bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Competitive removal of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and inorganic anions by anion exchange resins (AERs)
Authors: Phetrak A. , Lohwacharin J. , Watanabe N. , Murakami M. , Sakai H. , Oguma K. , Takizawa S.
Published: August 2012

Four strong-base anion exchange resins (AERs) with different properties were selected to investigate dissolved organic matter (DOM) removal from river water containing inorganic anions. Rapid sand-filtered water was obtained from a water treatment plant in Tokyo, Japan, and then concentrated by an ultrafiltration membrane for use in ion exchange experiments to simulate high dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and sulfate conditions. AERs removed 23–50% of DOC and 70–80% of UV254 within 30 min despite high sulfate concentration (121 mg/L). Although the materials and structure of the AERs did not affect the reduction of UV254, DOC removal was affected. The highest DOC reduction was achieved by a macroporous polyacrylic AER (Purolite), while the macroporous polystyrene IRA 910 had the lowest DOC removal. A pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed that the rate constants and the initial sorption rates of polyacrylic resins were higher than those by polystyrene resins, suggesting that more hydrophilic structure of AERs exhibited faster DOC removal. Aromatic DOM with a molecular weight (MW) of 800–3,000 Da was almost completely removed by AERs, whereas only half of aromatic DOMs smaller than 800 Da were removed by AERs. Adsorbed DOC comprised less than 6% of all exchanged anions, whereas the adsorbed sulfate was about 90% due to comparatively high concentration of sulfate in the water sample.
The characterisation of natural organic matter (NOM) in South African waters
Authors: Nkambule T. I. , Krause R. W. M. , Haarhoff J. , Mamba B. B.
Published: August 2012

The removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from water is becoming increasingly important in order to prevent the formation of carcinogenic disinfection by-products (DBPs). The inadequate removal of NOM has a bearing on the capacity of other treatment processes to remove organic micro-pollutants or inorganic species that may be present in water. In order to effectively study the nature of South African water sources in terms of their NOM composition, water samples were collected from drinking water treatment plants in the five geographic water regions of South Africa. A raw water sample, an intermediate sample taken before sand filtration and a final sample after sand filtration were collected three times from these water treatment plants at two-month intervals and over three different seasons. Fluorescence excitation-emission matrices (FEEM), biodegradable dissolved organic carbon (BDOC), ultraviolet (UV) characterisation (200–900 nm) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) analyses were used to characterise the NOM in the water samples. The FEEM and UV results revealed that the samples were composed mainly of non-humic substances with low UV-254 absorbance, while some samples had high humic substances with high UV-254 values. The samples' DOC results were within the range of 3.25–21.44 mg/L carbon, which was indicative of the varying nature of the NOM composition in the regions where samples were collected. The BDOC fraction of the NOM, on the other hand, ranged from 20 to 65%, depending on the geographical location of the sampling site.
Application of a simple arsenic removal filter in a rural area of Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Md Mahmudul , Shafiquzzaman Md , Nakajima Jun , Bari Quazi Hamidul
Published: August 2012

A simple and low-cost household-based arsenic (As) removal filter (ARF) was tested under actual field conditions in a rural area of Bangladesh. The ARF consisted of a ceramic filter made of clay soil and rice bran collected on-site, iron netting and iron bacterial sludge liquor. Fifteen ARFs (14 shallow and one deep tubewells) were installed in three villages (five in each area) in the Khulna region (southwestern region of Bangladesh), and their performance was evaluated. More than 60% of ARFs produced effluent with As <50 μg/L (Bangladesh standard level). The effects of Fe and P on As removal were the same as in laboratory experiments. X-ray Absorption Fine Structure (XAFS) analysis showed the adsorption of primarily As(V), with lesser amounts of As(III). Continuous As removal performance was observed over 1 year of ARF use. By introducing a double ARF system, the As removal was significantly enhanced for the region with high As contamination levels. The ARF manufacturing cost was estimated to be US$4–5, which is low and affordable to the rural households of Bangladesh. The ARF, made of locally available materials, had a low cost and minimal maintenance and showed high user acceptance, satisfaction and sustained use.
Difference in behaviors of F-specific DNA and RNA bacteriophages during coagulation–rapid sand filtration and coagulation–microfiltration processes
Authors: Shirasaki N. , Matsushita T. , Matsui Y. , Urasaki T. , Ohno K.
Published: August 2012

Difference in behaviors of F-specific DNA and RNA bacteriophages during coagulation–rapid sand filtration and coagulation–microfiltration (MF) processes were investigated by using river water spiked with F-specific DNA bacteriophage f1 and RNA bacteriophage f2. Because the particle characteristics of f1 (filamentous) and f2 (spherical) are quite different and the surface charge of f1 in the river water was slightly more negative than that of f2, the removal ratios of f1 were approximately 1-log lower than the removal ratio of f2 after any treatment process used in the present study. This result indicates that the behaviors of the two bacteriophages during the treatment processes were different, and that the removal of f1 by the combination of coagulation and filtration processes was more difficult than that of f2. The removal ratios for f1 and f2 were approximately 3-log and 4-log, respectively, in the coagulation–rapid sand filtration process, and 6-log and 7-log, respectively, in the coagulation–MF filtration process. Therefore, as expected, the coagulation–MF process appears to be more effective than the coagulation–rapid sand filtration process for the removal of not only spherical viruses but also filamentous viruses.
Nitrification control by adjusting pH in severely nitrified bulkwaters
Authors: Sarker D. C. , Sathasivan A.
Published: August 2012

Nitrification control is complicated and expensive, especially when nitrification has reached a severely nitrifying stage. Under this condition, utilities usually apply re-chloramination with limited success. Adjusting pH may benefit utilities. However, it is not clear whether pH should be moved up or down, and pH adjustment will also alter the chloramine decay profile (biocide) and ammonia (food) concentration. It is important to understand how this behaviour will ultimately impact nitrifying bacterial activity. We collected samples from severely nitrifying bulkwaters and adjusted the pH within a practical range to know which pH benefits the most. Results showed that even a slight increase in pH can help in protecting the chloramine residual and suppressing nitrifying bacterial activity.
Estrone Sulfatase and Its Inhibitors
Authors: Aidoo-Gyamfi Kwabina , Cartledge Tim , Shah Kruti , Ahmed Sabbir
Published: August 2012

A high proportion (∼40%) of breast cancers are hormone-dependent and it is the female hormone estradiol (E2) that is believed to play a key role in the initiation, promotion and progression of this disease. In the fight against this disease, compounds which are potent inhibitors of the cytochrome P-450 enzyme aromatase (AR) (which catalyses the conversion of the C19 androgens to the C18 estrogens) have been the major target. However, the administration of AR inhibitors alone does not prevent the localised biosynthesis of estrone (E1) (and therefore the subsequent synthesis of E2) within breast tumour cells via alternative non-AR routes. This has therefore been the major impetus for the development of steroid sulfatase (E1STS) inhibitors. The E1STS enzyme regulates the formation of E1 from estrone sulfate (E1S), a steroid conjugate present in high concentrations in tissue and blood in women with breast cancer. The STS enzyme has also been shown to catalyse the formation of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) from DHEA-sulfate (DHEAS). This is important since DHEA can be converted to 5-androstene-3β,17β-diol, which has been shown to possess weak estrogenic properties, however, due to the high concentration of this steroid, it is able to stimulate the growth of breast cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Considerable progress has been made in recent years in the development of a number of potent E1STS inhibitors, as such both steroidal and non-steroidal compounds have been considered and a number of highly potent inhibitors have been produced and evaluated against what is now considered a crucial enzyme in the fight against hormone-dependent breast cancer. The review therefore summarises the work that has been undertaken todate.
The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor as a Therapeutic Target in Glioblastoma Multiforme and other Malignant Neoplasms
Authors: Loew S. , Schmidt U. , Unterberg A. , Halatsch M.-E.
Published: August 2012

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is dysregulated in various tumour types such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), breast cancer, ovarian carcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer and other cancers. As the intracellular tyrosine kinase of the EGFR activates signalling cascades leading to cell proliferation, angiogenesis and inhibition of apoptosis, the EGFR represents an attractive target in cancer therapy. In GBM which is the most common primary central nervous system tumour in adults, the EGFR is overexpressed in about 40 to 50% of cases, and almost half of these co-express the mutant receptor subtype EGFRvIII. This EGFR variant is constitutively activated, and thereby may contribute to the aggressive and refractory course of GBM which is associated with a median survival of only 40 to 60 weeks from diagnosis. Various trials are ongoing focusing on EGFR and EGFRvIII as new therapeutic targets in GBM. Anti-EGFR monoclonal antibodies (MAbs), e.g. cetuximab, and tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), e.g. erlotinib and gefitinib, are the most advanced in clinical development. Several trials are investigating MAbs or TKIs in combination with other agents such as inhibitors of the mammalian target of rapamycin. Other still preliminary approaches targeting the EGFR are small interfering RNA, antisense RNA and ribozymes, which lead to degradation of EGFR mRNA. Further studies are needed to define their clinical potential, to identify biological predictors of response and thus to characterize subgroups of patients who will benefit from treatment with these new agents.
On the spectrum of the finite Laplace transform with some applications
Authors: Ben Aouicha , Moumni Tahar
Published: August 2012

This paper is devoted to the computation of the spectrum of the finite
Laplace transform (FLT) and its applications. For this purpose, we give two
different practical methods. The first one uses a discretization of the FLT.
The second one is based on the Gaussian quadrature method. The spectrum of
the FLT is then used to invert the Laplace transform of time limited
functions as well as the Laplace transform of essentially time limited
functions. Several numerical results are given to illustrate the results of
this work.
When Do Auditor Defense Tactics Increase Rather Than Decrease Perceived Auditor Negligence?
Authors: Grenier Jonathan , Pomeroy Bradley , Reffett Andrew
Published: August 2012

In cases of alleged audit failure, audit firms and/or their defense teams can make statements intended to decrease jurors' assessments of auditor negligence. For example, Cornell et al. (2009) find that expressing sympathy for the victims of undetected fraud successfully decreases mock jurors' assessments of auditor negligence. Extending this research, Grenier et al. (2012) report the results of an experiment indicating that the effectiveness of defense tactics depends on their perceived credibility, and that credibility depends on at least two prevalent situational factors: the importance of the client to the audit firm and the source of the defense tactic (i.e., the national office or the local office that conducted the audit). Specifically, mock jurors perceive auditor defense tactics to be credible (not credible) when client importance is low (high), and when implemented by the firm's national (local) office. Hence, when client importance is low, defense tactics successfully decrease negligence assessments if implemented by the firm's national office, but “backfire” and increase negligence assessments when client importance is high, regardless of the defense tactic's source (national versus local office). Audit firms should therefore use caution when deciding whether to use defense tactics, particularly in negligence suits involving clients that could be perceived as highly important to the audit firm. This article summarizes Grenier et al. (2012) by discussing its motivation, method, results, and practical implications.
The Challenge of the Use of Glycemic Biomarkers in Diabetes: Reflecting on Hemoglobin A1C, 1,5-Anhydroglucitol, and the Glycated Proteins Fructosamine and Glycated Albumin
Authors: Wright Lorena Alarcon-Casas , Hirsch Irl B.
Published: August 2012

In Brief

This article reviews the advantages and limitations of the current glycemic biomarkers, including A1C, 1,5-anhydroglucitol, and the glycated proteins fructosamine and glycated albumin. It provides patient encounter case studies and related discussion to guide health care professionals on the appropriate use of the various glycemic biomarkers in clinical practice.
Glycemic Variability: Looking Beyond the A1C
Authors: Tylee Tracy S. , Trence Dace L.
Published: August 2012

In Brief

Hyperglycemia in diabetes is known to be associated with both micro- and macrovascular complications. However, multiple studies have raised the question of whether variation in glucose levels, in addition to average glucose, might be a risk factor for these complications. This article summarizes the available data on glycemic variability and how they might contribute to complications in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Synthesis and rheology of thermoreversible polyurethane hydrogels
Authors: Gradinaru Luiza , Ciobanu Constantin , Vlad Stelian , Bercea Maria , Popa Marcel
Published: August 2012

Polyurethanes based on poly(ethylene oxide)-poly(propylene oxide)-poly(ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer, succinic or citric acid, and ethyl ester L-lysine diisocyanate were synthesized and characterized by FT-IR and GPC. Wetting properties were evaluated by contact angle determinations. The critical micelle concentration was determined from surface tension measurements. Their abillity to undergo self-aggregation and temperature induced gelation was investigated through dynamic oscillatory measurements. The gelation point, sol-gel transitions, and gel structure are influenced by polymer structure, composition, molecular weight, concentration, and heating rate.
The Magnitude, Destinations, and Determinants of Mathematics and Science Teacher Turnover
Authors: Ingersoll Richard M. , May Henry
Published: August 2012

This study examines the magnitude, destinations, and determinants of mathematics and science teacher turnover. The data are from the nationally representative Schools and Staffing Survey and the Teacher Follow-Up Survey. Over the past two decades, rates of mathematics and science teacher turnover have increased but, contrary to conventional wisdom, have not been consistently different than those of other teachers. Also, contrary to conventional wisdom, mathematics and science teachers were also no more likely than other teachers to take noneducation jobs, such as in technological fields or to be working for private business or industry. The data also show there are large school-to-school differences in mathematics and science turnover; high-poverty, high-minority, and urban public schools have among the highest rates. In the case of cross-school migration, the data show there is an annual asymmetric reshuffling of a significant portion of the mathematics and science teaching force from poor to not-poor schools, from high-minority to low-minority schools, and from urban to suburban schools. A number of key organizational characteristics and conditions of schools accounted for these school differences. The strongest factor for mathematics teachers was the degree of individual classroom autonomy held by teachers. Net of other factors such as salaries, schools with less classroom autonomy lose math teachers at a far higher rate than other teachers. In contrast, for science teachers salary was the strongest factor, while classroom autonomy was not strongly related to their turnover.
Effects of Small-Scale Dead Wood Additions on Beetles in Southeastern U.S. Pine Forests
Authors: Klepzig Kier D. , Ferro Michael L. , Ulyshen Michael D. , Gimmel Matthew L. , Mahfouz Jolie B. , Tiarks Allan E. , Carlton Chris E.
Published: August 2012

Pitfall traps were used to sample beetles (Coleoptera) in plots with or without inputs of dead loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) wood at four locations (Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina and Texas) on the coastal plain of the southeastern United States. The plots were established in 1998 and sampling took place in 1998, 1999, and 2002 (only 1998 for North Carolina). Overall, beetles were more species rich, abundant and diverse in dead wood addition plots than in reference plots. While these differences were greatest in 1998 and lessened thereafter, they were not found to be significant in 1998 due largely to interactions between location and treatment. Specifically, the results from North Carolina were inconsistent with those from the other three locations. When these data were excluded from the analyses, the differences in overall beetle richness for 1998 became statistically significant. Beetle diversity was significantly higher in the dead wood plots in 1999 but by 2002 there were no differences between dead wood added and control plots. The positive influence of dead wood additions on the beetle community can be largely attributed to the saproxylic fauna (species dependent on dead wood), which, when analyzed separately, were significantly more species rich and diverse in dead wood plots in 1998 and 1999. Ground beetles (Carabidae) and other species, by contrast, were not significantly affected. These results suggest manipulations of dead wood in pine forests have variable effects on beetles according to life history characteristics.
Helicobacter pylori Disrupts Host Cell Membranes, Initiating a Repair Response and Cell Proliferation
Authors: Lin Li-Ling , Huang Hsuan-Cheng , Ogihara Satoshi , Wang Jin-Town , Wu Meng-Chuan , McNeil Paul L. , Chen Chiung-Nien , Juan Hsueh-Fen
Published: August 2012

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the human stomach pathogen, lives on the inner surface of the stomach and causes chronic gastritis, peptic ulcer, and gastric cancer. Plasma membrane repair response is a matter of life and death for human cells against physical and biological damage. We here test the hypothesis that H. pylori also causes plasma membrane disruption injury, and that not only a membrane repair response but also a cell proliferation response are thereby activated. Vacuolating cytotoxin A (VacA) and cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) have been considered to be major H. pylori virulence factors. Gastric cancer cells were infected with H. pylori wild type (vacA+/cagA+), single mutant (ΔvacA or ΔcagA) or double mutant (ΔvacA/ΔcagA) strains and plasma membrane disruption events and consequent activation of membrane repair components monitored. H. pylori disrupts the host cell plasma membrane, allowing localized dye and extracellular Ca2+ influx. Ca2+-triggered members of the annexin family, A1 and A4, translocate, in response to injury, to the plasma membrane, and cell surface expression of an exocytotic maker of repair, LAMP-2, increases. Additional forms of plasma membrane disruption, unrelated to H. pylori exposure, also promote host cell proliferation. We propose that H. pylori activation of a plasma membrane repair is pro-proliferative. This study might therefore provide new insight into potential mechanisms of H. pylori-induced gastric carcinogenesis.
Volume Holograms in Photopolymers: Comparison between Analytical and Rigorous Theories
Authors: Gallego Sergi , Neipp Cristian , Estepa Luis A. , Ortuño Manuel , Márquez Andrés , Francés Jorge , Pascual Inmaculada , Beléndez Augusto
Published: August 2012

There is no doubt that the concept of volume holography has led to an incredibly great amount of scientific research and technological applications. One of these applications is the use of volume holograms as optical memories, and in particular, the use of a photosensitive medium like a photopolymeric material to record information in all its volume. In this work we analyze the applicability of Kogelnik’s Coupled Wave theory to the study of volume holograms recorded in photopolymers. Some of the theoretical models in the literature describing the mechanism of hologram formation in photopolymer materials use Kogelnik’s theory to analyze the gratings recorded in photopolymeric materials. If Kogelnik’s theory cannot be applied is necessary to use a more general Coupled Wave theory (CW) or the Rigorous Coupled Wave theory (RCW). The RCW does not incorporate any approximation and thus, since it is rigorous, permits judging the accurateness of the approximations included in Kogelnik’s and CW theories. In this article, a comparison between the predictions of the three theories for phase transmission diffraction gratings is carried out. We have demonstrated the agreement in the prediction of CW and RCW and the validity of Kogelnik’s theory only for gratings with spatial frequencies higher than 500 lines/mm for the usual values of the refractive index modulations obtained in photopolymers.
European Snow Cover Characteristics between 2000 and 2011 Derived from Improved MODIS Daily Snow Cover Products
Authors: Dietz Andreas J. , Wohner Christoph , Kuenzer Claudia
Published: August 2012

Mean snow cover duration was derived for the entire continent of Europe based on the MODIS daily snow cover products MOD10A1 and MYD10A1 for the period from 2000 to 2011. Dates of snow cover start and snow cover melt were also estimated. Polar darkness north of ~62°N and extensive cloud coverage affected the daily snow cover, preventing a direct derivation of the desired parameters. Combining sensor data from both MODIS platforms and applying a temporal cloud filter, cloud coverage and polar darkness were removed from the input data and accuracy remained above 90% for 87% of the area. The typical snow cover characteristics of the whole continent are illustrated and constitute a unique dataset with respect to spatial and temporal resolution. Abnormal events, glacier inventories or studies on possible impacts of climate change on snow cover characteristics are only some examples for applications where the presented results may be utilized.
Correction on “Towards Detecting Swath Events in TerraSAR-X Time Series to Establish NATURA 2000 Grassland Habitat Swath Management as Monitoring Parameter”
Authors: Schuster Christian , Ali Iftikhar , Lohmann Peter , Frick Annett , Förster Michael , Kleinschmit Birgit
Published: August 2012

We found a mistake in the swath detection rule in Section 2.4 [1]. Specifically, the percent deviation calculation in the definition of the signal changes D1 and D2 and axiom A2 are altered. The correct version shall be:
Consequently, the proposed rule for the detection of swath events consists of two axioms (A1 and A2) that need to be satisfied. For the signal backscatter (σ°) at a specific acquisition order number (k) of the acquired scene in the time series (N), the positive or negative signal changes in percent deviation for the first (D1) and second (D2) acquisition after a potential swath event are considered as: [...]
Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Concentrations Decrease in Patients with HIV Infection under Antiretroviral Therapy
Authors: Kurz Katharina , Teerlink Tom , Sarcletti Mario , Weiss Guenter , Zangerle Robert , Fuchs Dietmar
Published: August 2012

Background

In HIV-infected patients, elevated plasma concentrations of the endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitor and cardiovascular risk factor asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) are documented, and levels correlate with markers of immune activation, such as neopterin.

Methods

In this study, the effect of antiretroviral therapy (ART) on arginine, ADMA and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) levels was investigated and related to changes of immune activation markers and lipids. Concentrations of ADMA, SDMA, arginine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and neopterin were determined in 112 HIV-infected patients after 12 months of successful ART, as refected by undetectable HIV RNA levels, and compared to baseline levels. ADMA, SDMA, arginine and urine neopterin levels were determined by HPLC, and plasma neopterin concentrations by ELISA. Disease activity before and after treatment was monitored by determination of HIV RNA levels and CD4+ T-cell counts. Lipids and CRP were determined by routine laboratory assays.

Results

Under treatment with ART, concentrations of ADMA, SDMA and arginine dropped in parallel with decreasing HIV RNA levels and neopterin concentrations, while cholesterol, triglyceride levels and CD4+ T-cell counts increased. CRP levels did not change. After ART, a significant inverse association between ADMA and plasma cholesterol was observed.

Conclusions

Successful ART, defined by HIV RNA levels below the limit of detection, leads to decreasing levels of methylated arginines and immune activation markers. Thus, it is unlikely that disturbances of dimethylarginine metabolism account for the increased risk of cardiovascular events of HIV-infected patients under ART.
Interferon-α for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis Delta: A Systematic Review of Randomized Clinical Trials
Authors: Lamers Mieke H , Kirgiz Özlem Özentürk , Heidrich Benjamin , Wedemeyer Heiner , Drenth Joost PH
Published: August 2012

Background

Hepatitis delta virus (HDV) infection therapy is unclear. This systematic analysis aimed to clarify the evidence on the efficacy of interferon (IFN)-α-based therapy in HDV.

Methods

We performed a systematic search on electronic databases including MEDLINE (1970 to January 2011), Web of Science, The Cochrane Library and ClinicalTrials.gov. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing IFN-α-based therapy with either another drug, placebo or no intervention were included. We excluded paediatric studies. We calculated relative risks (RRs) for comparison of treatment options on the primary outcome measure, which was defined as undetectable levels of HDV RNA and normal alanine aminotransferase at end of treatment (EOT; 1 year).

Results

Nine RCTs were included. Seven trials evaluated the treatment with IFN-α ( n=132). The remaining two trials evaluated treatment with pegylated (PEG)-IFN-α ( n=45). We found that 1-year treatment with high-dose IFN-α achieved better primary outcome rates than with PEG-IFN-α (RR=4.14, 95% CI 1.00, 17.14). Data for 1-year treatment with low-dose IFN-α compared with PEG-IFN-α were similar (RR=2.83, 95% CI 0.65, 12.40), as were low-dose IFN-α versus high-dose IFN-α (RR=0.68, 95% CI 0.31, 1.50). High-dose IFN-α and PEG-IFN-α reached similar HDV RNA suppression 24 weeks after EOT (RR=1.00, 95% CI 0.51, 1.97). None of the 55 patients assigned to no intervention obtained undetectable levels of HDV RNA and only one patient achieved normalization of alanine aminotransferase level.

Conclusions

Based on available RCTs, 1-year high-dose IFN-α monotherapy appears to be more effective than PEG-IFN-α for treatment of HDV patients, with efficacy rates of approximately 30%. There is a lack of head-to-head comparisons. Combination therapies and longer treatment duration need to be investigated.
Time to Virological Failure, Treatment Change and Interruption for Individuals Treated within 12 Months of HIV Seroconversion and in Chronic Infection
Authors: Zugna Daniela , Geskus Ronald B , De Stavola Bianca , Rosinska Magdalena , Bartmeyer Barbara , Boufassa Faroudy , Chaix Marie-Laure , Babiker Abdel , Porter Kholoud ,   the CASCADE Collaboration in EuroCoord
Published: August 2012

Background

Estimates of treatment failure, change and interruption are lacking for individuals treated in early HIV infection.

Methods

Using CASCADE data, we compared the effect of treatment in early infection (within 12 months of seroconversion) with that seen in chronic infection on risk of virological failure, change and interruption. Failure was defined as two subsequent measures of HIV RNA>1,000 copies/ml following suppression (<500 copies/ml), or >500 copies/ml 6 months following initiation. Treatment change and interruption were defined as modification or interruption lasting >1 week. In multivariable competing risks proportional subdistribution hazards models, we adjusted for combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) class, sex, risk group, age, CD4+ T-cell count, HIV RNA and calendar period at treatment initiation.

Results

Of 1,627 individuals initiating cART early (median 1.8 months from seroconversion), 159, 395 and 692 failed, changed and interrupted therapy, respectively. For 2,710 individuals initiating cART in chronic infection (median 35.9 months from seroconversion), the corresponding values were 266, 569 and 597. Adjusted hazard ratios (HRs; 95% CIs) for treatment failure and change were similar between the two treatment groups (0.93 [0.72, 1.20] and 1.06 [0.91, 1.24], respectively). There was an increasing trend in rates of interruption over calendar time for those treated early, and a decreasing trend for those starting treatment in chronic infection. Consequently, compared with chronic infection, treatment interruption was similar for early starters in the early cART period, but the relative hazard increased over calendar time (1.54 [1.33, 1.79] in 2000).

Conclusions

Individuals initiating treatment in early HIV infection are more likely to interrupt treatment than those initiating later. However, rates of failure and treatment change were similar between the two groups.
Increased Organ Damage Associated with Deterioration in Volumetric Bone Density and Bone Microarchitecture in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus on Longterm Glucocorticoid Therapy
Authors: TANG XIAO LIN , ZHU TRACY YANER , HUNG VIVIAN W. , QIN LING , WONG CHUN-KWOK , KUN EMILY W. , TAM LAI SHAN , LI EDMUND K.
Published: August 2012

Objective.

To evaluate bone quality in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were undergoing longterm glucocorticoid (GC) therapy, and to focus on the correlation between bone quality and organ damage.

Methods.

Seventy-eight female patients with SLE and organ damage taking longterm GC, and 72 age-matched SLE patients without damage taking longterm GC were recruited for study. Clinical variables of interest included disease activity, cumulative organ damage (by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index; SDI), major organ involvement (musculoskeletal damage and neuropsychiatric damage, etc.), and use of medication. Areal bone mineral density (aBMD) was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Bone geometry, volumetric BMD (vBMD), microarchitecture, and biomechanical properties were measured by high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT).

Results.

Patients were mean age of 45 years (SD 10) and 54% were postmenopausal. The median SDI score of the cohort was 1 (interquartile range 1−2, range 1−5). Compared with patients without damage, the prevalence of osteopenia at either total hip or lumbar spine was significantly higher, and there were trends of deterioration of bone geometry, vBMD, microarchitecture, and biomechanical properties in patients with organ damage. Potential risk factors for bone quality in patients with damage were screened by univariate analysis. During multiple regression analysis, SDI was the only clinical variable consistently associated with deterioration of vBMD and microarchitecture.

Conclusion.

Cumulative organ damage consistently correlated with deterioration of vBMD and bone microarchitecture in SLE patients with damage on longterm GC therapy. HR-pQCT provides an insight into the underlying mechanism of bone loss in SLE.
Solving Large Systems of Boolean Equations
Authors: Zakrevskij Arkadij
Published: August 2012

Systems of many Boolean equations with many variables are regarded, which have a lot of practical applications in logic design and diagnostics, pattern recognition, artificial intelligence, et cetera. Special attention is paid to systems of linear equations playing an important role in information security problems. A compact matrix representation is suggested for such systems. A series of original methods and algorithms for their solution is surveyed in this chapter, as well as the information concerning their program implementation and experimental estimation of their efficiency.
Constructing Galois Lattices as a Commonsense Reasoning Process
Authors: Naidenova Xenia
Published: August 2012

The concept of good classification test is used in this chapter as a dual element of the interconnected algebraic lattices. The operations of lattice generation take their interpretations in human mental acts. Inferring the chains of dual lattice elements ordered by the inclusion relation lies in the foundation of generating good classification tests. The concept of an inductive transition from one element of a chain to its nearest element in the lattice is determined. The special reasoning rules for realizing inductive transitions are formed. The concepts of admissible and essential values (objects) are introduced. Searching for admissible and essential values (objects) as a part of reasoning is based on the inductive diagnostic rules. Next, the chapter discusses the relations between constructing good tests and the Formal Concept Analysis (FCA). The decomposition of inferring good classification tests is advanced into two kinds of subtasks that are in accordance with human mental acts. This decomposition allows modeling incremental inductive-deductive inferences. The problems of creating an integrative inductive-deductive model of commonsense reasoning are discussed in the last section of this chapter.
Logical Inference and Defeasible Reasoning in N-tuple Algebra
Authors: Kulik Boris , Fridman Alexander , Zuenko Alexander
Published: August 2012

This chapter examines the usage potential of n-tuple algebra (NTA) developed by the authors as a theoretical generalization of structures and methods applied in intelligence systems. NTA supports formalization of a wide set of logical problems (abductive and modified conclusions, modelling graphs, semantic networks, expert rules, etc.). This chapter mostly focuses on implementation of logical inference and defeasible reasoning by means of NTA. Logical inference procedures in NTA can include, besides the known logical calculus methods, new algebraic methods for checking correctness of a consequence or for finding corollaries to a given axiom system. Inference methods consider (above feasibility of certain substitutions) inner structure of knowledge to be processed, thus providing faster solving of standard logical analysis tasks. Matrix properties of NTA objects allow decreasing the complexity of intellectual procedures. As for making databases more intelligent, NTA can be considered as an extension of relational algebra to knowledge processing.
Intelligent Data Processing Based on Multi-Dimensional Numbered Memory Structures
Authors: Markov Krassimir , Vanhoof Koen , Mitov Iliya , Depaire Benoit , Ivanova Krassimira , Velychko Vitalii , Gladun Victor
Published: August 2012

The Multi-layer Pyramidal Growing Networks (MPGN) are memory structures based on multidimensional numbered information spaces (Markov, 2004), which permit us to create association links (bonds), hierarchically systematizing, and classification the information simultaneously with the input of it into memory. This approach is a successor of the main ideas of Growing Pyramidal Networks (Gladun, 2003), such as hierarchical structuring of memory that allows reflecting the structure of composing instances and gender-species bonds naturally, convenient for performing different operations of associative search. The recognition is based on reduced search in the multi-dimensional information space hierarchies. In this chapter, the authors show the advantages of using the growing numbered memory structuring via MPGN in the field of class association rule mining. The proposed approach was implemented in realization of association rules classifiers and has shown reliable results.
Machine Learning in Studying the Organism’s Functional State of Clinically Healthy Individuals Depending on Their Immune Reactivity
Authors: Sambukova Tatiana V.
Published: August 2012

The work is devoted to the decision of two interconnected key problems of Data Mining: discretization of numerical attributes, and inferring pattern recognition rules (decision rules) from training set of examples with the use of machine learning methods. The method of discretization is based on a learning procedure of extracting attribute values’ intervals the bounds of which are chosen in such a manner that the distributions of attribute’s values inside of these intervals should differ in the most possible degree for two classes of samples given by an expert. The number of intervals is defined to be not more than 3. The application of interval data analysis allowed more fully than by traditional statistical methods of comparing distributions of data sets to describe the functional state of persons in healthy condition depending on the absence or presence in their life of the episodes of secondary deficiency of their immunity system. The interval data analysis gives the possibility (1) to make the procedure of discretization to be clear and controlled by an expert, (2) to evaluate the information gain index of attributes with respect to the distinguishing of given classes of persons before any machine learning procedure (3) to decrease crucially the machine learning computational complexity.
Near Field Authentication
Authors: Lakafosis Vasileios , Gebara Edward , Tentzeris Manos M. , DeJean Gerald , Kirovski Darko
Published: August 2012

Counterfeiting affects many different sectors of the world trade, including the pharmaceutical and the aerospace industries, and, therefore, its impact is not only of financial nature but can also have fatal consequences. This chapter introduces a new robust RFID system with enhanced hardware-enabled authentication and anti-counterfeiting capabilities. The system consists of two major components, namely the near-field certificates of authenticity (NF-CoAs), which complement typical RFID tags and serve as authenticity vouchers of the products they are attached to, and a microcontroller-enabled, low-power and low-cost reader. The high entropy and security of this framework stem from the unique, conductive, and dielectric, physical structure of the certificate instances and the highly complex electromagnetic effects that take place when such a certificate is brought in the reactive near-field area of the reader’s antenna array. In particular, the reader’s main task is to accurately extract the 5 to 6 GHz near-field response (NF fingerprint) of the NF-CoAs. The characterization of the reader’s components, with an emphasis on the accuracy achieved, is provided. Rigorous performance analysis and security test results, including uniqueness among different instances, repeatability robustness for same instance and 2D to 3D projection attack resistance, are presented and verify the unique features of this technology. Rendering typical RFID tags physically unique and hard to near-exactly replicate by complementing them with NF-CoAs can prove a valuable tool against counterfeiting.
Edgeware in RFID Systems
Authors: Ramadan Geoffrey
Published: August 2012

An RFID system is an enabling technology encompassing both hardware and software. This chapter presents a software interface that integrates both middleware and enterprise software to automate the RFID system. The developed software is called Edgeware. The chapter presents an industrial perspective of complete implementation of an RFID system to automate the whole process of a big and complex business. In this chapter the definition, evaluation, value proposition, and implementation procedure of Edgeware are presented.
Design and Implementation of an Event-Based RFID Middleware
Authors: Cucinotta Angelo , Minnolo Antonino Longo , Puliafito Antonio
Published: August 2012

The downward trend in the cost of RFID technology is producing a strong impact on the industrial world that is using such powerful technology in order to rethink and optimize most of the existing business processes. In this sense, the chipless technology is playing a key role to facilitate the adoption of RFID in enterprises. All this implies the use of solutions that simplify the adoption of the continuously evolving RFID technology and allow keeping a high-level vision versus the specific technical details. In brief, it is mandatory to abstract the technological level and makes transparent the physical devices to the application level. The widespread use of the RFID technology also produces a large volume of data from many objects scattered everywhere, that have to be managed. In these complex scenarios, the RFID middleware represents an ideal solution that favors the technology integration, reducing costs for application development and introducing real benefits to the business processes. In this chapter, the authors describe the main features of our event-based RFID middleware and its powerful architecture. Their middleware is able to assure an effective process of technological abstraction, switching from a vision linked to the specific issues of interfacing devices (chipless tags, readers, sensor networks, GPS, WiFi, etc.) to the management of the event generated by each device. In brief, “event-based” means to integrate the management logic of different devices.
Passive UHF RFID Technology Applied to Automatic Vehicle Identification
Authors: González Salvador Ricardo Meneses , Linares y Miranda Roberto
Published: August 2012

In this chapter, propagation channel aspects in current passive UHF RFID systems applied for automatic vehicular identification (AVI) are presented, considering the antennas design for passive UHF RFID tag and some problems relative to the electromagnetic compatibility. These issues are focused on RFID link, reader-tag-reader, and the channel modelling that is supported with measurements, and reader-reader interference problems are analysed.
Exploring Value-Added Applications of Chipless RFID Systems to Enhance Wider Adoption
Authors: Lim Ming K.
Published: August 2012

Radio-frequency identification technology (RFID) is a popular modern technology proven to deliver a range of value-added benefits to achieve system and operational efficiency, as well as cost-effectiveness. The operational characteristics of RFID outperform barcodes in many aspects. Despite its well-perceived benefits, a definite rationale for larger scale adoption is still not so promising. One of the key reasons is high implementation cost, especially the cost of tags for applications involving item-level tagging. This has resulted in the development of chipless RFID tags which cost much less than conventional chip-based tags. Despite the much lower tag cost, the uptake of chipless RFID system in the market is still not as widespread as predicted by RFID experts. This chapter explores the value-added applications of chipless RFID system to promote wider adoption. The chipless technology’s technical and operational characteristics, benefits, limitations and current uses will also be examined. The merit of this chapter is to contribute fresh propositions to the promising applications of chipless RFID to increase its adoption in the industries that are currently not (or less popular in) utilising it, such as retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and service sectors.
Chipless RFID Sensor for High Voltage Condition Monitoring
Authors: Amin Emran Md , Karmakar Nemai Chandra
Published: August 2012

A novel approach for non-invasive radiometric Partial Discharge (PD) detection and localization of faulty power apparatuses in switchyards using Chipless Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) based sensor is presented. The sensor integrates temperature sensing together with PD detection to assist on-line automated condition monitoring of high voltage equipment. The sensor is a multi-resonator based passive circuit with two antennas for reception of PD signal from the source and transmission of the captured PD to the base station. The sensor captures PD signal, processes it with designated spectral signatures as identification data bits, incorporates temperature information, and retransmits the data with PD signals to the base station. Analyzing the PD signal in the base station, both the PD levels and temperature of a particular faulty source can be retrieved. The prototype sensor was designed, fabricated, and tested for performance analysis. Results verify that the sensor is capable of identifying different sources at the events of PD. The proposed low cost passive RFID based PD sensor has a major advantage over existing condition monitoring techniques due to its scalability to large substations for mass deployment.
Towards Event-Driven Context-Aware Web Services
Authors: Ortiz Guadalupe , Boubeta-Puig Juan , García de Prado Alfonso , Medina-Bulo Inmaculada
Published: August 2012

Web services provide a successful way to communicate distributed applications, in a platform-independent and loosely coupled manner. Even though there are examples of good practice for the design, development, and management of web services, getting services to be context-aware is still under investigation. Current proposals require communication with an external context server or manager, slowing down service performance. In this work, the authors propose an architecture which utilizes complex event processing for detecting context events relevant to the services in question and an aspect-oriented adaptation, maintaining a loosely coupled service implementation as well as keeping its main functionality structure without adding any context-related intrusive code.
Flexible Coordination Techniques for Dynamic Cloud Service Collaboration
Authors: Creaner Gary , Pahl Claus
Published: August 2012

The provision of individual, but also composed services is central in cloud service provisioning. The authors describe a framework for the coordination of cloud services, based on a tuple-space architecture which uses an ontology to describe the services. Current techniques for service collaboration offer limited scope for flexibility. They are based on statically describing and compositing services. With the open nature of the web and cloud services, the need for a more flexible, dynamic approach to service coordination becomes evident. In order to support open communities of service providers, there should be the option for these providers to offer and withdraw their services to/from the community. For this to be realised, there needs to be a degree of self-organisation. The authors’ techniques for coordination and service matching aim to achieve this through matching goal-oriented service requests with providers that advertise their offerings dynamically. Scalability of the solution is a particular concern that will be evaluated in detail.