bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Poster — Wed Eve—01: The Characterization of Tissue Harmonic Ultrasound Imaging for Potential Use in Prostate Brachytherapy
Authors: Sandhu G , Khan R , Dunscombe P
Published: December 2012

A phantom has been designed and fabricated to explore the potential benefits of tissue harmonic ultrasound imaging (THI) in prostate brachytherapy. Transverse and sagittal images of the phantom were acquired using 6, 9 and 12 MHz ultrasound frequencies in brightness (B) mode and 10 and 12 MHz in THI mode. The imaging parameters such as dead zone, depth of penetration, geometrical accuracy, axial and lateral resolution, contrast resolution and signal to noise ratio (SNR) in B‐mode were compared with those in THI‐mode. It was found that the dead zone is 1mm at all frequencies of both B‐mode and THI‐mode. The depth of penetration decreases insignificantly in THI mode, while contrast resolution and SNR improves. The axial resolution in THI mode (12 MHz) is ∼45% higher than B‐mode (6 MHz). The lateral resolution in THI mode (12 MHz) is ∼50% higher in the near zone and ∼10% higher in the far field than corresponding values in B‐mode (6 MHz). In general harmonic images are clearer, less noisy and display fewer artifacts than B‐mode images. This phantom study demonstrates that THI‐mode has the potential to provide better images of the prostate, which may help in prostate volume identification and improved treatment planning. An improvement in target localization has a potential to improve the treatment outcomes and reduction in the treatment related complications.
Poster — Wed Eve—03: Delivering Brachytherapy for Cervical Cancer: Organizational and Technical Advice to Facilitate Care
Authors: Batchelar D , Morton G , Baldassarre F , D'Souza D , Falkson C
Published: December 2012

Many centres in Ontario are currently starting programs in HDR brachytherapy for cervical cancer. To provide guidance for establishing such programs, an Expert Working Group (EWG) was struck in collaboration with Cancer Care Ontario's Program in Evidence Based Care (PEBC) to examine the technical and organizational requirements for high‐quality delivery of HDR to women with cervical cancer. All components of brachytherapy were considered including required facilities, imaging technologies, team composition and qualifications, treatment planning, caseload/volumes, documentation, and quality control. Organizational recommendations for each of these areas were developed based on evidence gathered through an environmental scan and a systematic search of the literature. As such, they represent a synthesis, with adaptation to the environment in Ontario, of the most recent, comprehensive, and relevant existing documents combined with expert consensus opinion of the panel. Although designed for Ontario, these recommendations are generally applicable to other jurisdictions looking to put in place new brachytherapy services, or to improve existing ones. A particular focus of the EWG was the examination of evidence supporting the use of different imaging technologies for guiding and planning HDR brachytherapy of the cervix. Imaging is a key component of this technique and optimizing its use may improve both the quality of brachytherapy and treatment outcomes. We present the first systematic review of imaging for cervical brachytherapy. Although the studies reviewed varied in design and quality, all favoured planning with volumetric 3D imaging over conventional 2D imaging.
Poster — Wed Eve—18: Investigating Responses of Three Commercial p‐Type Silicon Diodes on Percentage Depth Dose (PDD) Distributions of Megavoltage LINAC Photon Beams
Authors: Sham E
Published: December 2012

Percentage depth dose (PDD) distributions measured with three commercial p‐type silicon diode detectors in a water phantom show significant discrepancies from ionization‐chamber‐measured data for megavoltage (4‐ and 18‐MV) photon beams for large square field sizes ranging from 10×10 to . For a given large photon field, PDD data measured with a standard and energy‐shielded photon‐field diode (PFD) shows the least disagreement with the reference data, while the PDD data measured with a small and unshielded stereotactic‐field diode (SFD) shows the largest. The over‐responses of all diodes shown in the measured PDD distributions for the large photon square fields as well as the systematic errors observed among the three different diode detector types suggest: (1) the photon beam softening on the beam's central axis increases with field sizes and depths in water, and (2) the presence of energy‐shielding mixture (for filtering out low‐energy, backscattered photons in reaching the silicon chip of the diode) as well as the lateral dimension of the diode's sensitive area may be critical factors affecting the accuracy of the PDDs measured with the diodes for these fields. Monte Carlo simulations will be used to investigate these potential effects and correct for them when confirmed.
Poster — Wed Eve—19: Coeff6 — A Tool for Radiation Physics
Authors: Cunningham JR
Published: December 2012

Coeff6 is a program, written in Visual Basic 6.0, for the purpose of creating and manipulating tables of electron stopping powers and photon interaction coefficients for elements and composite materials. It is acompanied by an extensive library of electron stopping power and photon interaction coefficient data, and information concerning the composition of a number of composite materials that are useful in radiation physics. It includes routines for creating tables of these data and for displaying them in graphical form. There is also a collection of both photon and electron spectra and of routines for creating, manipulating and displaying them. The spectra can be used to calculate various quantities averaged over them and are useful for demonstrations and for calculating parameters used in dosimetry. Coeff6 also includes other procedures and demonstrations that may be generally useful in the teaching and learning of radiation physics. The source of the data in the Coeff6 library are websites hosted by NIST. Coeff6, in executable form along with the library of data, can be obtained from the author on a CD.
Poster — Wed Eve—26: Dose‐Volume Histogram Analyses on the Prostate IMRT Plan for Interfraction Organ Motion Using the Gaussian Error Function
Authors: Chow J , Jiang R , Markel D
Published: December 2012

The Gaussian error function (GEF) model was used to carry out cumulative dose‐volume histogram (cDVH) analysis on prostate IMRT plans with interfraction organ motion. cDVHs for CTVs, shifted in the anterior‐posterior directions based on 7‐beam IMRT plans for three patients (small, medium and large prostate), were calculated and modeled using the Pinnacle3 planning system and GEF. To simulate the interfraction prostate motion, the CTV was shifted 1 cm in the anterior‐posterior directions in 2 mm steps, using the dose distribution for the plan without prostate motion. As parameters in the GEF model, namely, a, b and c, were related to the shape of the cDVH curve, evaluation of cDVHs corresponding to the prostate motion becomes possible. cDVH analysis for the CTV shifting in the anterior‐posterior directions using the GEF model showed that parameters , which were related to the maximum relative volume of the cDVH, changed symmetrically when the prostate was shifted in the anterior‐posterior directions. This change was more significant for larger prostate. For parameters b related to the slope of the cDVH, changed symmetrically from the isocenter, when the CTV was within the PTV. This was different from parameters c ( related to the maximum dose of the cDVH), which did not vary significantly with the prostate motion in the anterior‐posterior directions and prostate volume. Using the patient data, this analysis validates the GEF model, and further verified the clinical application of this mathematical model on treatment plan evaluation.
Poster — Wed Eve—35: The Accuracy of Static and Dynamic Asymmetric Field Dose Calculations with Varian's Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm
Authors: Kerr A , Mei X , Mok E , Bracken G , Drever L
Published: December 2012

The Anisotropic Analytical Algorithm (AAA) of the Varian Eclipse treatment planning system is the newest of the Eclipse photon dose calculation algorithms for all static and dynamic fields. The algorithm has gone through a number of changes and version releases since its introduction in July 2005. The purpose of this paper is to report specifically on a careful assessment of the dose accuracy of asymmetric static and dynamic fields. The accuracy is assessed by comparing Eclipse (v8.1.18) dose calculations with 2D dose measurements acquired with a commercial ion chamber array. A series of half‐field and quadrant‐field tests illustrate that significant discrepancies between calculation and measurement occur when asymmetric fields contain either a static or a dynamic MLC. Dose differences as large as 5% were observed and gamma map analysis showed large regions of gamma failure (3% and 3 mm criteria). The dose discrepancies are traced to an error in the second‐source contribution for static or dynamic asymmetric fields containing an MLC. With the February 2009 release of AAA version 8.6, Varian reports that the second‐source calculation error illustrated in this paper (v8.1.18) has been corrected. This paper shows test results that confirm the correction has been made for the new version of 8.6. Care should be taken when using versions of AAA prior to 8.6.14 for any asymmetric field containing an MLC.
A geometric‐sensitivity‐difference based algorithm improves object depth‐localization for diffuse optical tomography in a circular‐array outward‐imaging geometry
Authors: Xu Guan , Piao Daqing
Published: December 2012

Purpose:

To improve object depth‐localization for diffuse optical tomography (DOT) in a circular‐array outward‐imaging geometry that is subjected to strong sensitivity variation with respect to imaging depth.

Methods:

The authors introduce an alternative DOT image reconstruction approach that optimizes the data‐model fit based on thepaired measurements corresponding to two pairs of source‐detector that share either the source or the detector, in comparison to the conventional method that optimizes the data‐model fit based on the unpaired measurements corresponding to individual pairs of source‐detector. This alternative approach, namely, geometric‐sensitivity‐difference (GSD) method, effectively reduces the variation of the reconstruction sensitivity with respect to imaging depth. The DOT image reconstruction based on GSD‐scheme applied to same‐source source‐detector pairs is demonstrated using simulated and experimental continuous‐wave measurements in a circular‐array outward‐imaging geometry, of which the native sensitivity varies strongly with respect to the depth. The outcomes of GSD‐based image reconstruction are compared to those of two other methods: one is the conventional baseline method that utilizes the native sensitivity but does not involve depth‐compensating scheme; and the other is a reference‐compensation approach that employs active and depth‐adapted compensation scheme to counteract the dependence of the reconstruction sensitivity with respect to imaging depth.

Results:

The GSD method generally outperforms the other two methods in localizing the depth of single object, resolving two objects that are azimuthally separated, and estimating the optical property of single object or azimuthally separated dual objects. The GSD method, however, demands more computations due to an increase of the element size of the resulted sensitivity matrix and more matrix multiplications.

Conclusions:

The GSD method improves the depth localization in the circular‐array outward‐imaging geometry, by taking advantage of the paired measurements of two source‐sharing source‐detector‐pairs to passively and effectively homogenize the sensitivity of the reconstruction with respect to imaging depth.
Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi Nucleic Acids after Antibiotic Treatment Does Not Confirm Viability
Authors: Iyer Radha , Mukherjee Priyanka , Wang Kemeng , Simons Joshua , Wormser Gary P. , Schwartz Ira
Published: December 2012

The persistence of dormant, noncultivable
Borrelia burgdorferi
after ceftriaxone treatment was examined.
B. burgdorferi
isolates were cultivated in Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly medium in the presence or absence of ceftriaxone, and cultures were monitored for up to 56 days. Viability of
B. burgdorferi
was assessed by subculture, growth, morphology, and pH (as a surrogate for metabolic activity). In addition, the presence of
B. burgdorferi
DNA and mRNA was assayed by PCR and by real-time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR, respectively. Spirochetes could not be successfully subcultured by day 3 after exposure to ceftriaxone. In cultures treated with ceftriaxone, the pH of the culture medium did not change through day 56, whereas it declined by at least 1 pH unit by 14 days in untreated cultures. These results suggest that
B. burgdorferi
viability is rapidly eliminated after antibiotic treatment. Nevertheless, DNA was detected by
B. burgdorferi
-specific PCR for up to 56 days in aliquots from both ceftriaxone-treated and untreated cultures. In addition, although ceftriaxone treatment resulted in a reduction in the quantities of transcript for
ospC
,
ospA
,
flaB
, and
pfk
, certain mRNAs could be detected through day 14. Transcript for all 4 genes was essentially undetectable after 28 days of treatment. Taken together, the results suggest that
B. burgdorferi
DNA and mRNA can be detected in samples long after spirochetes are no longer viable as assessed by classic microbiological parameters. PCR positivity in the absence of culture positivity following antibiotic treatment in animal and human studies should be interpreted with caution.
Simultaneous Detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae, S. mitis, and S. oralis by a Novel Multiplex PCR Assay Targeting the
gyrB
Gene
Authors: Kim Wonyong , Park Hee Kuk , Hwang Woo-Jin , Shin Hyoung-Shik
Published: December 2012

A multiplex PCR (mPCR) protocol was developed for simultaneous detection of the
gyrB
gene in
Streptococcus pneumoniae
,
Streptococcus mitis
, and
Streptococcus oralis
, and the specificity was evaluated using 141 coccus strains. Genomic DNAs purified from
S. pneumoniae
,
S. mitis
, and
S. oralis
strains were efficiently detected with size differences, whereas no PCR products were amplified from any of the reference strains tested. A pilot study of 47 human oral swab specimens was conducted in parallel, and the mPCR assay identified
S. pneumoniae
in 1 sample,
S. mitis
in 8 samples, and
S. oralis
in 2 samples, providing a powerful means for characterization at the level of species compared with traditional culture analysis. Our results suggest that the mPCR protocol presented here is a sensitive and promising tool for the rapid detection and discrimination of
S. pneumoniae
,
S. mitis
, and
S. oralis
from clinical specimens.
The Tanapoxvirus 15L Protein Is a Virus-Encoded Neuregulin That Promotes Viral Replication in Human Endothelial Cells
Authors: Jeng David , Ma Zhenzhong , Barrett John W. , McFadden Grant , Loeb Jeffrey A. , Essani Karim
Published: December 2012

Studies on large double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) viruses such as poxviruses have been helpful in identifying a number of viral and cellular growth factors that contribute to our broad understanding of virus-host interaction. Orthopoxviruses and leporipoxviruses are among the most studied viruses in this aspect. However, tanapoxvirus (TPV), a member of the genus
Yatapoxvirus
, still remains largely unexplored, as the only known hosts for this virus are humans and monkeys. Here, we describe the initial characterization of an epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like growth factor mimicking human neuregulin from TPV, expressed by the TPV-15L gene. Assays using a baculovirus-expressed and tagged TPV-15L protein demonstrated the ability to phosphorylate neuregulin receptors. Neuregulins represent a large family of EGF-like growth factors that play important roles in embryonic endocardium development, Schwann and oligodendrocyte survival and differentiation, localized acetylcholine receptor expression at the neuromuscular junction, and epithelial morphogenesis. Interestingly, certain neuregulin molecules are able to target specific tissues through interactions with heparin sulfate proteoglycans via an immunoglobulin (Ig)-like domain. Analyses of TPV-15L revealed no Ig-like domain, but it retains the ability to bind heparin and phosphorylate neuregulin receptors, providing compelling evidence that TPV-15L is a functional mimetic of neuregulin. TPV-15L knockout virus experiments demonstrate that the virus replicates in human umbilical vein endothelial cells less efficiently than wild-type TPV-Kenya, indicating that this is a nonessential protein for virus viability but can serve a stimulatory role for replication in some cultured cells. However, the precise role of this protein in host-virus interaction still remains to be deduced.
Amino Acid Requirements for MDA5 and LGP2 Recognition by Paramyxovirus V Proteins: a Single Arginine Distinguishes MDA5 from RIG-I
Authors: Rodriguez Kenny R. , Horvath Curt M.
Published: December 2012

Paramyxovirus V proteins bind to MDA5 (melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5) and LGP2 (laboratory of genetics and physiology gene 2) but not RIG-I (retinoic acid-inducible gene I). The results demonstrate MDA5 R806 is essential for inhibition by diverse V proteins. Complementary substitution for the analogous RIG-I L714 confers V protein recognition. The analogous LGP2 R455 is required for recognition by measles V protein, but not other V proteins. These findings indicate that paramyxoviruses use a single amino acid to distinguish MDA5 from RIG-I and have evolved distinct contact sites for LGP2 interference.
RNA Interference Targets Arbovirus Replication in Culicoides Cells
Authors: Schnettler Esther , Ratinier Maxime , Watson Mick , Shaw Andrew E. , McFarlane Melanie , Varela Mariana , Elliott Richard M. , Palmarini Massimo , Kohl Alain
Published: December 2012

Arboviruses are transmitted to vertebrate hosts by biting arthropod vectors such as mosquitoes, ticks, and midges. These viruses replicate in both arthropods and vertebrates and are thus exposed to different antiviral responses in these organisms. RNA interference (RNAi) is a sequence-specific RNA degradation mechanism that has been shown to play a major role in the antiviral response against arboviruses in mosquitoes.
Culicoides
midges are important vectors of arboviruses, known to transmit pathogens of humans and livestock such as bluetongue virus (BTV) (
Reoviridae
), Oropouche virus (
Bunyaviridae
), and likely the recently discovered Schmallenberg virus (
Bunyaviridae
). In this study, we investigated whether
Culicoides
cells possess an antiviral RNAi response and whether this is effective against arboviruses, including those with double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) genomes, such as BTV. Using reporter gene-based assays, we established the presence of a functional RNAi response in
Culicoides sonorensis
-derived KC cells which is effective in inhibiting BTV infection. Sequencing of small RNAs from KC and
Aedes aegypti
-derived Aag2 cells infected with BTV or the unrelated Schmallenberg virus resulted in the production of virus-derived small interfering RNAs (viRNAs) of 21 nucleotides, similar to the viRNAs produced during arbovirus infections of mosquitoes. In addition, viRNA profiles strongly suggest that the BTV dsRNA genome is accessible to a Dicer-type nuclease. Thus, we show for the first time that midge cells target arbovirus replication by mounting an antiviral RNAi response mainly resembling that of other insect vectors of arboviruses.
Transmitted/Founder and Chronic HIV-1 Envelope Proteins Are Distinguished by Differential Utilization of CCR5
Authors: Parker Zahra F. , Iyer Shilpa S. , Wilen Craig B. , Parrish Nicholas F. , Chikere Kelechi C. , Lee Fang-Hua , Didigu Chuka A. , Berro Reem , Klasse Per Johan , Lee Benhur , Moore John P. , Shaw George M. , Hahn Beatrice H. , Doms Robert W.
Published: December 2012

Infection by HIV-1 most often results from the successful transmission and propagation of a single virus variant, termed the transmitted/founder (T/F) virus. Here, we compared the attachment and entry properties of envelope (Env) glycoproteins from T/F and chronic control (CC) viruses. Using a panel of 40 T/F and 47 CC Envs, all derived by single genome amplification, we found that 52% of clade C and B CC Envs exhibited partial resistance to the CCR5 antagonist maraviroc (MVC) on cells expressing high levels of CCR5, while only 15% of T/F Envs exhibited this same property. Moreover, subtle differences in the magnitude with which MVC inhibited infection on cells expressing low levels of CCR5, including primary CD4
+
T cells, were highly predictive of MVC resistance when CCR5 expression levels were high. These results are consistent with previous observations showing a greater sensitivity of T/F Envs to MVC inhibition on cells expressing very high levels of CCR5 and indicate that CC Envs are often capable of recognizing MVC-bound CCR5, albeit inefficiently on cells expressing physiologic levels of CCR5. When CCR5 expression levels are high, this phenotype becomes readily detectable. The utilization of drug-bound CCR5 conformations by many CC Envs was seen with other CCR5 antagonists, with replication-competent viruses, and did not obviously correlate with other phenotypic traits. The striking ability of clade C and B CC Envs to use MVC-bound CCR5 relative to T/F Envs argues that the more promiscuous use of CCR5 by these Env proteins is selected against at the level of virus transmission and is selected for during chronic infection.
T-Cell Infiltration Correlates with CXCL10 Expression in Ganglia of Cynomolgus Macaques with Reactivated Simian Varicella Virus
Authors: Ouwendijk Werner J. D. , Abendroth Allison , Traina-Dorge Vicki , Getu Sarah , Steain Megan , Wellish Mary , Andeweg Arno C. , Osterhaus Albert D. M. E. , Gilden Don , Verjans Georges M. G. M. , Mahalingam Ravi
Published: December 2012

Ganglia of monkeys with reactivated simian varicella virus (SVV) contained more CD8 than CD4 T cells around neurons. The abundance of CD8 T cells was greater less than 2 months after reactivation than that at later times and correlated with that of CXCL10 RNA but not with those of SVV protein or open reading frame 61 (ORF61) antisense RNA. CXCL10 RNA colocalized with T-cell clusters. After SVV reactivation, transient T-cell infiltration, possibly mediated by CXCL10, parallels varicella zoster virus (VZV) reactivation in humans.
Introducing new diagnostics into STI control programmes: the importance of programme science
Authors: Peeling Rosanna W , Mabey David , Ballard Ronald C
Published: December 2012

Many innovative diagnostic technologies will become commercially available over the next 5–10 years. These tests can potentially transform the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections but their introduction into control programmes can be hampered by health system constraints, and political, cultural, socioeconomic and behavioural factors. We used the introduction of syphilis rapid tests to illustrate the importance of programme science to address the gap between accruing evidence of acceptable test performance and the complexity of programme design, implementation and evaluation of test deployment to address public health needs and improve patient-important outcomes.
POLLY — PERFORMING POLYHEDRAL OPTIMIZATIONS ON A LOW-LEVEL INTERMEDIATE REPRESENTATION
Authors: GROSSER TOBIAS , GROESSLINGER ARMIN , LENGAUER CHRISTIAN
Published: December 2012

The polyhedral model for loop parallelization has proved to be an effective tool for advanced optimization and automatic parallelization of programs in higher-level languages. Yet, to integrate such optimizations seamlessly into production compilers, they must be performed on the compiler's internal, low-level, intermediate representation (IR). With Polly, we present an infrastructure for polyhedral optimizations on such an IR. We describe the detection of program parts amenable to a polyhedral optimization (so-called static control parts), their translation to a Z-polyhedral representation, optimizations on this representation and the generation of optimized IR code. Furthermore, we define an interface for connecting external optimizers and present a novel way of using the parallelism they introduce to generate SIMD and OpenMP code. To evaluate Polly, we compile the PolyBench 2.0 benchmarks fully automatically with PLuTo as external optimizer and parallelizer. We can report on significant speedups.
OPTIMIZATION OF LINKED LIST PREFIX COMPUTATIONS ON MULTITHREADED GPUS USING CUDA
Authors: WEI ZHENG , JAJA JOSEPH
Published: December 2012

We present a number of optimization techniques to compute prefix sums on linked lists and implement them on the multithreaded GPUs Tesla C1060, Tesla C2050, and GTX480 using CUDA. Prefix computations on linked structures involve in general highly irregular fine grain memory accesses that are typical of many computations on linked lists, trees, and graphs. While the current generation of GPUs provides substantial computational power and extremely high bandwidth memory accesses, they may appear at first to be primarily geared toward streamed, highly data parallel computations. In this paper, we introduce an optimized multithreaded GPU algorithm for prefix computations through a randomization process that reduces the problem to a large number of fine-grain computations. We map these fine-grain computations onto multithreaded GPUs in such a way that the processing cost per element is shown to be close to the best possible. Our experimental results show scalability for list sizes ranging from 1M nodes to 256M nodes, and significantly improve on the recently published parallel implementations of list ranking, including implementations on the Cell Processor, the MTA-8, and the NVIDIA GT200 and Fermi series. They also compare favorably to the performance of the best known CUDA algorithm for the scan operation on the Tesla C1060 and GTX480.
THE IMPACTS OF THE IMF-SUPPORTED STRUCTURAL REFORM PROGRAM ON ASIAN STOCK MARKET EFFICIENCY
Authors: MIYAKOSHI TATSUYOSHI , TSUKUDA YOSHIHIKO , SHIMADA JUNJI
Published: December 2012

We investigate the impact of the IMF-supported structural reform program in the 1997 Asian crisis on stock market efficiency using the before–after, with–without and event study approaches by applying a time-varying parameter model to eight Asian stock markets. All the supported countries, including Indonesia and Korea, but not Thailand, experienced significantly improved market efficiency after the implementation of the program, implying a positive effect of the program according to the before–after approach. Among the nonsupported countries, China, Taiwan and Malaysia did not improve efficiency (however, Hong Kong and Singapore did) after the start of the crisis, providing some evidence of a positive effect according to the with–without approach. The Thailand, Indonesia and Korean markets showed positive abnormal returns on the days or days following policy announcements in this IMF-supported program, indicating positive effects of the policy according to the event study approach. These findings suggest that the IMF program was successful during the 1997 Asian financial crisis and that it was helpful in resolving the recent global financial crisis.
ANALYSIS OF VALENCE ELECTRON STRUCTURE ONFe3AlCxPRECIPITATED FROM C-ALLOYED IRON ALUMINIDES
Authors: TIAN XIAO-FENG , ZHANG WEI-KE , QI YU
Published: December 2012

Carbides of Fe3AlCxprecipitated from iron aluminides can strengthen the matrix; the empirical electron theory (EET) was applied to analyze the attribute of carbides in the paper, giving theoretical explanation on the matrix and precipitation. Valence electron structure (VES) of Fe3AlCxwas studied in detail, comparison with the iron aluminides matrix, the hard and brittle phase of Fe3AlCxcan be interpreted form the viewpoint of valence electron structure.
ASSESSMENT OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE M05-CLASS AND M06-CLASS FUNCTIONALS FOR THE STRUCTURE AND GEOMETRY OF THE HYDROGEN-BONDED AND HALOGEN-BONDED COMPLEXES
Authors: ZHANG YU , MA NING , WANG WEIZHOU
Published: December 2012

The M05-class (M05 and M05-2X) and M06-class (M06, M06-2X, M06-HF, and M06-L) functionals, developed by Zhao and Truhlar, have shown better performance than popular older DFT functionals in obtaining accurate binding energies of noncovalent complexes. However, the reliability of these functionals for the structure and geometry of noncovalent systems was seldom assessed. Here, using the MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ values as a benchmark, we assessed the performance of the M05-class and M06-class functionals for the structure and geometry of the hydrogen-bonded and halogen-bonded complexes. The results clearly show that the M05, M06 and M06L functionals totally fail to predict the structure of the hydrogen-bonded complex formed between glycine and carbonic acid whereas the M05-2X, M06-2X, M06-HF, and even B3LYP succeed. For the geometries of a series of halogen-bonded complexes, it is found that the M05-2X functional performs slightly better than the M06-2X and M06-HF functionals and much better than the M05, M06 and M06-L functionals on average. Based on these tests, we concluded that the M05, M06 and M06-L functionals are not good for the study of the structure and geometry of the hydrogen-bonded and halogen-bonded complexes and the density functional M05-2X is the best choice. In addition, we have also assessed the integration grid errors arising from the numerical integration of these functionals for the structure and geometry of the hydrogen-bonded and halogen-bonded complexes.
THEORETICAL STUDY OF PHOTO-PHYSICAL PROCESSES IN 2-ARYL SUBSTITUTED INDOLES
Authors: ZHENG ZILONG , ZHAO YI , NANBU SHINKOH
Published: December 2012

Ab initio method is used to figure out the structures and photo-physical processes of 2-aryl substituted indoles, 2-phenylindole (2PI), 2-naphthylindole (2NI), and 2-anthracenylindole (2AI), synthesized experimentally with strong fluorescence. The results show that the photoabsorption and fluorescence measured experimentally correspond to the monovalent anions deprotonated in the indole NH end, other than the neutral compounds. During the photochemical reaction, the angles between the planes of the indole and 2-aryl substituted moieties keep unchanged, but the photo-induced intramolecular charge transfer can immediately occur in the anions. Furthermore, the photo-physical processes after photoexcitation are analyzed by using a linear reaction coordinate.
DYNAMIC SIMULATION OF BIPED WALKING ON LOOSE SOIL
Authors: KOMIZUNAI SHUNSUKE , KONNO ATSUSHI , ABIKO SATOKO , JIANG XIN , UCHIYAMA MASARU
Published: December 2012

Most of the studies on biped walking on even or uneven terrain have assumed stiff ground. This paper proposes a dynamic contact model between foot and loose soil. The proposed contact model provides sinkage of the foot, slip of the sole and reactive force acting on the foot on loose soil. Sinkage of the foot and slip of the sole are calculated utilizing terramechanics model, which are important characteristics for biped robot to walk on loose soil. Reactive force acting on the foot on loose soil is calculated using spring-damper model between the foot and the deformed ground. By applying the proposed contact model to a usual dynamics simulator, dynamic sinkage and slip phenomenon during biped walking on loose soil are simulated. Additionally, in order to verify the simulation result, experiments were carried out using a humanoid robot.
DEVELOPMENT OF MULTI-FINGERED ROBOTIC HAND WITH COUPLED AND DIRECTLY SELF-ADAPTIVE GRASP
Authors: LI GUOXUAN , LIU HAN , ZHANG WENZENG
Published: December 2012

This paper presents a coupled and directly self-adaptive underactuated (CDSA) grasp mode, which has hybrid functions: coupled grasp and directly self-adaptive grasp. A novel multi-pulley-belt finger mechanism with springs is designed based on CDSA grasp mode. Compared with traditional coupled underactuated fingers or directly self-adaptive underactuated fingers, the grasp process of the new finger is more humanoid and its stability is better. Force analysis and size optimization rules of the finger are given. A multi-fingered robotic hand, CDSA hand, based on the CDSA finger is developed, whose control system adopts a digital signal processor (DSP) circuit module with a keyboard as its communication interface. The CDSA hand has five fingers, six DC motors, and 15 joint DOF, nine of which are CDSA joint DOF. The appearance and actions of CDSA hand imitate human hand, whose size is 1.5 times of human hand. CDSA hand weighs 1.6 kg and can grasp objects up to 0.5 kg. Simulation and experimental results show that CDSA hand is able to realize CDSA grasp mode effectively.
A CRITICAL EVALUATION OF VARIOUS NONLINEAR BEAM FINITE ELEMENTS
Authors: LAULUSA A. , REDDY J. N.
Published: December 2012

The characteristics of interdependent interpolation and mixed interpolation nonlinear beam finite elements are investigated in comparison with the equal-order interpolation element with uniform reduced integration. The stiffness matrix of the 3-noded and 4-noded equal order interpolation elements is identical to that of the 2-noded interdependent interpolation element if the internal nodal degrees-of-freedom are eliminated. The extension of the latter to include nonlinear kinematics by approximating the extensional displacement and the twist rotation with quadratic and cubic Lagrange polynomials yields unsatisfactory results. The 2-noded, 3-noded, and 4-noded mixed interpolation elements using one-, two-, and three-point quadrature rules, respectively, are shown to be equivalent to the corresponding uniform interpolation elements employing the same quadrature rules. The equivalence is established in the framework of nonlinear kinematics and anisotropic couplings.
THICKNESS-DEPENDENCE OF RESIDUAL STRESS IN LEAD-FREE FERROELECTRIC K0.5Na0.5NbO3 FILMS
Authors: WANG LINGYAN , REN WEI , GOH PHOI CHIN , YAO KUI , SHI PENG , WU XIAOQING
Published: December 2012

Lead-free ferroelectric K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) films with different thicknesses were prepared by polyvinlypyrrolidone (PVP)-modified chemical solution deposition (CSD) method. Their residual stresses were studied with two methods of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and nanoindentation fracture. It was found that the tensile stress occurs in KNN films with small thickness of 1.3 μm after all kinds of stresses were neutralized, which is mainly originated from the interaction across grain boundaries. With increasing the thickness to 2.5 μm and above it, the residual stress changed from tensile stresses to compressive stresses, and the compressive stress decreased with the thickness increased. These results could explain why a thicker KNN film can show improved electrical properties and the larger the thickness, the better the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties.
Renoprotective effects of hepatocyte growth factor in the stenotic kidney
Authors: Stewart Nicholas , Chade Alejandro R.
Published: December 2012

Renal microvascular (MV) damage and loss contribute to the progression of renal injury in renal artery stenosis (RAS). Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a powerful angiogenic and antifibrotic cytokine that we showed to be decreased in the stenotic kidney. We hypothesized that renal HGF therapy will improve renal function mainly by protecting the renal microcirculation. Unilateral RAS was induced in 15 pigs. Six weeks later, single-kidney RBF and GFR were quantified in vivo using multidetector computed tomography (CT). Then, intrarenal rh-HGF or vehicle was randomly administered into the stenotic kidney (RAS, n = 8; RAS+HGF, n = 7). Pigs were observed for 4 additional weeks before CT studies were repeated. Renal MV density was quantified by 3D micro-CT ex vivo and histology, and expression of angiogenic and inflammatory factors, apoptosis, and fibrosis was determined. HGF therapy improved RBF and GFR compared with vehicle-treated pigs. This was accompanied by improved renal expression of angiogenic cytokines (VEGF, p-Akt) and tissue-healing promoters (SDF-1, CXCR4, MMP-9), reduced MV remodeling, apoptosis, and fibrosis, and attenuated renal inflammation. However, HGF therapy did not improve renal MV density, which was similarly reduced in RAS and RAS+HGF compared with controls. Using a clinically relevant animal model of RAS, we showed novel therapeutic effects of a targeted renal intervention. Our results show distinct actions on the existing renal microcirculation and promising renoprotective effects of HGF therapy in RAS. Furthermore, these effects imply plasticity of the stenotic kidney to recuperate its function and underscore the importance of MV integrity in the progression of renal injury in RAS.
Atropine microdialysis within or near the pre-Bötzinger Complex increases breathing frequency more during wakefulness than during NREM sleep
Authors: Muere Clarissa , Neumueller Suzanne , Miller Justin , Olesiak Samantha , Hodges Matthew R. , Pan Lawrence , Forster Hubert V.
Published: December 2012

Normal activity of neurons within the medullary ventral respiratory column (VRC) in or near the pre-Bötzinger Complex (preBötC) is dependent on the balance of inhibitory and excitatory neuromodulators acting at their respective receptors. The role of cholinergic neuromodulation during awake and sleep states is unknown. Accordingly, our objective herein was to test the hypotheses that attenuation of cholinergic modulation of VRC/preBötC neurons in vivo with atropine would: 1) decrease breathing frequency more while awake than during non-rapid-eye-movement (NREM) sleep and 2) increase other excitatory neuromodulators. To test these hypotheses, we unilaterally dialyzed mock cerebrospinal fluid (mCSF) or 50 mM atropine in mCSF in or near the preBötC region of adult goats during the awake ( n = 9) and NREM sleep ( n = 7) states. Breathing was monitored, and effluent dialysate was collected for analysis of multiple neurochemicals. Compared with dialysis of mCSF alone, atropine increased ( P < 0.05) breathing frequency while awake during the day [+10 breaths (br)/min] and at night (+9 br/min) and, to a lesser extent, during NREM sleep (+5 br/min). Atropine increased ( P < 0.05) effluent concentrations of serotonin (5-HT), substance P (SP), and glycine during the day and at night. When atropine was dialyzed in one preBötC and mCSF in the contralateral preBötC, 5-HT and SP increased only at the site of atropine dialysis. We conclude: 1) attenuation of a single neuromodulator results in local changes in other neuromodulators that affect ventilatory control, 2) effects of perturbations of cholinergic neuromodulation on breathing are state-dependent, and 3) interpretation of perturbations in vivo requires consideration of direct and indirect effects.
Sweat rate and prediction validation during high-altitude treks on Mount Kilimanjaro
Authors: Gonzalez Richard R. , Kenefick Robert W. , Muza Stephen R. , Hamilton Scott W. , Sawka Michael N.
Published: December 2012

This study measured sweat rates (msw) during high-altitude summer treks on Mt. Kilimanjaro to evaluate the efficacy of a recently developed fuzzy piecewise sweat prediction equation ( Ṗw,sol) for application to high-altitude conditions. We hypothesized that the Ṗw,sol equation, adjusted for the barometric pressure (Pb) decreasing steadily at high altitude ( Ṗw,sol+Alt), would allow for a more accurate prediction of msw than Ṗw,sol unadjusted for altitude ( Ṗw,solSL). Fifteen men (43 ± 16 yr; 80 ± 22 kg) and seven women (46 ± 16 yr; 77 ± 18 kg) wearing hiking clothes (clo ∼1.15; clothing evaporative potential = 0.27) and carrying light loads (9 ± 2 kg), were studied during morning and afternoon treks (∼2–3 h) while ascending from 2,829 m to 3,505 m. After each trek, msw was measured with specific biophysical parameters at 15-min intervals. During the trek day, Pb progressively declined (530 to 504 Torr), as solar radiation and ambient temperature (°C) rose transiently. During all treks, msw ranged from 68 to 393 g·m−2·h−1 (0.14 to 0.79 l/h). For each subject, derived Ṗw,solSL and Ṗw,sol+Alt model outputs accurately predicted the morning and afternoon average msw within a root mean square error of 0.145 l/h. No differences were found between Ṗw,solSL and Ṗw,sol+Alt values. In conclusion, we report the first msw measured during outdoor high-altitude activities and determined that Ṗw,solSL equation can be used to predict fluid needs during high-altitude activities without alterations for lower Pb. This model prediction provides a valid water planning tool for outdoor activities at high altitude up to 3,500 m.
Regular physical activity prevents development of chronic pain and activation of central neurons
Authors: Sluka Kathleen A. , O'Donnell James M. , Danielson Jessica , Rasmussen Lynn A.
Published: December 2012

Chronic musculoskeletal pain is a significant health problem and is associated with increases in pain during acute physical activity. Regular physical activity is protective against many chronic diseases; however, it is unknown if it plays a role in development of chronic pain. The current study induced physical activity by placing running wheels in home cages of mice for 5 days or 8 wk and compared these to sedentary mice without running wheels in their home cages. Chronic muscle pain was induced by repeated intramuscular injection of pH 4.0 saline, exercise-enhanced pain was induced by combining a 2-h fatiguing exercise task with a low-dose muscle inflammation (0.03% carrageenan), and acute muscle inflammation was induced by 3% carrageenan. We tested the responses of the paw (response frequency) and muscle (withdrawal threshold) to nociceptive stimuli. Because the rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) is involved in exercise-induced analgesia and chronic muscle pain, we tested for changes in phosphorylation of the NR1 subunit of the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor in the RVM. We demonstrate that regular physical activity prevents the development of chronic muscle pain and exercise-induced muscle pain by reducing phosphorylation of the NR1 subunit of the NMDA receptor in the central nervous system. However, regular physical activity has no effect on development of acute pain. Thus physical inactivity is a risk factor for development of chronic pain and may set the nervous system to respond in an exaggerated way to low-intensity muscle insults.
Concept Layout Model of Transportation Terminals
Authors: Yao Li-ya , Sun Li-shan , Wang Wu-hong , Xiong Hui
Published: December 2012

Transportation terminal is the key node in transport systems. Efficient terminals can improve operation of passenger transportation networks, adjust the layout of public transportation networks, provide a passenger guidance system, and regulate the development of commercial forms, as well as optimize the assembly and distribution of modern logistic modes, among others. This study aims to clarify the relationship between the function and the structure of transportation terminals and establish the function layout design. The mapping mechanism of demand, function, and structure was analyzed, and a quantitative relationship between function and structure was obtained from a design perspective. Passenger demand and terminal structure were decomposed into several demand units and structural elements following the principle of reverse engineering. The relationship maps between these two kinds of elements were then analyzed. Function‐oriented concept layout model of transportation terminals was established using the previous method. Thus, a technique in planning and design of transportation structures was proposed. Meaningful results were obtained from the optimization of transportation terminal facilities, which guide the design of the functional layout of transportation terminals and improve the development of urban passenger transportation systems.
Configurable Transmitter and Systolic Channel Estimator Architectures for Data-Dependent Superimposed Training Communications Systems
Authors: Romero-Aguirre E. , Parra-Michel R. , Carrasco-Alvarez Roberto , Orozco-Lugo A. G.
Published: December 2012

In this paper, a configurable superimposed training (ST)/data-dependent ST (DDST) transmitter and architecture based on array processors (APs) for DDST channel estimation are presented. Both architectures, designed under full-hardware paradigm, were described using Verilog HDL, targeted in Xilinx Virtex-5 and they were compared with existent approaches. The synthesis results showed a FPGA slice consumption of 1% for the transmitter and 3% for the estimator with 160 and 115 MHz operating frequencies, respectively. The signal-to-quantization-noise ratio (SQNR) performance of the transmitter is about 82 dB to support 4/16/64-QAM modulation. A Monte Carlo simulation demonstrates that the mean square error (MSE) of the channel estimator implemented in hardware is practically the same as the one obtained with the floating-point golden model. The high performance and reduced hardware of the proposed architectures lead to the conclusion that the DDST concept can be applied in current communications standards.
Bilateral Spontaneous Pneumothorax, Pneumomediastinum, and Subcutaneous Emphysema: Rare and Fatal Complications of Asthma
Authors: Karakaya Zeynep , Demir Şerafettin , Sagay Sönmez Serkan , Karakaya Olcay , Özdinç Serife
Published: December 2012

Simultaneous bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax (SBSP) and pneumomediastinum are complications rarely observed synchronously during an acute asthma attack. It is a clinical condition that manifests itself with serious respiratory distress and must be rapidly diagnosed and treated. Although bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax has already been reported in asthma patients in the literature, its concurrence with subcutaneous emphysema and pneumomediastinum is extremely rare except for iatrogenic conditions. By sharing this case about a 39-year-old patient who presented to the emergency room with severe respiratory distress and developed cardiopulmonary arrest during his physical examination, our aim is to emphasize that a rapid diagnosis and treatment by the emergency physicians is the only way for survival in these patients.
Treatment of Common Cold Patients with the Shi-Cha Capsule: A Multicenter, Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Dose-Escalation Trial
Authors: Chang Jing , Dong Shou-Jin , She Bin , Zhang Rui-Ming , Meng Mao-Bin , Xu Yan-Ling , Wan Li-Ling , Shi Ke-Hua , Pan Jun-Hun , Mao Bing
Published: December 2012

This study was designed to determine the therapeutic efficacy and safety of the Shi-cha capsule, a Chinese herbal formula, in the treatment of patients with wind-cold type common cold. In our multi-center, prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation trial, patients with wind-cold type common cold received 0.6 g of Shi-cha capsule plus 0.6 g placebo (group A), 1.2 g of Shi-cha capsule (group B), or 1.2 g placebo (group C), three times daily for 3 days and followed up to 10 days. The primary end point was all symptom duration. The secondary end points were main symptom duration, minor symptom duration, the changes in cumulative symptom score, main symptom score, and minor symptom score 4 days after the treatment, as well as adverse events. A total of 377 patients were recruited and 360 met the inclusive criteria; 120 patients constituted each treatment group. Compared with patients in group C, patients in groups A and B had significant improvement in the all symptom duration, main symptom duration, minor symptom duration, as well as change from baseline of cumulative symptom score, main symptom score, and minor symptom score at day 4. The symptom durations and scores showed slight superiority of group B over group A, although these differences were not statistically significant. There were no differences in adverse events. The Shi-cha capsule is efficacious and safe for the treatment of patients with wind-cold type common cold. Larger trials are required to fully assess the benefits and safety of this treatment for common cold.