bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of targeting the VEGF and PDGF pathways in diffuse orthotopic glioma models
Authors: Navis Anna C , Hamans Bob C , Claes An , Heerschap Arend , Jeuken Judith WM , Wesseling Pieter , Leenders William PJ
Published: December 2010

Currently available compounds that interfere with VEGF‐A signalling effectively inhibit angiogenesis in gliomas, but influence diffuse infiltrative growth to a much lesser extent. Development of a functional tumour vascular bed not only involves VEGF‐A but also requires platelet‐derived growth factor receptor‐β (PDGFRβ), which induces maturation of tumour blood vessels. Therefore, we tested whether combined inhibition of VEGFR and PDGFRβ increases therapeutic benefit in the orthotopic glioma xenograft models E98 and E473, both displaying the diffuse infiltrative growth that is characteristically observed in most human gliomas. We used bevacizumab and vandetanib as VEGF(R) inhibitors, and sunitinib to additionally target PDGFRβ. We show that combination therapy of sunitinib and vandetanib does not improve therapeutic efficacy compared to treatment with sunitinib, vandetanib or bevacizumab alone. Furthermore, all compounds induced reduction of vessel leakage in compact E98 tumour areas, resulting in decreased detectability of these mostly infiltrative xenografts in Gd‐DTPA‐enhanced MRI scans. These data show that inhibition of VEGF signalling cannot be optimized by additional PDGFR inhibition and support the concept that diffuse infiltrative areas in gliomas are resistant to anti‐angiogenic therapy. Copyright © 2011 Pathological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Characterization of luminescent and thermal properties of long afterglow SrAlxOy:Eu2+,Dy3+ phosphor synthesized by combustion method
Authors: Bem D.B. , Swart H.C. , Luyt A.S. , Duvenhage M.M. , Dejene F.B.
Published: December 2010

Europium and dysprosium codoped strontium aluminate green phosphor was synthesized by combustion method using urea as reducer and fuel. The morphology, particle size, and structure of the products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy, while the characteristic luminescence properties were investigated using excitation and emission spectra. Polymer‐phosphor composites were made and thermally characterized by means of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Phosphor nanocrystallites with high brightness were obtained without significantly changing the structure of the aluminate host. The average crystallite sizes, calculated from the Scherrer equation ranged between 34 ± 7 and 43 ± 7 nm. Emissions arising from transitions between the 5d and 4f orbital gaps of Eu2+ are manifested in the broadband excitation and emission spectra with major peaks at 360 and 515 nm, respectively. The decay curves and half‐life times show a clear trend in the influence of the phosphor in the improvement of the initial brightness and the afterglow times, which are ascribed to the presence of shallow and deep traps. Thermal results indicate that the phosphor nanoparticles acted as nucleating agents and improved the overall crystallinity in the LDPE/phosphor system. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2010 Society of Plastics Engineers
Effect of hyperbranched acrylates on UV‐curable soy‐based biorenewable coatings
Authors: Wu Jennifer F , Fernando Shashi , Jagodzinski Katie , Weerasinghe Dimuthu , Chen Zhigang
Published: December 2010

Utilization of biorenewable components in UV‐curable coating formulations is both economically and environmentally beneficial, particularly when compared to their petrochemical‐based counterparts. To produce UV‐curable coatings of high biorenewable content with enhanced performance, acrylated epoxidized soybean oil (ASBO) was combined with biorenewable reactive diluent tetrahydrofufuryl acrylate, adhesion promoters, photoinitiator and hyperbranched acrylates (HBAs) as synthetic tougheners. The HBAs were found to impart high functionality and low viscosity, thus increasing crosslinking in the coating network and improving mechanical and thermal properties such as film hardness, adhesion, solvent resistance, impact resistance, tensile modulus and toughness, glass transition temperature and thermal stability. Real‐time Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed decreased acrylate conversion when compared with a reference formulation without HBAs, which was attributed to earlier coating network vitrification during UV irradiation. ASBO‐based coatings were also thermally annealed to allow further reaction of unreacted components in the vitrified network. As a result, coating properties were further improved. Overall, the addition of HBAs as synthetic tougheners to UV‐curable ASBO‐based biorenewable coating systems was shown to greatly improve the corresponding coating properties. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Self‐assembly and degradation of poly[(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)‐block‐(D,L‐lactide)] diblock copolymers: large compound micelles to vesicles
Authors: Liu Gongyan , Hu Xiaofen , Chen Chaojian , Jin Qiao , Ji Jian
Published: December 2010

Biodegradable poly[(2‐methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine)‐block‐(D,L‐lactide)] (PMPC‐b‐PLA) diblock copolymers with various hydrophilic PMPC weight fractions (fPC) will spontaneously self‐assemble into well‐defined vesicles and large compound micelles (LCMs) in water. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and fluorescence microscopy were used to observe their aggregate morphologies. The degradation of the LCMs was investigated and the loss of molecular weight of PLA blocks was confirmed using 1H NMR analysis. The hydrolysis of PLA increases fPC and consequently shifts the preferred morphology from LCMs to vesicles. Such degradation‐induced morphological transitions mean that the biocompatible and biodegradable LCMs have great application potential in drug delivery. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Fast and highly efficient one‐pot synthesis of polyoxadiazole/carbon nanotube nanocomposites in mild acid
Authors: Loos Marcio R , Abetz Volker , Schulte Karl
Published: December 2010

Sulfonated poly(4,4′‐diphenylether‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole) (POD) composites have been successfully prepared through solution polycondensation of 4,4′‐diphenylether dicarboxylic acid and hydrazine sulfate. The reactions were performed in the presence of various types of pristine carbon nanotubes, i.e. single‐, double‐ and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes, using mild poly(phosphoric acid) as a condensing agent. The POD composites with high molecular weight (of the order of 105 g mol−1) were highly soluble in polar aprotic solvents and thermally stable at temperatures as high as 475 °C. The synthesis method used guaranteed an improved interaction between filler and matrix, thus allowing an enhanced load transfer. The overall performance of the composites was enhanced due to a synergistic reinforcement effect. The nanocomposites exhibited an increase of +33% in storage modulus, +56% in tensile strength and +245% in tensile energy to break. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry
Accurate mass comparison coupled with two endopeptidases enables identification of protein termini
Authors: Kishimoto Taro , Kondo Jun , Takai‐Igarashi Takako , Tanaka Hiroshi
Published: December 2010

Protein termini play important roles in biological processes, but there have been few methods for comprehensive terminal proteomics. We have developed a new method that can identify both the amino and the carboxyl termini of proteins. The method independently uses two proteases, (lysyl endopeptidase) Lys‐C and peptidyl‐Lys metalloendopeptidase (Lys‐N), to digest proteins, followed by LC‐MS/MS analysis of the two digests. Terminal peptides can be identified by comparing the peptide masses in the two digests as follows: (i) the amino terminal peptide of a protein in Lys‐C digest is one lysine residue mass heavier than that in Lys‐N digest; (ii) the carboxyl terminal peptide in Lys‐N digest is one lysine residue mass heavier than that in Lys‐C digest; and (iii) all internal peptides give exactly the same molecular masses in both the Lys‐C and the Lys‐N digest, although amino acid sequences of Lys‐C and Lys‐N peptides are different (Lys‐C peptides end with lysine, whereas Lys‐N peptides begin with lysine). The identification of terminal peptides was further verified by examining their MS/MS spectra to avoid misidentifying pairs as termini. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of this method using several protein and peptide mixtures. Known protein termini were successfully identified. Acetylation on N‐terminus and protein isoforms, which have different termini, was also determined. These results demonstrate that our new method can confidently identify terminal peptides in protein mixtures.
Adjusting conformational switching behavior of helical polycarbodiimides through substituent induced polarity effects
Authors: Kennemur Justin G. , Kilgore Chris A. , Novak Bruce M.
Published: December 2010

Recent discoveries on the improved versatility of helical polycarbodiimides capable of undergoing low energy reversible conformational changes from realignment of their restricted polyarene pendant groups has led to seven new polycarbodiimides that each present unique information in regards to how the electronics and connectivity of the arene π‐system play a crucial role in the behavior of these polymers. In addition to their individual anomalous behavior, this series of functional polymers unlock new answers toward the global understanding of the governing forces behind this complex switching process. Through the incorporation of functional groups covalently attached to the naphthalene pendant, dramatic changes and new application of these systems are realized. Variable temperature polarimetry is used to observe the reversible conformational changes of these chiral polymers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011
Development of CBT for chemotherapy‐related cognitive change: results of a waitlist control trial
Authors: Ferguson Robert J. , McDonald Brenna C. , Rocque Michael A. , Furstenberg Charlotte T. , Horrigan Susan , Ahles Tim A. , Saykin Andrew J.
Published: December 2010

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a brief cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) that is being developed for management of cognitive dysfunction following chemotherapy among breast cancer survivors. Memory and Attention Adaptation Training (MAAT) is a brief CBT designed to improve the quality of life and function among cancer survivors with post‐chemotherapy cognitive complaints.

Methods: An initial, two‐group (MAAT versus waitlist, no treatment control), randomized clinical trial (RCT) was conducted. Forty stage I and II female breast cancer survivors (mean age = 50; SD = 6.4) were randomized to conditions and assessed at baseline, post‐treatment (8 weeks) and 2‐month follow‐up assessment points on measures of: (1) self‐reported daily cognitive failures; (2) quality of life; and (3) neuropsychological performance. Participants were also assessed for satisfaction with MAAT.

Results: With education and IQ as covariates, MAAT participants made significant improvements relative to controls on the spiritual well‐being subscale of the quality of life measure and on verbal memory, but statistical significance was not achieved on self‐report of daily cognitive complaints. However, moderate‐to‐large effect sizes were observed on these outcomes. Participants gave MAAT high satisfaction ratings.

Conclusions: Although this initial RCT is a small study, MAAT participants appear to improve on one measure of quality of life and verbal memory performance relative to no treatment controls and rate MAAT with high satisfaction. These data are encouraging and support the continued development and evaluation of MAAT efficacy.Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The impact of social and personal resources on psychological distress in women at risk for hereditary breast cancer
Authors: den Heijer Mariska , Vos Joël , Seynaeve Caroline , Vanheusden Kathleen , Duivenvoorden Hugo J. , Tilanus‐Linthorst Madeleine , Menke‐Pluymers Marian B. E. , Tibben Aad
Published: December 2010

Objective: The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate whether social and personal resources were independently related to psychological distress and (2) examine the interrelationships of social and personal resources in women at risk for hereditary breast cancer.

Methods: General and breast cancer specific distress, family communication regarding hereditary breast cancer, perceived social support, self‐esteem, self‐concept, and demographics were assessed in 222 high‐risk women, having opted either for regular surveillance or prophylactic surgery.

Results: Structural equation modeling showed that (1) both personal and social resources were independently associated with psychological distress and (2) the associations between social resources and psychological distress were partially mediated by personal resources. Support from family and friends was associated with a higher level of self‐esteem, which in turn was associated with less general distress. Furthermore, communication regarding cancer within the nuclear family was associated with decreased feelings of stigmatization, which in turn was associated with less general and breast cancer specific distress. Moreover, open communication within the family was associated with a reduced sense of vulnerability.

Conclusion: Health workers involved in the care of high‐risk women should carefully monitor women's personal and social resources, and if compromised refer them for appropriate support. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Heuristic Model of Twin Fluid Internally Mixed Atomization using Distributed Weber Number Criterion
Authors: Kushari Abhijit
Published: December 2010

This paper describes the development and predictions of a model that depicts the two‐phase flow within an internally mixed air‐assisted liquid atomizer using a statistical Weber number criterion. The main objective of this study is to develop an analytical tool that could be used in the design of internally mixed injectors and to predict the injector's flow and spray characteristics under different operating conditions. Basic conservation equations, along with appropriate boundary conditions, are used to model the two‐phase air‐liquid flow inside the injector. A statistically distributed Weber number criterion is used to estimate the sizes of the droplets being produced in the process. The liquid flow rates and mean droplet sizes, predicted by the model, are compared with the experimental data and they are found to be in fair agreement with each other.
Differential expression of red cell proteins in hemoglobinopathy
Authors: Chakrabarti Abhijit , Bhattacharya Dipankar , Basu Avik , Basu Sumanta , Saha Sutapa , Halder Suchismita
Published: December 2010

Red blood cell proteome has not been studied well until recently, as the large abundance of hemoglobin posed challenge to the detection of other cytosolic proteins in the linear dynamic range. However, in the last couple of years, due to emergence of various novel hemoglobin depletion strategies and more state‐of‐the‐art detection techniques, a number of works on erythrocyte proteome have appeared in the literature. As a result, we now have much deeper information about both the membrane as well as the cytosolic proteins of erythrocytes. In this review, we have discussed the role of red cell proteome on the two most well‐studied hemoglobin disorders, sickle cell disease and thalassemia, emphasizing on the differential expression of the redox regulator proteins and chaperones, in particular. We have also touched upon the importance of the association of the varying levels of hemoglobin variants, particularly HbE on the clinical manifestation of composite diseases like HbEβ thalassemia.
The dynameomics rotamer library: Amino acid side chain conformations and dynamics from comprehensive molecular dynamics simulations in water
Authors: Scouras Alexander D. , Daggett Valerie
Published: December 2010

We have recently completed systematic molecular dynamics simulations of 807 different proteins representing 95% of the known autonomous protein folds in an effort we refer to as Dynameomics. Here we focus on the analysis of side chain conformations and dynamics to create a dynamic rotamer library. Overall this library is derived from 31,000 occurrences of each of 86,217 different residues, or 2.7 × 109 rotamers. This dynamic library has 74% overlap of rotamer distributions with rotamer libraries derived from static high‐resolution crystal structures. Seventy‐five percent of the residues had an assignable primary conformation, and 68% of the residues had at least one significant alternate conformation. The average correlation time for switching between rotamers ranged from 22 ps for Met to over 8 ns for Cys; this time decreased 20‐fold on the surface of the protein and modestly for dihedral angles further from the main chain. Side chain S2 axis order parameters were calculated and they correlated well with those derived from NMR relaxation experiments (R = 0.9). Relationships relating the S2 axis order parameters to rotamer occupancy were derived. Overall the Dynameomics rotamer library offers a comprehensive depiction of side chain rotamer preferences and dynamics in solution, and more realistic distributions for dynamic proteins in solution at ambient temperature than libraries derived from crystal structures, in particular charged surface residues are better represented. Details of the rotamer library are presented here and the library itself can be downloaded at http://www.dynameomics.org.
Metals affect the structure and activity of human plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1. II. Binding affinity and conformational changes
Authors: Thompson Lawrence C. , Goswami Sumit , Peterson Cynthia B.
Published: December 2010

Human plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1) is a serine protease inhibitor with a metastable active conformation. The lifespan of the active form of PAI‐1 is modulated via interaction with the plasma protein, vitronectin, and various metal ions. These metal ions fall into two categories: Type I metals, including calcium, magnesium, and manganese, stabilize PAI‐1 in the absence of vitronectin, whereas Type II metals, including cobalt, copper, and nickel, destabilize PAI‐1 in the absence of vitronectin, but stabilize PAI‐1 in its presence. To provide a mechanistic basis for understanding the unusual modulation of PAI‐1 structure and activity, the binding characteristics and conformational effects of these two types of metals were further evaluated. Steady‐state binding measurements using surface plasmon resonance indicated that both active and latent PAI‐1 exhibit a dissociation constant in the low micromolar range for binding to immobilized nickel. Stopped‐flow measurements of approach‐to‐equilibrium changes in intrinsic protein fluorescence indicated that the Type I and Type II metals bind in different modes that induce distinct conformational effects on PAI‐1. Changes in the observed rate constants with varying concentrations of metal allowed accurate determination of binding affinities for cobalt, nickel, and copper, yielding dissociation constants of ∼40, 30, and 0.09 μM, respectively. Competition experiments that tested effects on PAI‐1 stability were consistent with these measurements of affinity and indicate that copper binds tightly to PAI‐1.
Metals affect the structure and activity of human plasminogen activator inhibitor‐1. I. Modulation of stability and protease inhibition
Authors: Thompson Lawrence C. , Goswami Sumit , Ginsberg David S. , Day Duane E. , Verhamme Ingrid M. , Peterson Cynthia B.
Published: December 2010

Human plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI‐1) is a serine protease inhibitor with a metastable active conformation. Under physiological conditions, half of the inhibitor transitions to a latent state within 1–2 h. The interaction between PAI‐1 and the plasma protein vitronectin prolongs this active lifespan by ∼50%. Previously, our group demonstrated that PAI‐1 binds to resins using immobilized metal affinity chromatography (Day, U.S. Pat. 7,015,021 B2, March 21, 2006). In this study, the effect of these metals on function and stability was investigated by measuring the rate of the transition from the active to latent conformation. All metals tested showed effects on stability, with the majority falling into one of two types depending on their effects. The first type of metal, which includes magnesium, calcium and manganese, invoked a slight stabilization of the active conformation of PAI‐1. A second category of metals, including cobalt, nickel and copper, showed the opposite effects and a unique vitronectin‐dependent modulation of PAI‐1 stability. This second group of metals significantly destabilized PAI‐1, although the addition of vitronectin in conjunction with these metals resulted in a marked stabilization and slower conversion to the latent conformation. In the presence of copper and vitronectin, the half‐life of active PAI‐1 was extended to 3 h, compared to a half‐life of only ∼30 min with copper alone. Nickel had the largest effect, reducing the half‐life to ∼5 min. Together, these data demonstrate a heretofore‐unknown role for metals in modulating PAI‐1 stability.
Antiinflammatory activity of Phyllanthus emblica, Plumbago zeylanica and Cyperus rotundus in acute models of inflammation
Authors: Dang G. K. , Parekar R. R. , Kamat S. K. , Scindia A. M. , Rege N. N.
Published: December 2010

Experimental studies conducted earlier have proved that Phyllanthus emblica (Pe), Plumbago zeylanica (Pz) and Cyperus rotundus (Cr), plants from the medohara group of Ayurveda possess antiatherosclerotic activity. As inflammation is also one of the pathophysiological factors, it was of interest to evaluate whether these drugs exhibit any antiinflammatory activity. Two models of acute inflammation, namely carrageenan induced rat paw edema and acetic acid induced peritonitis in mice were used. In the model of carrageenan induced paw edema Pe, Pz and Cr showed a trend to reduce the edema while the combination of Pe + Pz (PI: 20.64%) showed results comparable to aspirin (23.74%). Whereas in a model of acetic acid induced peritonitis, all the plant drugs i.e. Pe, Pz, Cr and a combination of Pe + Pz showed a significant decrease in the protein content of the peritoneal exudates compared with the disease control group (p < 0.05), however, only Pe + Pz exhibited activity comparable to aspirin. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Performance bounds and suboptimal policies for linear stochastic control via LMIs
Authors: Wang Yang , Boyd Stephen
Published: December 2010

In a recent paper, the authors showed how to compute performance bounds for infinite‐horizon stochastic control problems with linear system dynamics and arbitrary constraints, objective, and noise distribution. In this paper, we extend these results to the finite‐horizon case, with asymmetric costs and constraint sets. In addition, we derive our bounds using a new method, where we relax the Bellman equation to an inequality. The method is based on bounding the objective with a general quadratic function, and using linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) and semidefinite programming (SDP) to optimize the bound. The resulting LMIs are more complicated than in the previous paper (which only used quadratic forms) but this extension allows us to obtain good bounds for problems with substantial asymmetry, such as supply chain problems. The method also yields very good suboptimal control policies, using control‐Lyapunov methods. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Frequency domain analysis of noise‐induced control chattering in sliding mode controls
Authors: Yeh Yi‐Liang , Chen Min‐Shin
Published: December 2010

The switching sliding mode control is robust with respect to disturbances, but its control signal has the so‐called chattering phenomenon that can damage the actuator and the system. To remove the chattering phenomenon, it has been proposed that one can use a continuous boundary layer design to replace the switching control. This paper shows, via the frequency domain analysis, that even when a boundary layer design is used, stochastic measurement noise can still induce the chattering phenomenon in control signals. Such noise‐induced chattering is almost unavoidable in noisy environments when the control accuracy requirement is high. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Design of UDE‐based controllers from their two‐degree‐of‐freedom nature
Authors: Zhong Qing‐Chang , Kuperman Alon , Stobart R. K.
Published: December 2010

The control algorithm based on the uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE) is a robust control strategy and has received wide attention in recent years. In this paper, the two‐degree‐of‐freedom nature of UDE‐based controllers is revealed. The set‐point tracking response is determined by the reference model, whereas the disturbance response and robustness are determined by the error feedback gain and the filter introduced to estimate the uncertainty and disturbances. It is also revealed that the error dynamics of the system is determined by two filters, of which one is determined by the error feedback gain and the other is determined by the filter introduced to estimate the uncertainty and disturbances. The design of these two filters are decoupled in the frequency domain. Moreover, after introducing the UDE‐based control, the Laplace transform can be applied to some time‐varying systems for analysis and design because all the time‐varying parts are lumped into a signal. It has been shown that, in addition to the known advantages over the time‐delay control, the UDE‐based control also brings better performance than the time‐delay control under the same conditions. Design examples and simulation results are given to demonstrate the findings. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inter‐HAP handoff analysis for multi‐cell short‐endurance HAP communications systems
Authors: Li Shufeng , Grace David , Wei Jibo , Ma Dongtang
Published: December 2010

In this paper, we investigate an inter‐high‐altitude platform (HAP) handoff model for multi‐cell short‐endurance HAP wireless communications systems. Equations are derived to calculate system parameters, such as minimum user beamwidth and handoff opportunity (HO) interval, and system performance, such as handoff success ratio, inter‐HAP HO start rate and handoff load, when the current serving platform is replaced either for maintenance or for periodic replacement. Research results show some directions on how to select the trajectory of the platform, user beamwidth and handoff schemes. It is shown that it is better for the replacing platform to fly above and be as close as possible to the current serving platform. A higher altitude adopted by the current serving platform will allow a narrower user beamwidth. Two cellular handoff schemes are presented. It is shown that in the case of users with a wider antenna beamwidth free selection of any handoff destination cell can result in the handoff load being very high. By restricting the handoff destination cell to the cell with the same cell number within the footprints of the two platforms, the handoff traffic can be reduced to a minimum, but the two platforms are required to maintain the same relative cell layout. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Identifying and utilizing secure paths inad hocassistive medical environments
Authors: Belsis P. , Vassis D. , Skourlas C.
Published: December 2010

As the capabilities of mobile devices continuously improve, a lot of environments that utilize such devices extend their functionalities; as a notable example, assistive environments offer a lot of characteristics that seemed inevitable a few years ago. In the healthcare domain modern systems are able to support advanced characteristics such as those associated with remote treatment facilities. In these environments sensitive medical data are being transmitted; therefore there is a need to ensure the security properties of medical information. A number of strict security requirements often imposed by different international legislation processes emerge due to the sensitivity of data being transmitted. In addition, in the absence of fixed infrastructures and stable topologies there is a need to create secure paths end‐to‐end for secure and efficient communication. In this paper we present an architecture that allows dissemination of medical information in a secure manner in the absence of stable topologies and infrastructures built upon resource efficient devices. The presented architecture utilizes advanced management techniques, achieving secure and privacy‐preserving transmission of sensitive data. We present a combination of different techniques and with a number of initial measurements we show the effective operation of our architecture in the presence of an adequately large number of users participating in the performance test‐bed scenario. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fingerprint based bio‐cryptographic security protocol designed for client/server authentication in mobile computing environment
Authors: Xi Kai , Ahmad Tohari , Han Fengling , Hu Jiankun
Published: December 2010

With fast evolution of mobile devices and mobile network, the need of protecting user sensitive information locally and performing secure user authentication remotely become evermore increasing. Bio‐cryptography is emerging as a powerful solution which can combine the advantages of conventional cryptography and biometric security. In this paper, we present an efficient bio‐cryptographic security protocol designed for client/server authentication in current mobile computing environment, with a reasonable assumption that server is secure. In this protocol, fingerprint biometric is used in user verification, protected by a computationally efficient Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) scheme, Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). The genuine fingerprint information is hidden in the feature vault which is the mixture of genuine and chaff features. Fingerprint features are not only used for biometric verification but also for cryptographic key generation. Our security analysis shows that the proposed protocol can provide a secure and trustworthy authentication of remote mobile users over insecure network. Experimental results on public domain database show an acceptable verification performance. We also tested the computational costs and efficiency of our protocol on the CLDC emulator using Java ME (previous J2ME) programming technology. The simulation results prove that the proposed protocol suits current mobile environment. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
IDOAKE: strongly secure ID‐based one‐pass authenticated key exchange protocol
Authors: Huang Hai , Cao Zhenfu
Published: December 2010

ID‐based one‐pass authenticated key exchange protocol allows the sender Alice to generate a session key without interacting with receiver Bob. As a result, it is better suitable for some application scenarios than the two‐pass counterpart. However, currently there are few ID‐based one‐pass authenticated key exchange protocols with a security proof in a formal model. The paper investigates the ID‐based one‐pass authenticated key exchange protocol in the enhanced Canetti–Krawczyk (eCK) model. We propose a new ID‐based one‐pass authenticated key exchange protocol IDOAKE, which is shown secure under Bilinear Diffie–Hellman (BDH) assumption in the eCK model. To the best of our knowledge, our protocol is the first provably secure ID‐based one‐pass authenticated key exchange in the eCK model. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A game theoretic investigation of deception in network security
Authors: Carroll Thomas E. , Grosu Daniel
Published: December 2010

We perform a game theoretic investigation of the effects of deception on the interactions between an attacker and a defender of a computer network. The defender can employ camouflage by either disguising a normal system as a honeypot or by disguising a honeypot as a normal system. We model the interactions between defender and attacker using a signaling game, a non‐cooperative two player dynamic game of incomplete information. For this model, we determine which strategies admit perfect Bayesian equilibria. These equilibria are refined Nash equilibria in which neither the defender nor the attacker will unilaterally choose to deviate from their strategies. We discuss the benefits of employing deceptive equilibrium strategies in the defense of a computer network. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A self‐stabilized random access protocol against denial of service attack in wireless networks
Authors: Sarker Jahangir H. , Mouftah Hussein T.
Published: December 2010

One of the main drawbacks of Slotted ALOHA is its throughput collapse at higher traffic load condition due to excessive collisions and known as stability problem. A random packet destruction Denial of Service (DoS) attack can increase the throughput collapse by increasing the collisions further. The current security protection techniques such as encryption, authentication and authorization cannot prevent these types of attacks, since the attacking packets destroy those packets by colliding those encrypted, authenticated and authorized packets. The maximum throughput of Slotted ALOHA can be achieved by the knowledge of the number of active mobile nodes and the average rate of the attacking packet arrival rate. However, the knowledge of these two parameters' current values are difficult and sometimes impossible to know. A self‐stabilized Slotted ALOHA system against the random packet destruction attacking noise packets is presented in this paper. Results show that the system provides nearly optimal stable throughput without the knowledge of current active number of mobile nodes and current attacking packets arrival rate. The proposed system is truly distributive in nature and can be easily implemented in wireless access systems without requiring any centralized control and can defend against random packet destruction DoS attack. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anonymity notions and techniques for public‐key infrastructures in vehicular networks
Authors: Di Crescenzo G. , Zhang T. , Pietrowicz S.
Published: December 2010

As vehicular networks approach deployment phases, there is wide recognition for challenges and pressing needs for solutions with respect to the areas of security, privacy, and performance. The requirement of participation in applications such as traffic safety, combined with the intrinsically ad hoc network environment, poses rather novel challenges to the modeling, design, and analysis of security solutions for vehicular networks. One particularly stringent requirement in this area is that of protecting the privacy of vehicle owners (i.e., their anonymity and their vehicle's location unlinkability) during their participation in a vehicular network such as in traffic safety applications. In this paper, we present novel models of concrete anonymity and unlinkability requirements for vehicular networks that can be built using state‐of‐the‐art options for communication network deployment (e.g., road‐side short‐range radio networks and hotspot networks). One key aspect of our modeling consists of recognizing the existence and impact of additional certification authorities managed by vehicle manufacturers. In particular, we consider a simple variant of a previously proposed public‐key infrastructure (PKI) for vehicular networks and present two techniques to augment it so that it provides improved anonymity and unlinkability properties. The resulting vehicular‐network key infrastructures satisfy desirable combinations of anonymity, unlinkability, bad actor detection, and performance requirements. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bootstrap confidence intervals and bias correction in the estimation of HIV incidence from surveillance data with testing for recent infection
Authors: Carnegie Nicole Bohme
Published: December 2010

The incidence of new infections is a key measure of the status of the HIV epidemic, but accurate measurement of incidence is often constrained by limited data. Karon et al. (Statist. Med. 2008; 27:4617–4633) developed a model to estimate the incidence of HIV infection from surveillance data with biologic testing for recent infection for newly diagnosed cases. This method has been implemented by public health departments across the United States and is behind the new national incidence estimates, which are about 40 per cent higher than previous estimates. We show that the delta method approximation given for the variance of the estimator is incomplete, leading to an inflated variance estimate. This contributes to the generation of overly conservative confidence intervals, potentially obscuring important differences between populations. We demonstrate via simulation that an innovative model‐based bootstrap method using the specified model for the infection and surveillance process improves confidence interval coverage and adjusts for the bias in the point estimate. Confidence interval coverage is about 94–97 per cent after correction, compared with 96–99 per cent before. The simulated bias in the estimate of incidence ranges from −6.3 to +14.6 per cent under the original model but is consistently under 1 per cent after correction by the model‐based bootstrap. In an application to data from King County, Washington in 2007 we observe correction of 7.2 per cent relative bias in the incidence estimate and a 66 per cent reduction in the width of the 95 per cent confidence interval using this method. We provide open‐source software to implement the method that can also be extended for alternate models. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Heavy‐Atomic Construction of Photosensitizer Nanoparticles for Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy of Cancer
Authors: Lim Chang‐Keun , Shin Jiyoung , Lee Yong‐Deok , Kim Jungahn , Park Hoyong , Kwon Ick Chan , Kim Sehoon
Published: December 2010

A new type of heavy‐atom‐affected Pluronic (F‐127) nanoparticle (FIC NP) for photodynamic therapy (PDT) is reported. FIC NPs are formulated with biocompatible constituents, and contain densely integrated iodinated aromatic molecules that form a structurally rigid core matrix and stably encapsulate photosensitizers in a monomeric form. Tiny nanoparticles (≈10 nm) are prepared by aqueous dispersion of photosensitizer‐embedded aromatic nanodomains, which self‐assemble by phase separation from the Pluronic melt mixture. By using spectroscopic studies and cellular experiments, the following is demonstrated: 1) enhanced singlet‐oxygen generation by means of the intraparticle heavy‐atom effect on the embedded photosensitizer, 2) facilitated cell uptake due to the small nanoscopic size as well as the Pluronic surface characteristics, and thereby 3) actual enhancement of PDT efficacy for a human breast‐cancer cell line (MDA‐MB‐231), which validates a photophysically motivated nanoformulation approach toward an advanced photosensitizing nanomedicine.
Drug delivery: Logic‐Embedded Vectors for Intracellular Partitioning, Endosomal Escape, and Exocytosis of Nanoparticles (Small 23/2010)
Authors: Serda Rita E. , Mack Aaron , van de Ven Anne L. , Ferrati Silvia , Dunner Kenneth , Godin Biana , Chiappini Ciro , Landry Matthew , Brousseau Louis , Liu Xuewu , Bean Andrew J. , Ferrari Mauro
Published: December 2010

A new generation of nanocarriers, logic‐embedded vectors (LEVs), is endowed with the ability to localize components at multiple intracellular sites, thus creating an opportunity for synergistic control of redundant or dual‐hit pathways. LEV encoding elements include size, shape, charge, and surface chemistry. In this study, LEVs consist of porous silicon nanocarriers, programmed for cellular uptake and trafficking along the endosomal pathway, and surface‐tailored iron oxide nanoparticles, programmed for endosomal sorting and partitioning of particles into unique cellular locations. In the presence of persistent endosomal localization of silicon nanocarriers, amine‐functionalized nanoparticles are sorted into multiple vesicular bodies that form novel membrane‐bound compartments compatible with cellular secretion, while chitosan‐coated nanoparticles escape from endosomes and enter the cytosol. Encapsulation within the porous silicon matrix protects these nanoparticle surface‐tailored properties, and enhances endosomal escape of chitosan‐coated nanoparticles. Thus, LEVs provide a mechanism for shielded transport of nanoparticles to the lesion, cellular manipulation at multiple levels, and a means for targeting both within and between cells.
Pasting and rheologic properties of potato starch and maize starch mixtures
Authors: Zhang Yayuan , Gu Zhengbiao , Hong Yan , Li Zhaofeng , Cheng Li
Published: December 2010

This study characterized the pasting and rheologic behavior of potato/maize starch mixtures of various ratios. Pasting analysis using a Brabender Viscograph indicated that most important pasting parameters did not show a linear change that reflected the ratio of starches. A significant effect on final viscosities and setback was evident. The diameter distribution of starch granules that were heated to 70°C was determined by a laser particle size analyzer. The result suggested that the swelling of starch granules in the mixtures was reduced at the onset of gelatinization. Measurement of dynamic viscoelasticity measurement demonstrated that the mixtures showed slightly higher loss modulus than those seen for the control at small measuring frequencies. The mixture pastes with a high proportion of potato starch exhibited more pseudoplasticity and had a more significant thickening effect than either control paste. Nonadditive behavior was found by mixing potato and maize starch. This suggests that an appropriate blend of starches from diverse botanical origins may provide a simple practical avenue for manipulation.
Reduction of solid content in starch industry wastewater by microfiltration
Authors: Šaranović Žana , Šereš Zita , Aleksandar Jokić , Pajin Biljana , Dokić Ljubica , Gyura Julianna , Dalmacija Božo , Simović Dragana Šoronja
Published: December 2010

Wastewater obtained in the production process of wheat starch and vital wheat gluten was treated by microfiltration through a ceramic tubular membrane with 200 nm pore sizes. The consumption of process water would thus be reduced, the starch would be recovered to a greater extent and the wastewater problem would consequently be solved. Reduction of the occurrence of polarization layer on the membrane and the constant wastewater permeate flux through the membrane was maintained by inserting of the mixer Kenics inside the membrane tube. The maximum value of the permeate flux (24 L m−2 h−1) without the use of a static mixer was achieved at 3 × 10−5 Pa and at a flow rate of 150 L/h, for wastewater samples initially allowed to settle for 4 h prior microfiltration. Under the very same conditions of the working parameters, the use of a static mixer enables a flux that is up to two or three times more intensive compared to the values obtained without using a mixer. Microfiltration reduces the wastewater dry matter from 11 000 to 4000 mg/L, lessens the chemical oxygen demand by 74%, i.e. from 21 000 to 5100 mgO2/L and significantly decreases the values of the suspended matter, namely from 9000 to 300 mg/L.
First word
Authors: Kirby Roger
Published: December 2010

We are all getting fatter. Obesity is reaching epidemic proportions throughout the developed and developing world. Obesity is a significant risk factor for premature death from cardiovascular disease. Data from the World Health Organization show that 17.1 million people around the world died of heart disease or stroke in 2004, and that number is predicted to rise to 23 million by 2030. Diabetes, which is another obesity‐related disease, is also rising alarmingly in prevalence. It is envisaged that the number of people worldwide suffering from diabetes will rise from the current 200 million to 366 million by 2030.

How, then, can we help men to help themselves (one of the key aims of this new journal) to overcome the problem of obesity? We have found that five simple rules (rather than recommendations, which can easily be ignored) help men to get themselves into a better PLACE. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Epididymo‐orchitis: diagnosis and management
Authors: Mukherjee Rono , Sinclair Andrew M.
Published: December 2010

The authors discuss the causes, differential diagnosis and management of this painful inflammatory condition. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
In the works: pharmacological treatment for premature ejaculation
Authors: Wyllie Michael G.
Published: December 2010

The ideal treatment for premature ejaculation – the most common male sexual dysfunction – would be an approved, discreet and on‐demand therapy that is effective from the first dose and has no side‐effects. The author takes a look at what is available. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Liver disease in men
Authors: Williams Roger
Published: December 2010

The situation with respect to the three main liver diseases affecting adult men in the UK, namely alcoholic liver disease, chronic hepatitis B and C infection and the new epidemic of fatty liver disease, is truly horrendous and continuing to get worse. These conditions are to a large extent self‐induced, but if detected early, some reversal of the disease process is possible. Copyright © 2010 Wiley Interface Ltd
Henna as a Durable Preoperative Skin Marker
Authors: Mehendale Vinay G. , Chaudhari Namita C. , Shenoy Sharad N. , Mehendale Alap V.
Published: December 2010

Background

For many surgical procedures skin marking is required well before surgery and induction of anesthesia. In some cases, the patient may need to be standing or sitting while the skin area is marked. Marking of perforators and varicosities in chronic venous diseases, marking of stoma sites for urinary or fecal diversions are some examples. The side of surgery should ideally be marked preoperatively to avoid wrong side surgery. Marks made with conventional marking pens fade or disappear with preoperative skin preparation, whereas marks made with henna paste, which is orange to dark brown in color, last for up to 3 weeks in spite of regular showers and skin cleansing, even with ethanol. This property of henna encouraged us to use it as a preoperative skin marker.

Methods

Henna paste was used as a preoperative skin marker in 250 patients. In 154 patients with chronic venous diseases, perforators and varicosities were marked during duplex scanning. Henna was used to mark the colostomy site in 28 patients with carcinoma of the rectum prior to abdominoperineal resection of the rectum (APR) (four of them laparoscopic APR) and the aspiration site in 11 patients with liver abscesses and 4 patients with pleural empyemas, under ultrasonographic (USG) guidance. In addition, henna was used to mark the correct side of surgery in 47 patients undergoing unilateral inguinal hernia surgery. Marking was done from 1 to 8 days before surgery.

Results

The marking with henna was clearly visible in all the cases even after preoperative skin preparation with ethanol up to 8 days after application. There were no complications associated with the marking. All marks disappeared 4 weeks after application. In terms of successful execution of the desired procedure, the use of henna marking was successful in all the cases.

Conclusions

Henna is an ideal substance for use as a preoperative skin marker. It can be safely and effectively used as a marker for varicose vein surgery, ultrasound‐guided identification of lesions, establishing the ideal site for stomas on the abdominal wall, and to identify the correct side of surgery. Markings made with henna are durable and do not fade with routine bathing or preoperative skin preparation. In most cases there are no associated complications. Henna is cheap, safe, and convenient, and indications for its use can be ubiquitous.