bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
LÉVY INDEX AND MULTIFRACTAL CHARACTERISTICS OF RING-LIKE AND JET-LIKE EVENTS IN HIGH ENERGY NUCLEAR COLLISIONS
Authors: GHOSH DIPAK , DEB ARGHA , HALDAR PRABIR KUMAR , GUPTAROY SIMA , DHAR (MITRA) APARNA
Published: March 2010

We perform a Lévy index analysis of relativistic shower particles produced in the interactions of 32 S nuclei at 200A GeV with nuclear emulsion using the results of factorial moment Fq in two-dimensional anisotropic (η - ϕ) space. We carry out the same investigation for target fragments produced in 32 S - AgBr interactions at 200A GeV energy for both events in emission angle space and azimuthal angle space. The analysis reveals that for pions the value of Lévy index μ is 1.491 ± 0.025 for ring-like events and μ ~ 2.004 ± 0.054 for jet-like events which indicates different degree of multifractality. In case of target fragments jet-like events show a value of μ ~ 1.871 ± 0.010 whereas ring-like events yields an unphysical value (μ > 2) the implication of which need to be explored.
REACTIVE SELF COLLISION AVOIDANCE WITH DYNAMIC TASK PRIORITIZATION FOR HUMANOID ROBOTS
Authors: SUGIURA HISASHI , GIENGER MICHAEL , JANßEN HERBERT , GOERICK CHRISTIAN
Published: March 2010

We propose a self collision avoidance system for humanoid robots designed for interacting with the real world. It protects not only the humanoid robots' hardware but also expands its working range while keeping smooth motions. It runs in real-time in order to handle unpredictable reactive tasks such as reaching to moving targets tracked by vision during dynamic motions like e.g. biped walking.

The collision avoidance is composed of two important elements. The first element is reactive self collision avoidance which controls critical segments in only one direction — as opposed to other methods which use 3D position control. The virtual force for the collision avoidance is applied to this direction and therefore the system has more redundant degrees of freedom which can be used for other criteria. The other second element is a dynamic task prioritization scheme which blends the priority between target reaching and collision avoidance motions in a simple way. The priority between the two controllers is changed depending on current risk.

We test the algorithm on our humanoid robot ASIMO and works while the robot is standing and walking. Reaching motions from the front to the side of the body without the arm colliding with the body are possible. Even if the target is inside the body, the arm stops at the closest point to the target outside the body. The collision avoidance is working as one module of a hierarchical reactive system and realizes reactive motions. The proposed scheme can be used for other applications: We also apply it to realizing a body schema and occlusion avoidance.
WALKING PATTERN MAPPING FROM IMPERFECT MOTION CAPTURE DATA ONTO BIPED HUMANOID ROBOTS
Authors: KIM JUNG-YUP , KIM YOUNG-SEOG
Published: March 2010

This paper proposes an efficient walking pattern mapping algorithm from motion capture data onto biped humanoid robots. Currently, the technology known as human motion capture is widely utilized to generate various humanlike motions in many applications, including robotics. An important thing is that several difficulties are associated with motion capture data. These include a data offset issue, noise, and drift problems due to measurement errors caused by imperfect camera calibration, and marker position. If a biped robot uses motion capture data without suitable post-processes, the walking motion of the robot will differ from an actual walking motion, and the Zero Moment Point (ZMP) will be asymmetrical and noisy, leading to unstable walking. A further difficulty exists in the walking pattern mapping process due to the different joint numbers, link sizes, and weights between a human and a robot. Although walking pattern mapping is suitable after addressing the above difficulties, a slip problem between the feet and the ground can continue to cause problems. To solve these difficulties efficiently, a Fourier fitting method is proposed in this research. Improvements of walking pattern and the ZMP trajectory are confirmed using the proposed method. Furthermore, a geometric mapping method is introduced to generate walking patterns for various biped robots while maintaining a degree of similarity to humans. By applying a no-slip constraint to the feet and modifying the joint angles through inverse kinematics, the slip problem is also solved. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is verified through computer simulations of two different biped robots that have different sizes, weights, walking cycles, and step lengths.
FALL DETECTION OF TWO-LEGGED WALKING ROBOTS USING MULTI-WAY PRINCIPAL COMPONENTS ANALYSIS
Authors: DANIËL KARSSEN J. G. , WISSE MARTIJN
Published: March 2010

A bipedal robot will fall if it encounters large disturbances. If this fall is detected in advance, an emergency action can be taken to minimize damage or even to prevent the fall. Recently we introduced a new method for the detection of upcoming falls, called the Multi-way Principal Component Analysis (MPCA) detection method, and we showed that it is successful in detecting the fall of the simplest walking model. The aim of this paper is to study the performance of the MPCA detection method on bipedal prototypes. We implemented the detection method on one of our prototypes called 'Meta' and conducted a parameter study for two parameters: sampling time and number of planes used for modeling the nominal behavior. The performance of the detection method was quantified with the average detection time and the amount of false positives. The results of this study show that the MPCA detection method is only able to detect the fall of the prototype after the last stance leg transition before the fall. The detection time is improved for an increase in number of planes or a decrease of the sampling time, but it will never detect a fall before the last heel strike. Thus, the method is useful for triggering bracing actions, but not for preventive foot placement.
ACTIVE CONTROL OF ROLLING MANOEUVRES OF A ROBOTIC FINGER WITH HEMISPHERICAL TIP
Authors: FASOULAS J. , DOULGERI Z.
Published: March 2010

In this paper we are concerned with the problem of sensory motor coordination of a robotic finger in order to evoke rolling maneuvers in a force-positioning task on a flat rigid surface. We use two different approaches to modeling the reaction of the soft fingertip with the contacted surface. Firstly, we assume that the environment imposes a purely kinematic rolling constraint on the end-effector motion in the tangent direction of the contacted surface. This implies no energy transfer or dissipation between the fingertip and the environment due to frictional forces. On the other hand, we assume that it is feasible for the fingertip to slip in which case pure rolling motion could be disturbed. The two different models are subsequently used to show by simulation that control laws, which have been designed on a rolling constraint dynamic model for frictional forces, fail to perform rolling in various environments. An extra control input that uses a reference rolling trajectory that is state dependent is proposed, which, if superimposed on a conventional force-position control law, can achieve rolling even on a surface with low friction characteristics. The proposed feedback signal does not utilize the modeling information in the control formulation, and thus permits easy implementation. Finally, the total controller is shown to achieve asymptotic convergence to the desired force-positioning task by simultaneously evoking pure rolling motion for the fingertip.
EFFECTS OF RAMP ANGLE AND MASS DISTRIBUTIONS ON PASSIVE DYNAMIC GAIT — AN EXPERIMENTAL STUDY
Authors: WU Q. , CHEN J.
Published: March 2010

A bipedal walking mechanism with knees is designed and built to study the passive dynamic gait. The effects of changing the ramp angle and the mass distributions of the thighs and the shanks on the gait patterns and walking robustness are studied. It is shown that the changes in the ramp angle and the mass distribution have significant effects on the step lengths and the robustness (the successful rate of launching and the step-count) of the passive gait. More specifically, as the ramp angle increases or the mass center of the entire walker is raised, the step length increases, which dictates the walking speed. However, our experiments show that the changes in the ramp angle and the mass distribution have slight effects on the step period. The optimal ramp angle and mass distribution of the passive walker are also identified, of which the passive walker has the highest successful rate of launching and the step-count. Our experimental results are compared with previous work based on simulations. This research can provide important information for validating/adjusting mathematical models of passive dynamic walking. The work also enables us to gain a better understanding of the mechanics of walking.
EQUIVARIANT LOCALIZATION TECHNIQUES IN TOPOLOGICAL QUANTUM FIELD THEORIES
Authors: VAJIAC ADRIAN
Published: March 2010

This paper proposes a different approach to derive Witten's formula relating Donaldson and Seiberg–Witten invariants for four-manifolds, via equivariant localization techniques. Our approach proposes a direct study on the Donaldson–Witten and Seiberg–Witten configuration spaces, not making use the theory of non-abelian monopoles.
Data streaming 2.0
Authors: Wright Alex
Published: March 2010

In today's real-time Web, data streaming applications no longer have the luxury of making multiple passes over a recorded data set.
Spies among us?
Authors: Greengard Samuel
Published: March 2010

Governments' practice of electronic surveillance---and the growing use of warrantless wiretapping---has observers deeply concerned.
The data-structure canon
Authors: Neville-Neil George V.
Published: March 2010

Data structures are part of the foundation of computer science. It pays to revisit them from time to time.
When network neutrality met privacy
Authors: Ohm Paul
Published: March 2010

Incorporating the consideration of privacy into the ongoing debate concerning network neutrality.
Cooling the data center
Authors: Woods Andy
Published: March 2010

What can be done to make cooling systems in data centers more energy efficient?
A view of cloud computing
Authors: Armbrust Michael , Fox Armando , Griffith Rean , Joseph Anthony D. , Katz Randy , Konwinski Andy , Lee Gunho , Patterson David , Rabkin Ariel , Stoica Ion , Zaharia Matei
Published: March 2010

Clearing the clouds away from the true potential and obstacles posed by this computing capability.
Recipe for efficiency
Authors: Ranganathan Parthasarathy
Published: March 2010

Prior work on power management reflects recurring themes that can be leveraged to make future systems more energy efficient.
Collaborative filtering with temporal dynamics
Authors: Koren Yehuda
Published: March 2010

Customer preferences for products are drifting over time. Product perception and popularity are constantly changing as new selection emerges. Similarly, customer inclinations are evolving, leading them to ever redefine their taste. Thus, modeling temporal dynamics is essential for designing recommender systems or general customer preference models. However, this raises unique challenges. Within the ecosystem intersecting multiple products and customers, many different characteristics are shifting simultaneously, while many of them influence each other and often those shifts are delicate and associated with a few data instances. This distinguishes the problem from concept drift explorations, where mostly a single concept is tracked. Classical time-window or instance decay approaches cannot work, as they lose too many signals when discarding data instances. A more sensitive approach is required, which can make better distinctions between transient effects and long-term patterns. We show how to model the time changing behavior throughout the life span of the data. Such a model allows us to exploit the relevant components of all data instances, while discarding only what is modeled as being irrelevant. Accordingly, we revamp two leading collaborative filtering recommendation approaches. Evaluation is made on a large movie-rating dataset underlying the Netflix Prize contest. Results are encouraging and better than those previously reported on this dataset. In particular, methods described in this paper play a significant role in the solution that won the Netflix contest.
Toward robotic cars
Authors: Thrun Sebastian
Published: March 2010

This article advocates self-driving, robotic technology for cars. Recent challenges organized by DARPA have induced a significant advance in technology for autopilots for cars; similar to those already used in aircraft and marine vessels. This article reviews this technology, and argues that enormous societal benefits can be reaped by deploying this emerging technology in the marketplace. It lays out a vision for deployment, and discusses some of the key remaining technology obstacles.
CHOC'LATE
Authors: Poon Pak-Lok , Tang Sau-Fun , Tse T. H. , Chen T. Y.
Published: March 2010

In spite of its importance in software reliability, testing is labor intensive and expensive. It has been found that software testing without a good strategy may not be more effective than testing the system with random data. Obviously, the effectiveness of testing relies heavily on how well the
test suite
--- the set of test cases actually used --- is generated. This is because the comprehensiveness of the test suite will affect the scope of testing and, hence, the chance of revealing software faults.

There are two main approaches to generating test suites:
specification-based
and
code-based.
The former generates a test suite from information derived from the specification, without requiring the knowledge of the internal structure of the program. The latter approach, on the other hand, generates a test suite based on the source code of the program. Neither of these approaches is sufficient; they are complementary to one another.

In software development, the requirements have to be established before implementation, and the specification should exist prior to coding. In this respect, the specification-based approach to test suite generation is particularly useful because test cases can be generated before coding has been completed. This facilitates software development phases to be performed in parallel, thus allowing time for preparing more thorough test plans and yet shortening the length of the whole process.
A tale of two internet service providers
Authors: Aalberts Robert J. , Poon Percy S. , Thistle Paul D.
Published: March 2010

Most ISP supervisors are aware they possess legal rights to monitor employees' Internet use. Laws such as the federal Electronic Communications Protection Act generally allow employer's great leeway to monitor employees' computer use. Yet few ISP supervisors are aware that some courts are in the process of creating a legal duty for employers to monitor their workers. Two cases in the past two years,
Doe v. XYC Co.
in New Jersey and
Delfino v. Agilent Technologies, Inc.
in California, demonstrate the increasing importance of properly managing workers' use of the Internet. This article will discuss the facts of these two cases and the relevant legal doctrines. In the first case, XYC Co. made serious mistakes and exacerbated its legal exposure, while in the second case, Aligent's prompt action allowed it to resolve its problems. Both cases provide important lessons in how to manage this imminent legal risk.
Identification of Soundbite and Its Speaker Name Using Transcripts of Broadcast News Speech
Authors: Liu Feifan , Liu Yang
Published: March 2010

This article presents a pipeline framework for identifying soundbite and its speaker name from Mandarin broadcast news transcripts. Both of the two modules, soundbite segment detection and soundbite speaker name recognition, are based on a supervised classification approach using multiple linguistic features. We systematically evaluated performance for each module as well as the entire system, and investigated the effect of using speech recognition (ASR) output and automatic sentence segmentation. We found that both of the two components impact the pipeline system, with more degradation in the entire system performance due to automatic speaker name recognition errors than soundbite segment detection. In addition, our experimental results show that using ASR output degrades the system performance significantly, and that using automatic sentence segmentation greatly impacts soundbite detection, but has much less effect on speaker name recognition.
Inducing Morphemes Using Light Knowledge
Authors: Tepper Michael , Xia Fei
Published: March 2010

Allomorphic variation, or form variation among morphs with the same meaning, is a stumbling block to morphological induction (MI). To address this problem, we present a hybrid approach that uses a small amount of linguistic knowledge in the form of orthographic rewrite rules to help refine an existing MI-produced segmentation. Using rules, we derive underlying analyses of morphs---generalized with respect to contextual spelling differences---from an existing surface morph segmentation, and from these we learn a morpheme-level segmentation. To learn morphemes, we have extended the Morfessor segmentation algorithm [Creutz and Lagus 2004; 2005; 2006] by using rules to infer possible underlying analyses from surface segmentations. A segmentation produced by Morfessor Categories-MAP Software v. 0.9.2 is used as input to our procedure and as a baseline that we evaluate against. To suggest analyses for our procedure, a set of language-specific orthographic rules is needed. Our procedure has yielded promising improvements for English and Turkish over the baseline approach when tested on the Morpho Challenge 2005 and 2007 style evaluations. On the Morpho Challenge 2007 test evaluation, we report gains over the current best unsupervised contestant for Turkish, where our technique shows a 2.5% absolute
F
-score improvement.
Guest Editors’ Introduction
Authors: Baldwin Doug , Brady Alyce
Published: March 2010

For many people, computer science is not closely associated with the liberal arts. Yet “liberal arts” can denote a philosophy of education that emphasizes broadly preparing students for all aspects of their future lives, and as computing becomes more central to the ways in which we think about the world, computer science becomes correspondingly more central in such an education. This, in turn, makes computer science more important in the programs of educational institutions that follow a liberal arts philosophy. This issue of
Transactions on Computing Education
presents three articles that examine the intersection of computer science and the liberal arts. Walker and Kelemen explore in detail how a liberal arts philosophy complements the needs of computer science education, and how computer science as a discipline fits the goals of a liberal arts philosophy. Bruce et al. present the history of a consortium of computer scientists from liberal arts colleges and the model computer science curricula they have developed for such colleges. Finally, Baldwin et al. describe the concrete computer science programs at five institutions, each with a distinct place in the liberal arts spectrum. We hope that these articles will advance understanding of computer science in the liberal arts, and inspire readers to incorporate liberal arts principles into their own computer science programs.
Computer Science and the Liberal Arts
Authors: Walker Henry M. , Kelemen Charles
Published: March 2010

This article explores the philosophy and position of the discipline of computer science within the liberal arts, based upon a discussion of the nature of computer science and a review of the characteristics of the liberal arts. A liberal arts environment provides important opportunities for undergraduate programs, but also presents important constraints. A well designed program can flourish in this environment, and evidence indicates that a liberal arts program in computer science can indeed succeed well.
Why do we need personality diversity in software engineering?
Authors: Capretz Luiz Fernando , Ahmed Faheem
Published: March 2010

Diversity of skills is good for society, it is also good in problem solving because different people see a problem from several pers-pectives, so diversity should be good for software engineering too. This study tackles a difficult to study aspect of software engineer-ing, that is, how to best associate personnel with the various tasks in a software project. The approach uses psychological types to determine who is best suited to particular development roles. The article has four main objectives: (1) to arouse awareness of human factors among software engineers; (2) to investigate how psycho-logical factors can contribute to their effectiveness at work; (3) to catalyze effort among software engineers leading towards a deeper understanding and broader applications of human factors in the light of the activities involving the engineering of software; and (4) to emphasize the important of skill diversity in the software engi-neering field. This article provides conceptual knowledge, reports findings, and presents both real and hypothesized beliefs from the software engineering community. Likewise, it is hoped that the article will motivate software engineers and psychologists to con-duct more research in the area of software psychology, so as to understand more profoundly the possibilities for increased effec-tiveness and fulfilment among software engineers
Q'Facto 12
Authors: Kalaimagal Sivamuni , Srinivasan Rengaramanujam
Published: March 2010

Component Based Software Engineering (CBSE) offers developers the twin benefits of reduced software life cycles and shorter devel-opment times. However the success of the component based para-digm depends on the quality of the COTS components purchased and integrated into the existing software systems. The need of the hour therefore is a quality model that can be used by software de-velopers to evaluate the quality of software components before integrating them into existing systems. This paper discusses a qual-ity model called Q'Facto12 based on the ISO25000 quality standard that can be used to evaluate the quality of COTS com-ponents. The model is an upgrade of an earlier model called the Q'Facto 10 model that was proposed by us. This paper provides an outline of the Q'Facto 12 model compares the model with the Q'Facto 10 model and highlights why the Q'Facto 12 model is better than the Q'Facto 10 model. An experimental study to demonstrate the use of the model has also been presented
Evaluating the effectiveness of VOSDM
Authors: Neogi Madhumita S. , Bhattacherjee Vandana
Published: March 2010

Process models form the heart of software engineering since software development process spans the life cycle of any given project. Even though waterfall model forms the basis of all software development models, the demand for new models with design and implementation occurring in parallel is on the increase. This research aims at the evaluation of a vision oriented software development model. In this study, the subjects are final year post graduate students working for their final term projects for small organizations in and around our city. The group of students applied two techniques for software development and it was found that VOSDM was more effective and improved reliability. The productivity did not show any significant improvement
Imaging of Skeletal Metastases in Myxoid Liposarcoma
Authors: Noble J. L. , Moskovic E. , Fisher C. , Judson I.
Published: March 2010

Unlike other soft tissue sarcomas, myxoid/round cell liposarcoma (MRCL) has a tendency to spread to extrapulmonary sites but bone metastases are thought to be uncommon. In case reports, negative bone scintigraphy has been noted in patients with myxoid/round cell liposarcoma and bone metastases but the prevalence and optimal method of diagnosis of bone metastases in this common subtype of liposarcoma are unclear. In an attempt to answer these questions, data were obtained from a prospective database of patients with sarcoma, including MRCL, and the diagnostic imaging used was examined. A variety of imaging tools were used including plain X-rays, bone scintigraphy, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Eight patients (4.3%) developed skeletal metastases all of which were positive on MRI. Bone scintigraphy was negative in two out of four cases, CT was negative in six out of seven, and X-rays were negative in four. Radiography and CT measure mainly cortical bone involvement, whereas MRI examines bone marrow. When investigating patients with MRCL for bone pain, negative X-rays and bone scans do not rule out bone metastases. In our experience, MRI provides the most sensitive technique for the diagnosis of bone metastases in MRCL.
A Scalable Multiple Description Scheme for 3D Video Coding Based on the Interlayer Prediction Structure
Authors: Favalli Lorenzo , Folli Marco
Published: March 2010

The most recent literature indicates multiple description coding (MDC) as a promising coding approach to handle the problem of video transmission over unreliable networks with different quality and bandwidth constraints. Furthermore, following recent commercial availability of autostereoscopic 3D displays that allow 3D visual data to be viewed without the use of special headgear or glasses, it is anticipated that the applications of 3D video will increase rapidly in the near future. Moving from the concept of spatial MDC, in this paper we introduce some efficient algorithms to obtain 3D substreams that also exploit some form of scalability. These algorithms are then applied to both coded stereo sequences and to depth image-based rendering (DIBR). In these algorithms, we first generate four 3D subsequences by subsampling, and then two of these subsequences are jointly used to form each of the two descriptions. For each description, one of the original subsequences is predicted from the other one via some scalable algorithms, focusing on the inter layer prediction scheme. The proposed algorithms can be implemented as pre- and postprocessing of the standard H.264/SVC coder that remains fully compatible with any standard coder. The experimental results presented show that these algorithms provide excellent results.
Cytokine-Induced NK-Like T Cells: From Bench to Bedside
Authors: Linn Yeh Ching , Hui Kam M.
Published: March 2010

Cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells are polyclonal T effector cells generated when cultured under cytokine stimulation. CIK cells exhibit potent, non-MHC-restricted cytolytic activities against susceptible tumor cells of both autologous and allogeneic origins. Over the past 20 years, CIK cells have evolved from experimental observations into early clinical studies with encouraging preliminary efficacy towards susceptible autologous and allogeneic tumor cells in both therapeutic and adjuvant settings. This paper is our attempt to summarize the available published literature related to CIK cells. Looking into the future, we anticipate that the continuous therapeutic application of CIK cells will likely be developed along two major directions: overcoming the challenge to organize large prospective randomized clinical trials to define the roles of CIK cells in cancer immunotherapy and expanding its spectrum of cytotoxicity towards resistant tumor cells through experimental manipulations.
Bimodal Porous Scaffolds by Sequential Electrospinning of Poly(glycolic acid) with Sucrose Particles
Authors: Wulkersdorfer B. , Kao K. K. , Agopian V. G. , Ahn A. , Dunn J. C. , Wu B. M. , Stelzner M.
Published: March 2010

Electrospinning is a method to produce fine, biopolymer mesh with a three-dimensional architecture that mimics native extra-cellular matrix. Due to the small fiber diameter created in this process, conventional electrospun scaffolds have pore sizes smaller than the diameter of most cells. These scaffolds have limited application in tissue engineering due to poor cell penetration. We developed a hybrid electrospinning/particulate leaching technique to create scaffolds with increased porosity and improved cellular ingrowth. Poly(glycolic acid) (PGA) and a sucrose-ethanol suspension were electrospun in equal, alternating sequences at intervals of one, two, and ten minutes each. The scaffolds revealed fiber mesh with micropores of 10 m and uniformly distributed sucrose particles. Particulate leaching of sucrose from the one- or two-minute scaffolds revealed honeycomb structures with interconnected macropores between 50 and 250 m. Sucrose leaching from the ten-minute scaffolds resulted in laminated structures with isolated macropores between 200 and 350 m. Macropore size was directly proportional to the duration of the sucrose spinning interval. After 24 hours of cell culture, conventionally spun scaffolds demonstrated no cellular penetration. Conversely, the PGA/sucrose scaffolds demonstrated deep cellular penetration. This hybrid technique represents a novel method of generating electrospun scaffolds with interconnected pores suitable for cellular ingrowth.
Preparation of ITO Nanoparticles by Liquid Phase Coprecipitation Method
Authors: Ding Zhanlai , An Cunran , Li Qiang , Hou Zhezhe , Wang Jianqiang , Qi Haibo , Qi Fangjuan
Published: March 2010

The nanoscale indium tin oxide (ITO) particles are synthesied by liquid phase coprecipitation method under given conditions with solution of indium chloride, tin chloride, and ammonia. The absolute ethyl alcohol or deionized water was used as solvent and the dodecylamine or hexadecylamine surfactant was used as a dispersant in the reaction system. The sample powder was characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high‐resolution electron microscopy (HRTEM). Based on the transmission electron micrograph, the influences of the two different solvents and the two different dispersants on the nanoparticle size and dispersion were studied, respectively. The results showed that the ITO particles are finely crystallized body‐centered cubic structure. The particle size has distributed in 30 nm to 90 nm.
Effects of Splenectomy on Spontaneously Chronic Pancreatitis in aly/aly Mice
Authors: Wang Heng-Xiao , Yi Shuang-Qin , Li Jun , Terayama Hayato , Naito Munekazu , Hirai Shuichi , Qu Ning , Yi Nozomi , Itoh Masahiro
Published: March 2010

Background and Aim. Mice with alymphoplasia (aly/aly) mutation characterized by a lack of lymph nodes, Peyer′s patches, and well‐defined lymphoid follicles in the spleen were found. In this study, we used splenectomized aly/aly mice to elucidate the effects of secondary lymphoid organs in the development of aly/aly autoimmune pancreatitis. Methods. Forty‐eight 10‐week‐old aly/aly mice were divided into two groups for splenectomy and sham operation. Histological and immunohistochemical analyses of the pancreas were performed at the ages of 20, 30, and 40 weeks old after operation, respectively.
Results. Our results showed that mononuclear cell infiltration was restricted to the interlobular connective tissues at the age of 20 weeks, and not increase obviously at the age of 30 and 40 weeks in splenectomized aly/aly mice. Furthermore, an apparent decrease in the expressions of CD4+ T, CD8+ T, and B cells was detected in the pancreatic tissues compared with sham aly/aly mice, however, no significant difference in macrophage expression between mice with and without a splenectomy.
Conclusions. Inflammation infiltration and development of the pancreatitis in aly/aly mice were suppressed effectively after splenectomy, which was, at least partly, correlated to inhibition of the infiltration of T and B cells in pancreatic tissues but not to macrophages.
Draining Fluids through a Peritoneal Catheter in Newborns after Cardiac Surgery Helps to Control Fluid Balance
Authors: Ruano Cea Elisa , Jouvet Philippe , Vobecky Suzanne , Merouani Aicha
Published: March 2010

Dialysis can be used in severe cases, but may not be well tolerated. In such patients, peritoneal drainage could be an alternative option for fluid removal. We report the case of a newborn with a truncus arteriosus who developed postoperatively a complicated clinical course with right ventricular dysfunction, prerenal condition as well as fluid overload despite diuretic therapy. Dialysis was indicated for fluid removal. Peritoneal dialysis was started using a surgically placed Tenckhoff catheter and stopped due to inefficacy and leaks and no other modalities of dialysis were used. However, the catheter was left in place over a period of two months for fluid drainage and removed because of unexplained fever. In order to determine the effect of peritoneal drainage, we selected a period of one week before and one week after the removal of the drain to compare daily clinical data, urine electrolytes and renal function and found a positive effect on fluid balance control. We conclude that the fluid removal by continuous peritoneal drainage is a simple and safe alternative that can be used to control fluid balance in infants after cardiac surgery.
Diameter‐Controllable Magnetic Properties of Co Nanowire Arrays by Pulsed Electrodeposition
Authors: Yang Youwen , Chen Yanbiao , Wu Yucheng , Chen Xiangying , Kong Mingguang
Published: March 2010

The Co nanowires with different diameters were prepared by pulsed electrodeposition into anodic alumina membranes oxide templates. The micrographs and crystal structures of nanowires were studied by FE‐SEM, TEM, and XRD. Due to their cylindrical shape, the nanowires exhibit perpendicular anisotropy. The coercivity and loop squareness (Mr/Ms) of Co nanowires depend strongly on the diameter. Both coercivity and Mr/Ms decrease with increasing wire diameter. The behavior of the nanowires is explained briefly in terms of localized magnetization reversal.
Solution Properties of Linear Descriptor (Singular) Matrix Differential Systems of Higher Order with (Non‐) Consistent Initial Conditions
Authors: Pantelous Athanasios A. , Karageorgos Athanasios D. , Kalogeropoulos Grigoris I. , Arvanitis Kostas G.
Published: March 2010

In some interesting applications in control and system theory, linear descriptor (singular) matrix differential equations of higher order with time‐invariant coefficients and (non‐) consistent initial conditions have been used. In this paper, we provide a study for the solution properties of a more general class of the Apostol‐Kolodner‐type equations with consistent and nonconsistent initial conditions.
Ant Colony Search Algorithm for Optimal Generators Startup during Power System Restoration
Authors: Ketabi A. , Feuillet R.
Published: March 2010

Generators startup sequence plays a significant role in achieving a suitable and effective restoration strategy. This paper outlines an ant colony search algorithm in order to determine the generator starting times during the bulk power system restoration. The algorithm attempts to maximize the system generation capability over a restoration period, where the dynamic characteristics of different types of units and system constraints are considered. Applying this method for the 39‐bus New England test system, and comparing the results with backtracking‐search and P/t methods, it is found that proposed algorithm improved generation capability.
Enhancing the Performance of Medical Implant Communication Systems through Cooperative Diversity
Authors: Hegyi Barnabás , Levendovszky János
Published: March 2010

Battery-operated medical implants—such as pacemakers or cardioverter-defibrillators—have already been widely used in practical telemedicine and telecare applications. However, no solution has yet been found to mitigate the effect of the fading that the in-body to off-body communication channel is subject to. In this paper, we reveal and assess the potential of cooperative diversity to combat fading—hence to improve system performance—in medical implant communication systems. In the particular cooperative communication scenario we consider, multiple cooperating receiver units are installed across the room accommodating the patient with a medical implant inside his/her body. Our investigations have shown that the application of cooperative diversity is a promising approach to enhance the performance of medical implant communication systems in various aspects such as implant lifetime and communication link reliability.
Spontaneous Osteochondroma Resolution in a Young Female: Imaging and Histopathological Findings
Authors: Mahmoodi Seyed Mohsen , Bahirwani Ramesh K. , Moosa Nooruddin K. , Eydou Alaaaldeen Z. , AbdullGaffar Badr
Published: March 2010

Objective: To report the first operated and histopathologically studied case of spontaneously resolving solitary osteochondroma. Case Presentation and Identification: An 18-year-old girl presented with leg pain of 2 months’ duration. She had been diagnosed to have a proximal tibial osteochondroma since the age of 9 years. Excision biopsy of the tumor remnant and its surrounding tissue was done after CT and MRI imaging. Conclusion: The spontaneous resolution of this case could have been due to simultaneous interruption of blood supply to the tumor and its cartilaginous cap or hyperemia around the tumor.
Nutritional Knowledge, Attitude and Practice of Tehranian Adults and Their Relation to Serum Lipid and Lipoproteins: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study
Authors: Mirmiran Parvin , Mohammadi-Nasrabadi Fatemeh , Omidvar Nasrin , Hosseini-Esfahani Firoozeh , Hamayeli-Mehrabani Homeira , Mehrabi Yadollah , Azizi Fereidoun
Published: March 2010

Background/Aim: The high prevalence of non-communicable diseases and their risk factors among the general urban population of Tehran necessitates an urgent implementation of nutritional interventional programs to curtail these risk factors. This study aimed to provide preliminary data on the knowledge, attitude and practices of urban Tehranian adults regarding nutrition and their relation to major non-communicable disease risk factors and to assess the need for educational interventions. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed within the framework of the second phase of the Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). Subjects were 826 individuals, 369 men and 457 women, aged 20–70 years old, selected randomly from among 15,005 participants in the TLGS. Knowledge, attitude and practices of subjects were assessed by a ‘knowledge, attitude and practice’ questionnaire; height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured, and BMI and waist to hip ratio were calculated. Biochemical data including fasting blood glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol were measured, based on standard protocols, and LDL-cholesterol was calculated. Associations between nutritional knowledge, attitude, practice, sex, age and educational level, and between knowledge, attitude and practice and BMI, waist to hip ratio and levels of lipid and lipoproteins, were determined. Results: For knowledge 26.5, 52.7 and 20.8%, for attitude, 27.6, 48.9 and 23.5% and for practice, 27.4, 51.7 and 20.9% of individuals had desirable, moderate and weak knowledge scores, respectively. With increases in educational levels, knowledge scores increased (p < 0.001). Attitudes of illiterate and poorly literate groups were weaker than those of other groups (p < 0.001). However, illiterate and poorly literate groups had higher practice scores as compared to middle school and high school graduates (p < 0.001). Mean practice scores of university graduates were higher than high school graduates (p < 0.05). Those aged 30–50 years had higher knowledge scores than older individuals (p < 0.001). LDL- and total cholesterol were correlated to practice scores (p < 0.001, r = 0.23). Subjects with borderline triglyceride levels had better practice scores than normal individuals (p < 0.001). Conclusions: The findings revealed that age, educational level and gender are factors that can influence knowledge, attitude and practices, regarding nutrition. It is vital to develop approaches and implement programs to improve the nutritional practices of the population.
α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone Plays an Important Role in the Onset of Pollinosis in a Pollen Allergy Mouse Model
Authors: Hiramoto Keiichi , Hashimoto Maki , Orita Kumi , Jikumaru Mika , Sato Eisuke F. , Inoue Masayasu
Published: March 2010

Background: α-Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) is a neuropeptide that controls melanogenesis in pigmentary cells. In addition, its potent immunomodulatory activity has been recently described in cutaneous inflammatory disorders. However the mechanism of such pollen allergies remains to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of α-MSH in a murine model of pollen allergy. Methods: Eight-week-old male BDF-1 mice were sensitized with Cry j I. After the last intranasal antigen, the number of sneezes was counted for 5 min. In addition, the serum levels of IgE and neuronal hormones were measured by ELISA. The expression of IgA, melanocortin receptor 1 (MC1R) and MC5R in the trachea were also observed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Both the concentration of α-MSH and adrenocorticotropin in plasma increase in pollen allergy model mice. Furthermore, MC5R increased in the trachea; however, MC1R did not increase in the trachea. In addition, the changes in sneezing and IgA expression in the pollen allergy model mice were suppressed by α-MSH antibody treatment, but they remained unchanged after MC1R antagonist (agouti) treatment. Conclusions: These results indicate that sneezing due to pollen allergy is associated with an increased concentration of α-MSH and the expression of MC5R.
Phase II Trial of XELOX as First-Line Treatment for Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer
Authors: Luo Hui-yan , Xu Rui-hua , Wang Feng , Qiu Miao-zhen , Li Yu-hong , Li Fang-hua , Zhou Zhi-wei , Chen Xiao-qin
Published: March 2010

Background: The prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer (AGC) remains poor, and no single chemotherapy regimen is recognized as a global standard. A phase II trial was conducted to determine the efficacy and tolerability of capecitabine and oxaliplatin (XELOX) given every 3 weeks in combination in patients with AGC. Methods: Patients with previously untreated AGC received intravenous oxaliplatin 130 mg/m2 over 2 h on day 1 plus oral capecitabine 1,000 mg/m2 twice daily on days 1–14, every 3 weeks. Treatment was continued for 8 cycles or until disease progression or intolerable toxicity. Results: Fifty patients were enrolled. In total, 210 cycles of XELOX were delivered. The OVERALL response rate was 42% (95% CI 28.6–56.7), with 2 complete and 19 partial responses. At 15.2 months of median follow-up, median time to progression and overall survival were 5.8 (95% CI 3.4–8.2) and 11.1 (95% CI 5.6–16.5) months, respectively. The most common hematological adverse event was neutropenia (56% of patients); grade 3–4 neutropenia was observed in 6 patients, with neutropenic fever in only 2 patients. The most common non-hematological toxicities were vomiting (34%), hand-foot syndrome (26%), diarrhea (24%) and neurosensory toxicity (22%). There were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusions: XELOX is active for the first-line treatment of AGC with a manageable tolerability profile.
Nocturnal Rostral Fluid Shift
Authors: Yumino Dai , Redolfi Stefania , Ruttanaumpawan Pimon , Su Mao-Chang , Smith Stephanie , Newton Gary E. , Mak Susanna , Bradley T. Douglas
Published: March 2010

Background—

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and central sleep apnea are common in patients with heart failure. We hypothesized that in such patients, severity of OSA is related to overnight rostral leg fluid displacement and increase in neck circumference, severity of central sleep apnea is related to overnight rostral fluid displacement and to sleep P
co
2
, and continuous positive airway pressure alleviates OSA in association with prevention of fluid accumulation in the neck.

Methods and Results—

In 57 patients with heart failure (ejection fraction ≤45%), we measured change in leg fluid volume and neck circumference before and after polysomnography, and we measured transcutaneous P
co
2
during polysomnography. Patients were divided into an obstructive-dominant group (≥50% of apneas and hypopneas obstructive) and a central-dominant group (>50% of events central). Patients with OSA received continuous positive airway pressure. In obstructive-dominant patients, there were inverse relationships between overnight change in leg fluid volume and both the overnight change in neck circumference (
r
=−0.780,
P
<0.001) and the apnea-hypopnea index (
r
=−0.881,
P
<0.001) but not transcutaneous P
co
2
. In central-dominant patients, the overnight reduction in leg fluid volume correlated inversely with the apnea-hypopnea index (
r
=−0.919,
P
<0.001) and the overnight change in neck circumference (
r
=−0.568,
P
=0.013) and directly with transcutaneous P
co
2
(
r
=0.569,
P
=0.009). Continuous positive airway pressure alleviated OSA in association with prevention of the overnight increase in neck circumference (
P
<0.001).

Conclusions—

Our findings suggest that nocturnal rostral fluid shift is a unifying concept contributing to the pathogenesis of both OSA and central sleep apnea in patients with heart failure.
Elevated Cytosolic Na
+
Increases Mitochondrial Formation of Reactive Oxygen Species in Failing Cardiac Myocytes
Authors: Kohlhaas Michael , Liu Ting , Knopp Andreas , Zeller Tanja , Ong Mei Fang , Böhm Michael , O'Rourke Brian , Maack Christoph
Published: March 2010

Background—

Oxidative stress is causally linked to the progression of heart failure, and mitochondria are critical sources of reactive oxygen species in failing myocardium. We previously observed that in heart failure, elevated cytosolic Na
+
([Na
+
]
i
) reduces mitochondrial Ca
2+
([Ca
2+
]
m
) by accelerating Ca
2+
efflux via the mitochondrial Na
+
/Ca
2+
exchanger. Because the regeneration of antioxidative enzymes requires NADPH, which is indirectly regenerated by the Krebs cycle, and Krebs cycle dehydrogenases are activated by [Ca
2+
]
m
, we speculated that in failing myocytes, elevated [Na
+
]
i
promotes oxidative stress.

Methods and Results—

We used a patch-clamp–based approach to simultaneously monitor cytosolic and mitochondrial Ca
2+
and, alternatively, mitochondrial H
2
O
2
together with NAD(P)H in guinea pig cardiac myocytes. Cells were depolarized in a voltage-clamp mode (3 Hz), and a transition of workload was induced by β-adrenergic stimulation. During this transition, NAD(P)H initially oxidized but recovered when [Ca
2+
]
m
increased. The transient oxidation of NAD(P)H was closely associated with an increase in mitochondrial H
2
O
2
formation. This reactive oxygen species formation was potentiated when mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake was blocked (by Ru360) or Ca
2+
efflux was accelerated (by elevation of [Na
+
]
i
). In failing myocytes, H
2
O
2
formation was increased, which was prevented by reducing mitochondrial Ca
2+
efflux via the mitochondrial Na
+
/Ca
2+
exchanger.

Conclusions—

Besides matching energy supply and demand, mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake critically regulates mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production. In heart failure, elevated [Na
+
]
i
promotes reactive oxygen species formation by reducing mitochondrial Ca
2+
uptake. This novel mechanism, by which defects in ion homeostasis induce oxidative stress, represents a potential drug target to reduce reactive oxygen species production in the failing heart.