bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Passenger Rail Security, Planning, and Resilience: Application of Network, Plume, and Economic Simulation Models as Decision Support Tools
Authors: Greenberg Michael , Lioy Paul , Ozbas Birnur , Mantell Nancy , Isukapalli Sastry , Lahr Michael , Altiok Tayfur , Bober Joseph , Lacy Clifton , Lowrie Karen , Mayer Henry , Rovito Jennifer
Published: May 2013

We built three simulation models that can assist rail transit planners and operators to evaluate high and low probability rail‐centered hazard events that could lead to serious consequences for rail‐centered networks and their surrounding regions. Our key objective is to provide these models to users who, through planning with these models, can prevent events or more effectively react to them. The first of the three models is an industrial systems simulation tool that closely replicates rail passenger traffic flows between New York Penn Station and Trenton, New Jersey. Second, we built and used a line source plume model to trace chemical plumes released by a slow‐moving freight train that could impact rail passengers, as well as people in surrounding areas. Third, we crafted an economic simulation model that estimates the regional economic consequences of a variety of rail‐related hazard events through the year 2020. Each model can work independently of the others. However, used together they help provide a coherent story about what could happen and set the stage for planning that should make rail‐centered transport systems more resistant and resilient to hazard events. We highlight the limitations and opportunities presented by using these models individually or in sequence.
Psychometric properties of The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and The General Health Questionnaire‐20 in COPD inpatients
Authors: Bratås Ola , Grønning Kjersti , Forbord Toril
Published: May 2013

Aim: To compare the psychometric properties between the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and General Health Questionnaire–version 20 (GHQ‐20) in detecting psychological distress in COPD patients referred to pulmonary rehabilitation, and to examine the factor structure of GHQ‐20. Methods: The study comprised 161 consecutive patients with mild to very severe COPD. For comparison of mean scores between the HADS and GHQ‐20, one sample t‐test was used. Potential differences in the detection of possible and normal cases were analysed using Pearson Chi square test. We report Pearson's correlations within and between the questionnaires, and internal consistency was assessed through Chronbach's alpha. The factor structure of the GHQ‐20 was examined through principal axis factoring (PAF) with oblique rotation and eigenvalue >1. Results: There were no differences in mean scores of psychological distress between HADS and GHQ‐20 (12.03 vs. 24.73, p = 0.000), as well as no differences in the prevalence of possible cases of psychological distress (34.6 vs. 36.9, p = 0.000) and normal cases (65.4 vs. 63.1, p = 0.000). The observed difference between HADS and GHQ‐20 regarding internal consistency was marginal, with Chronbach's alpha coefficients of 0.91 and 0.94, respectively. The PAF analysis resulted in a three‐factor solution for GHQ‐20, notably with only two items loading on the third factor, giving an internal consistency <0.70. A two‐factor solution, comprising anxiety/depression and coping, may therefore be more appropriate. Conclusions: This study demonstrates no significant differences between the HADS and GHQ‐20 in their ability to detect possible cases of psychological distress in a rehabilitation setting for COPD patients. Although the HADS and GHQ‐20 are measuring different concepts of psychological distress, both questionnaires can be recommended as screening tools for detection of psychological distress in COPD inpatients. The GHQ‐20 appears to be two‐dimensional, comprising anxiety/depression as one dimension, and coping as the other dimension.
Coverage‐adjusted Confidence Intervals for a Binomial Proportion
Authors: Thulin Måns
Published: May 2013

We consider the classic problem of interval estimation of a proportion p based on binomial sampling. The ‘exact’ Clopper–Pearson confidence interval for p is known to be unnecessarily conservative. We propose coverage adjustments of the Clopper–Pearson interval that incorporate prior or posterior beliefs into the interval. Using heatmap‐type plots for comparing confidence intervals, we show that the coverage‐adjusted intervals have satisfying coverage and shorter expected lengths than competing intervals found in the literature.
Robust Performance Enhancement Using Disturbance Observers for Hysteresis Compensation Based on Generalized Prandtl–Ishlinskii Model
Authors: El-Shaer Ahmed H. , Janaideh Mohammad Al , Krejčí Pavel , Tomizuka Masayoshi
Published: May 2013

This paper presents an approach employing disturbance observers to enhance the performance of inverse-based hysteresis compensation based on the generalized Prandtl–Ishlinskii model in feedback control reference-tracking applications. It is first shown that the error resulting from inexact hysteresis compensation is an L∞-bounded signal. Hence, a disturbance observer (DOB) is designed to cancel its effect and improve the closed loop robust tracking performance in the presence of plant dynamics uncertainty. The design of the DOB makes use of an equivalent internal model-based estimation of exogenous disturbances, where the internal model dynamics is designed to have at least an eigenvalue at the origin. The synthesis is then formulated as an H∞ weighted-sensitivity optimization for static output feedback (SOF) gain of a Luenberger observer. A linearization heuristic is then implemented to solve the bilinear-matrix-inequality (BMI) constrained semidefinite program (SDP) for a (sub)optimal static gain. Simulation results indicate that tracking performance is indeed improved using the combined inversion-based compensation and the DOB.
On the Number of Informed Agents and Their Initial Positions in a Free Flocking
Authors: Reza Paygani Ali , Haeri Mohammad
Published: May 2013

In a multi-agent system, the number and initial position of informed agents play a major role in the convergence of uninformed agents. In this paper, three different patterns of informed agents' initial positions are studied to see how the convergence percentage can be affected by the number of informed agents. The proposed initial locations are intuitive and inferred from the collective behavior in humans. To evaluate efficiency of the proposed methods and to compare them from different points of view, large number of computer simulations is performed and results are analyzed.
Automatic Generation of Predictive Dynamic Models Reveals Nuclear Phosphorylation as the Key Msn2 Control Mechanism
Authors: Sunnåker Mikael , Zamora-Sillero Elias , Dechant Reinhard , Ludwig Christina , Busetto Alberto Giovanni , Wagner Andreas , Stelling Joerg
Published: May 2013

Topological filtering identifies biological networks compatible with known data and enables quantitative analysis of regulatory mechanisms.
Keeping Coordinated
Authors: Riddihough Guy
Published: May 2013

A protein implicated in oncogenesis is found to be critical for DNA replication in plants and animals.
Malaria Cloak and Dagger
Authors: Ash Caroline
Published: May 2013

A surface protein of
Plasmodium falciparum
ookinetes allows it to evade the complement-like responses of
Anopheles gambiae
.
Coronary Microvascular Pericytes Are the Cellular Target of Sunitinib Malate–Induced Cardiotoxicity
Authors: Chintalgattu Vishnu , Rees Meredith L. , Culver James C. , Goel Aditya , Jiffar Tilahu , Zhang Jianhu , Dunner Kenneth , Pati Shibani , Bankson James A. , Pasqualini Renata , Arap Wadih , Bryan Nathan S. , Taegtmeyer Heinrich , Langley Robert R. , Yao Hui , Kupferman Michael E. , Entman Mark L. , Dickinson Mary E. , Khakoo Aarif Y.
Published: May 2013

Sunitinib-induced cardiotoxicity is caused by depletion of coronary pericytes due to loss of PDGFR signaling; this side effect can be prevented by thalidomide.
Intranasal Antibody Gene Transfer in Mice and Ferrets Elicits Broad Protection Against Pandemic Influenza
Authors: Limberis Maria P. , Adam Virginie S. , Wong Gary , Gren Jason , Kobasa Darwyn , Ross Ted M. , Kobinger Gary P. , Tretiakova Anna , Wilson James M.
Published: May 2013

Intranasal delivery of a broadly neutralizing antibody to influenza by an AAV9 vector affords complete protection.
Bulky “Gatekeeper” Residue Changes the Cosubstrate Specificity of Aminoglycoside 2″-Phosphotransferase IIa
Authors: Bhattacharya Monolekha , Toth Marta , Smith Clyde A. , Vakulenko Sergei B.
Published: May 2013

The aminoglycoside 2″-phosphotransferases APH(2″)-IIa and APH(2″)-IVa can utilize ATP and GTP as cosubstrates, since both enzymes possess overlapping but discrete structural templates for ATP and GTP binding. APH(2″)-IIIa uses GTP exclusively, because its ATP-binding template is blocked by a bulky tyrosine “gatekeeper” residue. Replacement of the “gatekeeper” residues M85 and F95 in APH(2″)-IIa and APH(2″)-IVa, respectively, by tyrosine does not significantly change the antibiotic susceptibility profiles produced by the enzymes. In APH(2″)-IIa, M85Y substitution results in an ∼10-fold decrease in the

K
m

value of GTP and an ∼320-fold increase in the

K
m

value of ATP. In APH(2″)-IVa, F95Y substitution results in a modest decrease in the

K
m

values of both GTP and ATP. Structural analysis indicates that in the APH(2″)-IIa M85Y mutant, tyrosine blocks access of ATP to the correct position in the binding site, while the larger nucleoside triphosphate (NTP)-binding pocket of the APH(2″)-IVa F95Y mutant allows the tyrosine to move away, thus giving access to the ATP-binding template.
Two Human Host Defense Ribonucleases against Mycobacteria, the Eosinophil Cationic Protein (RNase 3) and RNase 7
Authors: Pulido David , Torrent Marc , Andreu David , Nogués M. Victoria , Boix Ester
Published: May 2013

There is an urgent need to develop new agents against mycobacterial infections, such as tuberculosis and other respiratory tract or skin affections. In this study, we have tested two human antimicrobial RNases against mycobacteria. RNase 3, also called the eosinophil cationic protein, and RNase 7 are two small cationic proteins secreted by innate cells during host defense. Both proteins are induced upon infection displaying a wide range of antipathogen activities. In particular, they are released by leukocytes and epithelial cells, contributing to tissue protection. Here, the two RNases have been proven effective against
Mycobacterium vaccae
at a low micromolar level. High bactericidal activity correlated with their bacterial membrane depolarization and permeabilization activities. Further analysis on both protein-derived peptides identified for RNase 3 an N-terminus fragment that is even more active than the parental protein. Also, a potent bacterial agglutinating activity was unique to RNase 3 and its derived peptide. The particular biophysical properties of the RNase 3 active peptide are envisaged as a suitable reference for the development of novel antimycobacterial drugs. The results support the contribution of secreted RNases to the host immune response against mycobacteria.
In VitroandIn VivoActivities of Dicationic Diguanidino Compounds against Echinococcus multilocularis Metacestodes
Authors: Küster Tatiana , Kriegel Nadja , Boykin David W. , Stephens Chad E. , Hemphill Andrew
Published: May 2013

Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) is a disease predominantly affecting the liver, with metacestodes (larvae) of the tapewormEchinococcus multilocularisproliferating and exhibiting tumor-like infiltrative growth. For many years, chemotherapeutical treatment against alveolar echinococcosis has relied on the benzimidazoles albendazole and mebendazole, which require long treatment durations and exhibit parasitostatic rather than parasiticidal efficacy. Although benzimidazoles have been and still are beneficial for the patients, there is clearly a demand for alternative and more efficient treatment options. Aromatic dications, more precisely a small panel of di-N-aryl-diguanidino compounds, were screened for efficacy againstE. multilocularismetacestodesin vitro. Only those with a thiophene core group were active against metacestodes, while furans were not. The most active compound, DB1127, was further investigated in terms ofin vivoefficacy in mice experimentally infected withE. multilocularismetacestodes. This diguanidino compound was effective against AE when administered intraperitoneally but not when applied orally. Thus, thiophene-diguanidino derivatives with improved bioavailability when administered orally could lead to treatment options against AE.
Development of a Chimeric Plasmodium berghei Strain Expressing the Repeat Region of the P. vivax Circumsporozoite Protein forIn VivoEvaluation of Vaccine Efficacy
Authors: Espinosa Diego A. , Yadava Anjali , Angov Evelina , Maurizio Paul L. , Ockenhouse Christian F. , Zavala Fidel
Published: May 2013

The development of vaccine candidates againstPlasmodium vivax—the most geographically widespread human malaria species—is challenged by technical difficulties, such as the lack ofin vitroculture systems and availability of animal models. Chimeric rodentPlasmodiumparasites are safe and useful tools for the preclinical evaluation of new vaccine formulations. We report the successful development and characterization of chimericPlasmodium bergheiparasites bearing the type I repeat region ofP. vivaxcircumsporozoite protein (CSP). TheP. berghei-P. vivaxchimeric strain develops normally in mosquitoes and produces highly infectious sporozoites that produce patent infection in mice that are exposed to the bites of as few as 3P. berghei-P. vivax-infected mosquitoes. Using this transgenic parasite, we demonstrate that monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies againstP. vivaxCSP strongly inhibit parasite infection and thus support the notion that these antibodies play an important role in protective immunity. The chimeric parasites we developed represent a robust model for evaluating protective immune responses againstP. vivaxvaccines based on CSP.
Preferred place of death for patients referred to a specialist palliative care service
Authors: Arnold Elizabeth , Finucane Anne M , Oxenham David
Published: May 2013

Objectives

Understanding patients’ preferences for place of death and supporting patients to achieve their wishes has become a priority. This study aims to: (1) examine preferences of patients referred to a specialist palliative care service; (2) determine whether preferences of those who have been admitted as hospice inpatients differ from those who have not; (3) identify reasons why preferred place of death (PPD) is sometimes not recorded; and (iv) investigate whether nominating a PPD relates to actual place of death.

Method

PPD information was collected as part of standard care for all patients referred to a specialist palliative care service. Case notes were reviewed retrospectively for 1127 patients who died under the care of the service.

Results

Seventy-seven percent of the patients expressed a PPD, a further 21% of patients had documented reasons for PPD remaining unknown. Eighty percent of patients who had never been admitted to the hospice wanted to die at home. In contrast, 79% of those with at least one hospice inpatient admission wanted to die in the hospice. Patients who had an unknown PPD were three times more likely to die in hospital.

Conclusions

Most patients in a specialist palliative care setting are willing to express a PPD. Preferences differ for patients who had never been admitted as hospice inpatients from those who have had at least one inpatient stay. Routine and ongoing assessment of PPD are recommended to support patients’ wishes at the end of life.
Modelling for conflict: the legacy of ballistic research and current extremity in vivo modelling
Authors: Eardley William G P , Watts S A , Clasper J C
Published: May 2013

Extremity ballistic injury is unique and the literature intended to guide its management is commonly misinterpreted. In order to care for those injured in conflict and conduct appropriate research, clinicians must be able to identify key in vivo studies, understand their weaknesses and desist the propagation of miscited and misunderstood ballistic dogma. This review provides the only inclusive critical overview of key studies of relevance to military extremity injury. In addition, the non-ballistic studies of limb injury, stabilisation and contamination that will form the basis from which future small animal extremity studies are constructed are presented. With an awareness of the legacy of military wound models and an insight into available generic models of extremity injury and contamination, research teams are well placed to optimise future military extremity injury management.
Trace-element geochemistry of metabasaltic rocks from the Yukon-Tanana Upland and implications for the origin of tectonic assemblages in east-central Alaska
Authors: Dusel-Bacon Cynthia , Cooper Kari M
Published: May 2013

We present major- and trace- element geochemical data for 27 amphibolites and six greenstones from three structural packages in the Yukon-Tanana Upland of east-central Alaska: the Lake George assemblage (LG) of Devono-Mississippian augen gneiss, quartz-mica schist, quartzite, and amphibolite; the Taylor Mountain assemblage (TM) of mafic schist and gneiss, marble, quartzite, and metachert; and the Seventymile terrane of greenstone, serpentinized peridotite, and Mississippian to Late Triassic metasedimentary rocks. Most LG amphibolites have relatively high Nb, TiO2, Zr, and light rare earth element contents, indicative of an alkalic to tholeiitic, within-plate basalt origin. The within-plate affinities of the LG amphibolites suggest that their basaltic parent magmas developed in an extensional setting and support a correlation of these metamorphosed continental-margin rocks with less metamorphosed counterparts across the Tintina fault in the Selwyn Basin of the Canadian Cordillera. TM amphibolites have a tholeiitic or calc-alkalic composition, low normalized abundances of Nb and Ta relative to Th and La, and Ti/V values of <20, all indicative of a volcanic-arc origin. Limited results from Seventymile greenstones indicate a tholeiitic or calc-alkalic composition and intermediate to high Ti/V values (27-48), consistent with either a within-plate or an ocean-floor basalt origin. Y-La-Nb proportions in both TM and Seventymile metabasalts indicate the proximity of the arc and marginal basin to continental crust. The arc geochemistry of TM amphibolites is consistent with a model in which the TM assemblage includes arc rocks generated above a west-dipping subduction zone outboard of the North American continental margin in mid-Paleozoic through Triassic time. The ocean-floor or within-plate basalt geochemistry of the Seventymile greenstones supports the correlation of the Seventymile terrane with the Slide Mountain terrane in Canada and the hypothesis that these oceanic rocks originated in a basin between the continental margin and an arc to the west.
Lithofacies and age variation in the Fossil Hill Formation (Lower Silurian), southern Georgian Bay region, Ontario
Authors: Stott Christopher A , von Bitter Peter H
Published: May 2013

The Fossil Hill Formation in the southern Georgian Bay region demonstrates considerable faunal and lithological variation. Well-defined distinctions exist between bedded chert-bearing, sparsely fossiliferous, argillaceous dolostones of the formation in the eastern Beaver Valley and relatively pure, fossiliferous, non-chert-bearing dolostones observed on the nearby southern Bruce Peninsula and Cape Rich Steps. Biostratigraphic studies and lithostratigraphic tracing through the intervening Bighead Valley suggest that the Fossil Hill Formation of the eastern Beaver Valley is correlative with the typical lower Pentamerus bank and the overlying coral-stromatoporoid biostrome of late Aeronian (Llandovery C1-C2) age observed on the southern Bruce Peninsula and Cape Rich Steps. Regionally, the Fossil Hill Formation exhibits significant age variation; biostratigraphically diagnostic brachiopods (Pentamerus oblongus, Pentameroides subrectus, and Plicostricklandia castellana) from the formation near Walters Falls indicate Telychian (Llandovery C4-C6) to early Wenlock age for part of the unit there. The highly localized preservation of Fossil Hill Formation strata of Telychian age in the Walters Falls area, along with contemporaneous facies changes noted in strata of Aeronian age and the apparent absence of Fossil Hill Formation strata at other localities, suggests that the paleotopography of the southern Georgian Bay region varied markedly during the mid to late Llandovery. A tectonic model that relates epeirogenic uplift associated with the Algonquin Arch in southern Ontario to the vertical rotation of fault-bounded lithospheric blocks, and additions to the model suggested herein, may explain the observed variations.
PREPARATION OF Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9-X BUFFER BY REEL-TO-REEL SLOT-DIE COATING
Authors: LEI MING , PAN XIFENG , YANG XISHENG , WANG WENTAO , YANG FENG , ZHAO YONG
Published: May 2013

Bi-axially textured Sm 0.2 Ce 0.8 O 1.9-x (SCO) single buffer tape with the length of 110 cm and the thickness of 150 nm, has been prepared on textured NiW(200) alloy substrate by using the polymer assisted chemical solution deposition (PACSD) method combined with slot-die coating technique for REBCO coated conductors. Smooth, uniform and crack-free SCO tape with sharp (200) c-axis orientation and high texture has been obtained by controlling the viscosity of solution, the moving speed of tape and the release rate of solution, bi-lateral texture of tape has been more than 90%, the FWHM obtained from ω-scan and φ-scan on the center of the tape are 5.08° and 4.64°, respectively.
FLUX TRAPPING PROPERTIES OF BULK HIGH-TC SUPERCONDUCTORS IN STATIC FIELD-COOLING MAGNETIZATION
Authors: DENG Z. , TSUZUKI K. , MIKI M. , FELDER B. , HARA S. , IZUMI M.
Published: May 2013

The trapping process and saturation effect of trapped magnetic flux of bulk high-temperature superconductors by static field-cooling magnetization (FCM) are reported in the paper. With a cryogenic Bell Hall sensor attached on the center of the bulk surface, the synchronous magnetic signals were recorded during the whole magnetization process. It enables us to know the flux trapping behavior since the removal of the excitation field, as well as the subsequent flux relaxation phenomenon and the flux dissipation in the quench process of the bulk sample. With the help of flux mapping techniques, the relationship between the trapped flux and the applied field was further investigated; the saturation effect of trapped flux was discussed by comparing the peak trapped field and total magnetic flux of the bulk sample. These studies are useful to understand the basic flux trapping properties of bulk superconductors.
NUMERICAL STUDY ON IRREVERSIBLE BEHAVIOR OF THz WAVE EMISSION FROM INTRINSIC JOSEPHSON JUNCTIONS
Authors: NONOMURA YOSHIHIKO
Published: May 2013

Recently novel current-driven resonant states characterized by the π-phase kinks were proposed in numerical and analytic studies on THz wave emission from intrinsic Josephson junctions based on the coupled sine-Gordon equation. In these states hysteresis behavior is observed with respect to the application process of current, and such behavior is due to nonlinearity in the Josephson coupling term. Varying the strength of the critical current, there exists a critical strength for the hysteresis behavior in the fundamental mode and at the critical strength the applied current at the emission peak coincides with the critical one, which means breakdown of superconductivity in actual systems. In higher-harmonic modes in the vicinity of the critical current, the strength of hysteresis becomes small and emission can be observed in the reverse process. Such "quasi-reversible" behavior may explain "reversible emission" reported in a recent experiment.
AN EXPLANATION OF SUPERFLUIDITY OF LIQUID 3He
Authors: FAN J. D. , MALOZOVSKY YURIY M.
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we will apply the derived equation of interaction for two quasiparticles in the other paper of ours (J. D. Fan and Y. M. Malozovsky, Int. J. Mod. Phys. B, Vol. 27 No. 15, 2013)1 to the model of a Fermi liquid with a weak contact attractive interaction between 3 He particles. We will show that in terms of the perturbative approach and the random phase approximation (RPA), the evaluated Fermi-liquid interaction parameters are in remarkably good agreement with experimental data on liquid 3 He . Thus, our simple model, in contrast to very complicated and numerically correlated basis function model exploited by Finberg and co-authors [E. Finberg, Theory of Quantum Fluids (Academic Press, New York, 1969)], enables to reproduce the Fermi liquid parameters for liquid 3 He . In addition, using the result we obtained in Ref. 1, we have qualitatively explained superfluidity of 3 He under pressure.
PICO-CHEMISTRY: THE POSSIBILITY OF NEW PHASES IN SOME HYDROGEN/METAL SYSTEMS
Authors: DUFOUR J. J. , DUFOUR X. J. C. , VINKO J. D.
Published: May 2013

In the standard model, matter is an assembly of quarks that combine under the action of the strong nuclear force to give nucleons (protons and neutrons), further giving atom nuclei that under the action of the electromagnetic force combine with electrons to render atoms and molecules. Each of these interactions has a well defined range of binding energies. A novel type of purely electromagnetic interaction is proposed, with binding energies and dimensions between chemistry and nuclear. This type of binding could result in completely novel materials (super-conductivity) and potential energy production.
EXPERTS SEARCH AND RANK WITH SOCIAL NETWORK: AN ONTOLOGY-BASED APPROACH
Authors: UDDIN MOHAMMED NAZIM , DUONG TRONG HAI , OH KYEONG-JIN , JUNG JIN-GUK , JO GEUN-SIK
Published: May 2013

Experts finding, one of the most important tasks in social networks, is aimed at identifying individuals with relevant expertise or experience in a given topic. Several approaches have been proposed for finding experts in social networks from documents or web repositories. However, the semantic approach for modeling the information to find experts has not yet been explored. In this paper, we propose a novel method to index the academic information in an ontology-based model for finding and ranking the experts in a particular domain. Additionally, we propose an effective method to construct the academic social network by exploring the relations among the experts and measuring the score of each expert. The score of an expert is measured considering the contributions of relevant publications and relationships among other expert candidates. It is very efficient to find and ranking experts to take advantage of the millions of candidate experts being with relationships. An experiment conducted to evaluate our model shows that experts finding and ranking with an ontological approach integrated with the social network is more effective than other approaches.
SHORTEST PATHS ANONYMIZATION ON WEIGHTED GRAPHS
Authors: WANG SHYUE-LIANG , TSAI YU-CHUAN , KAO HUNG-YU , TING I-HSIEN , HONG TZUNG-PEI
Published: May 2013

Due to the proliferation of online social networking, a large number of personal data are publicly available. As such, personal attacks, reputational, financial, or family losses might occur once this personal and sensitive information falls into the hands of malicious hackers. Research on Privacy-Preserving Network Publishing has attracted much attention in recent years. But most work focus on node de-identification and link protection. In academic social networks, business transaction networks, and transportation networks, etc, node identities and link structures are public knowledge but weights and shortest paths are sensitive. In this work, we study the problem of k-anonymous path privacy. A published network graph with k-anonymous path privacy has at least k indistinguishable shortest paths between the source and destination vertices [21]. In order to achieve such privacy, three different strategies of modification on edge weights of directed graphs are proposed. Numerical comparisons show that weight-proportional-based strategy is more efficient than PageRank-based and degree-based strategies. In addition, it is also more efficient and causes less information loss than running on un-directed graphs.
PARALLEL COMBINATORIAL ALGORITHMS FOR MULTI-SETS AND THEIR APPLICATIONS
Authors: THANH HOANG CHI
Published: May 2013

In this paper we extend some well-known notions of combinatorics on multi-sets such as iterative permutation, multi-subset, iterative combination and then construct new efficient algorithms for generating all iterative permutations, multi-subsets and iterative combinations of a multi-set. Applying the parallelizing method based on output decomposition we parallelize the algorithms. Furthermore, we use these algorithms to solve an optimal problem of work arrangement and an extended knapsack one.
A DATA PARTITION METHOD FOR MEMS-BASED STORAGE DEVICES IN A DISTRIBUTED COMPUTING ENVIRONMENT
Authors: WANG JEN-YA , CHEN JR-SHIAN
Published: May 2013

This paper aims to minimize power consumption and sustain customer satisfaction for a datacenter. In some distributed computing environments, especially in a cloud computing environment, the most concerned issue for a datacenter designer is power consumption instead of its speed. This is because the storage devices always consume much electricity. To save power, we can assign to each device proper workload and turn off some spare devices. Therefore, partitioning data and allocating them among the storage devices becomes the first priority. However, due to some complex constraints, the data partition problem is very time-consuming or even NP-hard. Therefore, we propose a gradient-based method to deal with the problem. The novelty of the proposed method lies in that the discretized combinatorial problem is solved by a calculus-based technique. Experimental results show that significant energy is saved by shutting down as many uncalled-for devices as possible. The results also suggest that other similar optimization problems can be solved by the linearly-convergent method.
A role for thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) in cellular creatine homeostasis
Authors: Zervou Sevasti , Ray Tanmoy , Sahgal Natasha , Sebag-Montefiore Liam , Cross Rebecca , Medway Debra J. , Ostrowski Philip J. , Neubauer Stefan , Lygate Craig A.
Published: May 2013

Creatine is important for energy metabolism, yet excitable cells such as cardiomyocytes do not synthesize creatine and rely on uptake via a specific membrane creatine transporter (CrT; SLC6A8). This process is tightly controlled with downregulation of CrT upon continued exposure to high creatine via mechanisms that are poorly understood. Our aim was to identify candidate endogenous CrT inhibitors. In 3T3 cells overexpressing the CrT, creatine uptake plateaued at 3 h in response to 5 mM creatine but peaked 33% higher ( P < 0.01) in the presence of cycloheximide, suggesting CrT regulation depends on new protein synthesis. Global gene expression analysis identified thioredoxin-interacting protein (Txnip) as the only significantly upregulated gene (by 46%) under these conditions ( P = 0.036), subsequently verified independently at mRNA and protein levels. There was no change in Txnip expression with exposure to 5 mM taurine, confirming a specific response to creatine rather than osmotic stress. Small-interfering RNA against Txnip prevented Txnip upregulation in response to high creatine, maintained normal levels of creatine uptake, and prevented downregulation of CrT mRNA. These findings were relevant to the in vivo heart since creatine-deficient mice showed 39.71% lower levels of Txnip mRNA, whereas mice overexpressing the CrT had 57.6% higher Txnip mRNA levels and 28.7% higher protein expression compared with wild types (mean myocardial creatine concentration 124 and 74 nmol/mg protein, respectively). In conclusion, we have identified Txnip as a novel negative regulator of creatine levels in vitro and in vivo, responsible for mediating substrate feedback inhibition and a potential target for modulating creatine homeostasis.
Sex differences in body composition, fat storage, and gene expression profile inCaenorhabditis elegansin response to dietary restriction
Authors: Miersch Claudia , Döring Frank
Published: May 2013

The metabolic and health-promoting effects of dietary restriction (DR) have been extensively studied in several species. The response to DR with respect to sex is essentially unknown. To address this question, we used the model organism Caenorhabditis elegans to analyze body composition and gene expression in males and hermaphrodites in response to DR. Unexpectedly, DR increased the fat-to-fat-free mass ratio and enlarged lipid droplets in both sexes to a similar extent. These effects were linked to a downregulation of the lipase-like 5 ( lipl-5) gene in both sexes at two developmental stages. By contrast, the reductions in body size, protein content, and total RNA content in response to DR were more pronounced in hermaphrodites than in males. Functional enrichment analysis of gene expression data showed a DR-induced downregulation of several embryogenesis-associated genes concomitant with an ongoing expression of sperm-associated genes in hermaphrodites. In conclusion, DR increases fat stores in both sexes of C. elegans in the form of large and possibly lipolysis-resistant lipid droplets and markedly alters the reproductive program in hermaphrodites but not in males.
Stochastic Delay Population Dynamics under Regime Switching: Permanence and Asymptotic Estimation
Authors: Wu Zheng , Huang Hao , Wang Lianglong
Published: May 2013

This paper is concerned with a delay Lotka-Volterra model under regime switching diffusion in random environment. Permanence and asymptotic estimations of solutions are investigated by virtue of V-function technique, M-matrix method, and Chebyshev's inequality. Finally, an example is given to illustrate the main results.
Nonlinear Min-Cost-Pursued Route-Swapping Dynamic System
Authors: Zhang Wenyi , Guan Wei , Ma Jihui , Wang Tao
Published: May 2013

This study proposes a nonlinear min-cost-pursued swapping dynamic (NMSD) system to model the evolution of selfish routing games on traffic network where travelers only swap from previous costly routes to the least costly ones. NMSD is a rational behavior adjustment process with stationary link flow pattern being the Wardrop user equilibrium. NMSD is able to prevent two behavioral deficiencies suffered by the existing min-cost-oriented models and keep solution invariance. NMSD relaxes the homogeneous user assumption, and the continuous-time NMSD (CNMSD) and discrete-time NMSD (DNMSD) share the same revision protocol. Moreover, CNMSD is Lyapunov-stable. Two numerical examples are conducted. The first one is designed to characterize the NMSD-conducted network traffic evolution and test the stability of day-to-day NMSD. The second one aims to explore the impacts of network scale on the stability of route-swaps conducted by pairwise and min-cost-pursed swapping behaviors.
The Antinociceptive and Anti‐Inflammatory Activities of Aspidosperma tomentosum (Apocynaceae)
Authors: de Aquino Anansa Bezerra , Cavalcante-Silva Luiz Henrique Agra , da Matta Carolina Barbosa Brito , Epifânio Willians Antônio do Nascimento , Aquino Pedro Gregório Vieira , Santana Antônio Euzébio Goulart , Alexandre-Moreira Magna Suzana , de Araújo-Júnior João Xavier
Published: May 2013

We investigated the antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory activities of the crude ethanolic extract (CEE), its fractions, and the flavonoid isorhamnetin from Aspidosperma tomentosum using models of nociception and inflammation in mice. In the writhing test, the CEE and its fractions (except for soluble phase, CHCl3 100% and EtAcO 100%) at 100 mg/kg p.o. induced antinociceptive activity. Isorhamnetin (100 μmol/kg, p.o.) was also active. In the hot plate test, only the treatment with the fractions Hex : CHCl3 50%, CHCl3 100%, and CHCl3 : MeOH 5% (100 mg/kg, p.o.) increased the latency time, reversed by the opioid antagonist naloxone. Fractions that were active in the hot plate test did not show catalepsy condition. It was observed that CEE, all fractions, and isorhamnetin reduced the formalin effects in the neurogenic phase. In the inflammatory phase, only CEE, isorhamnetin, and CHCl3 100% and CHCl3 : MeOH 5% fractions were active. CEE and all fractions, except for CHCl3 : MeOH 10% fraction, isorhamnetin, and soluble fraction were able to produce an antioedematogenic activity in the ear capsaicin‐induced edema test. In the thioglycolate‐induced peritonitis, only EtAcO 100% fraction was not active. The results demonstrate that A. tomentosum has antinociceptive and anti‐inflammatory activities in animal models.
Analysis of Land Use/Land Cover Changes Using Remote Sensing Data and GIS at an Urban Area, Tirupati, India
Authors: Mallupattu Praveen Kumar , Sreenivasula Reddy Jayarama Reddy
Published: May 2013

Land use/land cover (LU/LC) changes were determined in an urban area, Tirupati, from 1976 to 2003 by using Geographical Information Systems (GISs) and remote sensing technology. These studies were employed by using the Survey of India topographic map 57 O/6 and the remote sensing data of LISS III and PAN of IRS ID of 2003. The study area was classified into eight categories on the basis of field study, geographical conditions, and remote sensing data. The comparison of LU/LC in 1976 and 2003 derived from toposheet and satellite imagery interpretation indicates that there is a significant increase in built‐up area, open forest, plantation, and other lands. It is also noted that substantial amount of agriculture land, water spread area, and dense forest area vanished during the period of study which may be due to rapid urbanization of the study area. No mining activities were found in the study area in 1976, but a small addition of mining land was found in 2003.
Assessment of T Regulatory Cells and Expanded Profiling of Autoantibodies May Offer Novel Biomarkers for the Clinical Management of Systemic Sclerosis and Undifferentiated Connective Tissue Disease
Authors: Cordiali-Fei Paola , Mussi Anna , D'Agosto Giovanna , Trento Elisabetta , Bordignon Valentina , Trincone Silvana , Vento Antonella , Sperduti Isabella , Cristaudo Antonio , Ensoli Fabrizio
Published: May 2013

In order to identify disease biomarkers for the clinical and therapeutic management of autoimmune diseases such as systemic sclerosis (SSc) and undifferentiated connective tissue disease (UCTD), we have explored the setting of peripheral T regulatory (T reg) cells and assessed an expanded profile of autoantibodies in patients with SSc, including either limited (lcSSc) or diffuse (dcSSc) disease, and in patients presenting with clinical signs and symptoms of UCTD. A large panel of serum antibodies directed towards nuclear, nucleolar, and cytoplasmic antigens, including well-recognized molecules as well as less frequently tested antigens, was assessed in order to determine whether different antibody profiles might be associated with distinct clinical settings. Beside the well-recognized association between lcSSc and anti-centromeric or dcSSC and anti-topoisomerase-I antibodies, we found a significative association between dcSSc and anti-SRP or anti-PL-7/12 antibodies. In addition, two distinct groups emerged on the basis of anti-RNP or anti-PM-Scl 75/100 antibody production among UCTD patients. The levels of T reg cells were significantly lower in patients with SSc as compared to patients with UCTD or to healthy controls; in patients with lcSSc, T reg cells were inversely correlated to disease duration, suggesting that their levels may represent a marker of disease progression.
Study of the Method of Multi-Frequency Signal Detection Based on the Adaptive Stochastic Resonance
Authors: Lu Zhenyu , Yang Tingya , Zhu Min
Published: May 2013

Recently, the stochastic resonance effect has been widely used by the method of discovering and extracting weak periodic signals from strong noise through the stochastic resonance effect. The detection of the single-frequency weak signals by using stochastic resonance effect is widely used. However, the detection methods of the multifrequency weak signals need to be researched. According to the different frequency input signals of a given system, this paper puts forward a detection method of multifrequency signal by using adaptive stochastic resonance, which analyzed the frequency characteristics and the parallel number of the input signals, adjusted system parameters automatically to the low frequency signals in the fixed step size, and then measured the stochastic resonance phenomenon based on the frequency of the periodic signals to select the most appropriate indicators in the middle or high frequency. Finally, the optimized system parameters are founded and the frequency of the given signals is extracted in the frequency domain of the stochastic resonance output signals. Compared with the traditional detection methods, the method in this paper not only improves the work efficiency but also makes it more accurate by using the color noise, the frequency is more accurate being extracted from the measured signal. The consistency between the simulation results and analysis shows that this method is effective and feasible.
An Integrated Decentralized Energy Planning Model considering Demand-Side Management and Environmental Measures
Authors: Kazemi Seyed Mahmood , Rabbani Masoud
Published: May 2013

Decentralized energy planning (DEP) is looked upon as an indisputable opportunity for energy planning of villages, isolated islands, and far spots. Nonetheless, at this decentralized planning level, the value of demand-side resources is not fairly examined, despite enjoying great advantages. Therefore, the core task of this study is to integrate demand-side resources, as a competing solution against supply-side alternatives, with decentralized energy planning decisions and demonstrate the rewarding role it plays. Moreover, sustainability indicators (SIs) are incorporated into DEP attempts in order to attain sustainable development. It is emphasized that unless these indicators are considered at lower energy planning levels, they will be ignored at higher planning levels as well. Hence, to the best knowledge of the authors, this study for the first time takes into account greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions produced by utilization of renewable energies in DEP optimization models. To address the issues mentioned previously, multiobjective linear programming model along with a min-max goal programming approach is employed. Finally, using data taken from the literature, the model is solved, and the obtained results are discussed. The results show that DSM policies have remarkably contributed to significant improvements especially in terms of environmental indicators.
Applications of Higher-Order Optimal Newton Secant Iterative Methods in Ocean Acidification and Investigation of Long-Run Implications of CO2 Emissions on Alkalinity of Seawater
Authors: Babajee D. K. R. , Jaunky V. C.
Published: May 2013

The Newton secant method is a third-order iterative nonlinear solver. It requires two function and one first derivative evaluations. However, it is not optimal as it does not satisfy the Kung-Traub conjecture. In this work, we derive an optimal fourth-order Newton secant method with the same number of function evaluations using weight functions and we show that it is a member of the King family of fourth-order methods. We also obtain an eighth-order optimal Newton-secant method. We prove the local convergence of the methods. We apply the methods to solve a fourth-order polynomial arising in ocean acidifications and study their dynamics. We use the data of CO2 available from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 1959 to 2012 and calculate the pH of the oceans for these years. Finally we further investigate the long-run implications of CO2 emissions on alkalinity of seawater using fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) and dynamic OLS (DOLS). Our findings reveal that a one-percent increase in CO2 emissions will lead to a reduction in seawater alkalinity of 0.85 percent in the long run.
Tumor Expression of the Carcinoembryonic Antigen Correlates with High Mitotic Activity and Cell Pleomorphism Index in Lung Carcinoma
Authors: Blanco Rancés , Rengifo Charles E. , Cedeño Mercedes , Frómeta Milagros , Rengifo Enrique , Ramos-Suzarte Mayra
Published: May 2013

At present, some research efforts are focusing on the evaluation of a variety of tumor associated antigens (TAAs) for a better understanding of tumor biology and genetics of lung tumors. For this reason, we evaluated the tissue expression of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and ior C2 (a cell surface O-linked glycoprotein carbohydrate chain TAA) in lung carcinomas, as well as its correlation with a variety of clinicopathological features. The tissue expression of CEA was evidenced in 22/43 (51.16%) lung carcinomas and it was correlated with mitotic activity, cell pleomorphism indexes, and age of patients. The expression of ior C2 was observed in 15/43 (34.88%) tumors but no correlation with the clinicopathological features mentioned above was obtained. No correlation between both CEA and ior C2 antigens expression and the overall survival (OS) of non-small-cell lung cancer patients was also observed. However, CEA-negative patients displayed higher OS rates as compared with positive ones (69.74 versus 58.26 months). Our results seem to be in agreement with the role of CEA expression in tumor cell proliferation, inhibition of cell polarizations and tissue architecture distortion. The significance of ior C2 antigen in these malignancies and it potential use in diagnosis, prognosis, and/or immunotherapy must be reevaluated.
A Discrete-Time Chattering Free Sliding Mode Control with Multirate Sampling Method for Flight Simulator
Authors: Wu Yunjie , Liu Youmin , Zhang Wulong
Published: May 2013

In order to improve the tracking accuracy of flight simulator and expend its frequency response, a multirate-sampling-method-based discrete-time chattering free sliding mode control is developed and imported into the systems. By constructing the multirate sampling sliding mode controller, the flight simulator can perfectly track a given reference signal with an arbitrarily small dynamic tracking error, and the problems caused by a contradiction of reference signal period and control period in traditional design method can be eliminated. It is proved by theoretical analysis that the extremely high dynamic tracking precision can be obtained. Meanwhile, the robustness is guaranteed by sliding mode control even though there are modeling mismatch, external disturbances and measure noise. The validity of the proposed method is confirmed by experiments on flight simulator.
Synthesis of Novel ZnO Having Cauliflower Morphology for Photocatalytic Degradation Study
Authors: Nipane Dipak , Thakare S. R. , Khati N. T.
Published: May 2013

ZnO nanowire morphology has been widely studied due to its unique material properties and excellent performance in electronics, optics, and photonic. Recently, photocatalytic applications of ZnO nanowire are creating an increasing interest in the environmental applications. This paper presents a low-cost and ecofriendly synthesis of ZnO with cauliflower morphology and its effectiveness in photocatalysis.