bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A NEW MINIMUM SPANNING TREE-BASED METHOD FOR SHAPE DESCRIPTION AND MATCHING WORKING IN DISCRETE COSINE SPACE
Authors: FRANCO PATRICK , OGIER JEAN-MARC , LOONIS PIERRE , MULLOT RÉMY
Published: December 2009

In this article, a new minimum spanning tree-based method for shape description and matching is proposed. Its properties are checked through the problem of graphical symbols recognition. Recognition invariance in front shift and multi-oriented noisy objects was studied in the context of small and low resolution binary images. The approach seems to have many desirable properties, even if the construction of graphs induces an expensive algorithmic cost. In order to reduce time computing, an alternative solution based on image compression concepts is provided. The recognition is realized in a compact space, namely the Discrete Cosine space. The use of block discrete cosine transform is discussed and justified. The experimental results led on the GREC2003 database show that the proposed method is characterized by a good discrimination power, a real robustness to noise, with an acceptable time computing. The position with a reference approach like Zernike moments is also investigated to measure the relevance of the proposed technique.
AN OPTIMAL FEATURE SUBSET SELECTION METHOD BASED ON DISTANCE DISCRIMINANT AND DISTRIBUTION OVERLAPPING
Authors: LIANG JIANNING , YANG SU , WANG YUANYUAN
Published: December 2009

The goal of feature selection is to search the optimal feature subset with respect to the evaluation function. Exhaustively searching all possible feature subsets requires high computational cost. The alternative suboptimal methods are more efficient and practical but they cannot promise globally optimal results. We propose a new feature selection algorithm based on distance discriminant and distribution overlapping (HFSDD) for continuous features, which overcomes the drawbacks of the exhaustive search approaches and those of the suboptimal methods. The proposed method is able to find the optimal feature subset without exhaustive search or Branch and Bound algorithm. The most difficult problem for optimal feature selection, the search problem, is converted into a feature ranking problem following rigorous theoretical proof such that the computational complexity can be greatly reduced. Since the distribution of overlapping degrees between every two classes can provide useful information for feature selection, HFSDD also takes them into account by using a new approach to estimate the overlapping degrees. In this sense, HFSDD is a distance discriminant and distribution overlapping based solution. HFSDD was compared with ReliefF and mrmrMID on ten data sets. The experimental results show that HFSDD outperforms the other methods.
PORNOGRAPHIC IMAGE DETECTION BASED ON MULTILEVEL REPRESENTATION
Authors: WANG YUSHI , HUANG QINGMING , GAO WEN
Published: December 2009

With the proliferation of pornographic images on the Internet, it is essential to automatically detect pornographic images by analyzing image content. Most traditional detection systems are based on low-level features and generate many false positives due to images that contain large regions of skin-like colors. In this paper, we present a novel detection method based on local features, such as SIFT (Scale Invariant Feature Transform) visual words. Support Vector Machine (SVM) is used to classify images according to their multilevel representation based on visual words and the distribution of pornography-related visual words. The multilevel representation captures inter-word statistics and fuses various visual components of pornographic scenes. Experimental results demonstrate that our method outperforms traditional skin-region and human-body-model based methods, and performs well on a wide range of test data, in particular, on human-related images.
A NOTE ON THE LOCALLY LINEAR EMBEDDING ALGORITHM
Authors: CHOJNACKI WOJCIECH , BROOKS MICHAEL J.
Published: December 2009

The paper presents mathematical underpinnings of the locally linear embedding technique for data dimensionality reduction. It is shown that a cogent framework for describing the method is that of optimization on a Grassmann manifold. The solution delivered by the algorithm is characterized as a constrained minimizer for a problem in which the cost function and all the constraints are defined on such a manifold. The role of the internal gauge symmetry in solving the underlying optimization problem is illuminated.
A BRACKET POLYNOMIAL FOR GRAPHS, I
Authors: TRALDI LORENZO , ZULLI LOUIS
Published: December 2009

A knot diagram has an associated looped interlacement graph, obtained from the intersection graph of the Gauss diagram by attaching loops to the vertices that correspond to negative crossings. This construction suggests an extension of the Kauffman bracket to an invariant of looped graphs, and an extension of Reidemeister equivalence to an equivalence relation on looped graphs. The graph bracket polynomial can be defined recursively using the same pivot and local complementation operations used to define the interlace polynomial, and it gives rise to a graph Jones polynomial VG(t) that is invariant under the graph Reidemeister moves.
ON A BASIS FOR THE FRAMED LINK VECTOR SPACE SPANNED BY CHORD DIAGRAMS
Authors: BISCHOF BRYAN , KOGAN ROMAN , YETTER DAVID N.
Published: December 2009

In view of the result of Kontsevich, now often called "the fundamental theorem of Vassiliev theory", identifying the graded dual of the associated graded vector space to the space of Vassiliev invariants filtered by degree with the linear span of chord diagrams modulo the "4T-relation" (and in the unframed case, originally considered by Vassiliev, the "1T-" or "isolated chord relation"), it is a problem of some interest to provide a basis for the space of chord diagrams modulo the 4T-relation.

We construct the basis for the vector space spanned by chord diagrams with n chords and m link components, modulo 4T relations for n ≤ 5.
CLOSED 3-BRAIDS ARE NEARLY FIBRED
Authors: NI YI
Published: December 2009

We classify fibred closed 3-braids. In particular, given a nontrivial closed 3-braid, either it is fibred, or it differs from a fibred link by adding a crossing. The proof uses Gabai's method of disk decomposition. The topmost term in the knot Floer homology of closed 3-braids is also computed.
THE SPREAD OF PRION DISEASES IN THE BRAIN — MODELS OF REACTION AND TRANSPORT ON NETWORKS
Authors: MATTHÄUS FRANZISKA
Published: December 2009

In this paper we will present a modeling approach to describe the progression and the spread of prion diseases in the brain. Although there exist a number of mathematical models for the interaction of prions with their native counterpart, prion transport and spread is usually neglected. The concentration dynamics of prions, and thus the dynamics of the disease progression, however, are influenced by prion transport, especially in a medium as complex as the brain. Therefore, we focus here on the interaction between prion concentration dynamics and prion transport. The model is constructed by combining a model of prion-prion interaction with transport on networks. The approach leads to a system of reaction-diffusion equations, whereby the diffusion term is discrete. The equations are solved numerically on domains given as large networks. We show that the prion concentration grows faster on networks characterized by a higher degree heterogeneity. Furthermore, we introduce cell death as a consequence of increasing prion concentration, leading to network decomposition. We show that infectious diseases destroy networks similarly to targeted attacks, namely by affecting the nodes with the highest degree first. Relating the incubation period and disease progression to the process of network decomposition, we find that, interestingly, a long incubation time followed by sudden onset and fast progression of the disease does not need to be reflected in the overall concentration dynamics of the infective agent.
THE INFLUENCE OF HEAVY ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION ON HIV INFECTION AND PROGRESSION
Authors: THOMAS G. , LUNGU E. M.
Published: December 2009

The Sub-Sahara African region is inhabited by only 11% of the global population, but is home to 67% of the total HIV infected people and accounts for more than 70% of global AIDS deaths. In this study, we construct a mathematical model to investigate the effect of heavy alcohol consumption on the transmission and progression of HIV/AIDS, and to assess the impact of heavy drinkers on HIV/AIDS related social and health problems such as TB case load and number of orphans. Using demographic data for Botswana, we have shown that if more HIV/AIDS individuals had been de-addicted from heavy alcohol consumption, the severity of the HIV/AIDS epidemic and the impact of HIV/AIDS on the number of TB cases and orphans would have been significantly less than is the case currently. The study points to the vital need for counseling and education about the evils of heavy alcohol consumption and for alcohol de-addiction programmes.
EXISTENCE OF TRAVELLING WAVES IN NONLINEAR SI EPIDEMIC MODELS
Authors: ZHANG FEN-FEN , HUO GANG , LIU QUAN-XING , SUN GUI-QUAN , JIN ZHEN
Published: December 2009

In this paper, we investigate a spatially extended SI epidemic system with a nonlinear incidence rate. Using mathematical analysis, we study the existence of a heteroclinic orbit connecting two equilibrium points in R3 which corresponds to a travelling wave solution connecting the disease-free and endemic equilibria for the reaction-diffusion system. In other words, the travelling wave solutions of the model are studied to determine the speed of disease dissemination, form the biological point of view. Moreover, this wave speed is obtained as a function of the model's parameters, in order to assess the control strategies. Also, our theoretical results are confirmed by numerical simulations. The obtained results confirm that travelling wave can enhance the spread of the disease, which can provide some insights into controlling the disease.
UPDATE PROCESSING IN INSTANCE-MAPPED P2P DATA SHARING SYSTEMS
Authors: MASUD MD MEHEDI , KIRINGA ILUJU , URAL HASAN
Published: December 2009

We consider the problem of update processing in a peer-to-peer (P2P) database network where each peer consists of an independently created relational database. We assume that peers store related data, but data has heterogeneity wrt instances and schemas. The differences in schema and data vocabulary are bridged by value correspondences called mapping tables. Peers build an overlay network called acquaintance network, in which each peer may get acquainted with any other peer that stores related data. In this setting, the updates are free to initiate in any peer and are executed over other peers which are acquainted directly or indirectly with the updates initiator. The execution of an update is achieved by translating, through mapping tables, the update into a set of updates that are executed against the acquainted peers. We consider both the soundness and completeness of update translation. When updates are generated and propagated in the network initiated from a peer, a tree is built dynamically called Update Dependency Tree (UDT). The UDT depicts the relationships among the component updates generated from the initial update. We also discuss the issues of the update propagation when a peer is temporarily unavailable or offline. Our propagation mechanism keeps track of a peer when the peer is not available for a certain period of time and once the peer comes back online the system propagates the updates destined to the returning peer to keep it's database synchronized. Moreover, conflict detection and resolution strategies have been proposed for such a dynamic P2P database network. We have implemented and experimentally tested a prototype of our update processing mechanism on a small P2P database network. We show the results of our experiments.
A PROCEDURE FOR THE ALLOCATION OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL RESOURCES IN A MULTIAGENT SYSTEM
Authors: IYER KARTHIK , HUHNS MICHAEL N.
Published: December 2009

This paper presents a constructive solution to the classic problem of land division. It is the first solution that enables the allocation of higher-dimensional resources without degenerating them first into a series of one-dimensional resource allocation problems. We base our allocation procedure on the topology of overlaps among the regions of interest of different agents. Our result is an algorithm suitable for computer implementation, unlike earlier ones that were only existential in nature. It uses the notion of degree of partial overlap to create a sufficiency condition for the existence of a solution, and proposes a procedure to find the overlaps in such a case. The proposed solution is fair, strategy-proof, non-existential, and does not explicitly need the resource to be measurable. The agents do not have to reveal their private utility functions. We extend our earlier result for one-dimensional resource allocation to this two-dimensional one and explain the distinctive issues involved.
A COOPERATIVE HYPERMEDIA APPROACH TO FLEXIBLE PROCESS SUPPORT FOR MANAGING DISTRIBUTED PROJECTS
Authors: WANG WEIGANG , FINCH KEVIN , RUBART JESSICA , HAAKE JOERG M.
Published: December 2009

Due to the separation of project management systems and workflow management systems, there is a gap between project plans and process support used to implement them. Often, managers could not see what was going on in their businesses until it was too late to react. In this paper, a cooperative hypermedia approach and an integration framework are developed to provide an integrated support for project planning, workflow management, information management and teamwork. The cooperative hypermedia-based process model has many desirable computational properties. The cooperative hypermedia tools built on this model can support distributed project teams to create, analyze, execute, monitor and adapt a project plan cooperatively. Case studies and user experiences of the cooperative hypermedia system demonstrate that the cooperative hypermedia approach can facilitate team members to identify emerging problems, to discuss and adapt the plan cooperatively. It is a promising approach to bridge the gap between project management and workflow management systems so as to support flexible business processes of real-time project teams.
海外华人研究的谱系：
Authors: 刘宏
Published: December 2009

作为学术领域的海外华人研究已有一个世纪的历史。本文通过对若干代表性论著的分析与评价，并辅以相关的学术出版物，尝试从学术史的角度对近80年来 （尤其是1980年代以来）的海外华人研究的主题和方法进行梳理。本文关注以下四方面的论题：华人国际移民的理论架构与历史视野；文化、体制和网络及其对华人国际移民的影响；全球华人移民社群的多元性和复杂性；海外华人与祖籍国及居住国之间的互动模式。本文强调，历史性 (historicity)、跨学科的分析脉络 (interdisciplinarity)、流动性的多元空间及其研究取向 (flexible multi-sited ethnography)的有机结合与应用对海外华人研究的进一步发展起着至关重要的作用。
温州海外移民发展及其影响的初步探索
Authors: 武斌  , 王辉耀
Published: December 2009

在中国的发展和全球化当中，三千万海外华人的推动作用不可低估。在这方面，温州的发展尤其值得关注。得益于中国的改革开放，温州人在当代中国移民欧洲的新浪潮中扮演重要角色，也为该地区出口导向型经济做出了巨大的贡献。 为了研究国际移民和温州本地发展之间的关联，本文作者于2006年在温州和意大利Veneto地区展开了广泛的实地调查。这篇论文试图解释下列问题：为什么21世纪国际移民对温州的发展和竞争至关重要？温州企业家是如何在意大利发展的？ 他们对家乡的发展做出了怎样的贡献？期待本研究成果对中国经济全球化有抛砖引玉的作用。
台侨在澳洲之生根与发展
Authors: 徐荣崇
Published: December 2009

本文采取 “质与量的互补” 和社会地理学 “局外人与局内人” 观点做为研究方法上的基本思维逻辑。利用2001年和2006年澳洲台湾出生移民普查数据、2003年侨委会委托姜兰虹和徐荣崇的 《澳洲台湾侨民现况之研究》 的1,028份问卷数据、1999年至2005年间对于移居悉尼、布里斯班及墨尔本台湾移民的深度访谈数据来进行剖析，并从移民趋势、居住地选择与生活适应等面向来做进一步的探讨。研究发现：移民至澳洲的台湾移民近年来有逐渐趋缓的情形，但回流的情形却加重了。他们有越来越集中的情形，也有向都市集中的趋势。其实早期他们的适应情形并不若办理移民申请的过程更容易，但随着时间的推移他们逐渐习惯了当地生活，而且失业率也逐年降低。
Influence of genetic background on albuminuria and kidney injury in Ins2+/C96Y (Akita) mice
Authors: Gurley Susan B. , Mach Carrie L. , Stegbauer Johannes , Yang Jihong , Snow Kamie P. , Hu Ann , Meyer Timothy W. , Coffman Thomas M.
Published: December 2009

Previous studies have shown that Akita mice bearing the Ins2 +/C96Y mutation have significant advantages as a type I diabetes platform for developing models of diabetic nephropathy (DN; Gurley SB, Clare SE, Snow KP, Hu A, Meyer TW, Coffman TM. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 290: F214–F222, 2006). In view of the critical role for genetic factors in determining susceptibility to DN in humans, we investigated the role of genetic background on kidney injury in Akita mice. To generate a series of inbred Akita mouse lines, we back-crossed the Ins2 C96Y mutation more than six generations onto the 129/SvEv and DBA/2 backgrounds and compared the extent of hyperglycemia and renal disease with the standard C57BL/6- Ins2 +/C96Y line. Male mice from all three Akita strains developed marked and equivalent hyperglycemia. However, there were significant differences in the level of albuminuria among the lines with a hierarchy of DBA/2 > 129/SvEv > C57BL/6. Renal and glomerular hypertrophy was seen in all of the lines, but significant increases in mesangial matrix compared with baseline nondiabetic controls were observed only in the 129 and C57BL/6 backgrounds. In F1(DBA/2 x C57BL/6)- Ins2 +/C96Y mice, the extent of albuminuria was similar to the parental DBA/2- Ins2+/ C96Y line; they also developed marked hyperfiltration. These studies identify strong effects of genetic background to modify the renal phenotype associated with the Ins2 C96Y mutation. Identification of these naturally occurring strain differences should prove useful for nephropathy modeling and may be exploited to allow identification of novel susceptibility alleles for albuminuria in diabetes.
Antiangiogenic Therapy in the Treatment of Recurrent Medulloblastoma in the Adult: Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Privitera Giuseppe , Acquaviva Grazia , Ettorre Giovanni Carlo , Spatola Corrado
Published: December 2009

Medulloblastoma is a rare tumor in central nervous system, with an even rarer occurrence in adulthood. The management of a recurrent disease is a medical challenge; chemotherapy has been used as the treatment of choice, while reirradiation has been employed in selected cases. We report the case of a 51-year-old man with recurrent medulloblastoma. He was treated with local reirradiation, chemotherapy, and antiangiogenic drug, with the latter giving the longer progression-free interval. The aim of this report is to show that recurrent medulloblastoma in adults can be approached with a multimodality treatment and that antiangiogenic therapy should have a role in the management of this disease.
Sclerosing Haemangiomas of the Liver: Two Cases of Mistaken Identity
Authors: Lauder C. , Garcea G. , Kanhere H. , Maddern G. J.
Published: December 2009

We describe two cases where patients undergoing hepatic resection for metastatic disease of colorectal origin were found to have concomitant sclerosing haemangiomas. The typical radiological and histological appearances of these lesions are discussed.
The Rise of Markov Chain Monte Carlo Estimation for Psychometric Modeling
Authors: Levy Roy
Published: December 2009

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) estimation strategies represent a powerful approach to estimation in psychometric models. Popular MCMC samplers and their alignment with Bayesian approaches to modeling are discussed. Key historical and current developments of MCMC are surveyed, emphasizing how MCMC allows the researcher to overcome the limitations of other estimation paradigms, facilitates the estimation of models that might otherwise be intractable, and frees the researcher from certain possible misconceptions about the models.
Supporting Collaborative Privacy‐Observant Information Sharing Using RFID‐Tagged Objects
Authors: Konomi Shin′ichi , Nam Chang S.
Published: December 2009

RFID technology provides an economically feasible means to embed computing and communication capabilities in numerous physical objects around us, thereby allowing anyone to effortlessly announce and expose varieties of information anywhere at any time. As the technology is increasingly used in everyday environments, there is a heightening tension in the design and shaping of social boundaries in the digitally enhanced real world. Our experiments of RFID‐triggered information sharing have identified usability, deployment, and privacy issues of physically based information systems. We discuss awareness issues and cognitive costs in regulating RFID‐triggered information flows and propose a framework for privacy‐observant RFID applications. The proposed framework supports users′ in situ privacy boundary control by allowing users to (1) see how their information is socially disclosed and viewed by others, (2) dynamically negotiate their privacy boundaries, and (3) automate certain information disclosure processes.
Exact Solutions for a Third‐Order KdV Equation with Variable Coefficients and Forcing Term
Authors: Salas S Alvaro H. , Gómez S Cesar A.
Published: December 2009

The general projective Riccati equation method and the Exp‐function
method are used to construct generalized soliton solutions and periodic solutions to special
KdV equation with variable coefficients and forcing term.
Role of BMP-4 and Its Signaling Pathways in Cultured Human Melanocytes
Authors: Park Hee-Young , Wu Christina , Yaar Mina , Stachur Christina M. , Kosmadaki Marita , Gilchrest Barbara A.
Published: December 2009

Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP-4) was shown to down-regulate melanogenesis, in part, by decreasing the level of tyrosinase [Yaar et al. (2006) JBC:281]. Results presented here show that BMP-4 down-regulated the protein levels of TRP-1, PKC-β, and MCI-R. When paired cultures of human melanocytes were treated with vehicle or BMP-4 (25 ng/ml), MAPK/ERK were phosphorylated within one hour of BMP-4 treatment. Then the activated MAPK/ERK caused an acute phosphorylation of MITF, followed by proteosome-mediated degradation of MITF, the key transcription factor for melanogenic proteins [Wu et al. (2000) Gene & Development:14]. However, prolonged exposure of melanocytes to BMP-4 (up to 48 hours) caused a decrease in the level of MITF-M transcript. In addition, BMP-4 decreased the intracellular level of cAMP, the key regulator of MITF expression. These results demonstrate that BMP-4 activates MAPK/ERK signaling pathway to transiently activate MITF; however, chronic treatment of BMP-4 to melanocytes causes a down-regulation of the expression of MITF, possibly in a cAMP-dependent pathway.
The Possibility of Correlation of Hardening Power for Oils and Polymers of Quenching Mediums
Authors: Przyłęcka Małgorzata , Gęstwa Wojciech
Published: December 2009

There are many literature references comparing the use of aqueous polymer quenching solutions with petroleum oil quenchants for a wide range of steels of varying hardenability and the relating parameters of describing properties of the quenching mediums. There are relatively little similar relating correlations between parameters of describing properties of the different quenching mediums. The quenchants used included: conventional quenching oil, martempering oil, and 5% and 25% aqueous polymer quenchant solutions (APQSs) of a polymer quenchant. These quenching media were selected to represent a broad range of quench severities as quantified by cooling curve analysis (ASTM D 6482) using a standard Inconel 600 probe and the Tensi Agitation Device. The test of correlation conducted between the Hardening Power parameters according to examples of oils and polymers. The enable work results in applying the Hardening Power independently from equation calculated for different quenching mediums and their work parameters.
Entanglement Transfer through an Antiferromagnetic Spin Chain
Authors: Bayat Abolfazl , Bose Sougato
Published: December 2009

We study the possibility of using an uniformly coupled finite antiferromagnetic spin‐1/2 Heisenberg chain as a channel for transmitting entanglement. One member of a pair of maximally entangled spins is initially appended to one end of a chain in its ground state and the dynamical propagation of this entanglement to the other end is calculated. We show that, compared to the analogous scheme with a ferromagnetic chain in its ground state, here the entanglement is transmitted faster, with less decay, with a much higher purity and as a narrow pulse form rising nonanalytically from zero. Here nonzero temperatures and depolarizing environments are both found to be less destructive in comparison to the ferromagnetic case. The entanglement is found to propagate through the chain in a peculiar fashion whereby it hops to skip alternate sites.
Energy Expenditure and Physical Activity in Recovering Malnourished Infants
Authors: Rising Russell , Sonmez Gul Tiryaki
Published: December 2009

Background. Malnourished infants are small for age and weight.Objectives. Determine profiles in 24-hour energy metabolism in recovering malnourished infants and compare to similarly aged healthy controls.Methods. 10 malnourished infants (58.1±5.9 cm,7.7±5.6months) were healthy prior to spending 22 hours in the Enhanced Metabolic Testing Activity Chamber for measurement of EE (kcal/min), sleeping metabolic rate (SMR; kcal/min), respiratory quotient (RQ;VCO2/VO2), and physical activity (PA; oscillations in wt/min/kg body weight). Metabolic data were extrapolated to 24 hours (kcal/kg/d). Energy intake (kcal/kg/d) and the proportions (%) of carbohydrate, protein, and fat were calculated. Anthropometrics for malnourished infants were obtained. Statistical differences (P<.05) between groups were determined (SPSS, version 13).Results. In comparison to controls, malnourished infants were lighter (4.1±1.2versus7.3±0.8 kg;P<.05), had less body fat % (10.3±7.6versus25.7±2.5), and lower BMI (12.0±1.7versus15.5±1.5;P<.05). In contrast, they had greater energy intake (142.7±14.6versus85.1±25.8;P<.05) with a greater percentage of carbohydrates (55.1±3.9versus47.2±5.2;P<.05). However, malnourished infants had greater 24-hour EE (101.3±20.1versus78.6±8.4;P<.05), SMR (92.6±17.1versus65.0±3.9;P<.05), and RQ (1.00±0.13versus0.86±0.08;P<.05) along with a lower amount of PA (2.3±0.94versus4.0±1.5;P<.05).Conclusions. Malnourished infants require more energy, possibly for growth.
Cysteine-Free Proteins in the Immunobiology of Arthropod-Borne Diseases
Authors: Mejia J. Santiago , Arthun Erik N. , Titus Richard G.
Published: January 2010

One approach to identify epitopes that could be used in the design of vaccines to control several arthropod-borne diseases simultaneously is to look for common structural features in the secretome of the pathogens that cause them. Using a novel bioinformatics technique, cysteine-abundance and distribution analysis, we found that many different proteins secreted by several arthropod-borne pathogens, includingPlasmodium falciparum, Borrelia burgdorferi, and eight species of Proteobacteria, are devoid of cysteine residues. The identification of three cysteine-abundance and distribution patterns in several families of proteins secreted by pathogenic and nonpathogenic Proteobacteria, and not found when the amino acid analyzed was tryptophan, provides evidence of forces restricting the content of cysteine residues in microbial proteins during evolution. We discuss these findings in the context of protein structure and function, antigenicity and immunogenicity, and host-parasite relationships.
A Multifactorial Mechanism in the Superior Antimalarial Activity ofα-C-GalCer
Authors: Schmieg John , Yang Guangli , Franck Richard W. , Tsuji Moriya
Published: December 2009

We have previously shown that the C-glycoside analog ofα-galactosylceramide (α-GalCer),α-C-GalCer, displays a superior inhibitory activity against the liver stages of the rodent malaria parasitePlasmodium yoeliithan its parental glycolipid,α-GalCer. In this study, we demonstrate that NK cells, as well as IL-12, are a key contributor for the superior activity displayed byα-C-GalCer. Surprisingly, the diminished production of Th2 cytokines, including IL-4, byα-C-GalCer has no affect on its superior therapeutic activity relative toα-GalCer. Finally, we show that the in vivo administration ofα-C-GalCer induces prolonged maturation of dendritic cells (DCs), as well as an enhanced proliferative response of mouse invariant Vα14 (Vα14i) NKT cells, both of which may also contribute to some degree to the superior activity ofα-C-GalCer in vivo.
Proteomic Studies of Cholangiocarcinoma and Hepatocellular Carcinoma Cell Secretomes
Authors: Srisomsap Chantragan , Sawangareetrakul Phannee , Subhasitanont Pantipa , Chokchaichamnankit Daranee , Chiablaem Khajeelak , Bhudhisawasdi Vaharabhongsa , Wongkham Sopit , Svasti Jisnuson
Published: December 2009

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occur with relatively high incidence in Thailand. The secretome, proteins secreted from cancer cells, are potentially useful as biomarkers of the diseases. Proteomic analysis was performed on the secreted proteins of cholangiocarcinoma (HuCCA-1) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC-S102, HepG2, SK-Hep-1, and Alexander) cell lines. The secretomes of the five cancer cell lines were analyzed by SDS-PAGE combined with LC/MS/MS. Sixty-eight proteins were found to be expressed only in HuCCA-1. Examples include neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (lipocalin 2), laminin 5 beta 3, cathepsin D precursor, desmoplakin, annexin IV variant, and annexin A5. Immunoblotting was used to confirm the presence of lipocalin 2 in conditioned media and cell lysate of 5 cell lines. The results showed that lipocalin 2 was a secreted protein which is expressed only in the conditioned media of the cholangiocarcinoma cell line. Study of lipocalin 2 expression in different types of cancer and normal tissues from cholangiocarcinoma patients showed that lipocalin 2 was expressed only in the cancer tissues. We suggest that lipocalin 2 may be a potential biomarker for cholangiocarcinoma.
The Periodic Solutions of the Compound Singular Fractional Differential System with Delay
Authors: Wei XuTing , Lu XuanZhu
Published: December 2009

The paper gives sufficient conditions on the existence of periodic solution for a class of compound singular fractional differential systems with delay, involving Nishimoto fractional derivative. Furthermore, for the particular functions, the necessary conditions on the existence of periodic solution are also derived. Especially, for two‐dimensional compound singular fractional differential equation with delay, the criteria of existence of periodic solution are obtained. Finally, two examples are presented to verify the validity of criteria.
Molecular Abnormalities in Ovarian Cancer Subtypes Other than High-Grade Serous Carcinoma
Authors: Gilks C. Blake
Published: December 2009

Ovarian cancer is the fifth leading cause of cancer death in women in North America, and approximately two-thirds of cases of ovarian cancer are of high-grade serous type. The remaining cases are comprised of a mix of different tumor types (e.g., endometrioid, clear cell, mucinous, etc.), with no single tumor type accounting for more than 10% of ovarian cancer cases. These tumor types can be reproducibly diagnosed, and each features distinct underlying molecular events during oncogenesis, with a characteristic natural history and response rate to conventional cytotoxic chemotherapy. In this review the molecular abnormalities present in the more common non-high-grade serous subtypes of ovarian cancer will be presented. Development of targeted therapies for these tumor types will require understanding of the genetic basis of each tumor type, and may lead to subtype-specific therapy.
Improved Continuous Models for Discrete Media
Authors: Andrianov I. V. , Awrejcewicz J. , Weichert D.
Published: December 2009

The paper focuses on continuous models derived from a discrete microstructure. Various continualization procedures that take into account the nonlocal interaction between variables of the discrete media are analysed.
Coexistence between Carotid Artery Stenosis and Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps in Middle-Aged Men
Authors: Kim Beom Jin , Kim Jin Yong , Chang Dong Kyung , Son Hee Jung , Rhee Poong-Lyul , Kim Jae J. , Rhee Jong Chul , Choe Yeon Hyeon , Choi Yoon-Ho , Shim Sang Goon , Kim Young-Ho
Published: December 2009

Background: Colorectal neoplasia and cardiovascular disease appear to share common risk factors. This study aimed to investigate the association between the thickness of the intima-media complex (IMT) or carotid artery stenosis (CAS) on carotid artery ultrasonography and the presence of colorectal adenomas in middle-aged asymptomatic men. Methods: This study was conducted among 1,877 asymptomatic male subjects, 40–59 years, who underwent both carotid artery ultrasonography and colonoscopy for routine health examination. Clinical information was collected from a standardized questionnaire, physical examination and blood tests. Results: The prevalence of overall colorectal adenomatous polyps (APs) was 31.4% (591/1,877). The subjects were divided into two groups according to the presence of APs in the colorectum. The prevalence of IMT ≧10 mm was significantly higher in the subjects with CAS than in those without CAS (10.1 vs. 0.7%, p < 0.001). CAS was more prevalent in the AP-positive group than in the AP-negative group (40.5 vs. 30.2%, p = 0.001). Moreover, CAS was more prevalent in the advanced AP-positive group than in the advanced AP-negative group (15.2 vs. 8.2%, p = 0.048). Conclusion: This study suggests that there is a relationship between colorectal AP and CAS, probably due to common risk factors.
Dental Erosion Protection by Fermented Shrimp Paste in Acidic Food
Authors: Chuenarrom C. , Benjakul P.
Published: December 2009

The aim of this study was to determine the extent to which fermented shrimp paste (which has a high calcium concentration) reduces dental erosion in vitro. In experiment 1, enamel specimens were exposed to various concentrations of shrimp paste in tamarind juice for 15 min, once a day, for a total of 29 days. In experiment 2, pre-softened enamel specimens were exposed to different concentrations of shrimp paste in water, using an exposure method similar to experiment 1. Profilometry and a microhardness test were used to assess changes in enamel loss and softening. The results showed that shrimp paste can reduce the erosive potential of tamarind juice and re-harden softened enamel.
Increased Oxidative Stress in Patients with Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome
Authors: Cumurcu Tongabay , Gunduz Abuzer , Ozyurt Huseyin , Nurcin Hatun , Atıs Omer , Egri Mucahit
Published: December 2009

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the antioxidant/oxidant status of serum in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX). Methods: Forty-seven patients with PEX and 32 healthy controls were included in the study. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and total oxidant status (TOS) levels were determined by using a novel automated method. Results: A significant increase in serum TOS (p < 0.001) and a significant decrease in serum TAC (p < 0.0001) were observed in PEX patients compared to control subjects. Conclusion: TAC decreases while the oxidative stress increases in PEX.
MTHFR C677T Homozygous Mutation in a Patient with Pigmentary Glaucoma and Central Retinal Vein Occlusion
Authors: Jaksic Vesna , Markovic Vujica , Milenkovic Svetislav , Stefanovic Ivan , Jakovic Natalija , Knezevic Miroslav
Published: December 2009

Purpose: We present the rare case of a young male patient with asymmetric ocular findings: pigmentary ocular hypertension associated with nonischemic central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) in the right eye and pigmentary glaucoma (PG) with progressive glaucomatous optic damage in the left eye. Patients and Methods: A 31-year-old man showed nonischemic CRVO in the right eye and the clinical triad of pigment dispersion syndrome in both eyes, however more marked in the left eye. Best-corrected visual acuity was logMAR 0.3 in the right eye and 1.0 in the left eye at presentation. The single risk for developing PG and CRVO was hyperhomocysteinemia. The patient was a carrier of the methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677 homozygous mutation. Results: At 18 months of follow-up, visual acuity remained stable, intraocular pressure was in the normal range, but retinal tomography indicated an increase in glaucomatous optic damage to the nerve fiber layer in almost the complete temporal-inferior sector of the left eye, but without visual field defects in the left eye. Retinal tomography and automated perimetry were normal in the right eye. The patient received topical antiglaucomatous therapy. Conclusion: Higher levels of plasma homocysteine, even mildly elevated ones, could be associated with nonischemic CRVO and PG, especially when related to genetic risk factors or C677T mutation.
Predictors of Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness in Chronic Kidney Disease and Kidney Transplant Patients without Overt Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Yilmaz Mahmut Ilker , Qureshi Abdul Rashid , Carrero Juan Jesus , Saglam Mutlu , Suliman Mohamed E. , Caglar Kayser , Eyileten Tayfun , Sonmez Alper , Oguz Yusuf , Vural Abdulgaffar , Yenicesu Mujdat , Axelsson Jonas
Published: December 2009

Background/Aims: Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) assessed using ultrasonography is a widely used marker of atherosclerosis. In the largest study to date of IMT and chronic kidney disease (CKD), we assessed correlates of IMT in CKD patients with a wide range of renal dysfunction, and also investigated what happens to IMT following renal transplantation. Methods: We studied 406 patients with different stages of nondiabetic CKD (50% males, 46 ± 12 years), and 58 kidney transplant recipients (27 ± 6 years), testing relationships between IMT, assessed by ultrasonography, and selected biomarkers. Results: Despite a lack of overt CVD, patients had significantly higher IMT as compared to controls (0.9 [0.7–1.0] vs. 0.6 [0.4–0.7] mm; p > 0.001). Furthermore, in multivariate analysis IMT was independently associated with CKD stage, mean arterial pressure (MAP) and calcium-phosphate product, but not with Framingham risk factors. Following kidney transplantation, IMT decreased rapidly, reaching levels comparable to those in the controls within 90 days. In a time-dependent multivariate analysis, this decrease was predicted by changes in GFR, MAP, and uric acid levels. Conclusion: Our data does not exclude IMT as a predictor of mortality in CKD, but suggests that other etiologies than atherosclerosis may be more important in determining IMT levels in the population with CKD.
A Comparative Study of Proliferation and Hepatic Differentiation of Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells
Authors: Coradeghini R. , Guida C. , Scanarotti C. , Sanguineti R. , Bassi A.M. , Parodi A. , Santi P.L. , Raposio E.
Published: December 2009

Human adipose-derived stem cells possess a lot of stem cell characteristics, so they may be considered a source of stem cell population. On the basis of that, we have investigated the hepatic potential of adipose-derived stem cells, obtained from liposuction, following two differentiation protocols. In the first procedure, medium was supplemented with epidermal growth factor (EGF), basic fibroblast growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and nicotinamide; the second involved the addition of factors such as dexametasone, EGF, insulin-transferrin-sodium selenite, HGF, dimethyl sulfoxide and oncostatin. In parallel, we carried out our study in the Hep G2 cell line, as human hepatic differentiated in vitro model. Immunocytochemical analysis and RT-PCR were performed using hepatic markers to evaluate cell differentiation. DNA content, MTT test and carboxyl fluorescein succinimidyl ester staining were carried out to evaluate cell proliferation. We reported the evidence of basal hepatic marker in undifferentiated adipose-derived stem cells, which confirmed their multipotency. A strong expression of albumin and α-fetoprotein was observed in hepatic-induced adipose-derived stem cells following both differentiation procedures. Morphological aspects of the two types of hepatic adipose-derived stem cells were alike. Proliferation index suggested that the first differentiation procedure promoted better growth than the second. These preliminary findings suggest adipose-derived stem cells may be induced into hepatic lineage, and the most significant difference between the two standard differentiation procedures concerns proliferation rate. This aspect is to be considered when adipose-derived stem cells are employed in research and clinical studies.
Cryopreservation of Autologous Bone Grafts: An Experimental Study on a Sheep Animal Model
Authors: Reuther Tobias , Kochel Michael , Mueller-Richter Urs , Klammert Uwe , Meyer-Marcotty Phillip , Linz Christian , Kuebler Alexander C.
Published: December 2009

A sheep animal model was used to investigate the clinical behavior of autologous bone transplants after cryopreservation. The aim of the present study was to compare fresh, cryopreserved and deep-frozen bone transplants in terms of their osseointegration. We used a serum-free cryopreservation protocol with DMSO as cryoprotectant for the bone transplants, which were harvested from the iliac crest of the sheep. The bicortical iliac bone grafts were either cryopreserved or immediately frozen to –80°C for 4 weeks. Four, 8, 12 and 16 weeks after the autologous transplantation of the cryopreserved, fresh or deep-frozen bone transplants to the contralateral iliac crest, the animals were sacrificed and the bone specimens were evaluated clinically, by staining for hematoxylin/eosin and for tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase, by quantified computed tomography, immunohistochemistry (Ki67) and polychrome sequential labeling. The best results were obtained for the fresh specimens with 83% bone healing compared with 75% (cryopreserved bone) and 50% (deep frozen bone). All parameters indicate that bone formation and remodeling processes take place in fresh and cryopreserved transplants. The deep-frozen specimens displayed no fluorochrome uptake in the sequential labeling. These findings indicate that osseointegration of the fresh transplants was the most successful and that osteogenic effects in fresh and cryopreserved transplants are located in the surface area, whereas only the osteoconductive effects are important in the center of the transplants. Thus, cryopreservation is a useful method for the clinical routine because it keeps the osteogenic cells viable, making it superior to deep freezing of abundant bone.
Insula and Orbital Frontal Cortex Activity Underlying Emotion Interference Resolution in Working Memory
Authors: Levens Sara M. , Phelps Elizabeth A.
Published: January 2010

Previous research has shown that emotional information aids conflict resolution in working memory [WM; Levens, S. M., & Phelps, E. A. Emotion processing effects on interference resolution in working memory. Journal of Emotion, 8, 267–280, 2008]. Using a recency-probes WM paradigm, it was found that positive and negative emotional stimuli reduced the amount of interference created when information that was once relevant conflicted with currently relevant information. To explore the neural mechanisms behind these facilitation effects, an event-related fMRI version of the recency-probes task was conducted using neutral and arousing positive and negative words as stimuli. Results replicate previous findings showing that the left and right inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) is involved in the interference resolution of neutral information and reveal that the IFG is involved in the interference resolution of emotional information as well. In addition, ROIs in the right and left anterior insula and in the right orbital frontal cortex (OFC) were identified that appear to underlie emotional interference resolution in WM. We conclude that the IFG underlies neutral and emotional interference resolution, and that additional regions of the anterior insula and OFC may contribute to the facilitation of interference resolution for emotional information. These findings clarify the role of the insula and OFC in affective and executive processing, specifically in WM conflict resolution.
Model Study of Waves Generated by Convection with Direct Validation via Satellite
Authors: Grimsdell Alison W. , Alexander M. Joan , May Peter T. , Hoffmann Lars
Published: December 2009

Atmospheric gravity waves have a major effect on atmospheric circulation, structure, and stability on a global scale. Gravity waves can be generated by convection, but in many cases it is difficult to link convection directly to a specific wave event. In this research, the authors examine an event on 12 January 2003 when convective waves were clearly generated by a period of extremely intense rainfall in the region of Darwin, Australia, during the early morning. The waves were observed by the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder (AIRS) instrument on board the Aqua satellite, and a dry version of a nonlinear, three-dimensional mesoscale cloud-resolving model is used to generate a comparable wave field. The model is forced by a spatially and temporally varying heating field obtained from a scanning radar located north of Darwin at Gunn Point. With typical cloud-resolving model studies it is generally not possible to compare the model results feature-for-feature with observations since although the model precipitation and small-scale heating may be similar to observations, they will occur at different locations and times. In this case the comparison is possible since the model is forced by the observed heating pattern. It is shown that the model output wave pattern corresponds well to the wave pattern observed by the AIRS instrument at the time of the AIRS overpass.
Thermodynamic Coupled Modes in the Tropical Atmosphere–Ocean: An Analytical Solution
Authors: Wang Faming
Published: December 2009

The present study provides a consistent and unified solution for the two types of thermodynamical coupled modes in the atmosphere–ocean climate system: the tropical meridional mode and the subtropical dipole mode. The solution is derived analytically from a linear model that couples a simple atmosphere to a slab ocean via the wind–evaporation–SST (WES) feedback. For a mean zonal wind, the results show that the wind (hence latent heat flux) anomaly and the SST anomaly differ in phase such that the tropical mode propagates downwind and the subtropical modes propagate upwind, with both modes being damped by the SST-driven component of latent heat flux. Despite the existence of positive WES feedback, the large-scale subtropical modes are always stable, while the tropical mode can become unstable only when the air–sea coupling is strong and the mean wind is easterly. Furthermore, the mean meridional winds break the equatorial symmetry and enable the coupled modes to intensify in the Southern (Northern) Hemisphere for a southerly (northerly) component. For realistic parameter values, these thermodynamical coupled modes have periods and damping time scales in years; hence, they may play important roles in the tropical interannual-to-decadal climate variability.
Microphysical Scaling Relations in a Kinematic Model of Isolated Shallow Cumulus Clouds
Authors: Seifert Axel , Stevens Bjorn
Published: December 2009

The rain formation in shallow cumulus clouds by condensational growth and collision–coalescence of liquid drops is revisited with the aim of understanding the controls on precipitation efficiency for idealized cloud drafts. For the purposes of this analysis, a one-dimensional kinematic cloud model is introduced, which permits the efficient exploration of many microphysical aspects of liquid shallow clouds with both spectral and two-moment bulk microphysical formulations. Based on the one-dimensional model and the insights gained from both microphysical approaches, scaling relations are derived that provide a link between microphysical and macroscopic cloud properties. By introducing the concept of a macroscopic autoconversion time scale, the rain formation can be traced back to quantities such as cloud depth, average vertical velocity, lapse rate, and cloud lifetime. The one-dimensional model also suggests that the precipitation efficiency can be expressed as a function of the ratio of the macroscopic autoconversion time scale and cloud lifetime and that it exhibits threshold-like behavior.