bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteoprogenitor Cell Therapy in an Equine Fracture Model
Authors: McDuffee Laurie A. , Pack LeeAnn , Lores Marcos , Wright Glenda M. , Esparza‐Gonzalez Blanca , Masaoud Elmabrok
Published: July 2012

Objective

To compare the efficacy of osteoprogenitors in fibrin glue to fibrin glue alone in bone healing of surgically induced ostectomies of the fourth metacarpal bones in an equine model.

Study Design

Experimental.

Animals

Adult horses (n = 10).

Methods

Segmental ostectomies of the 4th metacarpal bone (MC4) were performed bilaterally in 10 horses. There was 1 treatment and 1 control limb in each horse. Bone defects were randomly injected with either fibrin glue and osteoprogenitor cells or fibrin glue alone. Radiography was performed every week until the study endpoint at 12 weeks. After euthanasia, bone healing was evaluated using radiography and histology. Analysis of radiographic data was conducted using a linear‐mixed model. Analysis of histologic data was conducted using a general linear model. Statistical significance was set atP< .05.

Results

Radiographic grayscale data as a measure of bone healing revealed no significant difference between treatment and control limbs. Radiographic scoring results also showed that the treatment effect was not significant. Histologic analysis was consistent with radiographic analysis showing no significant difference between the area of bone present in treatment and control limbs.

Conclusion

Injection of periosteal‐derived osteoprogenitors in a fibrin glue carrier into surgically created ostectomies ofMC4 does not accelerate bone healing when compared with fibrin glue alone.
Seasonal stream habitat of adult Sakhalin taimen, Parahucho perryi, in the Bekanbeushi River system, eastern Hokkaido, Japan
Authors: Honda Kentaro , Kagiwada Haruka , Takahashi Nobuyuki , Miyashita Kazushi
Published: July 2012

Behavioural tracking of endangered adult Sakhalin taimen (Parahucho perryi) by acoustic telemetry was conducted in the Bekanbeushi River system that flows through eastern Hokkaido in 2008–2010. A total of 39 tracked P. perryi showed extensive use of the river system, both upstream and downstream, regardless of the month or year. No tracked adult P. perryi stayed in the ocean for more than 1 day. Some of the fish (20%) dwelled in upstream habitat consistently from spring to autumn, while 40% of individuals showed wide utilisation of the entire upstream and downstream systems. Although 39.4% of tracked fish utilised two or more primary tributaries to the main river, 6.1% used only the main river system. Distinct variability was observed between individuals based on the proportion of time spent in each stream reach (up‐, mid‐, and downstream). A trend was observed in 2008 and 2010 showing that tracked fish moved to the upper stream reaches when water temperatures downstream increased. This trend was not observed in 2009 when the summer water temperature downstream was more than 2 °C below average when compared to 2008 and 2010. Our results suggest that adult P. perryi in the Bekanbeushi River system exhibit high behavioural plasticity, that is, the fish can select habitats based on their own individual requirements. Our results also demonstrate the importance of physical continuity among river reaches both upstream and downstream such that P. perryi does not experience barriers in moving to optimal habitats.
IL1 gene polymorphisms in relation to external apical root resorption concurrent with orthodontia
Authors: Linhartova P , Cernochova P , Izakovicova Holla L
Published: July 2012

Objective

External apical root resorption (EARR) is permanent shortening of the end of the tooth root. It is a common clinical complication of orthodontic treatment. Polymorphisms in the interleukin 1 (IL1) gene cluster have been related to an increased EARR risk. The aim of this study was to analyze possible associations of IL1 gene variants with EARR in Czech population.

Subjects and Methods

In this case–control study, 32 patients with EARR (age 15.0 ± 4.1 years) and 74 controls (age 15.2 ± 5.3 years) were genotyped using PCR‐based methods for IL1A (−889C/T), IL1B (+3953C/T), and IL1RN [IL1 receptor antagonist, variable number tandem repeat (VNTR)] gene polymorphisms.

Results

While no statistical significant differences in the IL1A and IL1B genotype, allele and reconstructed IL1 haplotype frequencies between patients with EARR and controls were found, marginally significant differences were observed in the frequencies of IL1RN variant (P = 0.05 for *22 genotype and P = 0.06 for a short (2) allele). In addition, significant associations between IL1RN*12, *22 genotypes and the short (2) allele and EARR were identified in the subgroup of girls (P = 0.04 and P = 0.02, P = 0.02).

Conclusions

Although no significant role of IL1A (−889C/T) and IL1B (+3953C/T) variants in EARR was confirmed, IL1RN VNTR may be associated with EARR, especially in girls.
Sexual Arousal and Desire: Interrelations and Responses to Three Modalities of Sexual Stimuli
Authors: Goldey Katherine L. , van Anders Sari M.
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Traditionally, sexual desire is understood to occur spontaneously, but more recent models propose that desire responds to sexual stimuli.

Aims

To experimentally assess whether sexual stimuli increased sexual desire; to compare how sexual arousal and desire responded to three modalities of sexual stimuli: erotic story, unstructured fantasy, and the Imagined Social Situation Exercise (ISSE).

Methods

In an online study, participants (128 women, 98 men) were randomly assigned to one of four arousal conditions (ISSE, story, fantasy, or neutral), and then completed desire measures. In the ISSE, participants imagined and wrote about a positive sexual encounter with a self-defined attractive person.

Main Outcome Measures

Sexual arousal (perceived genital, psychological, and perceived autonomic), anxiety, positive and negative affect, and state sexual desire via self-report measures pre- and post-condition; “trait” desire via the Sexual Desire Inventory post-condition.

Results

All three sexual conditions significantly increased sexual arousal and positive affect compared with the neutral condition, with trends for higher arousal to unstructured fantasy than the ISSE or story conditions. Sexual conditions significantly increased scores on state measures of sexual desire. In addition, sexual context influenced measurement of “trait” solitary sexual desire in women, such that women reported significantly higher trait desire after the neutral and ISSE conditions vs. fantasy.

Conclusion

Results highlight the responsiveness of sexual desire, problems with measurement of desire as a long-term trait, trade-offs of using the ISSE and other stimuli in sexuality research, and the need to address context in discussions of women’s and men’s desire.
Persistent Sexual Side Effects of Finasteride: Could They be Permanent?
Authors: Irwig Michael S.
Published: July 2012

Introduction

Finasteride has been associated with sexual side effects that may persist despite discontinuation of the medication. In a clinical series, 20% of subjects with male pattern hair loss reported persistent sexual dysfunction for ≥6 years, suggesting the possibility that the dysfunction may be permanent. These subjects also reported a wide range of symptoms including changes in cognition, ejaculate quality, and genital sensation. Other medications have been associated with irreversible neurological effects, such as phenothiazines with tardive dyskinesias.

Aim

To prospectively study whether the persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride resolve or endure over time.

Methods

Subjects (N = 54) with persistent sexual side effects associated with finasteride were reassessed after 9–16 months (mean 14 months). All subjects were otherwise healthy young men without any baseline sexual dysfunction, medical conditions, psychiatric conditions, or use of oral prescription medications prior to taking finasteride for male pattern hair loss.

Main Outcome Measure

Scores from the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX).

Results

The participation rate was 81%. At reassessment persistent sexual side effects continued to be present in 96% of subjects. According to the ASEX scores, 89% of subjects met the definition of sexual dysfunction. Neither the length of finasteride use nor the duration of the sexual side effects correlated to changes in scores of sexual dysfunction.

Conclusion

In most men who developed persistent sexual side effects (≥3 months) despite the discontinuation of finasteride, the sexual dysfunction continued for many months or years. Although several rat studies have shown detrimental changes to erectile function caused by 5 alpha reductase inhibitors, the persistent nature of these changes is an area of active research. Prescribers of finasteride and men contemplating its use should be made aware of the potential adverse medication effects.
A Thermoanalytical Study of the Conversion of Amorphous Si–Ti–C–O Fibers to SiC
Authors: Jacobson Nathan S. , Kline Sara E.
Published: July 2012

The conversion of polytitanocarbosilane fibers to SiC has been studied from 1400°C to 1600°C. Thermochemical modeling indicated the stable phases were SiC and TiC. Kinetics were studied with a thermogravimetric method and post heat‐treatment phases, and microstructures were studied with X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. Kinetics exhibit a strong temperature dependence and an activation energy of 443.3 ± 11.7 kJ/mol. This suggests that a chemical reaction step is rate‐limiting. X‐ray diffraction shows the conversion of an amorphous phase to crystalline SiC. Electron microscopy shows the development of internal porosity and large grains on the fiber surface, particularly at the higher temperatures.
Errors in abdominal ultrasonography in dogs and cats
Authors: Garcia D. A. A. , Froes Tilde R.
Published: July 2012

Objectives

To compare ultrasonographic diagnoses with the findings of surgical exploration to identify and classify potential diagnostic errors.

Methods

A cross‐sectional prospective study of surgically confirmed ultrasound findings was conducted over a period of 29 months in two veterinary hospitals. Any errors in diagnosis made by the sonographer were classified as perceptual, cognitive, equipment‐related, inevitable or multifactorial.

Results

One hundred and five ultrasound examinations were performed in 88 dogs and 17 cats. Errors in ultrasound diagnosis occurred in 17 animals (16·2%). These errors were identified as cognitive in 10 animals, inevitable in 5 and multifactorial in 2.

Clinical Significance

This study demonstrates that whilst errors of diagnosis do occur during ultrasonographic examination of the abdomen, understanding the causes of these errors will contribute to the development of this imaging modality.
Free skin grafts for immediate wound coverage following tumour resection from the canine distal limb
Authors: Tong T. , Simpson D. J.
Published: July 2012

Objective

To evaluate free skin graft as a closure method immediately following extensive oncological resections in the distal limb of dogs.

Method

Evaluation of medical records of dogs that received a full‐thickness, meshed, free skin graft in the distal limb immediately after tumour removal.

Results

Oncological resection was performed on the antebrachium of six dogs and the ‐tarso‐‐metatarsal area of one dog. Tumour types were mast cell tumour (n=4), soft tissue sarcoma (n=2) and ‐histiocytic sarcoma (n=1). The recipient bed consisted predominately of muscles and tendons. Three grafts survived completely. There was partial, superficial epidermal necrosis in some areas of four grafts. None of the dogs had full thickness necrosis or required further reconstruction. Good to excellent cosmetic results were achieved. Tumour resection was complete in every case. There was no local tumour recurrence at the time of last follow‐up (6–49 months).

Clinical Significance

Free grafting can be used reliably to reconstruct extensive surgical wounds in the distal limb in dogs after large tumour resection without the need for a delay to allow granulation tissue to form. Immediate grafting is useful as an alternative to other reconstructive surgical techniques or second intention healing.
Comprehensive global amino acid sequence analysis of PB1F2 protein of influenza A H5N1 viruses and the influenza A virus subtypes responsible for the 20th‐century pandemics
Authors: Pasricha Gunisha , Mishra Akhilesh C. , Chakrabarti Alok K.
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Pasricha et al. (2012) Comprehensive global amino acid sequence analysis of PB1F2 protein of influenza A H5N1 viruses and the Influenza A virus subtypes responsible for the 20th‐century pandemics. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(4), 497–505.

Background  PB1F2 is the 11th protein of influenza A virus translated from +1 alternate reading frame of PB1 gene. Since the discovery, varying sizes and functions of the PB1F2 protein of influenza A viruses have been reported. Selection of PB1 gene segment in the pandemics, variable size and pleiotropic effect of PB1F2 intrigued us to analyze amino acid sequences of this protein in various influenza A viruses.

Methods  Amino acid sequences for PB1F2 protein of influenza A H5N1, H1N1, H2N2, and H3N2 subtypes were obtained from Influenza Research Database. Multiple sequence alignments of the PB1F2 protein sequences of the aforementioned subtypes were used to determine the size, variable and conserved domains and to perform mutational analysis.

Results  Analysis showed that 96·4% of the H5N1 influenza viruses harbored full‐length PB1F2 protein. Except for the 2009 pandemic H1N1 virus, all the subtypes of the 20th‐century pandemic influenza viruses contained full‐length PB1F2 protein. Through the years, PB1F2 protein of the H1N1 and H3N2 viruses has undergone much variation. PB1F2 protein sequences of H5N1 viruses showed both human‐ and avian host‐specific conserved domains. Global database of PB1F2 protein revealed that N66S mutation was present only in 3·8% of the H5N1 strains. We found a novel mutation, N84S in the PB1F2 protein of 9·35% of the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 influenza viruses.

Conclusions  Varying sizes and mutations of the PB1F2 protein in different influenza A virus subtypes with pandemic potential were obtained. There was genetic divergence of the protein in various hosts which highlighted the host‐specific evolution of the virus. However, studies are required to correlate this sequence variability with the virulence and pathogenicity.
Surveillance of hospitalised severe cases of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and related fatalities in nine EU countries in 2010–2011
Authors: Snacken René , Quinten Chantal , Devaux Isabelle , Plata Flaviu , Broberg Eeva , Zucs Phillip , Amato‐Gauci Andrew
Published: July 2012

Please cite this paper as: Snacken et al. (2012) Surveillance of hospitalised severe cases of Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and related fatalities in nine EU countries in 2010–2011. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 6(601), e93–e96.

A few months into the 2009 influenza pandemic, nine European countries implemented case‐based surveillance of hospitalised severe influenza infections. In the present study, we assess the association between patient characteristics, in particular underlying conditions, and the severity level of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection during the 2010‐2011 season. Patient age, the presence of underlying conditions, pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and the need for ventilation were significantly associated with the severity of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 infection. Despite limitations essentially because of the heterogeneity of the data reported, this study provides insight into severe influenza cases.
Dental care before lung transplantation: are we being too rigorous?
Authors: Walterspacher Stephan , Fuhrmann Carsten , Germann Martin , Ratka‐Krüger Petra , Windisch Wolfram
Published: July 2012

Objective

Poor dental status is known to cause infections in severely sick and in elderly patients. In patients awaiting lung transplantation, rigorous dental treatment is a common prerequisite, although evidence‐based data are lacking with regard to extent, necessity and effect on post‐transplantation infectious status.

Materials and Methods

In the present retrospective study, dental status [dental history (missing teeth, caries, tooth restorations and extractions, prevalence of periodontitis) and dental treatment prior transplantation] was assessed in 85 lung transplant candidates at the University Hospital of Freiburg, Germany and evaluated for infectious foci in the first 3 years following transplantation.

Results

Forty‐nine patients got transplanted in the observed timespan. Total tooth count differed significantly between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (16 ± 9), pulmonary fibrosis (22 ± 7) or cystic fibrosis (30 ± 3) patients prior transplantation (P > 0.001). Periodontitis prevalence yielded no difference and was mainly not treated prior transplantation. No dental‐related infectious focus could be diagnosed post‐transplantation. However, 15% of post‐transplantation infections were of unknown focus, and infection rate was increased in year 2 post‐transplantation in patients without periodontitis.

Conclusion

No clearly defined dental foci were registered following transplantation. This raises the question of whether current dental treatment in these highly compromised patients is too rigorous with regard to tooth extractions. However, no focus could be detected in 15% of the registered infections. Therefore, controversially, post‐transplantation dental care could also be insufficient with regard to undertreated periodontitis.
Convective Heat Transfer Characteristics of Silver-Water Nanofluid Under Laminar and Turbulent Flow Conditions
Authors: Godson Lazarus , Raja B. , Mohan Lal D. , Wongwises S.
Published: July 2012

The convective heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop of silver-water nanofluids is measured in a counter flow heat exchanger from laminar to turbulent flow regime. The experimental results show that the convective heat transfer coefficient of the nanofluids increases by up to 69% at a concentration of 0.9 vol. % compared with that of pure water. Furthermore, the experimental results show that the convective heat transfer coefficient enhancement exceeds the thermal conductivity enhancement. It is observed that the measured heat transfer coefficient is higher than that of the predicted ones using Gnielinski equation by at least 40%. The use of the silver nanofluid has a little penalty in pressure drop up to 55% increase 0.9% volume concentration of silver nanoparticles.
Heat Transfer Enhancement of Laminar Flow Through a Circular Tube Having Wire Coil Inserts and Fitted With Center-Cleared Twisted Tape
Authors: Saha Sujoy Kumar , Barman Bikash Kumar , Banerjee Soumitra
Published: July 2012

The experimental friction factor and Nusselt number data for laminar flow through a circular duct having wire coil inserts and fitted with center-cleared twisted tape have been presented. Predictive friction factor and Nusselt number correlations have also been presented. The thermohydraulic performance has been evaluated. The major findings of this experimental investigation are the center-cleared twisted tapes in combination with wire coil inserts perform better than the individual enhancement technique acting alone for laminar flow through a circular duct up to a certain amount of center-clearance.
Frequency dependent directivity of guided waves excited by circular transducers in anisotropic composite plates
Authors: Glushkov Evgeny , Glushkova Natalia , Eremin Artem , Lammering Rolf , Neumann Mirko
Published: July 2012

Lamb wave propagation in fiber-reinforced composite plates is featured by a pronounced directivity of wave energy transfer along the fibers from a point surface source. In the case of non-point (sized) source, the main lobe of radiation diagram may turn with frequency up to the orthogonal to the fibers direction. This effect has been theoretically studied and physically explained in the context of semi-analytical integral-equation based mathematical model. The present paper gives its experimental verification.
Automated detection of alarm sounds
Authors: Lutfi Robert A. , Heo Inseok
Published: July 2012

Two approaches to the automated detection of alarm sounds are compared, one based on a change in overall sound level (RMS), the other a change in periodicity, as given by the power of the normalized autocorrelation function (PNA). Receiver operating characteristics in each case were obtained for different exemplars of four classes of alarm sounds (bells/chimes, buzzers/beepers, horns/whistles, and sirens) embedded in four noise backgrounds (cafeteria, park, traffic, and music). The results suggest that PNA combined with RMS may be used to improve current alarm-sound alerting technologies for the hard-of-hearing.
Nature's Intricate Clockwork
Authors: Crane Brian R.
Published: July 2012

The crystal structure of a transcriptional activator reveals the inner workings of the mammalian circadian clock.
Frameshifting to PA-X Influenza
Authors: Yewdell Jonathan W. , Ince William L.
Published: July 2012

The genome of influenza A virus encodes a newly discovered protein that diminishes its pathogenicity.
Getting HIV Treatment to the Most People
Authors: Lynch Sharonann , Ford Nathan , Cutsem Gilles van , Bygrave Helen , Janssens Bart , Decroo Tom , Andrieux-Meyer Isabelle , Roberts Teri , Balkan Suna , Casas Esther , Ferreyra Cecilia , Bemelmans Marielle , Cohn Jen , Kahn Patricia , Goemaere Eric
Published: July 2012

Delivering HIV care effectively and ensuring long-term retention of patients requires innovative strategies and tools—and policies that enable their widespread use.
Betting Big on Science: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Cho Adrian
Published: July 2012

To lure federal investment, South Dakota has spent nearly $100 million to build an underground lab. Now its gamble is looking like a long shot.
And the Band Played On, Vol. 2
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2012

If its large public hospital, Grady Memorial, is any measure, Atlanta currently has one of the most out-of-control AIDS epidemics in the country.
Pay Now, Benefits May Follow
Authors: Cohen Jon
Published: July 2012

When people reduce the amount of HIV in their bodies, they are less likely to infect others. Now, an innovative and ambitious follow-on trial seeks to see if it can build on its sister study.
Improving primary care in Australia through the Australian Primary Care Collaboratives Program: a quality improvement report
Authors: Knight Andrew W , Caesar Claire , Ford Dale , Coughlin Alison , Frick Colin
Published: July 2012

Problem

Effective and affordable health systems have good primary care. Access, equity, care of chronic conditions and quality are key priorities in primary care in Australia.

Design

A large-scale quality improvement collaborative addressing diabetes, coronary heart disease (CHD), access, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), patient self-management, Aboriginal health and diabetes prevention.

Setting

General practices and Aboriginal medical services across Australia.

Key Measures for Improvement

Sample measures are reported.

Strategy for Change

The Improvement Foundation (Australia) adapted collaborative strategies used in the UK. Health service teams attended three workshops, separated by activity periods and followed by 12 months of further work. Teams were supported by local collaborative program managers to make changes and report measures. Services received feedback about improvement compared with their wave.

Effects of Change

1185 health services participated in 13 waves between 2005 and 2011. 83% of Australian divisions of general practice participated, and 262 support staff received quality improvement training. Key measures show improvement in all topics except access. 397 111 patients were on the disease registers of participating health services.

Lessons learnt

The collaborative methodology is transferable to primary care in Australia. Results may reflect improved data recording and disease coding, as well as changes in clinical care. Team dynamics and local support are important success factors. Collaboratives are a useful tool in a program of clinical quality improvement. The APCC will work with the new primary healthcare organisations which are part of health reforms in Australia to improve data reporting, improve diabetes care and entrench quality improvement in the emerging environment.
Interruption handling strategies during paediatric medication administration
Authors: Colligan Lacey , Bass Ellen J
Published: July 2012

Background

Interruptions are a part of many hospital settings. During medication administration, interruptions have been shown to lead to medication errors. Understanding interruption management strategies during medical management could lead to the design of interventions to reduce and mitigate related errors.

Methods

Semi-structured interviews with paediatric nurses in an in-patient setting were used to identify types of interruptions, strategies for safe medication administration and interruption management, as well as factors influencing the interruption management strategy choice. Nurses also worked through use cases and provided verbal protocols about their strategies. To confirm and refine a framework for interruption handling, on-the-job observations were also conducted.

Results

Four case studies of medication administration highlight four interruption handling strategies. Three allow the interruption: 1) the primary task is suspended so that the higher priority secondary task may be engaged immediately; 2) multi-task by dividing attention between the primary and secondary tasks; and 3) mediating the interruption with an action that supports resumption of the primary task. The fourth blocks the interruption, keeping attention on the primary task (blocking). Interviews and on-the-job observation suggest that nurses dynamically assess the primary and (interrupting) secondary tasks. They prioritise task execution based on both risk and workflow efficiency assessments. Specific interruption handling depends on both task and experience related factors.

Conclusions

Paediatric nurses have developed sophisticated strategies to manage interruptions and maintain patient safety and work efficiency during medication administration. To support a more resilient healthcare system, interruption management strategies should be supported through process, task support tools and education.
Adverse drug events caused by serious medication administration errors
Authors: Kale Abhivyakti , Keohane Carol A , Maviglia Saverio , Gandhi Tejal K , Poon Eric G
Published: July 2012

Objective

To determine how often serious or life-threatening medication administration errors with the potential to cause harm (potential adverse drug events) result in actual harm (adverse drug events (ADEs)) in the hospital setting.

Design

Retrospective chart review of clinical events following observed medication administration errors.

Background

Medication errors are common at the medication administration stage for inpatients. While many errors can cause harm, it is unclear exactly how often.

Methods

In a previous study where 14 041 medication administrations were directly observed, 1271 medication administration errors were discovered, of which 133 had the potential to cause serious or life-threatening harm and were considered serious or life-threatening potential adverse drug events. As a follow-up, clinical reviewers conducted detailed chart review of serious or life-threatening potential ADEs to determine if they caused an ADE. Reviewers assessed severity of the ADE and attribution to the error.

Results

Ten (7.5% (95% CI 6.98 to 8.01)) actual ADEs resulted from the 133 serious and life-threatening potential ADEs, of which 6 resulted in significant, three in serious, and one life threatening injury. Therefore 4 (3% (95% CI 2.12 to 3.6)) of serious or life threatening potential ADEs led to serious or life threatening ADEs. Half of the ADEs were caused by dosage or monitoring errors for anti-hypertensives.

Conclusions

Unintercepted potential ADEs at the medication administration stage can cause serious patient harm. At hospitals where 6 million doses are administered per year, about 4000 preventable ADEs would be attributable to medication administration errors annually.
M[P(1,2-O2C6H4)3] (M = K or Na) — Synthesis, characterization, and use in halide abstraction
Authors: Siu Paul W. , Gates Derek P.
Published: July 2012

Alkali metal salts of the tris(o-phenylenedioxy)phosphate anion, K[P(1,2-O2C6H4)3] (K[1]) and Na[P(1,2-O2C6H4)3] (Na[1]), were prepared by treating Et3NH[1] with KH or NaH, respectively. X-ray crystallographic analysis of K[1], crystallized in the presence of DMSO, revealed a dimeric structure of formulation K2(DMSO)6[1]2·C7H8. In contrast, the crystal structure of K[1] grown from MeCN consists of fascinating hexagonal macrocycles with formulation {K(MeCN)2[1]}6 with an outside diameter of about 25 Å and a very small hole (≤2.5 Å). Remarkably, these hexagonal macrocycles stack one upon the other with a spacing of about 9.4 Å. The salt, K[1], is an effective halide abstraction agent reacting with (dppp)PdCl2 (dppp = 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane) (1:1 ratio) or [(cod)RhCl]2 (2:1 ratio) to afford [(dppp)Pd(µ-Cl)]2[1]2 and (cod)Rh[1], respectively. The molecular structures of each complex were determined.
Stereoselective benzylic hydroxylation of ethylbenzene and propylbenzene using the mycelia of Aspergillus flavus MTCC-1783 and MTCC-1884
Authors: Yadav Saroj , Yadav R.S.S. , Yadav K.D.S.
Published: July 2012

The aim of this study was to provide syntheses of optically pure (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylpropanol from ethylbenzene and propylbenzene, respectively, using the fungal mycelia of new fungal species, namely Aspergillus flavus MTCC-1783 and Aspergillus flavus MTCC-1884, as catalysts. The mycelia of A. flavus MTCC- 1783 and A. flavus MTCC-1884 were prepared by growing the fungal strains in liquid culture medium containing ethylmethylketone as the sole carbon source. The mycelia were suspended in potassium phosphate buffer pH 7.0. The suspensions of mycelia were used for the transformations of ethylbenzene and propylbenzene. Ethylbenzene and propylbenzene were converted to (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylpropanol, in 100% and 99% ee, respectively. The mycelia of A. flavus MTCC-1783 and A. flavus MTCC-1884 can be used for the preparation of (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylpropanol in 100% and 99% ee, respectively, from ethylbenzene and propylbenzene, respectively. The studies report convenient methods for the syntheses of optically pure isomers, (R)-1-phenylethanol and (R)-1-phenylpropanol, which are important chiral building blocks in the preparations of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals. The reactions are ecofriendly, occur at 30 °C, and the time required was 24 h.
Asymmetrically distorted structures of monosilacyclobutane and disilacyclobutane radical cations studied by ab initio and density functional theories
Authors: Cai Z.J. , Shi Y.J.
Published: July 2012

The geometrical and electronic structures of a series of six monosilacyclobutane and 1,3-disilacyclobutane radical cations were systematically studied using ab initio and density functional theories. It was shown that all six radical cations possess an asymmetrically distorted structure in their ground electronic states. In the asymmetrically distorted C1 structure of monosilacyclobutane cations, one Si–C bond was elongated and the other was shortened. For the disilacyclobutane cations, two ring bonds were elongated and the other two contracted. The asymmetrical distortion was enhanced by exocyclic methyl substitutions and weakened by endocyclic Si substitution. The unpaired electron was localized mainly in the elongated σ(Si–C) ring bond(s) in all six cations. Studies of the excited electronic states of the cations provided strong support that the asymmetrical distortion in the four-membered-ring cations originates from the second-order Jahn–Teller effect. It was found that the puckered ring structures in the monosilacyclobutane molecules were maintained upon ionization, whereas 1,3-disilacyclobutane cations changed to a planar ring structure. Examination of the potential energy surfaces of all six cations showed that the Si–C ring bond elongation is the main contributor to the significant difference in the geometry change between monosilacyclobutane and disilacyclobutane species upon ionization.
High-Speed Measurement of Refractive Index Using Dielectric Multilayer Films Deposited on Optical Fiber End
Authors: Kim Kyung-Su , Mizuno Yosuke , Nakamura Kentaro
Published: July 2012

We have recently developed a refractive index (RI) sensor using a band-pass filter composed of dielectric multilayer films deposited on an optical fiber end. The RI is detected as a shift in the wavelength characteristics, and can be read with an optical spectrum analyzer used in this sensor. In this study, we employ a high-speed demodulator, which converts the optical wavelength information into electrical voltage through the slope of the spectral characteristics. A response time of as short as several tens of microseconds is achieved. We also compare the RI sensitivity of the proposed sensor with that of a simple Fresnel-based RI sensor.
A Minimally Destructive Multi-Element Sensing Technique for Metal Alloys by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy
Authors: Ho Sut Kam
Published: July 2012

In this work, simultaneous multi-element analyses for aluminum and stainless steel alloys using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) were reported with special emphasis on the destructiveness of target that is seldom deliberated in similar analysis. Sample damage was qualified by images of craters. By non-destructive single laser pulse of 0.7 mJ, 285.2- and 288.2-nm lines for Mg and Si were seen with noticeable signal-to-noise ratio of 23 and 11, respectively by ablation of aluminum alloy, but no visible damage was observed. Moreover, the limits of detection for Na, Mg, Si, and Cu are as good as 0.6, 2.1, 15.3, and 8.5 µg/g respectively in aluminum alloys. As such, LIBS was demonstrated to be a practical sensing technique for minimally destructive analysis of sample with numerous elements.
Perfect Domain-Lattice Matching between MgB2and Al2O3: Single-Crystal MgB2Thin Films Grown on Sapphire
Authors: Seong Won Kyung , Oh Sangjun , Kang Won Nam
Published: July 2012

We have found that single-crystal films can be grown on (0001) Al2O3substrates through the golden relation of a perfect lattice-matching ratio (8:3√3) between thea-axis lattice constants of MgB2and Al2O3. Selected-area electron diffraction patterns evidently indicate hexagonal MgB2film with a 30° in-plane rotation with respect to the Al2O3substrate. The critical current density at zero field is comparable to the depairing critical current density and rapidly decreases with increasing applied field owing to the lack of pinning sites, as observed for high-quality MgB2single crystals.
Gabor Holography with Speckle-Free Spherical Wave in Hard X-ray Region
Authors: Suzuki Yoshio , Takeuchi Akihisa
Published: July 2012

Gabor-type holographic imaging in the hard X-ray region is carried out using a speckle-free coherent spherical wave that is generated by combined use of an X-ray focusing optic and a spatial filter at the focal point. A Fresnel zone plate with an outermost zone width of 100 nm is used as the X-ray focusing device, and a nickel pinhole of 1 µm diameter is used as the spatial filter. Using the coherent X-ray beam at the beamline 20XU of SPring-8, sub-optical spatial resolution is achieved at an X-ray energy of 8.5 keV.
Stable Fourth-Harmonic Generation of a Q-Switched Nanosecond–Kilohertz Nd:YVO4Laser and Its Application to Dicing of Silicon Wafer
Authors: Harimoto Tetsuo , Yo Boku , Uchida Kosuke
Published: July 2012

A simple scheme for the stable fourth-harmonic generation of a Q-switched nanosecond–kilohertz Nd:YVO4laser through a type-I β-barium borate crystal is presented. By heating the crystal at an optimized temperature, a conversion efficiency of up to 30.2% from 532 to 266 nm is achieved at a repetition rate of 20 kHz, and the fluctuation in average power at 266 nm is less than 0.9% at approximately 1.1 W. The application of the 266 nm laser to the laser dicing of a silicon wafer is also reported.
One-time cookies
Authors: Dacosta Italo , Chakradeo Saurabh , Ahamad Mustaque , Traynor Patrick
Published: July 2012

HTTP cookies are the de facto mechanism for session authentication in Web applications. However, their inherent security weaknesses allow attacks against the integrity of Web sessions. HTTPS is often recommended to protect cookies, but deploying full HTTPS support can be challenging due to performance and financial concerns, especially for highly distributed applications. Moreover, cookies can be exposed in a variety of ways even when HTTPS is enabled. In this article, we propose
one-time cookies
(OTC), a more robust alternative for session authentication. OTC prevents attacks such as session hijacking by signing each user request with a session secret securely stored in the browser. Unlike other proposed solutions, OTC does not require expensive state synchronization in the Web application, making it easily deployable in highly distributed systems. We implemented OTC as a plug-in for the popular WordPress platform and as an extension for Firefox and Firefox for mobile browsers. Our extensive experimental analysis shows that OTC introduces a latency of less than 6 ms when compared to cookies—a negligible overhead for most Web applications. Moreover, we show that OTC can be combined with HTTPS to effectively add another layer of security to Web applications. In so doing, we demonstrate that one-time cookies can significantly improve the security of Web applications with minimal impact on performance and scalability.
Minersoft
Authors: Dikaiakos Marios D. , Katsifodimos Asterios , Pallis George
Published: July 2012

One of the main goals of Cloud and Grid infrastructures is to make their services easily accessible and attractive to end-users. In this article we investigate the problem of supporting keyword-based searching for the discovery of software files that are installed on the nodes of large-scale, federated Grid and Cloud computing infrastructures. We address a number of challenges that arise from the unstructured nature of software and the unavailability of software-related metadata on large-scale networked environments. We present Minersoft, a harvester that visits Grid/Cloud infrastructures, crawls their file systems, identifies and classifies software files, and discovers implicit associations between them. The results of Minersoft harvesting are encoded in a weighted, typed graph, called the Software Graph. A number of information retrieval (IR) algorithms are used to enrich this graph with structural and content associations, to annotate software files with keywords and build inverted indexes to support keyword-based searching for software. Using a real testbed, we present an evaluation study of our approach, using data extracted from production-quality Grid and Cloud computing infrastructures. Experimental results show that Minersoft is a powerful tool for software search and discovery.
A quantitative measure for preventive maintenance in software
Authors: Cheluvaraju Bharath , Pasala Anjaneyulu , Padmanabhuni Srinivas , Chevireddy Sadhana
Published: July 2012

Several techniques have been developed to identify and fix defects in software before its deployment. However, the challenge is to quantify how well these techniques prevent defects from occurring in the field from a holistic perspective. Therefore, we propose a novel software quality metric called "The Preventability Metric" that measures the preventability of defects in software. The metric is derived from a composite quantitative evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of the individual preventive techniques employed on software before its deployment. It provides a confidence on how well prevention of defects is handled before deployment.
Towards a common agile software development model (ASDM)
Authors: Janus André
Published: July 2012

In this paper we use a formal approach to describe Agile Software Development Methodologies. We extract common attributes and properties out of Agile Methodologies to establish a common Agile Software Development Model (ASDM). To build our model we take a look at the Agile Manifesto as well as eXtreme Programing (XP) and Scrum, and also a project-specific Agile Methodology called I2. We describe the Agile Software Development Methodologies in terms of Sets, Relations and Equations to make similarities and differences visible. With this formal characterization we can compare the Methodologies to each other and extract the common attributes and properties as parts of the common Agile Software Development Model (ASDM). After establishing our model we assess the explanatory power and aspects of completeness of the model to identify weakness and improvement potential. The explanatory power means the ability to characterize a Methodology and compare different Methodologies to each other. Completeness issues are related to the model itself, to the model's instantiations (e. g. describing XP with the ASDM) and the completeness of (relevant) Practices. Using this approach we try to achieve better theoretical understanding and comparability for Agile Methodologies.
On formalizing EMF modeling operations with graph transformations
Authors: Brosch Petra , Gabmeyer Sebastian , Kappel Gerti , Seidl Martina
Published: July 2012

The development of software in accordance with the model-driven engineering paradigm places model transformations at a central position. Desirable yet contradicting properties of model transformations are user-friendliness as offered by-demonstration approaches and formal conciseness as provided by algebraic graph transformations which is indispensable for verification tasks.

In this paper, we show how to unite the properties of the two different approaches. We employ the state-of-the-art by-demonstration environment Emo to prototype graph transformations by embedding the operations obtained from Emo in the formal framework of graph transformation theory.
SMT-based enumeration of object graphs from UML class diagrams
Authors: Yatake Kenro , Aoki Toshiaki
Published: July 2012

This paper presents an encoding of the UML class diagram with OCL invariants in an SMT solver for enumerating all the object graphs from the class diagram. Enumeration of all the object graphs was necessary for our verification of operating systems by model checking, i.e., exhaustively enumerate all the structural variations of the environments to be checked against an operating system. We present our encoding in the SMT solver Yices with the technique of optimization and isomorphism elimination.
2nd international workshop on creativity in requirements engineering
Authors: Herrmann Andrea , Daneva Maya , Doerr Joerg , Schneider Kurt
Published: July 2012

Requirements Engineering (RE) is a socially constructed activity and as such it includes the creation, development, assessment and communication of innovative ideas. An idea can take the form of a thought related either to the analysis of a problem, or to the search of a solution to this problem, and it can be concrete or abstract. Creative thinking is what RE professionals tacitly or explicitly use in their RE processes to conceptualize smart solutions to problems. RE demands the stakeholders to create visions of a future software system and to imagine all its implications. Creativity techniques that have been practiced in other fields can support this creative part of RE. The CreaE series of workshops brings together RE practitioners and researches who are interested in discussing the role of creativity in RE and the ways in which creativity techniques from other disciplines can be leveraged in RE. CreaRE 2010 aimed at creating awareness of the importance of research on creativity in RE and initiated the conversation on experiences of applying creativity techniques in support of RE activities. CreaRE 2012 builds upon this foundation and extends the discussion on creativity in RE by actively fostering the exchange of ideas among members of diverse communities that are engaged in RE research and practice. CreaRE 2012 united an audience reaching out to areas such as design, theatre improvisation, stakeholder interactions, studies on cultural heritage and multimedia systems. This report describes the results of the workshop.
Report from the 3rd international workshop on requirements prioritization for customer oriented software development
Authors: Herzwurm Georg , Krams Benedikt , Pietsch Wolfram , Schockert Sixten
Published: July 2012

Prioritization is an essential task within requirements engineering to cope with complexity and to establish focus properly. The 3rd Workshop on Requirements Prioritization for customer oriented Software Development (RePriCo'12) focused on requirements prioritization and adjacent themes in the context of customer oriented development of bespoke and standard software. Five submissions have been accepted for the proceedings and for presentation. The report summarizes and points out key findings.
Extended scheduler for efficient frequency scaling in virtualized systems
Authors: Kamga Christine Mayap , Tran Giang Son , Broto Laurent
Published: July 2012

Nowadays, virtualization is present in almost all computing infrastructures. Thanks to server consolidation and VM migration, virtualization helps in power reduction. However, modern powerful computers with higher processor frequency, multiple cores and multiple CPUs constitute the main factor contributing to the continuous increase of energy consumption. In this context, energy management takes a critical importance. A hardware technology, called Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS), serves to dynamically modify the processor frequency (according to the CPU needs) in order to achieve less energy consumption. However, lowering frequency also generates poor virtual machine (VM) performance.

In this paper, we propose a solution consisting of an extended VM scheduler and DVFS, and report some experiments based on this proposal. This enhanced scheduler, according to VM CPU load, dynamically scales processor frequency in order to save energy. The idea is to adapt the current VM scheduler to analyze CPU load, and modify the current processor frequency to the lowest possible, but still support the guaranteed VM performance. The algorithm is designed and simulated on a web server as the sample application and Xen as the virtualization platform. Test results and performance evaluations prove our design and implementation.
Securing cloud-based computations against malicious providers
Authors: Bouti Adil , Keller Jörg
Published: July 2012

Security in clouds often focuses on preventing clients from gaining information about other clients' computations. However, cloud providers might also be a source for loss of confidentiality. We present a protocol to delegate computations into clouds with encrypted data. The protocol is based on homomorphic properties of encryption algorithms. The protocol can also be used to amend existing applications by software patches of binaries. We evaluate the protocol by a proof-of-concept implementation to investigate practicability, and discuss variants and extensions to increase the prototype's efficiency.