EEG and MRI help define the ET/R and improve case selection when ictal SPECT is nonlocalizing.
Nonlinear EEG Analysis and Its Potential Role in Epileptology
Authors: Elger C. E. , Widman G. , Andrzejak R. , Arnhold J. , David P. , Lehnertz K.
Published: August 2005

Summary: Deterministic chaos offers a striking explanation for apparently irregular behavior of the brain that is evidenced in the EEG. Recent developments in the physical–mathematical framework of the theory of nonlinear dynamics (colloquially often termed chaos theory) provide new concepts and powerful algorithms to analyze such time series. Because of its high versatility, nonlinear time series analysis has already gone beyond the physical sciences and, at present, is being successfully applied in a variety of disciplines, including cardiology, neurology, psychiatry, and epileptology. However, it is well known that different influencing factors limit the use of nonlinear measures to characterize EEG dynamics in a strict sense. Nevertheless, when interpreted with care, relative estimates of, e.g., the correlation dimension or the Lyapunov exponents, can reliably characterize different states of normal and pathologic brain function. In epileptology, extraction of nonlinear measures from the intracranially recorded EEG promises to be important for clinical practice. In addition to an immense reduction of information content of long‐lasting EEG recordings, previous studies have shown that these measures enable (a) localization of the primary epileptogenic area in different cerebral regions during the interictal state, (b) investigations of antiepileptic drug effects, (c) analyses of spatio‐temporal interactions between the epileptogenic zone and other brain areas, and (d) detection of features predictive of imminent seizure activity. Nonlinear time series analysis provides new and supplementary information about the epileptogenic process and thus contributes to an improvement in presurgical evaluation.
Malnutrition Increases Dentate Granule Cell Proliferation in Immature Rats After Status Epilepticus
Authors: Nunes Magda Lahorgue , Liptáková Sona , Velíšková Jana , Sperber Ellen F. , Moshé Solomon L.
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: Nutritional insults early in life have a profound and often permanent effect on the development of the central nervous system. A direct relationship between malnutrition and epilepsy has not been established; however, it is believed that inadequate nutrition may predispose the brain to seizures. This study was designed to determine whether neonatally malnourished rats are different from nourished rats in terms of flurothyl seizure susceptibility at postnatal day (P)15, in the behavioral manifestations of seizures, and in status epilepticus–induced hippocampal injury.

Methods: Sprague‐Dawley rat pups were maintained on a starvation regimen from P2 until P17. Age‐matched control rats were not exposed to starvation. At P15, all animals were exposed to flurothyl‐induced status epilepticus. At P17, the rats received a single injection of bromodeoxyuridine (50 mg/kg intraperitoneal) to determine the extent of genesis of new cells in the dentate gyrus. At P18, the rats were killed, and the brains were processed for histology and immunohistochemistry.

Results: Preliminary analysis indicates that early malnutrition did not modify flurothyl seizure susceptibility or the behavioral manifestations of seizures at P15. Histological assessment did not reveal any evidence of hippocampal cell loss after status epilepticus in either group. Malnutrition per se induced an increase in the genesis of new cells in the anterior dentate granule cell layer. Although exposure to status epilepticus augmented the expression of new cells in the dentate gyrus in both groups, this expression was more pronounced in the malnourished group.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that malnutrition early in life alters dentate plasticity but not the susceptibility to flurothyl seizures. Although status epilepticus can increase the expression of new cells in the dentate gyrus in immature rats, malnutrition followed by status epilepticus further increases dentate granule cell proliferation.
Different Patterns of Induction of Fibroblast Growth Factor‐2 and Brain‐Derived Neurotrophic Factor Messenger RNAs During Kindling Epileptogenesis, and Development of a Herpes Simplex Vector for Fibroblast Growth Factor‐2 Gene Transfer in Vivo
Authors: Bregola Gianni , Frigati Linda , Zucchini Silvia , Simonato Michele
Published: August 2005

Summary: Purpose: To investigate the gene expression patterns of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and fibroblast growth factor‐2 (FGF‐2) in the kindling model, and to construct a replication‐defective herpes simplex virus vector to induce expression of FGF‐2 in vivo.

Methods: RNase protection assay and herpes simplex virus vector (TH FGF‐2) deleted in the immediate‐early genes ICP4, ICP22, and ICP27, with FGF‐2 inserted in tk under the control of the human cytomegalovirus immediate‐early promoter.

Results: A single kindling stimulation did not modify BDNF gene expression, whereas it increased FGF‐2 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the hippocampus, the cortex, and the hypothalamus. BDNF and FGF‐2 gene expression were not altered in kindled animals left unstimulated for 1 week. In contrast, kindled seizures produced a great increase in hippocampal and cortical BDNF mRNA levels, but FGF‐2 mRNA was increased only in the ipsilateral cortex. Infection of Vero cells with TH FGF‐2 resulted in a long‐lasting increase in FGF‐2 levels. Protein extracts of infected cells induced neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells, indicating that the newly synthesized FGF‐2 was biologically active. Robust transient transgene expression was observed in the rat hippocampus after inoculation with TH FGF‐2 in the absence of significant toxicity.

Conclusions: BDNF and FGF‐2 are recruited at different stages of kindling and, accordingly, may play different roles in the adaptive changes taking place during epileptogenesis. TH FGF‐2 is suitable for studies of FGF‐2 involvement in kindling epileptogenesis.
Postlesional Epilepsy: The Ultimate Brain Plasticity
Authors: Jacobs K. M. , Graber K. D. , Kharazia V. N. , Parada I. , Prince D. A.
Published: August 2005

Summary: Lesions that occur either during fetal development or after postnatal brain trauma often result in seizures that are difficult to treat. We used two animal models to examine epileptogenic mechanisms associated with lesions that occur either during cortical development or in young adults. Results from these experiments suggest that there are three general ways that injury may induce hyperexcitability. Direct injury to cortical pyramidal neurons causes changes in membrane ion channels that make these cells more responsive to excitatory inputs, including increases in input resistance and a reduction in calcium‐activated potassium conductances that regulate the rate of action potential discharge. The connectivity of cortical circuits is also altered after injury, as shown by axonal sprouting within pyramidal cell intracortical arbors. Enhanced excitatory connections may increase recurrent excitatory loops within the epileptogenic zone. Hyperinnervation attributable to reorganization of thalamocortical, callosal, and intracortical circuitry, and failure to prune immature connections, may be prominent when lesions affect the developing neocortex. Finally, focal injury can produce widespread changes in γ‐aminobutyric acid and glutamate receptors, particularly in the developing brain. All of these factors may contribute to epileptogenesis.
Surgical Treatment of Intractable Epilepsy in Children: Indication for Resective Surgery
Authors: Otsuki Taisuke , Yoshimoto Takashi
Published: August 2005

Summary: Good surgical outcome can be expected for intractable epilepsy in children by resective surgery when a focal cortical abnormality is demonstrated by neuroimaging studies such as MRI, SPECT, and PET. Improvement in behavioral and cognitive development can be expected with seizure cessation after surgery. Early surgical intervention for intractable epilepsy in children is considered a safe and effective choice of treatment to avoid cognitive delay and learning disability.
Ictal “Doppelganger” Experience.
Authors: Hara Sumio , Takei Shigeki , Yokoyama Naohiro , Hara Tsunekatu
Published: August 2005

Purpose: To believe in another sclf (“Doppelganger” experience) connotes eithcr a sensation of another self being nearby (“leibhaftige BewuBtsein” type) or autoscopy. Such experiences can occur as a component of a simple partial seizure with psychic symptomatology. Ictal autoscopies are dividcd into (1) seeing another self as if in a familiar scene in the past (scene type): and (2) seeing another self as if in a mirror (mirror type). We here summarize features of patients with the ictal “Doppelganger” experience.

Method: Thirteen right‐handed people with epilepsy with the ictal “Doppelganger” experience (3 men and 10 women: mean age, 42.5 years: range, 22–57 years) were studied.

Results: In any given seizure, “Doppelganger” experiences were preceded by I or more of subjective components, which, as depicted below, are listed in order of appearance and are linked by arrows: déjà vu → depersonalization 4 “Doppelganger” of “leibhaftige BewuBtsein” type (1 case), déjà vu depersonalization “Doppelganger” of “leibhaftige BewuBtsein” type → autoscopy of scene type (2 cases), déjà vu → depersonalization →“Doppelganger” of “leibhaftige Be‐ wuBtscin” type déjà autoscopy of mirror type (2 cases), déjà vu → dcpersoiialization → autoscopy of scene type (2 cases), déjà vu →“Doppelganger” of “leibhaftige BewuBtsein” type autoscopy of scene type (2 cases), déjà vu autoscopy of scene type (Icase), depersonalization 4 “Doppelganger” of “leibhaftige BewuBtsein” type (1 case), depersonalization →“Doppelganger” of “leibhaftige BewuBtsein” type → autoscopy of mirror type (Icase), elementary visual hallucination, visual illusion → autoscopy of mirror type (2cases). The interictal EEG showed temporal spike foci in 7cases with autoscopy of scene type and 2 cases with no seizure evolution further than “Doppelganger” of “leibhaftige BewuRtsein” type. Three of 4 cases of patients with seizures and the autoscopy of mirror type showed parietooccipital spike foci. Of 13 cases, the seizure focus was left in 6, right in 6, and bilateral in I. SPECT imaging revealed regions of hypoper‐ fusion, usually correlated to regions of EEG spiking.

Conclusion: Ictal Doppelganger experiences include features of déjà VLI depersonalization Doppelganger of leibhaftige BewuBtsein and autoscopy. SPECT imaging and interictal EEG demonstrate that the autoscopy of scene type is associated with temporal lobe foci, while autoscopy of mirror type usually is associated with parieto‐ occipital foci. Laterality borc no relevance to the ictal “Doppelganger” experience.
Tobacco smoking and periodontal bone height in a Saudi Arabian population
Authors: Natto Suzan , Baljoon Mostafa , Bergström Jan
Published: August 2005

Aim: To study the association between tobacco smoking, in particular water pipe smoking, and periodontal bone height.

Methods: A study sample of 355 individuals in the age range 17–60 years was recruited from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The smoking behavior was registered through a questionnaire during interview. Participants were stratified into water pipe smokers (33%), cigarette smokers (20%), mixed smokers (19%) and non‐smokers (28%). The periodontal bone height was measured from digital panoramic radiographs mesially and distally to each tooth and expressed as a percentage of the root length.

Results: The mean periodontal bone height was 76.2% for water pipe smokers, 75.8% for cigarette smokers, 80.2% for mixed smokers and 80.9% for non‐smokers. The association between smoking and mean bone height was statistically significant controlling for age (p<0.001). The association between life‐time smoking exposure and mean bone height controlling for age was statistically significant in water pipe smokers and cigarette smokers (p<0.01).

The prevalence of bone loss in excess of 30% of the bone height was 27% in water pipe smokers, 24% in cigarette smokers, 9% in mixed smokers and 6% in non‐smokers. The prevalence was significantly greater in water pipe smokers and cigarette smokers compared with non‐smokers (p<0.001). The relative risk of periodontal bone loss associated with water pipe and cigarette smoking after adjustment for age was 3.5‐fold and 4.3‐fold elevated, respectively, compared with non‐smoking (p<0.01).

Conclusion: An association between tobacco smoking and periodontal bone height reduction is observed. The impact of water pipe smoking is of the same magnitude as that of cigarette smoking.
Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia Due to 21‐Hydroxylase Deficiency
Authors: Glatt Kathleen , Garzon Dawn Lee , Popovic Jadranka
Published: August 2005

PURPOSE.  To provide an in‐depth exploration of the complex and potentially life‐threatening condition, congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH).

CONCLUSIONS.  CAH affects adrenal gland function, resulting in abnormal steroidogenesis caused by a deficiency or complete lack of the enzyme 21‐hydroxylase (accounting for 90% of CAH cases). Clinical manifestations include ambiguous genitalia in female newborns and life‐threatening salt‐wasting crisis in both male and female newborns.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS.  Nurses should encourage and assist CAH patients and their parents in taking an active role in the management of their condition. Each stage of growth and development will bring new challenges and questions for patients and their parents.
Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of a Wheeled Mobile Robot for Traversing Uneven Terrain Without Slip
Authors: Chakraborty Nilanjan , Ghosal Ashitava
Published: August 2005

It is known in literature that a wheeled mobile robot (WMR), with fixed length axle, will undergo slip when it negotiates an uneven terrain. However, motion without slip is desired in WMR’s, since slip at the wheel-ground contact may result in significant wastage of energy and may lead to a larger burden on sensor based navigation algorithms. To avoid slip, the use of a variable length axle (VLA) has been proposed in the literature and the kinematics of the vehicle has been solved depicting no-slip motion. However, the dynamic issues have not been addressed adequately and it is not clear if the VLA concept will work when gravity and inertial loads are taken into account. To achieve slip-free motion on uneven terrain, we have proposed a three-wheeled WMR architecture with torus shaped wheels, and the two rear wheels having lateral tilt capability. The direct and inverse kinematics problem of this WMR has been solved earlier and it was shown by simulation that such a WMR can travel on uneven terrain without slip. In this paper, we derive a set of 27 ordinary differential equations (ODE’s) which form the dynamic model of the three-wheeled WMR. The dynamic equations of motion have been derived symbolically using a Lagrangian approach and computer algebra. The holonomic and nonholonomic constraints of constant length and no-slip, respectively, are taken into account in the model. Simulation results clearly show that the three-wheeled WMR can achieve no-slip motion even when dynamic effects are taken into consideration.
Input Torque Balancing Using an Inverted Cam
Mechanism
Authors: Demeulenaere Bram , De Schutter Joris
Published: August 2005

Input torque balancing through addition of an auxiliary, input torque balancing mechanism, is a well-known way for reducing drive speed fluctuations in high-speed cam-follower mechanisms. This paper develops a methodology to design and optimize the so-called inverted cam mechanism (ICM), a simple, cam-based input torque balancing mechanism. It was already introduced in the 1950s, but the design methodologies proposed by Meyer zur Capellen (1964) and Michelin (1979) are, respectively, erroneous or too rough an approximation, and are corrected here. The describing equation that governs the ICM cam design, is shown to be a second-order, nonlinear, ordinary differential equation. It is solved by parameterizing its solution as a finite Fourier series, the coefficients of which are determined through a nonlinear least-squares problem. Based on this methodology, an ICM is designed for input torque balancing a high-speed, industrial cam-follower mechanism. The ICM’s design parameters result from a design optimization, which aims at obtaining a compact and technologically feasible mechanism. The optimization problem is solved using a design chart, which is efficiently created based on a nondimensionalized analysis.
Analysis of Force Shape Characteristics and Detection of Depth-of-Cut Variations in End Milling
Authors: Yang Liuqing , DeVor Richard E. , Kapoor Shiv G.
Published: August 2005

This paper proposes an analytical approach to detect depth-of-cut variations based on the cutting-force shape characteristics in end milling. Cutting forces of a single-flute end mill are analyzed and classified into three types according to their shape characteristics. Cutting forces of a multiple-flute end mill are then classified by considering both the cutting types of the corresponding single-flute end mill and the degree of overlap of successive flutes in the cut. Force indices are extracted from the cutting forces and depth-of-cut variations are detected based on the changes of the force shape characteristics via the force indices in an end-milling process. The detection methodology is validated through cutting experiments.
Inverse Heat Transfer Solution of the Heat Flux Due to Induction Heating
Authors: Luo Jie , Shih Albert J.
Published: August 2005

The explicit finite difference formulation of an inverse heat transfer model to calculate the heat flux generated by induction is developed. The experimentally measured temperature data are used as the input for the inverse heat transfer model. This model is particularly suitable for a workpiece with low cross section Biot number. Induction heating experiments are carried out using a carbon steel rod. The finite difference method and thermocouple temperature measurements are applied to estimate the induction heat flux and workpiece temperature. Compared to measured temperatures, the accuracy and limitation of proposed method is demonstrated. The effect of nonuniform temperature distribution, particularly in the heating region during the induction heating, is studied. Analysis results validate the assumption to use the uniform temperature in a cross section for the inverse heat transfer solution of induction heat flux. Sensitivity to the grid spacing, thermocouple location, and thermophysical properties are also studied.
A Fast Permeability Measurement Method Based on Hybrid Fiber Preforms
Authors: Dong Chensong
Published: August 2005

In this paper, a permeability measurement method using hybrid fiber preforms is presented. The hybrid fiber preform can be composed of different fiber mat types, different numbers of fiber mats of the same type, or both. The computational procedure for permeability based on flow front location and flow time data was derived. This approach was validated by both simulation and experimental studies. The results show that by using this method, permeability values of different fiber mat types or the relationship between permeability and fiber volume fraction (porosity) can be obtained through a single experiment. This permeability measurement method based on hybrid fiber preforms yields compatible measurement accuracies while significantly improving the measurement efficiency. It provides a fast, accurate, and easy-to-use approach for permeability characterization, which is of great significance for the integrated composite product and process development.
Particleboard Surface-Roughness Classification System Modeling, Simulation, and Bench Testing
Authors: Radziszewski P. , Picard B. , Bourret A.-M. , Brunet J.-P. , Tétreault M. , Zaras K. , Cheriet M. , Ouellet J.
Published: August 2005

Particleboard panels are widely utilized as a raw material in the wood processing industry. It ends up as furniture, cabinets, and other industrial products. One of the problems particleboard mills face concerns the surface quality of their boards. As the demands of customers become more precise, very thin overlays are becoming more popular. Thus the problem of surface quality control and classification is clearly identified. In this paper, a particleboard surface-roughness classification system is modeled, simulated, and implemented. The particleboard model is based on the characterization of surface anomalies (pinholes, sander streaks, and grooves). Furthermore, an optical stylus surface-roughness measurement system is also modeled in order to determine whether it can be used to characterize a particleboard “on-ine.” A classification algorithm is proposed to serve as an aid to the quality control operator. Simulation results are presented illustrating the change of surface roughness with increasing amounts of surface anomalies. A classification algorithm is used to sort the simulated panels into different classes. A trial bench test using 225 panels is made to determine the applicability of this system to the industrial context.
The Bacteriophage 434 Repressor Dimer Preferentially Undergoes Autoproteolysis by an Intramolecular Mechanism
Authors: McCabe Barbara C. , Pawlowski David R. , Koudelka Gerald B.
Published: August 2005

Inactivation of the lambdoid phage repressor protein is necessary to induce lytic growth of a lambdoid prophage. Activated RecA, the mediator of the host SOS response to DNA damage, causes inactivation of the repressor by stimulating the repressor's nascent autocleavage activity. The repressor of bacteriophage lambda and its homolog, LexA, preferentially undergo RecA-stimulated autocleavage as free monomers, which requires that each monomer mediates its own (intramolecular) cleavage. The cI repressor of bacteriophage 434 preferentially undergoes autocleavage as a dimer specifically bound to DNA, opening the possibility that one 434 repressor subunit may catalyze proteolysis of its partner subunit (intermolecular cleavage) in the DNA-bound dimer. Here, we first identified and mutagenized the residues at the cleavage and active sites of 434 repressor. We utilized the mutant repressors to show that the DNA-bound 434 repressor dimer overwhelmingly prefers to use an intramolecular mechanism of autocleavage. Our data suggest that the 434 repressor cannot be forced to use an intermolecular cleavage mechanism. Based on these data, we propose a model in which the cleavage-competent conformation of the repressor is stabilized by operator binding.
COHERENT SYSTEMS ON ELLIPTIC CURVES
Authors: LANGE H. , NEWSTEAD P. E.
Published: August 2005

In this paper we consider coherent systems (E,V) on an elliptic curve which are α-stable with respect to some value of a parameter α. We show that the corresponding moduli spaces, if non-empty, are smooth and irreducible of the expected dimension. Moreover we give precise conditions for non-emptiness of the moduli spaces. Finally we study the variation of the moduli spaces with α.
Puttin’ the Queue in QA
Authors: Grossman Edward
Published: August 2005

Unlike many of the topics Queue tackles, QA isn’t sexy or exciting. It isn’t new, hip, or happenin’. You’ll not see many magazine covers proclaiming QA to be the next big thing, in the vein of past cover crazes: Push Technology Will Change the World!; or XML, XML, XML!; or Java, This Changes Everything!
Too Darned Big to Test
Authors: Stobie Keith
Published: August 2005

The increasing size and complexity of software, coupled with concurrency and distributed systems, has made apparent the ineffectiveness of using only handcrafted tests. The misuse of code coverage and avoidance of random testing has exacerbated the problem. We must start again, beginning with good design (including dependency analysis), good static checking (including model property checking), and good unit testing (including good input selection). Code coverage can help select and prioritize tests to make you more efficient, as can the all-pairs technique for controlling the number of configurations. Finally, testers can use models to generate test coverage and good stochastic tests, and to act as test oracles.
Review: Designing Software for the Mobile Context: A Practitioner’s Guide
Authors: Ektare Arun
Published: August 2005

Review: Designing Software for the Mobile Context: A Practitioner’s Guide
A comparison of data warehousing methodologies
Authors: Sen Arun , Sinha Atish P.
Published: August 2005

Using a common set of attributes to determine which methodology to use in a particular data warehousing project.
Bridging the physical and digital in pervasive gaming
Authors: Benford Steve , Magerkurth Carsten , Ljungstrand Peter
Published: August 2005

A new generation of entertainment technology takes computer games to the streets---and ultimately beyond.
Modeling and assessing inference exposure in encrypted databases
Authors: Ceselli Alberto , Damiani Ernesto , Vimercati Sabrina De Capitani Di , Jajodia Sushil , Paraboschi Stefano , Samarati Pierangela
Published: August 2005

The scope and character of today's computing environments are progressively shifting from traditional, one-on-one client-server interaction to the new cooperative paradigm. It then becomes of primary importance to provide means of protecting the secrecy of the information, while guaranteeing its availability to legitimate clients. Operating online querying services securely on open networks is very difficult; therefore many enterprises outsource their data center operations to external application service providers. A promising direction toward prevention of unauthorized access to outsourced data is represented by encryption. However, data encryption is often supported for the sole purpose of protecting the data in storage while allowing access to plaintext values by the server, which decrypts data for query execution. In this paper, we present a simple yet robust single-server solution for remote querying of encrypted databases on external servers. Our approach is based on the use of indexing information attached to the encrypted database, which can be used by the server to select the data to be returned in response to a query without the need of accessing the plaintext database content. Our indexes balance the trade-off between efficiency requirements in query execution and protection requirements due to possible inference attacks exploiting indexing information. We investigate quantitative measures to model inference exposure and provide some related experimental results.
Surviving IT project cancellations
Authors: Iacovou Charalambos L. , Dexter Albert S.
Published: August 2005

In a
Forbes
cover story, an investment banker expressed a preference for hiring former athletes, not because they are competitive, but "because they recycle so quickly after things go wrong" [12]. Their ability to quickly get past a failure, analyze what went wrong, and correctly adapt future performance is what sets them apart from other employees. While the ability to overcome adversity is a recognized skill of effective business professionals, its role has been neglected in the realm of IT project failures. This is unfortunate because failure is common: about 15% of all IT projects are canceled before completion [10], some with disastrous effects [1].
The internet enlightens and empowers Chinese society
Authors: Martinsons Maris G.
Published: August 2005

Charles Zhang is founder, chairman, and chief executive of Sohu.com, a company incorporated in the U.S. state of Delaware with headquarters in Beijing. In 2004, Sohu took in more than $100 million (U.S.) in revenue by providing online information and services. Zhang established the company in 1996 as Internet Technologies China and two years later launched the first Chinese-language search engine Sohu, or "search fox." Sohu.com was listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange in July 2000; its market capitalization topped $1.4 billion in 2003 before declining in 2004.Zhang pioneered the Silicon Valley model of entrepreneurship in mainland China and is often referred to as China's Bill Gates. In 1998,
Time Digital
named him one of the world's Top 50 Digital Elite, and the World Economic Forum identified him as a Global Leader of Tomorrow. In 2003, he was featured in
Time
magazine as one of its 15 Global Tech Gurus, and in
BusinessWeek
as one of 25 global e-business CEOs. In 2004, he was selected the Distinguished Executive of the Year by the (U.S.) Academy of Management. He spoke with me during and after the 64th Annual Meetings of the (U.S.) Academy of Management in New Orleans, August 2004.
A type system for certified binaries
Authors: Shao Zhong , Trifonov Valery , Saha Bratin , Papaspyrou Nikolaos
Published: August 2005

A
certified binary
is a value together with a proof that the value satisfies a given specification. Existing compilers that generate certified code have focused on simple memory and control-flow safety rather than more advanced properties. In this article, we present a general framework for explicitly representing complex propositions and proofs in typed intermediate and assembly languages. The new framework allows us to reason about certified programs that involve effects while still maintaining decidable typechecking. We show how to integrate an entire proof system (the calculus of inductive constructions) into a compiler intermediate language and how the intermediate language can undergo complex transformations (CPS and closure conversion) while preserving proofs represented in the type system. Our work provides a foundation for the process of automatically generating certified binaries in a type-theoretic framework.
Complexity of propositional nested circumscription and nested abnormality theories
Authors: Cadoli Marco , Eiter Thomas , Gottlob Georg
Published: August 2005

Circumscription has been recognized as an important principle for knowledge representation and common-sense reasoning. The need for a circumscriptive formalism that allows for simple yet elegant modular problem representation has led Lifschitz (AIJ, 1995) to introduce nested abnormality theories (NATs) as a tool for modular knowledge representation, tailored for applying circumscription to minimize exceptional circumstances. Abstracting from this particular objective, we propose L
CIRC
, which is an extension of generic propositional circumscription by allowing propositional combinations and nesting of circumscriptive theories. As shown, NATs are naturally embedded into this language, and are in fact of equal expressive capability. We then analyze the complexity of L
CIRC
and NATs, and in particular the effect of nesting. The latter is found to be a source of complexity, which climbs the Polynomial Hierarchy as the nesting depth increases and reaches PSPACE-completeness in the general case. We also identify meaningful syntactic fragments of NATs which have lower complexity. In particular, we show that the generalization of Horn circumscription in the NAT framework remains coNP-complete, and that Horn NATs without fixed letters can be efficiently transformed into an equivalent Horn CNF, which implies polynomial solvability of principal reasoning tasks. Finally, we also study extensions of NATs and briefly address the complexity in the first-order case. Our results give insight into the “cost” of using L
CIRC
(respectively, NATs) as a host language for expressing other formalisms such as action theories, narratives, or spatial theories.
Reasoning about evolving nonmonotonic knowledge bases
Authors: Eiter Thomas , Fink Michael , Sabbatini Giuliana , Tompits Hans
Published: August 2005

Recently, several approaches to updating knowledge bases modeled as extended logic programs have been introduced, ranging from basic methods to incorporate (sequences of) sets of rules into a logic program, to more elaborate methods which use an update policy for specifying how updates must be incorporated. In this article, we introduce a framework for reasoning about evolving knowledge bases, which are represented as extended logic programs and maintained by an update policy. We first describe a formal model which captures various update approaches, and we define a logical language for expressing properties of evolving knowledge bases. We then investigate semantical and computational properties of our framework, where we focus on properties of knowledge states with respect to the canonical reasoning task of whether a given formula holds in a given evolving knowledge base. In particular, we present finitary characterizations of the evolution for certain classes of framework instances, which can be exploited for obtaining decidability results. In more detail, we characterize the complexity of reasoning for some meaningful classes of evolving knowledge bases, ranging from polynomial to double exponential space complexity.
Simple extractors for all min-entropies and a new pseudorandom generator
Authors: Shaltiel Ronen , Umans Christopher
Published: August 2005

A “randomness extractor” is an algorithm that given a sample from a distribution with sufficiently high min-entropy and a short random seed produces an output that is statistically indistinguishable from uniform. (Min-entropy is a measure of the amount of randomness in a distribution.) We present a simple, self-contained extractor construction that produces good extractors for all min-entropies. Our construction is algebraic and builds on a new polynomial-based approach introduced by Ta-Shma et al. [2001b]. Using our improvements, we obtain, for example, an extractor with output length
m
=
k
/(log
n
)

O
(1/α)

and seed length (1 + α)log
n
for an arbitrary 0 < α ≤ 1, where
n
is the input length, and
k
is the min-entropy of the input distribution.A “pseudorandom generator” is an algorithm that given a short random seed produces a long output that is computationally indistinguishable from uniform. Our technique also gives a new way to construct pseudorandom generators from functions that require large circuits. Our pseudorandom generator construction is
not
based on the Nisan-Wigderson generator [Nisan and Wigderson 1994], and turns worst-case hardness
directly
into pseudorandomness. The parameters of our generator match those in Impagliazzo and Wigderson [1997] and Sudan et al. [2001] and in particular are strong enough to obtain a new proof that
P
=
BPP
if
E
requires exponential size circuits.Our construction also gives the following improvements over previous work:---We construct an optimal “hitting set generator” that stretches
O
(log
n
) random bits into
s
Ω(1)
pseudorandom bits when given a function on log
n
bits that requires circuits of size
s
. This yields a quantitatively optimal hardness versus randomness tradeoff for both
RP
and
BPP
and solves an open problem raised in Impagliazzo et al. [1999].---We give the first construction of pseudorandom generators that fool
nondeterministic
circuits when given a function that requires large nondeterministic circuits. This technique also give a quantitatively optimal hardness versus randomness tradeoff for
AM
and the first hardness amplification result for nondeterministic circuits.
Optimizing instruction TLB energy using software and hardware techniques
Authors: Kadayif I. , Sivasubramaniam A. , Kandemir M. , Kandiraju G. , Chen G.
Published: August 2005

Power consumption and power density for the Translation Look-aside Buffer (TLB) are important considerations not only in its design, but can have a consequence on cache design as well. After pointing out the importance of instruction TLB (iTLB) power optimization, this article embarks on a new philosophy for reducing the number of accesses to this structure. The overall idea is to keep a translation currently being used in a register and avoid going to the iTLB as far as possible---until there is a page change. We propose four different approaches for achieving this, and experimentally demonstrate that one of these schemes that uses a combination of compiler and hardware enhancements can reduce iTLB dynamic power by over 85% in most cases.The proposed approaches can work with different instruction-cache (iL1) lookup mechanisms and achieve significant iTLB power savings without compromising on performance. Their importance grows with higher iL1 miss rates and larger page sizes. They can work very well with large iTLB structures that can possibly consume more power and take longer to lookup, without the iTLB getting into the common case. Further, we also experimentally demonstrate that they can provide performance savings for virtually indexed, virtually tagged iL1 caches, and can even make physically indexed, physically tagged iL1 caches a possible choice for implementation.
Optimized wafer-probe and assembled package test design for analog circuits
Authors: Bhattacharya Soumendu , Chatterjee Abhijit
Published: August 2005

It is well known that wafer-probe test costs of analog ICs are an order of magnitude less than the corresponding test costs of assembled packages. It is therefore natural to push as much of the testing process into wafer-probe testing as possible to reduce the scope of assembled package testing. However, the signal drive and response observation capabilities during wafer probe testing are limited in comparison to assembled packages. In this article, it is shown that by using band-limited transient test signals, which can be supported by wafer-probe test instrumentation, significant numbers of bad ICs can be detected early during the wafer-probe test. The optimal test stimuli are determined by cooptimizing the wafer-probe and assembled package test waveforms. Overall test costs, including the cost of packaging bad ICs, are minimized and are reduced up to four times. The proposed method has been validated using hardware test data, which were obtained through measurements made on a prototype.
Test beds for complex systems
Authors: Jones Albert , Deshmukh Abhijit
Published: August 2005

Global competition requires major manufacturers to increase productivity, quality, and responsiveness while simultaneously decreasing costs and time to market. To achieve these seemingly conflicting requirements, many manufacturers have expanded the outsourcing trends that began in the late 1980s. Now, design, engineering, logistics, as well as production, are outsourced to companies located all over the world.