bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A CONTRACT-EXTENDED PUSH-PULL-CLONE MODEL FOR MULTI-SYNCHRONOUS COLLABORATION
Authors: TRUONG HIEN THI THU , IGNAT CLAUDIA-LAVINIA , MOLLI PASCAL
Published: November 2012

In multi-synchronous collaboration users replicate shared data, modify it and redistribute modified versions of this data without the need of a central authority. However, in this model, no usage restriction mechanism was proposed to control what users can do with the data after it has been released to them. In this paper, we extend the multi-synchronous collaboration model with contracts that express usage restrictions and that are checked a posteriori by users when they receive the modified data. We propose a merging algorithm that deals not only with changes on data but also with contracts. A log auditing protocol is used to detect users who do not respect contracts and to adjust user trust levels. Our contract-based model was implemented and evaluated by using PeerSim simulator.
THE EFFECT OF ARTICULAR SURFACE SHAPE AND TENDON FORCES OF TOTAL WRIST ARTHROPLASTY SYSTEMS: A FINITE ELEMENT STUDY
Authors: McCullough Matthew B. A. , Adams Brian D. , Grosland Nicole M.
Published: November 2012

In order to better understand the behavior of the total wrist implant systems, finite element analysis (FEA) was used to model the articular surfaces of two unconstrained total wrist arthroplasty (TWA) devices. After creating models based on manufacturer specifications, simulations of flexion, extension, radial deviation, ulnar deviation and circumduction were run with simulated moments from surrounding tendons under displacement control. In addition, simulations were run under positioning that represented a pronated and supinated forearm as well as unstable conditions. Understanding implant behavior and capabilities as related to the shape of the articular surfaces is important for proper prescription of implants as well as determining future directions for the design of arthroplasty devices.
BSDE AND GENERALIZED DIRICHLET FORMS: THE FINITE-DIMENSIONAL CASE
Authors: ZHU RONGCHAN
Published: November 2012

We consider the following quasi-linear parabolic system of backward partial differential equations [Formula: see text] where L is a possibly degenerate second-order differential operator with merely measurable coefficients. We solve this system in the framework of generalized Dirichlet forms and employ the stochastic calculus associated to the Markov process with generator L to obtain a probabilistic representation of the solution u by solving the corresponding backward stochastic differential equation. The solution satisfies the corresponding mild equation which is equivalent to being a generalized solution of the PDE. A further main result is the generalization of the martingale representation theorem using the stochastic calculus associated to the generalized Dirichlet form given by L. The nonlinear term f satisfies a monotonicity condition with respect to u and a Lipschitz condition with respect to ∇u.
HARMONIC ANALYSIS ON CAYLEY TREES II: THE BOSE–EINSTEIN CONDENSATION
Authors: FIDALEO FRANCESCO
Published: November 2012

We investigate the Bose–Einstein Condensation on non-homogeneous non-amenable networks for the model describing arrays of Josephson junctions. The graphs under investigation are obtained by adding density zero perturbations to the homogeneous Cayley Trees. The resulting topological model, whose Hamiltonian is the pure hopping one given by the opposite of the adjacency operator, has also a mathematical interest in itself. The present paper is then the application to the Bose–Einstein Condensation phenomena, of the harmonic analysis aspects, previously investigated in a separate work, for such non-amenable graphs. Concerning the appearance of the Bose–Einstein Condensation, the results are surprisingly in accordance with the previous ones, despite the lack of amenability. The appearance of the hidden spectrum for low energies always implies that the critical density is finite for all the models under consideration. We also show that, even when the critical density is finite, if the adjacency operator of the graph is recurrent, it is impossible to exhibit temperature states which are locally normal (i.e. states for which the local particle density is finite) describing the condensation at all. A similar situation seems to occur in the transient cases for which it is impossible to exhibit locally normal states ω describing the Bose–Einstein Condensation with mean particle density ρ(ω) strictly greater than the critical density ρc. Indeed, it is shown that the transient cases admit locally normal states exhibiting Bose–Einstein Condensation phenomena. In order to construct such locally normal temperature states by infinite volume limits of finite volume Gibbs states, a careful choice of the sequence of the chemical potentials should be done. For all such states, the condensate is essentially allocated on the base point supporting the perturbation. This leads to ρ(ω) = ρc as the perturbation is negligible with respect to the whole network. We prove that all such temperature states are Kubo–Martin–Schwinger states for the natural dynamics associated to the (formal) pure hopping Hamiltonian. The construction of such a dynamics, which is a delicate issue, is also provided in detail.
A NOISE WITH SPACE PARAMETER AND INVARIANCE OF THE CLASS OF INTENSITIES
Authors: LEE K.-S. , SI SI
Published: November 2012

We are going to discuss a new noise depending on the space variable u. When we discuss random phenomena, we can see significant different characters between the phenomena depending on time and those on space. We can see this fact clearly when we take noises, which we mean systems involving independent idealized random variables, like white noise [Formula: see text] or many other examples.

We shall take noises depending specifically on space to discuss different properties from what are found in time-dependent noises. We shall also discuss phenomena where Poisson type variables are involved, however we emphasize that their significant properties are described in terms of the intensity, and we shall therefore consider the phenomena in question with special emphasis on intensity which is often parametrized by the space variables.

Interesting results will be seen in the two-dimensional space parameter case, where the group SL(2, R) plays an important role in the representation of the class of intensities.
COTORSION THEORY IN THE CATEGORY OF QUIVER REPRESENTATIONS
Authors: ESHRAGHI HOSSEIN , HAFEZI RASOOL , HOSSEINI ESMAEIL , SALARIAN SHOKROLLAH
Published: November 2012

This note is devoted to the study of cotorsion theory in the category of quiver representations. Let [Formula: see text] be a quiver, ξ be a class of representations, and let Vξ denote the class of all modules each of which appears in a vertex of an element of ξ. If the pair (⊥Vξ, Vξ) (respectively, (Vξ, Vξ⊥)) is a cotorsion theory, we investigate conditions under which the pair (⊥ξ, ξ) (respectively, (ξ, ξ⊥)) is a cotorsion theory and vice versa. We show that in certain cases, completeness can be transferred between these cotorsion theories.
ON THE INTEGRAL CLOSURE OF IDEALS SATISFYING THE CONDITION (C2)
Authors: BEDDANI CHAREF
Published: November 2012

The main purpose of this paper is to prove that if I is an ideal containing a nonzero divisor of a Noetherian ring R, then I is normal one-fibered if and only if, I satisfies the condition (C2) introduced by Hübl and Swanson.
COTRIPLE HOMOLOGY OF CROSSED 2-CUBES OF LIE ALGEBRAS
Authors: DONADZE G. , LADRA M.
Published: November 2012

The cotriple homology of crossed 2-cubes of Lie algebras is constructed and investigated. Namely, we calculate the cotriple homology of an inclusion crossed 2-cube of Lie algebras in terms of the bi-relative Chevalley–Eilenberg homologies. We also define in a natural way the Chevalley–Eilenberg homology of crossed 2-cubes of Lie algebras and study the relationship between cotriple and Chevalley–Eilenberg homologies for any crossed 2-cube of Lie algebras. We show that low-dimensional cyclic homologies of associative algebras are calculated in terms of the cotriple homology of crossed 2-cubes of Lie algebras.
NEW CALABI–BERNSTEIN RESULTS FOR SOME ELLIPTIC NONLINEAR EQUATIONS
Authors: CABALLERO MAGDALENA , ROMERO ALFONSO , RUBIO RAFAEL M.
Published: November 2012

Uniqueness and non-existence results of entire solutions to the maximal surface equation and to the constant mean curvature spacelike surface equation on certain complete non-compact Riemannian surfaces are obtained.
EXISTENCE OF SIGN-CHANGING SOLUTIONS FOR THE NONLINEAR p-LAPLACIAN BOUNDARY VALUE PROBLEM
Authors: LIAN WEI-CHENG , WANG WEI-CHUAN , CHENG YAN-HSIOU
Published: November 2012

We study the nonlinear one-dimensional p-Laplacian equation [Formula: see text] where p > 1, y(p-1) = |y|p-1 sgn y = |y|p-2y, with linear separated boundary conditions. We give sufficient conditions for the existence of solutions with prescribed nodal properties concerning the behavior of f(s)/s(p-1) when s is at infinity and zero, respectively. These results are more general and complementary than previous known ones for the case when p = 2 and q is nonnegative.
NONTRIVIAL SOLUTIONS FOR N-LAPLACIAN EQUATIONS WITH SUB-EXPONENTIAL GROWTH
Authors: TAN ZHONG , FANG FEI
Published: November 2012

Let Ω be a bounded domain in RNwith smooth boundary ∂Ω. In this paper, the following Dirichlet problem for N-Laplacian equations (N > 1) are considered: [Formula: see text] We assume that the nonlinearity f(x, t) is sub-exponential growth. In fact, we will prove the mapping f(x, ⋅): LA(Ω) ↦ LÃ(Ω) is continuous, where LA(Ω) and LÃ(Ω) are Orlicz spaces. Applying this result, the compactness conditions would be obtained. Hence, we may use Morse theory to obtain existence of nontrivial solutions for problem (N).
EXISTENCE AND MULTIPLICITY OF NONTRIVIAL SOLUTIONS FOR DEGENERATE HEMIVARIATIONAL INEQUALITIES INVOLVING LERAY–LIONS TYPE OPERATOR WITH CRITICAL GROWTH
Authors: TENG KAIMIN
Published: November 2012

In this paper, we investigate a hemivariational inequality involving Leray–Lions type operator with critical growth. Some existence and multiple results are obtained through using the concentration compactness principle of P. L. Lions and some nonsmooth critical point theorems.
GENERALIZED TWISTS AS ELASTIC ENERGY EXTREMALS ON ANNULI, QUATERNIONS AND LIFTING TWIST LOOPS TO THE SPINOR GROUPS
Authors: SHAHROKHI-DEHKORDI M. S. , TAHERI A.
Published: November 2012

Let X = {x ∈ ℝn : a < |x| < b} be a generalized annulus and consider the Dirichlet energy functional [Formula: see text] over the space of admissible maps [Formula: see text] where φ is the identity map. In this paper we consider a class of maps referred to as generalized twists and examine them in connection with the Euler–Lagrange equation associated with 𝔽[⋅, X] on [Formula: see text]. The approach is novel and is based on lifting twist loops from SO(n) to its double cover Spin(n) and reformulating the equations accordingly. We restrict our attention to low dimensions and prove that for n = 4 the system admits infinitely many smooth solutions in the form of twists while for n = 3 this number sharply reduces to one. We discuss some qualitative features of these solutions in view of their remarkable explicit representation through the exponential map of Spin(n).
CONSTRUCTION OF DERIVATIVE-FREE ITERATIVE METHODS FROM CHEBYSHEV'S METHOD
Authors: EZQUERRO J. A. , GRAU A. , GRAU-SÁNCHEZ M. , HERNÁNDEZ M. A.
Published: November 2012

From some modifications of Chebyshev's method, we consider a uniparametric family of iterative methods that are more efficient than Newton's method, and we then construct two iterative methods in a similar way to the Secant method from Newton's method. These iterative methods do not use derivatives in their algorithms and one of them is more efficient than the Secant method, which is the classical method with this feature.
A FUNCTIONAL INEQUALITY FOR THE GAMMA FUNCTION
Authors: ALZER HORST
Published: November 2012

Let α and β be real numbers. We prove that the functional inequality [Formula: see text] holds for all positive real numbers x and y if and only if [Formula: see text] Here, γ denotes Euler's constant.
FRÉCHET DIFFERENTIABILITY OF THE NORM IN A SOBOLEV SPACE WITH A VARIABLE EXPONENT
Authors: CIARLET PHILIPPE G. , DINCA GEORGE , MATEI PAVEL
Published: November 2012

Let Ω be a domain in ℝN, let [Formula: see text] be such that p(x) > 1 for all [Formula: see text], let W1,p(⋅)(Ω) be the Sobolev space with variable exponent p(⋅), let Γ0be a dΓ-measurable subset of Γ = ∂Ω that satisfies dΓ-meas Γ0> 0, and let UΓ0= {u ∈ W1,p(⋅)(Ω); tr u = 0 on Γ0}.

It is shown that the map u ∈ UΓ0↦ ‖u‖0,p(⋅), ∇= ‖|∇u|‖0,p(⋅)is a Fréchet-differentiable norm on UΓ0, and a formula expressing the Fréchet derivative of this norm at any nonzero u ∈ UΓ0is given.

We also show that, if p(x) ≥ 2 for all [Formula: see text], (UΓ0, ‖u‖0,p(⋅), ∇) is uniformly convex.

Using properties of duality mappings defined on Banach spaces having a Fréchet-differentiable norm, we give the explicit form of continuous linear functionals on (UΓ0, ‖u‖0,p(⋅), ∇). It is also shown that the space UΓ0and its dual have the same Krein–Krasnoselski–Milman dimension.
ONE-DIMENSIONAL DAMPED WAVE EQUATION WITH LARGE INITIAL PERTURBATION
Authors: FAN LILI , LIU HONGXIA , ZHAO HUIJIANG
Published: November 2012

This paper is concerned with the global stability of boundary layer solutions, together with the corresponding convergence rates, to the initial-boundary value problem for one-dimensional damped wave equation with a nonlinear convection term in the half space R+.
GENERALIZED SOLUTIONS FOR THE EULER–BERNOULLI MODEL WITH ZENER VISCOELASTIC FOUNDATIONS AND DISTRIBUTIONAL FORCES
Authors: HÖRMANN GÜNTHER , KONJIK SANJA , OPARNICA LJUBICA
Published: November 2012

We study the initial-boundary value problem for an Euler–Bernoulli beam model with discontinuous bending stiffness laying on a viscoelastic foundation and subjected to an axial force and an external load both of Dirac-type. The corresponding model equation is a fourth-order partial differential equation and involves discontinuous and distributional coefficients as well as a distributional right-hand side. Moreover the viscoelastic foundation is of Zener-type and described by a fractional differential equation with respect to time. We show how functional analytic methods for abstract variational problems can be applied in combination with regularization techniques to prove existence and uniqueness of generalized solutions.
THE POSITIVITY OF THE HEAT KERNEL ON HEISENBERG GROUP
Authors: CHANG CHIN-HUEI , CHANG DER-CHEN , GREINER PETER , LEE HSUAN-PEI
Published: November 2012

An elementary proof is given for the positivity of the heat kernel associated with the sub-Laplacian on Heisenberg group. Starting from an integral representation of the heat kernel, the positivity is shown by choosing a simple, explicit path of integration. The positivity of the heat kernel associated with the Grušin operator then follows.
Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: A Food-Borne Pathogen?
Authors: Wendlandt Sarah , Schwarz Stefan , Silley Peter
Published: November 2012

Prior to the 1990s, most methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was hospital-associated (HA-MRSA); community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) then began to cause infections outside the health-care environment. The third significant emergence of MRSA has been in livestock animals [livestock-associated MRSA (LA-MRSA)]. The widespread and rapid growth in CA-MRSA and LA-MRSA has raised the question as to whether MRSA is indeed a food-borne pathogen. The observations on animal-to-animal and animal-to-human transfer of LA-MRSA have prompted research examining the origin of LA-MRSA and its capacity to cause zoonotic disease in humans. This review summarizes the current knowledge about MRSA from food-producing animals and foods with respect to the role of these organisms to act as food-borne pathogens and considers the available tools to track the spread of these organisms. It is clear that LA-MRSA and CA-MRSA and even HA-MRSA can be present in/on food intended for human consumption, but we conclude on the basis of the published literature that this does not equate to MRSA being considered a food-borne pathogen.
Podocyte Biology and Pathogenesis of Kidney Disease
Authors: Reiser Jochen , Sever Sanja
Published: November 2012

Proteinuric chronic kidney disease (CKD), once a rare affliction believed to be mainly caused by genetic mutations, has become a global pandemic that severely diminishes the quality of life for millions. Despite the changing face of CKD, treatment options and resources remain woefully antiquated and have failed to arrest or reverse the effects of kidney-related diseases. Histological and genetic data strongly implicate one promising target: the podocyte. Podocytes are terminally differentiated cells of the kidney glomerulus that are essential for the integrity of the kidney filter. Their function is primarily based on their intricate structure, which includes foot processes. Loss of these actin-driven membrane extensions is tightly connected to the presence of protein in the urine, podocyte loss, development of CKD, and ultimately renal failure.
Genetics of Longevity in Model Organisms: Debates and Paradigm Shifts
Authors: Gems David , Partridge Linda
Published: November 2012

Discovering the biological basis of aging is one of the greatest remaining challenges for science. Work on the biology of aging has discovered a range of interventions and pathways that control aging rate. A picture is emerging of a signaling network that is sensitive to nutritional status and that controls growth, stress resistance, and aging. This network includes the insulin/IGF-1 and target of rapamycin (TOR) pathways and likely mediates the effects of dietary restriction on aging. Yet the biological processes upon which these pathways act to control life span remain unclear. A long-standing guiding assumption about aging is that it is caused by wear and tear, particularly damage at the molecular level. One view is that reactive oxygen species (ROS), including free radicals, generated as by-products of cellular metabolism, are a major contributor to this damage. Yet many recent tests of the oxidative damage theory have come up negative. Such tests have opened an exciting new phase in biogerontology in which fundamental assumptions about aging are being reexamined and revolutionary concepts are emerging. Among these concepts is the hyperfunction theory, which postulates that processes contributing to growth and reproduction run on in later life, leading to hypertrophic and hyperplastic pathologies. Here we reexamine central concepts about the nature of aging.
Signal transduction mechanisms for autocrine/paracrine regulation of somatolactin-α secretion and synthesis in carp pituitary cells by somatolactin-α and -β
Authors: Jiang Quan , Wong Anderson O. L.
Published: November 2012

Pituitary hormones can act locally via autocrine/paracrine mechanisms to modulate pituitary functions, which represents an interesting aspect of pituitary regulation other than the traditional hypothalamic input and feedback signals from the periphery. Somatolactin, a member of the growth hormone (GH)/prolactin (PL) family, is a pleiotropic hormone with diverse functions, but its pituitary actions are still unknown. Recently, two SL isoforms, SLα and SLβ, have been cloned in grass carp. Based on the sequences obtained, recombinant proteins of carp SLα and SLβ with similar bioactivity in inducing pigment aggregation in carp melanophores were produced. In carp pituitary cells, SLα secretion and cell content were elevated by static incubation with recombinant carp SLα and SLβ, respectively. These stimulatory actions occurred with a parallel rise in SLα mRNA level with no changes in SLβ secretion, cell content, and gene expression. In contrast, SLα mRNA expression could be reduced by removing endogenous SLα and SLβ with immunoneutralization. At the pituitary cell level, SLα release, cell content, and mRNA expression induced by carp SLα and SLβ could be blocked by inhibiting JAK2/STAT5, PI3K/Akt, MEK1/2, and p38 MAPK, respectively. Furthermore, SLα and SLβ induction also triggered rapid phosphorylation of STAT5, Akt, MEK1/2, ERK1/2, MKK3/6, and p38 MAPK. These results suggest that 1) SLα and SLβ produced locally in the carp pituitary can serve as novel autocrine/paracrine stimulators for SLα secretion and synthesis and 2) SLα production induced by local release of SLα and SLβ probably are mediated by the JAK2/STAT5, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK signaling pathways.
In UteroProgramming of Later Adiposity: The Role of Fetal Growth Restriction
Authors: Sarr Ousseynou , Yang Kaiping , Regnault Timothy R. H.
Published: November 2012

Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) is strongly associated with obesity in adult life. The mechanisms contributing to the onset of IUGR-associated adult obesity have been studied in animal models and humans, where changes in fetal adipose tissue development, hormone levels and epigenome have been identified as principal areas of alteration leading to later life obesity. Following an adversein uterodevelopment, IUGR fetuses display increased lipogenic and adipogenic capacity in adipocytes, hypoleptinemia, altered glucocorticoid signalling, and chromatin remodelling, which subsequently all contribute to an increased later life obesity risk. Data suggest that many of these changes result from an enhanced activity of the adipose master transcription factor regulator, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ(PPARγ) and its coregulators, increased lipogenic fatty acid synthase (FAS) expression and activity, and upregulation of glycolysis in fetal adipose tissue. Increased expression of fetal hypothalamic neuropeptide Y (NPY), altered hypothalamic leptin receptor expression and partitioning, reduced adipose noradrenergic sympathetic innervations, enhanced adipose glucocorticoid action, and modifications in methylation status in the promoter of hepatic and adipose adipogenic and lipogenic genes in the fetus also contribute to obesity following IUGR. Therefore, interventions that inhibit these fetal developmental changes will be beneficial for modulation of adult body fat accumulation.
Iodine Status Has No Impact on Thyroid Function in Early Healthy Pregnancy
Authors: Brucker-Davis F. , Ferrari P. , Gal J. , Berthier F. , Fenichel P. , Hieronimus S.
Published: November 2012

Aim. To assess the impact of iodine status in early pregnancy on thyroid function.Methods. Women >18 years old seen at their first prenatal consult before 12 weeks of amenorrhea and without personal thyroid history were proposed thyroid screening and were eligible if they had strictly normal thyroid tests (fT4 > 10th percentile, TSH < 2.5 mUI/L, negative anti-TPO antibodies). Evaluation included thyroid ultrasound, extensive thyroid tests, and ioduria (UIE).Results. 110 women (27.5 y, 8 weeks of amenorrhea, smoking status: 28% current smokers) were enrolled. Results are expressed as medians. UIE was 116 μg/L. 66.3% of women had iodine deficiency (ID) defined as UIE < 150. FT4 was 14.35 pmol/L; TSH 1.18 mUI/L; fT3 5 pmol/L; thyroglobulin 17.4 ng/mL; rT3 0.27 ng/mL; thyroid volume: 9.4 ml. UIE did not correlate with any thyroid tests, but correlated negatively with thyroid volume. UIE and all thyroid tests, except fT3, correlated strongly withβhCG. Smoking correlated with higher thyroid volume and thyroglobulin and with lower rT3.Conclusions. In pregnant women selected for normal thyroid function, mild ID is present in 66% during the 1st trimester. The absence of correlation between UIE and thyroid tests at that stage contrasts with the impact ofβhCG and, to a lesser degree, maternal smoking.
Synthesis and Anticonvulsant Activity of Various Mannich and Schiff Bases of 1,5-Benzodiazepines
Authors: Pandeya Surendra N. , Rajput Neha
Published: November 2012

Benzodiazepines have a various behavioral effects in addition to their anxiolytic action. There is every reason to believe that the BZ/GABA receptor complex is involved in these effects, since GABAmimetic manipulations modify the effect of BZ in tests of convulsive activity, motor function, and appetitive behavior. 1,5-Benzodiazepines are biologically important molecules and are extensively used clinically as analgesic, hypnotic, sedative, and antidepressive agents. Hence, 1,5-Benzodiazepines were synthesized by condensation of o-phenylenediamine and ketones, for example, cyclohexanone and acetone in presence of sulfated zirconia (catalyst). Mannich bases were synthesized with acetophenone, p-nitroacetophenone, p-chloroacetophenone, and formaldehyde. Schiff bases were synthesized using Mannich base of 1,5-benzodiazepines with p-chloroaniline and p-chlorophenylsemicarbazide in the presence of glacial acetic acid. All the synthesized compounds were characterized by 1H NMR and IR spectral analyses. All the synthesized derivatives were evaluated at the dose of 30 mg/kg b.w for anticonvulsant activity by isoniazid induced convulsion model, and the compounds NBZD-3 and NBZD-8 were found to be the most active among all compounds. Among all the synthesized derivatives, compounds NBZD-13 and NBZD-17 were found to be the most active among all compounds using thiosemicarbazide induced model. Although NBZD-8, NBZD-10, and NBZD-18 are the compounds which had shown good anticonvulsant activity and have an advantage over that, they were not sedative.
Reasons for Low Pandemic H1N1 2009 Vaccine Acceptance within a College Sample
Authors: Ravert Russell D. , Fu Linda Y. , Zimet Gregory D.
Published: November 2012

This study examined health beliefs associated with novel influenza A (H1N1) immunization among US college undergraduates during the 2009-2010 pandemic. Undergraduates (ages 18–24 years) from a large Midwestern University were invited to complete an online survey during March, 2010, five months after H1N1 vaccines became available. Survey items measured H1N1 vaccine history and H1N1-related attitudes based on the health belief literature. Logistic regression was used to identify attitudes associated with having received an H1N1 vaccine, and thematic analysis of student comments was conducted to further understand influences on vaccine decisions. Among the 296 students who participated in the survey, 15.2% reported having received an H1N1 vaccine. In regression analysis, H1N1 immunization was associated with seasonal flu vaccine history, perceived vaccine effectiveness, perceived obstacles to vaccination, and vaccine safety concerns. Qualitative results illustrate the relationship of beliefs to vaccine decisions, particularly in demonstrating that students often held concerns that vaccine could cause H1N1 or side effects. Vaccine safety, efficacy, and obstacles to immunization were major considerations in deciding whether to accept the H1N1 pandemic vaccine. Therefore, focusing on those aspects might be especially useful in future vaccine efforts within the college population.
Anti-Lung-Cancer Activity and Liposome-Based Delivery Systems ofβ-Elemene
Authors: Chen Meiwan , Zhang Jinming , Yu Siqin , Wang Shengpeng , Zhang Zaijun , Chen Jianqiang , Xiao Jian , Wang Yitao
Published: November 2012

In the past decade,β-elemene played an important role in enhancing the effects of many anticancer drugs and was widely used in the treatment of different kinds of malignancies and in reducing the side effects of chemotherapy. Further study showed that it is also a promising anti-lung cancer drug. However, the clinical application ofβ-elemene was limited by its hydrophobic property, poor stability, and low bioavailability. With the development of new excipients and novel technologies, plenty of novel formulations ofβ-elemene have improved dramatically, which provide a positive perspective in terms of clinical application forβ-elemene. Liposome as a drug delivery system shows great advantages over traditional formulations forβ-elemene. In this paper, we summarize the advanced progress being made in anti-lung cancer activity and the new liposomes delivery systems ofβ-elemene. This advancement is expected to improve the level of pharmacy research and provide a stronger scientific foundation for further study onβ-elemene.
A Comparison between Young Students with and without Special Needs on Their Understanding of Scientific Concepts
Authors: Van Der Steen Steffie , Steenbeek Henderien , Wielinski Janna , Van Geert Paul
Published: November 2012

This paper examines whether young special needs (SN) students with emotional/behavioral difficulties (age 3–5,n=14) reach lower understanding levels than regular students (age 3–5,n=17) while working on two scientific tasks under a condition of scaffolding (e.g., follow-up questions depending on students' levels of understanding). Understanding was measured microgenetically, per utterance, using a scale related to Skill Theory. Monte Carlo analyses showed that SN students gave more wrong and (the lowest) Level 1 (single sensorimotor set) answers than regular students and fewer answers on (higher) Level 3 (sensorimotor system). However, no difference was found in their mean understanding level and mean number of answers. Both groups also had a comparable number of answers on the highest levels (Levels 4 and 5; single representation and representational mapping). These results do not point to substantial differences in scientific understanding between SN and regular students, as earlier studies using standardized tests have pointed out, and highlight the important role of scaffolding students' understanding. Standardized tests do not seem to indicate the bandwidth of possible scores students show or give an indication of their optimal scores, whereas a gap exists between student's task performance under conditions of individual performance and performance under a condition of support.
Hashimoto’s Thyroiditis and Kikuchi’s Disease: Presentation of a Case and Review of the Literature
Authors: Saratziotis Athanasios , Karakousis Konstantinos , Tzika Kelly , Oikonomou Katerina G. , Vlachostergios Panagiotis J.
Published: November 2012

We report the case of a 19-year-old woman with a history of Hashimoto’s thyroiditis who presented with tender right anterior cervical lymphadenopathy and fever. Workup for infectious, autoimmune, and malignant causes was unremarkable. Surgical removal of cervical lymph nodes after detailed magnetic resonance (MR) imaging disclosed necrotizing lymphadenitis, also known as Kikuchi’s disease (KD). The patient was treated with a short-term course of steroids, due to the onset of pancytopenia and borderline antiphospholipid antibodies combined with increased anti-thyroglobulin (anti-TG) titers. Despite being a diagnosis of exclusion, KD should be included in the differential of such patients, particularly in cases of previous or concurrent autoimmune diseases such as Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, which necessitate a long-term follow-up.
Effect of the Soil pH on the Alkaloid Content ofLupinus angustifolius
Authors: Jansen Gisela , Jürgens Hans-Ulrich , Schliephake Edgar , Ordon Frank
Published: November 2012

Field studies were conducted in growing seasons 2004, 2005, and 2010 to investigate the effect of different soil pH values on the alkaloid content in seeds ofLupinus angustifolius. Two-year experiments with eleven cultivars were carried out in acid soils with an average ofpH=5.8(Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania) and on calcareous soils with an average pH of 7.1 (Bavaria), respectively. In addition, in 2010, eight cultivars were grown in field experiments in soils with pH values varying betweenpH=5.3andpH=6.7. In all experiments conducted on soils with a higher pH (pH=6.7andpH=7.1), a significantly lower alkaloid content was detected in allLupinus angustifoliuscultivars than on soils with a lower pH (pH=5.3andpH=5.8). Results clearly show that the alkaloid content is significantly influenced by the soil pH but genotypic differences regarding the reaction to different pH values in the soil were observed.
Preclinical Determinants of Drug Choice under Concurrent Schedules of Drug Self-Administration
Authors: Banks Matthew L. , Negus S. Stevens
Published: November 2012

Drug self-administration procedures have played a critical role in the experimental analysis of psychoactive compounds, such as cocaine, for over 50 years. While there are numerous permutations of this procedure, this paper will specifically focus on choice procedures using concurrent schedules of intravenous drug self-administration. The aims of this paper are to first highlight the evolution of drug choice procedures and then review the subsequent preclinical body of literature utilizing these choice procedures to understand the environmental, pharmacological, and biological determinants of the reinforcing stimulus effects of drugs. A main rationale for this paper is our proposition that choice schedules are underutilized in investigating the reinforcing effects of drugs in assays of drug self-administration. Moreover, we will conclude with potential future directions and unexplored scientific space for the use of drug choice procedures.
Improving Intensity-Based Lung CT Registration Accuracy Utilizing Vascular Information
Authors: Cao Kunlin , Ding Kai , Reinhardt Joseph M. , Christensen Gary E.
Published: November 2012

Accurate pulmonary image registration is a challenging problem when the lungs have a deformation with large distance. In this work, we present a nonrigid volumetric registration algorithm to track lung motion between a pair of intrasubject CT images acquired at different inflation levels and introduce a new vesselness similarity cost that improves intensity-only registration. Volumetric CT datasets from six human subjects were used in this study. The performance of four intensity-only registration algorithms was compared with and without adding the vesselness similarity cost function. Matching accuracy was evaluated using landmarks, vessel tree, and fissure planes. The Jacobian determinant of the transformation was used to reveal the deformation pattern of local parenchymal tissue. The average matching error for intensity-only registration methods was on the order of 1 mm at landmarks and 1.5 mm on fissure planes. After adding the vesselness preserving cost function, the landmark and fissure positioning errors decreased approximately by 25% and 30%, respectively. The vesselness cost function effectively helped improve the registration accuracy in regions near thoracic cage and near the diaphragm for all the intensity-only registration algorithms tested and also helped produce more consistent and more reliable patterns of regional tissue deformation.
Hopf Bifurcation in an SEIDQV Worm Propagation Model with Quarantine Strategy
Authors: Yao Yu , Xiang Wenlong , Qu Andong , Yu Ge , Gao Fuxiang
Published: November 2012

Worms exploiting zero‐day vulnerabilities have drawn significant attention owing to their enormous threats to the Internet. In general, users may immunize their computers with countermeasures in exposed and infectious state, which may take a period of time. Through theoretical analysis, time delay may lead to Hopf bifurcation phenomenon so that the worm propagation system will be unstable and uncontrollable. In view of the above factors, a quarantine strategy is thus proposed in the study. In real network, unknown worms and worm variants may lead to great risks, which misuse detection system fails to detect. However, anomaly detection is of help in detecting these kinds of worm. Consequently, our proposed quarantine strategy is built on the basis of anomaly intrusion detection system. Numerical experiments show that the quarantine strategy can diminish the infectious hosts sharply. In addition, the threshold τ0 is much larger after using our quarantine strategy, which implies that people have more time to remove worms so that the system is easier to be stable and controllable without Hopf bifurcation. Finally, simulation results match numerical ones well, which fully supports our analysis.
Modulation of PPAR-γby Nutraceutics as Complementary Treatment for Obesity-Related Disorders and Inflammatory Diseases
Authors: Ortuño Sahagún D. , Márquez-Aguirre A. L. , Quintero-Fabián S. , López-Roa R. I. , Rojas-Mayorquín A. E.
Published: November 2012

A direct correlation between adequate nutrition and health is a universally accepted truth. The Western lifestyle, with a high intake of simple sugars, saturated fat, and physical inactivity, promotes pathologic conditions. The main adverse consequences range from cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome to several cancers. Dietary components influence tissue homeostasis in multiple ways and many different functional foods have been associated with various health benefits when consumed. Natural products are an important and promising source for drug discovery. Many anti-inflammatory natural products activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR); therefore, compounds that activate or modulate PPAR-gamma (PPAR-γ) may help to fight all of these pathological conditions. Consequently, the discovery and optimization of novel PPAR-γagonists and modulators that would display reduced side effects is of great interest. In this paper, we present some of the main naturally derived products studied that exert an influence on metabolism through the activation or modulation of PPAR-γ, and we also present PPAR-γ-related diseases that can be complementarily treated with nutraceutics from functional foods.
Successful Nonoperative Management of Spontaneous Splenic Hematoma and Hemoperitoneum due to CMV Infection
Authors: Lianos Georgios , Ignatiadou Eleftheria , Bali Christina , Harissis Haralampos , Katsios Christos
Published: November 2012

Introduction. Spontaneous splenic hematoma or splenic rupture due to CMV infection in immunocompetent adults is rare and life-threatening.Case Report. Herein we report a rare case of spontaneous splenic hematoma and hemoperitoneum due to CMV infection in a 23-year-old Caucasian male in whom conservative management was successful.Conclusion. Spontaneous splenic hematoma and spontaneous splenic rupture are extremely rare conditions during primary CMV infection. Though rare, they must be always considered by the operating surgeon, because any misinterpretation may result in unfavorable outcomes.
Decrease of Total Antioxidative Capacity in Developed Low Cardiac Output Syndrome
Authors: Kunt Alper Sami , Andac Mehmet Halit
Published: November 2012

Background. It has been known that cardiac surgery induces an oxidative stress. The persistent oxidative stress during reperfusion may lead to depressed myocardial function resulting in low cardiac output syndrome (LCOS) necessitating inotropic or intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation support. Total antioxidant capacity (TAC) is a measurement of oxidative stress in tissues. The purpose of this study was to examine the TAC differences during coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) operation in patients who have developed LCOS and who have not.Material and Methods. Seventy-nine patients were enrolled in the study. Central venous blood samples were obtained immediately before surgery, during operation, and at the end of surgery to assess TAC. Clinical data regarding patient demographics and operative outcomes were prospectively collected and entered into our clinical database.Results. LCOS developed in 8 patients (10.12%). The TAC has decreased sharply in the LCOS patients compared with those who did not develop LCOS during operation. In addition, the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) area was 0.879.Conclusion. TAC has decreased during operation in a significant proportion of patients undergoing isolated CABG, and this is more prominent and serious and might be an independent variable in patients who have developed LCOS. This may be related to intraoperative misadventure or inadequate myocardial antioxidative protection. Routine measurement of the TAC during operation may provide information for assessment of the LCOS development.
Pedicle Screw-Based Posterior Dynamic Stabilization: Literature Review
Authors: Sengupta Dilip K. , Herkowitz Harry N.
Published: November 2012

Posterior dynamic stabilization (PDS) indicates motion preservation devices that are aimed for surgical treatment of activity related mechanical low back pain. A large number of such devices have been introduced during the last 2 decades, without biomechanical design rationale, or clinical evidence of efficacy to address back pain. Implant failure is the commonest complication, which has resulted in withdrawal of some of the PDS devices from the market. In this paper the authors presented the current understanding of clinical instability of lumbar motions segment, proposed a classification, and described the clinical experience of the pedicle screw-based posterior dynamic stabilization devices.
Management of a Complicated Ruptured Infected Pseudoaneurysm of the Femoral Artery in a Drug Addict
Authors: Psathas Emmanouil , Lioudaki Stella , Karantonis Fotios-Filippos , Charalampoudis Petros , Papadopoulos Othon , Klonaris Chris
Published: November 2012

Infected pseudoaneurysm of the femoral artery represents a devastating complication of intravenous drug abuse, especially in the event of rupture. Operative strategy depends upon the extent of arterial injury and the coexistence of infection or sepsis. Options range from simple common femoral artery (CFA) ligation to complex arterial reconstruction with autologous grafts (arterial, venous, or homografts). We report herein the management of a 29-year-old male patient who was urgently admitted with a ruptured pseudoaneurysm of the right CFA, extending well above the inguinal ligament. Multidisciplinary approach with multiple arterial reconstructions and subsequent coverage of the tissue defect with a rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap transposition was performed.
A Hardware-Accelerated ECDLP with High-Performance Modular Multiplication
Authors: Judge Lyndon , Mane Suvarna , Schaumont Patrick
Published: November 2012

Elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) has become a popular public key cryptography standard. The security of ECC is due to the difficulty of solving the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem (ECDLP). In this paper, we demonstrate a successful attack on ECC over prime field using the Pollard rho algorithm implemented on a hardware-software cointegrated platform. We propose a high-performance architecture for multiplication over prime field using specialized DSP blocks in the FPGA. We characterize this architecture by exploring the design space to determine the optimal integer basis for polynomial representation and we demonstrate an efficient mapping of this design to multiple standard prime field elliptic curves. We use the resulting modular multiplier to demonstrate low-latency multiplications for curves secp112r1 and P-192. We apply our modular multiplier to implement a complete attack on secp112r1 using a Nallatech FSB-Compute platform with Virtex-5 FPGA. The measured performance of the resulting design is 114 cycles per Pollard rho step at 100 MHz, which gives 878 K iterations per second per ECC core. We extend this design to a multicore ECDLP implementation that achieves 14.05 M iterations per second with 16 parallel point addition cores.
Refinements of Kantorovich Inequality for Hermitian Matrices
Authors: Chen Feixiang
Published: November 2012

Some new Kantorovich‐type inequalities for Hermitian matrix are proposed in this paper. We consider what happens to these inequalities when the positive definite matrix is allowed to be invertible and provides refinements of the classical results.
Elastic Properties of Natural Sea Surface Films Incorporated with Solid Dust Particles: Model Baltic Sea Studies
Authors: Mazurek Adriana Z. , Pogorzelski Stanisław J.
Published: November 2012

Floating dust-originated solid particles at air-water interfaces will interact with one another and disturb the smoothness of such a composite surface affecting its dilational elasticity. To quantify the effect, surface pressure (Π) versus film area (A) isotherm, and stress-relaxation (Π-time) measurements were performed for monoparticulate layers of the model hydrophobic material (of μm-diameter and differentiated hydrophobicity corresponding to the water contact angles (CA) ranging from 60 to 140°) deposited at surfaces of surfactant-containing original seawater and were studied with a Langmuir trough system. The composite surface dilational modulus predicted from the theoretical approach, in which natural dust load signatures (particle number flux, daily deposition rate, and diameter spectra) originated from in situ field studies performed along Baltic Sea near-shore line stations, agreed well with the direct experimentally derived data. The presence of seawater surfactants affected wettability of the solid material which was evaluated with different CA techniques applicable to powdered samples. Surface energetics of the particle-subphase interactions was expressed in terms of the particle removal energy, contact cross-sectional areas, collapse energies, and so forth. The hydrophobic particles incorporation at a sea surface film structure increased the elasticity modulus by a factor K (1.29–1.58). The particle-covered seawater revealed a viscoelastic behavior with the characteristic relaxation times ranging from 2.6 to 68.5 sec.
Estimated Prevalence of Caprine Paratuberculosis in Boer Goat Herds in Missouri, USA
Authors: Pithua Patrick , Kollias Nathaniel S.
Published: November 2012

The objective of this study was to estimate true animal-level and herd-level prevalence ofMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis(MAP) antibodies in Missouri Boer goat herds. Sera harvested from blood samples collected from goats ≥24 months of age in 25 Missouri Boer goat herds were tested for presence of MAP antibodies using a commercial ELISA kit. Herds were declared positive for MAP if one or more goats in the herd tested positive for MAP antibodies. True animal, within-herd, and between-herd prevalences were calculated using the Rogan-Gladen estimator and were 1.4% (95% CI = 0.1 to 3.6%), 3% (95% CI = 0 to 6%), and 54.7% (95% CI = 28.2 to 86.2%), respectively. Findings in this study confirmed that MAP infection is endemic in Missouri Boer goat herds.
Uniqueness of Maximum Likelihood Estimators for a Backup System in a Condition-Based Maintenance
Authors: Duan Qihong , Wei Ying , Chen Xiang
Published: November 2012

A parameter estimation problem for a backup system in a condition-based maintenance is considered. We model a backup system by a hidden, three-state continuous time Markov process. Data are obtained through condition monitoring at discrete time points. Maximum likelihood estimates of the model parameters are obtained using the EM algorithm. We establish conditions under which there is no more than one limitation in the parameter space for any sequence derived by the EM algorithm.