bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mesures de sûreté et travail social pénitentiaire
Authors: Razac Olivier
Published: June 2011

Le travail des conseillers pénitentiaires d'insertion et de probation connaît actuellement des transformations importantes illustrées, en particulier, par une réorganisation des services autour des nouvelles technologies, d'une approche criminologique et d’un management par objectifs. C’est dans ce contexte que le placement sous surveillance électronique mobile (PSEM) s'est mis en place depuis 2006. Doublement innovant, par ses caractéristiques techniques et le cadre des mesures de sûreté dans lequel il s'inscrit, le PSEM révèle avec force les ambiguïtés de la recomposition du champ de la probation en France.
Regulation of Chemerin Chemoattractant and Antibacterial Activity by Human Cysteine Cathepsins
Authors: Kulig Paulina , Kantyka Tomasz , Zabel Brian A. , Banaś Magdalena , Chyra Agnieszka , Stefańska Anna , Tu Hua , Allen Samantha J. , Handel Tracy M. , Kozik Andrzej , Potempa Jan , Butcher Eugene C. , Cichy Joanna
Published: June 2011

Chemerin, a ligand for the G-protein coupled receptor chemokine-like receptor 1, requires C-terminal proteolytic processing to unleash its chemoattractant activity. Proteolytically processed chemerin selectively attracts specific subsets of immunoregulatory APCs, including chemokine-like receptor 1-positive immature plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDC). Chemerin is predicted to belong to the structural cathelicidin/cystatin family of proteins composed of antibacterial polypeptide cathelicidins and inhibitors of cysteine proteinases (cystatins). We therefore hypothesized that chemerin may interact directly with cysteine proteases, and that it might also function as an antibacterial agent. In this article, we show that chemerin does not inhibit human cysteine proteases, but rather is a new substrate for cathepsin (cat) K and L. cat K- and L-cleaved chemerin triggered robust migration of human blood-derived pDC ex vivo. Furthermore, cat K- and L-truncated chemerin also displayed antibacterial activity against Enterobacteriaceae. Cathepsins may therefore contribute to host defense by activating chemerin to directly inhibit bacterial growth and to recruit pDC to sites of infection.
Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Nav1.7 Maintains the Membrane Potential and Regulates the Activation and Chemokine-Induced Migration of a Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cell Subset
Authors: Kis-Toth Katalin , Hajdu Peter , Bacskai Ildiko , Szilagyi Orsolya , Papp Ferenc , Szanto Attila , Posta Edit , Gogolak Peter , Panyi Gyorgy , Rajnavolgyi Eva
Published: June 2011

Expression of CD1a protein defines a human dendritic cell (DC) subset with unique functional activities. We aimed to study the expression of the Nav1.7 sodium channel and the functional consequences of its activity in CD1a− and CD1a+ DC. Single-cell electrophysiology (patch-clamp) and quantitative PCR experiments performed on sorted CD1a− and CD1a+ immature DC (IDC) showed that the frequency of cells expressing Na+ current, current density, and the relative expression of the SCN9A gene encoding Nav1.7 were significantly higher in CD1a+ cells than in their CD1a− counterparts. The activity of Nav1.7 results in a depolarized resting membrane potential (−8.7 ± 1.5 mV) in CD1a+ IDC as compared with CD1a− cells lacking Nav1.7 (−47 ± 6.2 mV). Stimulation of DC by inflammatory signals or by increased intracellular Ca2+ levels resulted in reduced Nav1.7 expression. Silencing of the SCN9A gene shifted the membrane potential to a hyperpolarizing direction in CD1a+ IDC, resulting in decreased cell migration, whereas pharmacological inhibition of Nav1.7 by tetrodotoxin sensitized the cells for activation signals. Fine-tuning of IDC functions by a voltage-gated sodium channel emerges as a new regulatory mechanism modulating the migration and cytokine responses of these DC subsets.
Cutting Edge: Dendritic Cell-Restricted Antigen Presentation Initiates the Follicular Helper T Cell Program but Cannot Complete Ultimate Effector Differentiation
Authors: Goenka Radhika , Barnett Lisa G. , Silver Jonathan S. , O’Neill Patrick J. , Hunter Christopher A. , Cancro Michael P. , Laufer Terri M.
Published: June 2011

Follicular helper T (TFH) cells are critical for germinal center (GC) formation. The processes that drive their generation and effector potential remain unclear. In this study, we define requirements for MHC class II APCs in murine TFH cell formation by either transiently ablating or restricting Ag presentation to dendritic cells (DCs). We find that cognate interactions with DCs are necessary and sufficient to prime CD4+ T cells toward a CXCR5+ICOS+Bcl6+ TFH cell intermediate. However, in the absence of additional APCs, these TFH cells fail to produce IL-21. Furthermore, in vitro priming of naive T cells by B cells engenders optimal production of IL-21, which induces a GC B cell transcriptional profile. These results support a multistep model for effector TFH cell priming and GC initiation, in which DCs are necessary and sufficient to induce a TFH cell intermediate that requires additional interactions with distinct APCs for full effector function.
The Aggregation Inhibitor Peptide QBP1 as a Therapeutic Molecule for the Polyglutamine Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Popiel H. Akiko , Burke James R. , Strittmatter Warren J. , Oishi Shinya , Fujii Nobutaka , Takeuchi Toshihide , Toda Tatsushi , Wada Keiji , Nagai Yoshitaka
Published: June 2011

Misfolding and abnormal aggregation of proteins in the brain are implicated in the pathogenesis of various neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and the polyglutamine (polyQ) diseases. In the polyQ diseases, an abnormally expanded polyQ stretch triggers misfolding and aggregation of the disease-causing proteins, eventually resulting in neurodegeneration. In this paper, we introduce our therapeutic strategy against the polyQ diseases using polyQ binding peptide 1 (QBP1), a peptide that we identified by phage display screening. We showed that QBP1 specifically binds to the expanded polyQ stretch and inhibits its misfolding and aggregation, resulting in suppression of neurodegeneration in cell culture and animal models of the polyQ diseases. We further demonstrated the potential of protein transduction domains (PTDs) for in vivo delivery of QBP1. We hope that in the near future, chemical analogues of aggregation inhibitor peptides including QBP1 will be developed against protein misfolding-associated neurodegenerative diseases.
Experimental Chemotherapy for Chagas Disease: A Morphological, Biochemical, and Proteomic Overview of Potential Trypanosoma cruzi Targets of Amidines Derivatives and Naphthoquinones
Authors: de Castro Solange L. , Batista Denise G. J. , Batista Marcos M. , Batista Wanderson , Daliry Anissa , de Souza Elen M. , Menna-Barreto Rubem F. S. , Oliveira Gabriel M. , Salomão Kelly , Silva Cristiane F. , Silva Patricia B. , Soeiro Maria de Nazaré C.
Published: June 2011

Chagas disease (CD), caused by Trypanosoma cruzi, affects approximately eight million individuals in Latin America and is emerging in nonendemic areas due to the globalisation of immigration and nonvectorial transmission routes. Although CD represents an important public health problem, resulting in high morbidity and considerable mortality rates, few investments have been allocated towards developing novel anti-T. cruzi agents. The available therapy for CD is based on two nitro derivatives (benznidazole (Bz) and nifurtimox (Nf)) developed more than four decades ago. Both are far from ideal due to substantial secondary side effects, limited efficacy against different parasite isolates, long-term therapy, and their well-known poor activity in the late chronic phase. These drawbacks justify the urgent need to identify better drugs to treat chagasic patients. Although several classes of natural and synthetic compounds have been reported to act in vitro and in vivo on T. cruzi, since the introduction of Bz and Nf, only a few drugs, such as allopurinol and a few sterol inhibitors, have moved to clinical trials. This reflects, at least in part, the absence of well-established universal protocols to screen and compare drug activity. In addition, a large number of in vitro studies have been conducted using only epimastigotes and trypomastigotes instead of evaluating compounds' activities against intracellular amastigotes, which are the reproductive forms in the vertebrate host and are thus an important determinant in the selection and identification of effective compounds for further in vivo analysis. In addition, due to pharmacokinetics and absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion characteristics, several compounds that were promising in vitro have not been as effective as Nf or Bz in animal models of T. cruzi infection. In the last two decades, our team has collaborated with different medicinal chemistry groups to develop preclinical studies for CD and investigate the in vitro and in vivo efficacy, toxicity, selectivity, and parasite targets of different classes of natural and synthetic compounds. Some of these results will be briefly presented, focusing primarily on diamidines and related compounds and naphthoquinone derivatives that showed the most promising efficacy against T. cruzi.
Characterization of the Recombinant Thermostable Lipase (Pf2001) from Pyrococcus furiosus: Effects of Thioredoxin Fusion Tag and Triton X-100
Authors: Alquéres Sylvia Maria Campbell , Branco Roberta Vieira , Freire Denise Maria Guimarães , Alves Tito Lívio Moitinho , Martins Orlando Bonifácio , Almeida Rodrigo Volcan
Published: June 2011

In this work, the lipase from Pyrococcus furiosus encoded by ORF PF2001 was expressed with a fusion protein (thioredoxin) in Escherichia coli. The purified enzymes with the thioredoxin tag (TRX−PF2001Δ60) and without the thioredoxin tag (PF2001Δ60) were characterized, and various influences of Triton X-100 were determined. The optimal temperature for both enzymes was 80°C. Although the thioredoxin presence did not influence the optimum temperature, the TRX−PF2001Δ60 presented specific activity twice lower than the enzyme PF2001Δ60. The enzyme PF2001Δ60 was assayed using MUF-acetate, MUF-heptanoate, and MUF-palmitate. MUF-heptanoate was the preferred substrate of this enzyme. The chelators EDTA and EGTA increased the enzyme activity by 97 and 70%, respectively. The surfactant Triton X-100 reduced the enzyme activity by 50% and lowered the optimum temperature to 60°C. However, the thermostability of the enzyme PF2001Δ60 was enhanced with Triton X-100.
Factor VII Activating Protease Polymorphism (G534E) Is Associated with Increased Risk for Stroke and Mortality
Authors: Trompet Stella , Pons Douwe , Kanse Sandip M. , de Craen Anton J. M. , Ikram M. Arfan , Verschuren Jeffrey J. W. , Zwinderman Aeilko H. , Doevendans Pieter A. F. M. , Tio René A. , de Winter Robbert J. , Slagboom P. Eline , Westendorp Rudi G. J. , Jukema J. Wouter
Published: June 2011

Introduction. The FSAP-Marburg I polymorphism (1704G > A), which reduces FSAP activity, is associated with late complications of carotid stenosis in humans. Therefore, this study examines the influence of the Marburg I polymorphism and the closely linked Marburg II polymorphism (1280G > C) on various cardiovascular outcomes in two large independent study populations.Methods. The two Marburg polymorphisms in the HABP2 gene encoding FSAP were genotyped in a large population of elderly patients at risk for vascular disease (the PROSPER-study,n=5804) and in a study population treated with a percutaneous coronary intervention (the GENDER-study,n=3104).Results. In the PROSPER study, the Marburg I polymorphism was associated with an increased risk of clinical stroke (HR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.13–2.28) and all-cause mortality (HR: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.04–1.71). In the GENDER study carriers of this variant seemed at lower risk of developing restenosis (HR: 0.59, 95% CI: 0.34–1.01). The Marburg II polymorphism showed similar but weaker results.Conclusion. The increase in stroke risk in Marburg I carriers could be due to differential effects on smooth muscle cells and on matrix metalloproteinases, thereby influencing plaque stability. The possible protective effect on restenosis could be the result of reduced activation of zymogens, which are involved in hemostasis and matrix remodeling.
Redefining Lumpectomy Using a Modification of the “Sick Lobe” Hypothesis and Ductal Anatomy
Authors: Dooley W. , Bong J. , Parker J.
Published: June 2011

Objectives. The “Sick Lobe” hypothesis states that breast cancers evolve from entire lobes or portions of lobes of the breast where initiation events have occurred early in development. The implication is that some cancers are isolated events and others are truly multi-focal but limited to single lobar-ductal units.Methods. This is a single surgeon retrospective review of early stage breast cancer lumpectomy patients treated from 1/2000 to 2/2005. Ductal endoscopy was used direct lumpectomy surgical margins by defining ductal anatomy and mapping proliferative changes within the sick lobe for complete excision.Results. Breast conservation surgery for stage 0–2 breast cancer with an attempt to perform endoscopy in association with therapeutic lumpectomy was performed in 554 patients (successful endoscopy in 465 cases). With an average followup of >5 years for the entire group, annual hazard rate for local failure in traditional lumpectomy without ductal mapping was 0.97%/yr. and for lumpectomy with ductal mapping and excision of entire sick lobe was 0.18%/yr. With endoscopy, 42% of patients were found to have extensive disease within their “sick lobe.”Conclusions. Targeting breast cancer lumpectomy using endoscopy and excision of regional associated proliferation seems associated with lower recurrence in this non-randomized series.
Apocrine Carcinoma of the Face in a 62-Year-Old Asian Man
Authors: Kumar Sarwan , Zafar Syed F. , Raufi Ali M. , Heath Elisabeth
Published: June 2011

Apocrine carcinoma (AC) is a rare tumor with heterogeneous presentation. The disease has a highly morbid course and little is known about it. We present an otherwise healthy, 62- year-old Asian male who originally presented with chronic swelling of his left eyelid associated with excessive tears and diminished vision was diagnosed with AC. AC is often challenging to diagnose, yet it is critical to do so as early diagnosis and treatment can maximize patient survival.
Effect of Molybdenum on the Pitting Resistance of Co1.5CrFeNi1.5Ti0.5Mox Alloys in Chloride Solutions
Authors: Chou Y.L. , Yeh J.W. , Shih H.C.
Published: June 2011

The effect of Mo from 25°C to 80°C on the pitting corrosion of the Co1.5CrFeNi1.5Ti0.5Mox alloys in chloride solutions was investigated. The values of critical pitting temperature (CPT) for the Mo-free alloy in 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, and 1 M sodium chloride (NaCl) are 80, 50, 30, and below 25°C, respectively. The values of CPT increase with the increase of Mo content, indicating that the pitting susceptibility to alloys decreases by increasing the content of Mo.
Comparison of the chemical evolution and characteristics of 495 biomass burning plumes intercepted by the NASA DC-8 aircraft during the ARCTAS/CARB-2008 field campaign
Authors: Hecobian A. , Liu Z. , Hennigan C. J. , Huey L. G. , Jimenez J. L. , Cubison M. J. , Vay S. , Diskin G. S. , Sachse G. W. , Wisthaler A. , Mikoviny T. , Weinheimer A. J. , Liao J. , Knapp D. J. , Wennberg P. O. , Kürten A. , Crounse J. D. , Clair J. St. , Wang Y. , Weber R. J.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. This paper compares measurements of gaseous and particulate emissions from a wide range of biomass-burning plumes intercepted by the NASA DC-8 research aircraft during the three phases of the ARCTAS-2008 experiment: ARCTAS-A, based out of Fairbanks, Alaska USA (3 April to 19 April 2008); ARCTAS-B based out of Cold Lake, Alberta, Canada (29 June to 13 July 2008); and ARCTAS-CARB, based out of Palmdale, California, USA (18 June to 24 June 2008). Extensive investigations of boreal fire plume evolution were undertaken during ARCTAS-B, where four distinct fire plumes that were intercepted by the aircraft over a range of down-wind distances (0.1 to 16 hr transport times) were studied in detail. Based on these analyses, there was no evidence for ozone production and a box model simulation of the data confirmed that net ozone production was slow (on average 1 ppbv h−1 in the first 3 h and much lower afterwards) due to limited NOx. Peroxyacetyl nitrate concentrations (PAN) increased with plume age and the box model estimated an average production rate of ~80 pptv h−1 in the first 3 h. Like ozone, there was also no evidence for net secondary inorganic or organic aerosol formation. There was no apparent increase in aerosol mass concentrations in the boreal fire plumes due to secondary organic aerosol (SOA) formation; however, there were indications of chemical processing of the organic aerosols. In addition to the detailed studies of boreal fire plume evolution, about 500 smoke plumes intercepted by the NASA DC-8 aircraft were segregated by fire source region. The normalized excess mixing ratios (i.e. ΔX/ΔCO) of gaseous (carbon dioxide, acetonitrile, hydrogen cyanide, toluene, benzene, methane, oxides of nitrogen (NOx), ozone, PAN) and fine aerosol particulate components (nitrate, sulfate, ammonium, chloride, organic aerosols and water soluble organic carbon) of these plumes were compared.
On cloud ice induced absorption and polarisation effects in microwave limb sounding
Authors: Eriksson P. , Rydberg B. , Buehler S. A.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Microwave limb sounding in the presence of ice clouds was studied by detailed simulations, where clouds and other atmospheric variables varied in three dimensions and the full polarisation state was considered. Scattering particles were assumed to be horizontally aligned oblate spheroids with a size distribution parameterized in terms of temperature and ice water content. A general finding was that particle absorption is significant for limb sounding, which is in contrast to the down-looking case, where it is usually insignificant. Another general finding was that single scattering can be assumed for cloud optical paths below about 0.1, which is thus an important threshold with respect to the complexity and accuracy of retrieval algorithms. The representation of particle sizes during the retrieval is also discussed. Concerning polarisation, specific findings were as follows: Firstly, no significant degree of circular polarisation was found for the considered particle type. Secondly, for the ±45° polarisation components, differences of up to 4 K in brightness temperature were found, but differences were much smaller when single scattering conditions applied. Thirdly, the vertically polarised component has the smallest cloud extinction. An important goal of the study was to derive recommendations for future limb sounding instruments, particularly concerning their polarisation setup. If ice water content is among the retrieval targets (and not just trace gas mixing ratios), then the simulations show that it should be best to observe any of the ±45° and circularly polarised components. These pairs of orthogonal components also make it easier to combine information measured from different positions and with different polarisations.
Fractional baud-length coding
Authors: Vierinen J.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. We present a novel approach for modulating radar transmissions in order to improve target range and Doppler estimation accuracy. This is achieved by using non-uniform baud lengths. With this method it is possible to increase sub-baud range-resolution of phase coded radar measurements while maintaining a narrow transmission bandwidth. We first derive target backscatter amplitude estimation error covariance matrix for arbitrary targets when estimating backscatter in amplitude domain. We define target optimality and discuss different search strategies that can be used to find well performing transmission envelopes. We give several simulated examples of the method showing that fractional baud-length coding results in smaller estimation errors than conventional uniform baud length transmission codes when estimating the target backscatter amplitude at sub-baud range resolution. We also demonstrate the method in practice by analyzing the range resolved power of a low-altitude meteor trail echo that was measured using a fractional baud-length experiment with the EISCAT UHF system.
Ocean acidification: setting the record straight
Authors: Andersson A. J. , Mackenzie F. T.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. In recent years, ocean acidification has gained continuously increasing attention from scientists and a number of stakeholders and has raised serious concerns about its effects on marine organisms and ecosystems. With the increase in interest and the number of scientific investigations of this environmental problem, the number of opinions, often emotional, and misinterpretations of the issue have also increased. Regrettably, this is not necessarily helping to advance scientific understanding of the problem. In this article, we revisit a number of issues relevant to ocean acidification that we think require thoughtful consideration including: (1) surface seawater CO2 chemistry in shallow water coastal areas, (2) experimental manipulation of marine systems using CO2 gas or by acid addition, (3) net versus gross calcification and dissolution, and (4) CaCO3 mineral dissolution and seawater buffering.
The combined impact of CO2-dependent parameterisations of Redfield and Rain ratios on ocean carbonate saturation
Authors: Kvale K. F. , Meissner K. J. , d'Orgeville M. , Matear R. J. , McNeil B. I. , England M. H.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. Future changes to the organic carbon and carbonate pumps are likely to affect ocean ecosystem dynamics and the biogeochemical climate. Here, biological dependencies on the Rain and Redfield ratios on pCO2 are implemented in a coupled Biogeochemistry-Ocean Model, the CSIRO-Mk3L, to establish extreme-case carbonate saturation vulnerability to model parameterisation at year 2500 using IPCC Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5. Surface carbonate saturation is relatively insensitive to the combined effects of variable Rain and Redfield ratios (an anomaly of less than 10 % of the corresponding change in the control configuration by year 2500), but the global zonally-averaged ocean interior anomaly due to these feedbacks is up to 130 % by 2500. A non-linear interaction between organic and carbonate pumps is found in export production, where higher rates of photosynthesis enhance calcification by raising surface alkalinity. This non-linear effect has a negligible influence on surface carbonate saturation but does significantly influence ocean interior carbonate saturation fields (an anomaly of up to 45 % in 2500). The strongest linear and non-linear sensitivity to combined feedbacks occurs in low-latitude remineralisation zones below regions of enhanced biological production, where dissolved inorganic carbon rapidly accumulates.
The effect of downscaling on river runoff modeling: a hydrological case study in the Upper Danube Watershed
Authors: Marke T. , Mauser W. , Pfeiffer A. , Zängl G. , Jacob D.
Published: June 2011

Abstract. In the current study two regional climate models (MM5 and REMO) driven by different global boundary conditions (ERA reanalysis and the ECHAM5 model) are coupled with the uncalibrated hydrological process model PROMET in order to analyze the impact of global boundary conditions, dynamical regionalization and subsequent statistical downscaling (bilinear interpolation, correction of subgrid-scale variability and combined correction of subgrid-scale variability and bias) on river runoff simulation. The results of 12 coupled model runs set up for the catchment of the Upper Danube over the historical period 1971–2000 indicate that the correction of subgrid-scale variability compared to a bilinear interpolation allows for a more accurate simulation of discharge in case of all model configurations and all discharge criteria considered (mean monthly discharge, mean monthly low-flow discharge and mean monthly peak-flow discharge). Further improvements in the hydrological simulations could be achieved by eliminating the biases (in terms of deviations from observed meteorological conditions) inherent in the driving RCM simulations, regardless of the global boundary conditions or RCM applied. Comparing the hydrological results achievable with MM5 and REMO, the application of bias corrected MM5 simulations turned out to allow for a more accurate simulation of discharge volumes while the variance in simulated discharge was often better reflected in case of REMO forcings. The results achieved with different global boundary conditions are characterized by only minor differences. It is, however, noteworthy that all efficiency criteria in case of bias corrected MM5 simulations indicate better performance under ERA40 boundaries, whereas REMO-driven hydrological simulations better correspond to measured discharge under ECHAM5 boundaries. In spite of all downscaling and bias correction efforts described, the RCM-driven hydrological simulations remain less accurate than those achievable with spatially distributed meteorological observations.
Ultrasound biomicroscopy findings in fireworks-related blunt eye injuries
Authors: Mohammadi Seyed-Farzad , Zandian Mehdi , Fakhraie Ghasem , Majdi Mercede , Tabatabai Seyed-Ali , Rahnama Azadeh , Lashay Alireza
Published: June 2011

Purpose

To present ultrasound biomicroscopic (UBM) findings and their clinical correlations in people with optically hazy media after injury at the Persian Wednesday Eve fireworks festival.

Methods

Ultrasound biomicroscopy was performed on a series of 32 eyes with severe closed-globe injuries by P40 ultrasound biomicroscope.

Results

The median age of the participants was 19 years, and 81.3% were male. All but one had gross hyphema. Seventy-five percent had an extension of the injury (at least) to Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology zone II. Ultrasound biomicroscopy detected 3 more iridodialyses and 10 more cyclodialyses in addition to the respective 5 and 3 that were diagnosed clinically. Ten cases of angle recession were observed, and 5 were suggestive of subluxation of the crystalline lens. Two cases were suspected for anterior segment intraocular foreign body on clinical examination, but UBM and computed tomography scanning together ruled out such a diagnosis.

Conclusions

Our study showed the value of UBM in the assessment of severely contused eyes and hyphema. It made possible evaluation for dialyses and recessions at presentation. Ultrasound biomicroscopy illustrated diverse subclinical disruptions in clinically invisible anterior segment structures.
Quadratic Filtering Algorithm Based on Covariances Using Correlated Uncertain Observations Coming from Different Sensors
Authors: Caballero-Águila R. , Hermoso-Carazo A. , Linares-Pérez J.
Published: June 2011

The least-squares quadratic estimation problem of signals from observations coming from multiple
sensors is addressed when there is a nonzero probability that each observation does not contain
the signal to be estimated. We assume that, at each sensor, the uncertainty about the signal
being present or missing in the observation is modelled by correlated Bernoulli random variables,
whose probabilities are not necessarily the same for all the sensors. A recursive algorithm is
derived without requiring the knowledge of the signal state-space model but only the moments
(up to the fourth-order ones) of the signal and observation noise, the uncertainty probabilities,
and the correlation between the variables modelling the uncertainty. The estimators require the
autocovariance and cross-covariance functions of the signal and their second-order powers in a
semidegenerate kernel form. The recursive quadratic filtering algorithm is derived from a linear
estimation algorithm for a suitably defined augmented system.
Management of Acute Spinal Fractures in Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Chaudhary Saad B. , Hullinger Heidi , Vives Michael J.
Published: June 2011

Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) is a multifactorial
and polygenic rheumatic condition without a well-understood pathophysiology (Braun and Sieper (2007)). It results in
chronic pain, deformity, and fracture of the axial
skeleton. AS alters the biomechanical properties
of the spine through a chronic inflammatory
process, yielding a brittle, minimally compliant
spinal column. Consequently, this patient
population is highly susceptible to unstable spine
fractures and associated neurologic devastation
even with minimal trauma. Delay in diagnosis is
not uncommon, resulting in inappropriate
immobilization and treatment. Clinicians must
maintain a high index of suspicion for fracture
when evaluating this group to avoid morbidity and
mortality. Advanced imaging studies in the form of
multidetector CT and/or MRI should be employed to
confirm the diagnosis. Initial immobilization in
the patient's preinjury alignment is
mandatory to prevent iatrogenic neurologic injury.
Both nonoperative and operative treatments can be
employed depending on the patient's age,
comorbidities, and fracture stability. Operative
techniques must be individually tailored for this
patient population. A multidisciplinary team
approach is best with preoperative nutritional
assessment and pulmonary evaluation.
Solutions of Higher-Order Homogeneous Linear Matrix Differential Equations for Consistent and Non-Consistent Initial Conditions: Regular Case
Authors: Dassios Ioannis K.
Published: June 2011

We study a class of
linear matrix differential equations (regular
case) of higher order whose coefficients are
square constant matrices. By using matrix pencil
theory and the Weierstrass canonical form of
the pencil we obtain formulas for the solutions
and we show that the solution is unique for
consistent initial conditions and infinite for
nonconsistent initial conditions. Moreover we
provide some numerical examples. These kinds of
systems are inherent in many physical and
engineering phenomena.
Sequences of Non-Gegenbauer-Humbert Polynomials Meet the Generalized Gegenbauer-Humbert Polynomials
Authors: He Tian-Xiao , Shiue Peter J.-S.
Published: June 2011

Here, we present a connection between a sequence of polynomials generated by a linear recurrence relation of order 2 and
sequences of the generalized Gegenbauer-Humbert polynomials.
Many new and known transfer formulas between non-Gegenbauer-Humbert polynomials and generalized Gegenbauer-Humbert polynomials are given. The applications of the relationship to the
construction of identities of polynomial sequences defined by
linear recurrence relations are also discussed.
Iterative Receiver Based on SAGE Algorithm
for Crosstalk Cancellation in Upstream
Vectored VDSL
Authors: Zafaruddin S. M. , Prakriya Shankar , Prasad Surendra
Published: June 2011

We propose the use of an iterative receiver based on the Space Alternating Generalized Expectation
maximization (SAGE) algorithm for crosstalk cancellation in upstream vectored VDSL. In the absence
of alien crosstalk, we show that when initialized with the frequency-domain equalizer (FEQ) output, the
far-end crosstalk (FEXT) can be cancelled with no more real-time complexity than the existing linear
receivers. In addition, the suggested approach does not require offline computation of the channel inverse
and thus reduces the receiver complexity. In the presence of alien crosstalk, there is a significant gap
between the rate performance of the linear receivers as compared with the single-user bound (SUB). The
proposed receiver is shown to successfully bridge this gap while requiring only a little extracomplexity.
Computer simulations are presented to validate the analysis and confirm the performance of the proposed
receiver.
Adhesive Intestinal Obstruction in Infants and Children: The Place of Conservative Treatment
Authors: Al-Salem Ahmed H. , Oquaish Mohammad
Published: June 2011

Objectives. Adhesive intestinal obstruction (AIO) is rare in the pediatric age group and its treatment is still controversial. This is a retrospective review of our experience in infants and children with AIO. Patients and Methods. The records of infants and children with AIO between January 2001 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed for age at diagnosis, sex, initial operation, interval between initial operation and presentation, diagnosis, treatment and outcome. Results. 44 infants and children were admitted with AIO. There were 28 males and 16 females who had 46 episodes. Their ages at presentation ranged from 1 month to 12 years (mean 5.4 years), while their ages at initial operation ranged from 2 days to 12 years (mean 4.15 years). Time elapsed from initial operation to presentation ranged from 7 days to 8 years (mean 1.5 years), and 66% developed AIO within 1 year from initial operation. Appenedecectomy was the commonest operation (29.5%). Four (9%) responded to conservative treatment. The other 40 (91%) required surgical intervention. Twenty-nine had release of adhesions only, while 10 (25%) had resection of small intestines and one underwent stricturoplasty. Two developed recurrence and one died. Conclusions. AIO is rare in the pediatric age group and the majority becomes symptomatic within 1 year of operation. Appendecectomy is the commonest operation leading to AIO. The place of conservative treatment is limited and to obviate delay and decrease the chance of intestinal ischemia, they should be treated early with surgical adhesiolysis.
A Review on Body Area Networks Security for Healthcare
Authors: Zhang Guang He , Poon Carmen Chung Yan , Zhang Yuan Ting
Published: June 2011

Body area networks (BANs) are emerging as one of the main research trends in recent years, particularly in the area of personal health monitoring. Since health data are private and sensitive information, the security of data transmission within a BAN becomes a critical issue that requires immediate attention. In this paper, we attempt to examine possible attacks of the resource-constrained BANs and present state-of-the-art communication protocols, cryptographic methods, and key management schemes that are useful for BANs security. We will also discuss the problems of existing solutions and possible future research directions on security for BANs. A novel biometric method that utilizes the biological channels (biochannels) to assist secure information transmission within a BAN will also be highlighted and discussed.
Três leituras do conceito de hegemonia de Gramsci na ordem mundial e na globalização
Authors: Passos Rodrigo Duarte Fernandes dos
Published: June 2011

O texto discute o conceito de hegemonia internacional de Gramsci e sua adequação a leituras contemporâneas.
Uma reflexão sobre os desafios dos operadores do Direito na atualidade
Authors: Cabezón Ricardo De Moraes
Published: June 2011

Abordamos, no presente artigo, alguns desafios impostos ao operador do Direito em sua atividade interpretativa hodierna, procurando suscitar uma visão reflexiva sobre pontos relevantes que integrarão a realidade da carreira jurídica.
Verdade E Retórica: conflituosidade e coexistência no discurso judiciário penal
Authors: Baldan Edson Luís
Published: June 2011

Este texto tem como objetos a busca da determinação da natureza do argumento judiciário e as implicações da Lógica na tarefa decisória judicial, com especial enfoque sobre procedentes críticas quanto à incondicional aceitação de um conceito de verdade real, refutado nos demais campos do conhecimento humano. Conclui-se, ao final, que a lógica do Direito é a lógica do provável, da argumentação, em que são pesadas as circunstâncias de fato e as razões das normas aplicáveis a casos concretos: é a conglobação entre lógica e retórica.
Breves apontamentos sobre os requisitos de admissibilidade para o julgamento de mérito
Authors: Netto Nelson Rodrigues
Published: June 2011

O tema de que nos ocuparemos nestas linhas, requisitos de admissibilidade para o julgamento de mérito, está compreendido na Teoria Geral do Processo, alcançando as três grandes divisões do Processo: o Processo Civil, o Processo Penal e o Processo Trabalhista, em que cada qual possui regime jurídico positivo próprio, devidamente codificado e formulado segundo suas especificidades. O presente excerto toma como base conceitos da doutrina clássica e, paralelamente, apresentará novas ópticas desenvolvidas pela doutrina moderna, deste modo procurando demonstrar a evolução
acadêmica que vem ocorrendo e, de modo inevitável, provocar a reflexão dos estudiosos sobre o assunto. Partindo-se da conceituação de parte, passaremos ao estudo de seu reflexo sobre os pressupostos processuais e as condições da ação, bem como analisaremos os demais elementos que fazem parte destes institutos processuais, os quais, em conjunto, constituem os requisitos necessários para que possa o magistrado julgar o meritum causae.
A ONU e o conflito Estados Unidos & Iraque: o significado das negociações diplomáticas na reafirmação da soberania no direito internacional
Authors: Boucault Carlos Eduardo de Abreu
Published: June 2011

O trabalho desenvolvido sobre esse tema enfoca a configuração conceitual da soberania do Estado, em face dos conflitos deflagrados na guerra Estados Unidos-Iraque, em contraposição.o ao clima das negociações mediadas pela ONU, fundamentadas nos princípios consagrados no texto constitutivo desse organismo internacional. A perspectiva teórica contempla a transformação das relações internacionais e a adequação do modelo do Estado nacional em sua configuração.o clássica, na ambientação.o de novos imperativos da ordem política da diplomacia e dos interesses em conflito na região do Oriente Médio.
A identificação dos interesse estratégicos norte-americanos e o surgimento de uma nova estratégia de contenção – uma releitura de Samuel Huntington em busca do verdadeiro oponente dos EUA
Authors: Suano Marcelo José Ferraz
Published: June 2011

Este artigo procurar apresentar uma releitura de alguns textos de Samuel Huntington em busca de elementos que auxiliem na interpretação da pol.tica internacional contempôranea.
Reprodução humana assistida – reflexões iniciais
Authors: Zainaghi Maria Cristina
Published: June 2011

Trabalho desenvolvido com o objetivo de demonstrar a necessidade de, urgentemente, estabelecer normas a serem seguidas pelos profissionais que trabalham com as novas técnicas de reprodução.
A Representação nos contratos de Co-Seguro
Authors: Netto Nelson Rodrigues
Published: June 2011

O Código Civil de 2002, sob a orientação do ilustre Ministro do Supremo Tribunal Federal, José Carlos Moreira Alves, e espelhado nos diplomas legais alem.o, português e italiano, destinou um capítulo em sua parte geral ao instituto da representação. Na revisão do capítulo do Contrato de Seguro, o insigne jurista e professor Fábio Konder Comparato estipulou uma representação legal ao criar um artigo relativo . modalidade co-seguro. O presente ensaio analisa os limites e o alcance da representação do co-seguro, nos planos do direito material e do direito processual.
Uma reflexão sobre a trajetória dos Direitos humanos
Authors: Lauriti Thiago
Published: June 2011

O objetivo deste texto é refletir sobre a evolução dos direitos humanos, bem como discutir a abrangência do conceito e o atual entendimento que dele se tem. Defende-se que o direito natural se sobrepõe ao direito dito positivo, entendendo-se que o direito à vida é um valor universal a ser defendido em qualquer contexto. Apesar de, na Idade Moderna, ter sido definido pela Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos, o conceito é antigo e foi alimentado pelas id.ias precursoras de Rousseau e Montesquieu, entre outros. Discute-se o nascimento da Declaração e sua deturpação no cenário brasileiro, buscando entender os caminhos para os quais apontam.
Algumas notas sobre o direito Administrativo e a discricionariedade
Authors: Oliveira Antonia Teresinha de
Published: June 2011

Neste trabalho, procura-se abordar aspectos históricos do Direito Administrativo e discutir a prática administrativa, especialmente a atividade discricionária e sua dimensão, e a importância da educação no desenvolvimento das atividades da Administração Pública.
O direito das minorias na democracia participativa
Authors: Baptista Fernando Pavan
Published: June 2011

Trata-se de uma análise crítica da democracia representativa, estruturada essencialmente na falácia da regra da maioria, apresentando formas alternativas de superação deste modelo pseudodemocrático, que garantam um grau de participação das minorias nas decisões políticas.
Crítica ao imperativo categórico kantiano: desconstruindo o sentido do dever-ser interno a partir da intenção do indivíduo segundo Lacan
Authors: Rosseti Ricardo
Published: June 2011

Trata-se de uma abordagem da A metafísica dos costumes na qual se questiona o conceito de imperativo categórico de Kant, a partir dos princípios lacanianos do prazer e da realidade tratados no livro 7 d’O Seminário: a ética da psicanálise. O objetivo será analisar o imperativo categórico como fundamento do dever-ser interno das condutas moral e jurídica, questionando-se a validade desse atributo de imperatividade
autoconsciente da ação no contexto das avaliações éticas da intenção do indivíduo. Com este estudo, almeja-se demonstrar, do ponto de vista primordialmente psicanalítico, a necessidade de uma superestrutura da consciência ou de um ‘superego’ para que o indivíduo possa construir sua intencionalidade dentro dos limites da norma reguladora de conduta, o que seria impossível de se estruturar na psique, de acordo com a proposta de Kant: a impossibilidade dessa construção aponta para a invalidade do imperativo categórico como fundamento do dever-ser interno. Diante do silêncio do próprio argumento kantiano, buscar-se-á identificar o que permite, internamente ao indivíduo, a prática da ação ética como se fosse um movimento natural possível que corresponde às suas intenções práticas fundamentais, e não somente ao dever-ser externo. Essa identificação viabiliza-se a partir dos princípios do prazer e da realidade como abordados por Lacan em sua ‘ética da psicanálise’.
Pressupostos neokantianos no juízo de tipicidade negativa de Mezger
Authors: Baldan Edson Luís
Published: June 2011

Este artigo tem como fim demonstrar o emprego dos postulados neokantianos, inspiradores do Neocriticismo na formulação da teoria dos elementos negativos do tipo penal por Edmund Mezger, bem como defender o acerto desta proposição doutrinária.
O socialismo-liberal de Norberto Bobbio
Authors: Oliveira Samuel Antonio Merbach de
Published: June 2011

Este artigo analisa a proposta de Bobbio de unir os aspectos positivos do liberalismo e do socialismo, no projeto denominado socialismo-liberal, que conjuga as duas correntes do pensamento político ocidental com a
democracia, estabelecendo na mesma estrutura, três características da cidadania: as liberdades civis, as garantias políticas e os direitos sociais.
Nós somos um estado laico? um estudo histórico-constitucional
Authors: Toledo Carlos José Teixeira de
Published: June 2011

Este artigo busca, por meio de uma retrospectiva histórica, compreender o tratamento jurídico da relação entre o Estado e as instituições religiosas, de maneira a contextualizar os conflitos atuais que advêm da confrontação dos valores religiosos com outros valores consagrados no ordenamento jurídico.
O legado de Kant à filosofia do direito
Authors: Nour Soraya
Published: June 2011

Este artigo mostra como Kant define de modo intersubjetivo princípios de justiça nos quadros do direito natural não-positivo. A primeira parte mostra como ele atribui ao direito estatuto de ciência; a segunda, a maneira pela qual, a partir dos conceitos de liberdade como autonomia e limitação recíproca, constrói um paradigma de direito. De acordo com este modelo, pode-se, por fim, analisar como Kant estrutura sua Doutrina do direito em direito privado (subdivido em direito das coisas, pessoal e pessoal de modo real) e em direito público (subdivido em direito do Estado, das gentes e cosmopolita).
Em torno da distinção entre as Perspectivas zetética e dogmática: Nota sobre a pesquisa jurídica no brasil
Authors: Pessôa Leonel Cesarino
Published: June 2011

O presente texto pretende mostrar como a distinção elaborada por Theodor Viehweg entre as perspectivas zetética e dogmática ainda pode contribuir para o diagnóstico e análise da crise do saber jurídico e da produção de textos jurídicos no Brasil.
A retórica prostituída e a cientificidade necrosante do direito
Authors: Rosseti Ricardo
Published: June 2011

Nas tradições filosófica e jurídica brasileiras, o estudo da Retórica é insuficiente, diante da imensidão temática que essa disciplina tem a oferecer: isso é o que se nota nos mais importantes programas de pós-graduação. Como causa provável, apontamos para um temor inerente aos estudos desenvolvidos na filosofia e no direito, um receio que emerge como ponto fraco de teorias que se pretendem afirmadoras absolutas do verdadeiro. Nossa proposta é retomar o estudo da retórica, buscando demonstrar quanto ambas as tradições perdem ao se eximirem do papel fundamental do discurso opinativo no âmbito de suas disciplinas. Contudo, pretendemos sustentar a tese de que, por força de suas formas discursivas, a retórica foi prostituída e, conseqüentemente, o direito começou a morrer.
Por uma pedagogia da incerteza
Authors: Rodriguez José Rodrigo
Published: June 2011

Este ensaio discute a relação entre pensamento dogmático, ensino do direito e democracia. Parte do pressuposto de que o direito é indeterminado por natureza. O pensar dogmático estrutura-se a partir de problemas contingentes que recebem soluções mutáveis no tempo. O ensino do direito deve tratar desses problemas dogmáticos e das soluções existentes na doutrina e jurisprudência, sem apresentá-las como definitivas e indiscutíveis, além de lidar pedagogicamente com o incômodo dos alunos diante da indeterminação do direito. Para fazer isso, é preciso refletir sobre a maneira de estruturar e conduzir as aulas. Assim, o poder que o aplicador do direito exercita fica visível, tornando-se possível pensar em mecanismos para controlá-lo democraticamente.
A linguagem do direito e a realidade: a materialidade da norma jurídica
Authors: Junior Oswaldo Akamine
Published: June 2011

O presente trabalho aborda a questão da construção de sentido das normas jurídicas numa perspectiva diferente daquela preconizada pela ciência do direito. Por meio da crítica, perquirindo os interesses em jogo e a própria estrutura do ordenamento, o operador poderá visualizar a semântica latente do direito, com vistas à própria superação do modelo formal de solução de conflitos.
As relações de vizinhança no direito romano: uma perspectiva histórica
Authors: Ferreira Gilson , Furrier Denise A.
Published: June 2011

Este artigo, ainda que de forma rudimentar, busca identificar no direito romano as bases do que hoje se pode compreender por relações de vizinhança e, também, desmistificar a equivocada idéia de a propriedade romana ter assumido, desde suas origens, um caráter absoluto, ilimitado e sem qualquer fronteira, para, a partir disso, poder percebê-la – a propriedade – como o quadro teórico que pressupõe aquelas relações.
O sagrado e o profano no tribunal do júri brasileiro
Authors: Santos Luís Claudio Almeida
Published: June 2011

Este artigo foi especialmente elaborado para a disciplina chamada Tópicos Especiais: Estudos Sociológicos da Religião, cursada no mestrado em Sociologia na Universidade Federal de Sergipe (UFS), Núcleo de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Ciências Sociais (NPPCS). Discutimos a posição institucional do júri como um locus em que, por trás de sua aparência secular, encontramos, no contexto de um ritual indispensável à afirmação do vínculo da sociedade com a justiça, a dialética entre o sagrado e o profano. Ao fazermos isso, estamos não apenas descrevendo como se organiza e se executa o rito do tribunal do júri do ponto de vista da teoria sociológica da religião, mas também revelando o que faz dessa instituição político-social um dos poucos exemplos de estabilidade institucional na história brasileira.