bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AN EFFICIENT COLLISION AVOIDANCE AND NEIGHBORHOOD SEARCH ALGORITHM FOR NESTING OF TWO-DIMENSIONAL PARTS IN TWO-DIMENSIONAL SHEETS
Authors: SARAVANAN K. SIVA , RAJASEKHAR A. , BABU N. RAMESH
Published: March 2012

In this paper, a genetic and heuristic approach is proposed for nesting of multiple, two-dimensional (2D)-shaped parts in 2D-shaped sheet with the aim of minimizing the wastage of sheet material. It presents a new method that can represent the geometry of sheet and part in a fast and effective way using the concepts of analytical geometry and semi-discrete form of representation. The method proposed to obtain an optimal sequence of parts is a modified genetic algorithm that chooses pre-determined sequence of parts as initial population instead of randomly generated sequence of parts as initial population. The effect of initial population on final optimal sequence and the effectiveness of the proposed scheme of representation are examined by comparing the results obtained to those obtained with the approach proposed by Babu and Babu (2001). Both utilized semi-discrete representation scheme proposed by Ma and Liu (2007).
HIGH POWER PERFORMANCE OF MULTICOMPONENT OLIVINE CATHODE MATERIAL FOR LITHIUM-ION BATTERIES
Authors: TAN ZHUO , GAO PING , CHENG FUQUAN , LUO HONGJUN , CHEN JITAO , ZHOU HENGHUI , TAN SONGTING
Published: March 2012

A multicomponent olivine cathode material, LiMn0.4Fe0.6PO4 , was synthesized via a novel coprecipitation method of the mixed transition metal oxalate. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that carbon-coated LiMn0.4Fe0.6PO4 has been prepared successfully and that LiMn0.4Fe0.6PO4/C is crystallized in an orthorhombic structure without noticeable impurity. Homogeneous distribution of Mn and Fe in LiMn0.4Fe0.6PO4/C can be observed from the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the corresponding energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) analysis. Hence, the electrochemical activity of each transition metal in the olivine synthesized via coprecipitation method was enhanced remarkably, as indicated by the galvanostatic charge/discharge measurement. The synthesized LiMn0.4Fe0.6PO4/C exhibits a high capacity of 158.6 ± 3 mAhg-1 at 0.1 C, delivering an excellent rate capability of 122.6 ± 3 mAhg-1 at 10 C and 114.9 ± 3 mAhg-1 at 20 C.
Systematic variations in basement morphology and rifting geometry along the Nova Scotia and Morocco conjugate margins
Authors: Louden Keith , Wu Yue , Tari Gabor
Published: March 2012

The Nova Scotia and Morocco margins formed within a transition between volcanic margins to the south and non-volcanic margins to the north. We present deep seismic profiles to document the nature of this transition. Profiles on the Nova Scotia margin show two major transitions. The first transition represents a sharp reduction in syn-rift volcanism coincident with major changes in the East Coast Magnetic Anomaly and with the southern limit of the Slope Diapiric Province. The second transition represents a further restriction in syn- and post-rift volcanism leading to exposure of serpentinized mantle or the creation of highly tectonized oceanic crust. This transition is marked by highly extended and faulted continental crustal blocks. Revised plate reconstructions show similar transitions along the Moroccan margin. The southern transition occurs at a major change in the West Africa Coast Magnetic Anomaly and the southern limit of the Morocco Salt Basin. The second transition occurs at a major basement high (Tafelney Plateau), which is considered a high relief accommodation zone and contains highly extended faulted crustal blocks similar to those in a conjugate position off central Nova Scotia. This transition marks a major change in rifting asymmetry and separates the margins into two fundamentally distinct segments.
Firewall policy change-impact analysis
Authors: Liu Alex X.
Published: March 2012

Firewalls are the cornerstones of the security infrastructure for most enterprises. They have been widely deployed for protecting private networks. The quality of the protection provided by a firewall directly depends on the quality of its policy (i.e., configuration). Due to the lack of tools for analyzing firewall policies, many firewalls used today have policy errors. A firewall policy error either creates security holes that will allow malicious traffic to sneak into a private network or blocks legitimate traffic and disrupts normal business processes, which in turn could lead to irreparable, if not tragic, consequences. A major cause of policy errors are policy changes. Firewall policies often need to be changed as networks evolve and new threats emerge. Users behind a firewall often request the firewall administrator to modify rules to allow or protect the operation of some services.

In this article, we first present the theory and algorithms for firewall policy change-impact analysis. Our algorithms take as input a firewall policy and a proposed change, then output the accurate impact of the change. Thus, a firewall administrator can verify a proposed change before committing it. We implemented our firewall change-impact analysis algorithms, and tested them on both real-life and synthetic firewall policies. The experimental results show that our algorithms are effective in terms of ensuring firewall policy correctness and efficient in terms of computing the impact of policy changes. Thus, our tool can be practically used in the iterative process of firewall policy design and maintenance. Although the focus of this article is on firewalls, the change-impact analysis algorithms proposed in this article are not limited to firewalls. Rather, they can be applied to other rule-based systems, such as router access control lists (ACLs), as well.
Low-cost sensing with ring oscillator arrays for healthier reconfigurable systems
Authors: Zick Kenneth M. , Hayes John P.
Published: March 2012

Electronic systems on a chip increasingly suffer from component variation, voltage noise, thermal hotspots, and other subtle physical phenomena. Systems with reconfigurability have unique opportunities for adapting to such effects. Required, however, are low-cost, fine-grained methods for sensing physical parameters. This article presents powerful, novel approaches to online sensing, including methods for designing compact reconfigurable sensors, low-cost threshold detection, and several enhanced measurement procedures. Together, the approaches help enable systems to autonomously uncover a wealth of physical information. A highly efficient counter and improved ring oscillator are introduced, enabling an entire sensor node in just 8 Virtex-5 LUTs. We describe how variations can be measured in delay, temperature, switching-induced IR drop, and leakage-induced IR drop. We demonstrate the proposed approach with an experimental system based on a Virtex-5, instrumented with over 100 sensors at an overhead of only 1.3%. Results from thermally controlled experiments provide some surprising insights and illustrate the utility of the approach. Online sensing can help open the door to physically adaptive computing, including fine-grained power, reliability, and health management schemes for systems on a chip.
Clinical Care and Health Disparities
Authors: Starfield B. , Gérvas J. , Mangin D.
Published: March 2012

Health disparities, also known as health inequities, are systematic and potentially remediable differences in one or more aspects of health across population groups defined socially, economically, demographically, or geographically ( 88 ). This topic has been the subject of research stretching back at least decades. Reports and studies have delved into how inequities develop in different societies and, with particular regard to health services, in access to and financing of health systems. In this review, we consider empirical studies from the United States and elsewhere, and we focus on how one aspect of health systems, clinical care, contributes to maintaining systematic differences in health across population groups characterized by social disadvantage. We consider inequities in clinical care and the policies that influence them. We develop a framework for considering the structural and behavioral components of clinical care and review the existing literature for evidence that is likely to be generalizable across health systems over time. Starting with the assumption that health services, as one aspect of social services, ought to enhance equity in health care, we conclude with a discussion of threats to that role and what might be done about them.
Quitlines and Nicotine Replacement for Smoking Cessation: Do We Need to Change Policy?
Authors: Pierce John P. , Cummins Sharon E. , White Martha M. , Humphrey Aimee , Messer Karen
Published: March 2012

In the past 20 years, public health initiatives on smoking cessation have increased substantially. Randomized trials indicate that pharmaceutical cessation aids can increase success by 50% among heavier smokers who seek help, and use of these aids has increased markedly. Quitlines provide a portal through which smokers can seek assistance to quit and are promoted by tobacco control programs. Randomized trials have demonstrated that telephone coaching following a quitline call can also increase quitting, and a combination of quitlines, pharmaceutical aids and physician monitoring can help heavier smokers to quit.

While quit attempts have increased, widespread dissemination of these aids has not improved population success rates. Pharmaceutical marketing strategies may have reduced expectations of the difficulty of quitting, reducing success per attempt. Some policies actively discourage unassisted smoking cessation despite the documented high success rates of this approach. There is an urgent need to revisit public policy on smoking cessation.
The Medicalization of Chronic Disease and Costs
Authors: Thorpe Kenneth E. , Philyaw Meredith
Published: March 2012

U.S. health care spending has increased dramatically in the past several decades, consuming 17.6% percent ($2.6 trillion) of GDP in 2010. Although historical spending drivers do not account for this recent increase, two major changes in population health—the rise in obesity and obesity-related chronic disease—provide a likely explanation. This article reviews the contribution that rising treated obesity-related chronic disease prevalence and its associated treatment (spending per treated case) has made to the growth in health care spending. We discuss trends in the clinical incidence of obesity and chronic disease as well as timely advancements in disease detection, treatment, and management. Evidence shows that rising obesity rates are influencing spending largely by increasing the treated prevalence of obesity-related chronic disease. Therefore, preventing individuals from becoming treated cases in the first place is one key way that our country can cut health care spending moving forward.
Pathogenesis of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms: Role of Nicotine and Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Authors: Li Zong-Zhuang , Dai Qiu-Yan
Published: March 2012

Inflammation, proteolysis, smooth muscle cell apoptosis, and angiogenesis have been implicated in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAAs), although the well-defined initiating mechanism is not fully understood. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) such as MMP-2 and -9 and other proteinases degrading elastin and extracellular matrix are the critical pathogenesis of AAAs. Among the risk factors of AAAs, cigarette smoking is an irrefutable one. Cigarette smoke is practically involved in various aspects of the AAA pathogenesis. Nicotine, a major alkaloid in tobacco leaves and a primary component in cigarette smoke, can stimulate the MMPs expression by vascular SMCs, endothelial cells, and inflammatory cells in vascular wall and induce angiogenesis in the aneurysmal tissues. However, for the inflammatory and apoptotic processes in the pathogenesis of AAAs, nicotine seems to be moving in just the opposite direction. Additionally, the effects of nicotine are probably dose dependent or associated with the exposure duration and may be partly exerted by its receptors—nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). In this paper, we will mainly discuss the pathogenesis of AAAs involving inflammation, proteolysis, smooth muscle cell apoptosis and angiogenesis, and the roles of nicotine and nAChRs.
Henna (Lawsonia inermisL.) Dye-Sensitized Nanocrystalline Titania Solar Cell
Authors: Jasim Khalil Ebrahim , Al-Dallal Shawqi , Hassan Awatif M.
Published: March 2012

Low-cost solar cells have been the subject of intensive research activities for over half century ago. More recently, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) emerged as a new class of low-cost solar cells that can be easily prepared. Natural-dye-sensitized solar cells (NDSSCs) are shown to be excellent examples of mimicking photosynthesis. The NDSSC acts as a green energy generator in which dyes molecules adsorbed to nanocrystalline layer of wide bandgap semiconductor material harvest photons. In this paper we investigate the structural, optical, electrical, and photovoltaic characterization of two types of natural dyes, namely, the Bahraini Henna and the Yemeni Henna, extracted using the Soxhlet extractor. Solar cells from both materials were prepared and characterized. It was found that the levels of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current are concentration dependent. Further suggestions to improve the efficiency of NDSSC are discussed.
Determining Effective Riparian Buffer Width for Nonnative Plant Exclusion and Habitat Enhancement
Authors: Ferris Gavin , D'Amico Vincent , Williams Christopher K.
Published: March 2012

Nonnative plants threaten native biodiversity in landscapes where habitats are fragmented. Unfortunately, in developed areas, much of the remaining forested habitat occurs in fragmented riparian corridors. Because forested corridors of sufficient width may allow forest interior specializing native species to retain competitive advantage over edge specialist and generalist nonnative plants, identifying appropriate corridor widths to minimize nonnative plants and maximize ecosystem integrity is of habitat management concern. We measured the occurrences of 4 species of nonnative plants across the widths of 31 forested riparian corridors of varying widths in the White Clay Creek watershed of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Using repeated measures ANOVA, Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) prevalence did not significantly decline across buffer widths. However, garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata) and oriental bittersweet (Celastrus orbiculatus) declined strongly within the first 15–25 m. Managing for riparian corridor widths a minimum of 15–25 m has the potential to enhance habitat quality but no corridor width (≤55 m) will exclude all invasive plants.
Fourth‐Order Differential Equation with Deviating Argument
Authors: Bartušek M. , Cecchi M. , Došlá Z. , Marini M.
Published: March 2012

We consider the fourth‐order differential equation with middle‐term and deviating argument x(4)(t) + q(t)x(2)(t) + r(t)f(x(φ(t))) = 0, in case when the corresponding second‐order equation h″ + q(t)h = 0 is oscillatory. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of bounded and unbounded asymptotically linear solutions are given. The roles of the deviating argument and the nonlinearity are explained, too.
Four Machine Learning Algorithms for Biometrics Fusion: A Comparative Study
Authors: Damousis I. G. , Argyropoulos S.
Published: March 2012

We examine the efficiency of four machine learning algorithms for the fusion of several biometrics modalities to create a multimodal biometrics security system. The algorithms examined are Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs), Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs), Fuzzy Expert Systems (FESs), and Support Vector Machines (SVMs). The fusion of biometrics leads to security systems that exhibit higher recognition rates and lower false alarms compared to unimodal biometric security systems. Supervised learning was carried out using a number of patterns from a well-known benchmark biometrics database, and the validation/testing took place with patterns from the same database which were not included in the training dataset. The comparison of the algorithms reveals that the biometrics fusion system is superior to the original unimodal systems and also other fusion schemes found in the literature.
Comparative Analyses of Homocitrate Synthase Genes of Ascomycetous Yeasts
Authors: Nishida Hiromi
Published: March 2012

Most ascomycetous yeasts have 2 homocitrate synthases (HCSs). Among the fungal lysine biosynthesis-related genes, only the HCS gene was duplicated in the course of evolution. It was recently reported that HCS of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has an additional function in nuclear activities involving chromatin regulation related to DNA damage repair, which is not related to lysine biosynthesis. Thus, it is possible that the bifunctionality is associated with HCS gene duplication. Phylogenetic analysis showed that duplication has occurred multiple times during evolution of the ascomycetous yeasts. It is likely that the HCS gene duplication in S. cerevisiae occurred in the course of Saccharomyces evolution. Although the nucleosome position profiles of the two S. cerevisiae HCS genes were similar in the coding regions, they were different in the promoter regions, suggesting that they are subject to different regulatory controls. S. cerevisiae has maintained HCS activity for lysine biosynthesis and has obtained bifunctionality.
Underappreciated Consequences of Phenotypic Plasticity for Ecological Speciation
Authors: Fitzpatrick Benjamin M.
Published: March 2012

Phenotypic plasticity was once seen primarily as a constraint on adaptive evolution or merely a nuisance by geneticists. However, some biologists promote plasticity as a source of novelty and a factor in evolution on par with mutation, drift, gene flow, and selection. These claims are controversial and largely untested, but progress has been made on more modest questions about effects of plasticity on local adaptation (the first component of ecological speciation). Adaptive phenotypic plasticity can be a buffer against divergent selection. It can also facilitate colonization of new niches and rapid divergent evolution. The influence of non-adaptive plasticity has been underappreciated. Non-adaptive plasticity, too can interact with selection to promote or inhibit genetic differentiation. Finally, phenotypic plasticity of reproductive characters might directly influence evolution of reproductive isolation (the second component of ecological speciation). Plasticity can cause assortative mating, but its influence on gene flow ultimately depends on maintenance of environmental similarity between parents and offspring. Examples of plasticity influencing mating and habitat choice suggest that this, too, might be an underappreciated factor in speciation. Plasticity is an important consideration for studies of speciation in nature, and this topic promises fertile ground for integrating developmental biology with ecology and evolution.
Flow Injection/Sequential Injection Analysis Systems: Potential Use as Tools for Rapid Liver Diseases Biomarker Study
Authors: Kradtap Hartwell Supaporn
Published: March 2012

Flow injection/sequential injection analysis (FIA/SIA) systems are suitable for carrying out automatic wet chemical/biochemical reactions with reduced volume and time consumption. Various parts of the system such as pump, valve, and reactor may be built or adapted from available materials. Therefore the systems can be at lower cost as compared to other instrumentation-based analysis systems. Their applications for determination of biomarkers for liver diseases have been demonstrated in various formats of operation but only a few and limited types of biomarkers have been used as model analytes. This paper summarizes these applications for different types of reactions as a guide for using flow-based systems in more biomarker and/or multibiomarker studies.
Efficacy and Safety of Duloxetine in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain Who Used versus Did Not Use Concomitant Nonsteroidal
Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or Acetaminophen: A Post Hoc Pooled Analysis of 2 Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trials
Authors: Skljarevski Vladimir , Liu Peng , Zhang Shuyu , Ahl Jonna , Martinez James M.
Published: March 2012

This subgroup analysis assessed the efficacy of duloxetine in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP) who did or did not use concomitant nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen (APAP). Data were pooled from two 13-week randomized trials in patients with CLBP who were stratified according to NSAID/APAP use at baseline: duloxetine NSAID/APAP user (), placebo NSAID/APAP user (), duloxetine NSAID/APAP nonuser (), and placebo NSAID/APAP nonuser (). NSAID/APAP users were those patients who took NSAID/APAP for at least 14 days per month during 3 months prior to study entry. An analysis of covariance model that included therapy, study, baseline NSAID/APAP use (yes/no), and therapy-by-NSAID/APAP subgroup interaction was used to assess the efficacy. The treatment-by-NSAID/APAP use interaction was not statistically significant () suggesting no substantial evidence of differential efficacy for duloxetine over placebo on pain reduction or improvement in physical function between concomitant NSAID/APAP users and non-users.
Principal Possibility of the Successful Nowcast and Short-Term Forecast in the Middle Atmosphere Based on the Observed UV Irradiance
Authors: Egorova T. , Rozanov E. , Shapiro A. V. , Schmutz W.
Published: March 2012

We have applied chemistry-climate model (CCM) SOCOL to simulate the distribution of the temperature and gas species in the upper stratosphere and mesosphere. As an input for the simulation, we employ daily spectral solar UV irradiance measured by SUSIM instrument onboard UARS satellite in January 1992. We have carried out an ensemble of nine 1-month long simulations using slightly different initial states of the atmosphere. We have compared the obtained time evolution of the simulated species and temperature with available satellite measurements. The obtained results allowed us to define the areas where the nowcast and short-term forecast of the atmospheric species with CCM SOCOL could be successful.
Application of Nonredundant Sampling Representations of Electromagnetic Fields to NF-FF Transformation Techniques
Authors: Bucci Ovidio M. , Gennarelli Claudio
Published: March 2012

An overview of the application of the band-limitation properties and nonredundant sampling representations of electromagnetic fields to NF-FF transformations is presented. The progresses achieved by applying them to data acquired on conventional NF scanning surfaces are discussed, outlining the remarkable reduction in the number of needed NF samples and measurement time. An optimal sampling interpolation expansion for reconstructing the probe response on a rotational scanning surface from a non-redundant number of its samples is also discussed. A unified theory of the NF-FF transformations with spiral scannings, which allow a remarkable reduction of the measurement time, is then reviewed by describing a sampling representation of the voltage on a quite arbitrary rotational surface from its nonredundant samples collected on a proper spiral wrapping it. Some numerical and experimental results assessing the effectiveness of the considered NF-FF transformations are shown too.
Efficient Wireless Broadcasting through Joint Network Coding and Beamforming
Authors: Lertsutthiwong Monchai , Nguyen Thinh , Hamdaoui Bechir
Published: March 2012

We develop a framework that exploits network coding (NC) and multiple-input/multiple-output (MIMO) techniques, jointly together, to improve throughput of downlink broadcast channels. Specifically, we consider a base station (BS) equipped with multiple transmit antennas that serves multiple mobile stations (MSs) simultaneously by generating multiple signal beams. Given the large number of MSs and the small number of transmit antennas, the BS must decide, at any transmission opportunity, which group of MSs it should transmit packets to, in order to maximize the overall throughput. We propose two algorithms for grouping MSs that take advantage of NC and the orthogonality of user channels to improve the overall throughput. Our results indicate that the proposed techniques increase the achievable throughput significantly, especially in highly lossy environments.
Design of High Gain and Broadband Antennas at 60 GHz for Underground Communications Systems
Authors: Coulibaly Yacouba , Nedil Mourad , Talbi Larbi , Denidni Tayeb A.
Published: March 2012

A new broadband and high gain dielectric resonator antenna for millimeter wave is presented. The investigated antenna configuration consists of a periodic square ring frequency selective surfaces on a superstrate, an aperture-coupled scheme feed, an intermediate substrate, and a cylindrical dielectric resonator. This antenna is designed to cover the ISM frequency band at 60 GHz (57 GHz–64 GHz). It was numerically designed using CST microwave Studio simulation software package. Another prototype with a plain dielectric superstrate is also studied for comparison purposes. A bandwidth of 13.56% at the centered frequency of 61.34 GHz and a gain of 11 dB over the entire ISM band have been achieved. A maximum gain of 14.26 dB is obtained at 60 GHz. This is an enhancement of 9 dB compared to a single DRA. HFSS is used to validate our antenna designs. Good agreement between the results of the two softwares is obtained. With these performances, these antennas promise to be useful in the design of future wireless underground communication systems operating in the unlicensed 60 GHz frequency band.
Genetic Diversity of Toll-Like Receptors and Immunity toM. lepraeInfection
Authors: Hart Bryan E. , Tapping Richard I.
Published: March 2012

Genetic association studies of leprosy cohorts across the world have identified numerous polymorphisms which alter susceptibility and outcome to infection withMycobacterium leprae. As expected, many of the polymorphisms reside within genes that encode components of the innate and adaptive immune system. Despite the preponderance of these studies, our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie these genetic associations remains sparse. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) have emerged as an essential family of innate immune pattern recognition receptors which play a pivotal role in host defense against microbes, including pathogenic strains of mycobacteria. This paper will highlight studies which have uncovered the association of specific TLR gene polymorphisms with leprosy or tuberculosis: two important diseases resulting from mycobacterial infection. This analysis will focus on the potential influence these polymorphic variants have on TLR expression and function and how altered TLR recognition or signaling may contribute to successful antimycobacterial immunity.
Could Questions on Activities of Daily Living Estimate Grip Strength of Older Adults Living Independently in the Community?
Authors: Simard Jessica , Chalifoux Maude , Fortin Véronique , Archambault Maude Jeanson , St-Cerny-Gosselin Anne , Desrosiers Johanne
Published: March 2012

The aim of this study was to identify questions that could estimate grip strength. Twenty-six questions about the degree of perceived difficulty performing manual tasks as well as two questions concerning self-rated grip strength were developed and completed by 123 community-dwelling older adults, followed by grip strength measurements using a Martin vigorimeter. Multiple regression analyses with all of the participants revealed that the question about the difficulty of opening a jar (question 4) was most associated with grip strength. When analyses were done by gender, the same question showed the best correlation for women, whereas the one for men was self-rated grip strength compared with people the same age (question 28). For the women, age and question 4 together explained 54% of the variance in their grip strength and for the men, age and question 28 explained 46%. Further studies are needed to identify other information that could help to better estimate grip strength for use in epidemiological surveys.
Metabolomics Analysis ofCistus monspeliensisLeaf Extract on Energy Metabolism Activation in Human Intestinal Cells
Authors: Shimoda Yoichi , Han Junkyu , Kawada Kiyokazu , Smaoui Abderrazak , Isoda Hiroko
Published: March 2012

Energy metabolism is a very important process to improve and maintain health from the point of view of physiology. It is well known that the intracellular ATP production is contributed to energy metabolism in cells.Cistus monspeliensisis widely used as tea, spices, and medical herb; however, it has not been focusing on the activation of energy metabolism. In this study,C. monspeliensiswas investigated as the food resources by activation of energy metabolism in human intestinal epithelial cells.C. monspeliensisextract showed high antioxidant ability. In addition, the promotion of metabolites of glycolysis and TCA cycle was induced byC. monspeliensistreatment. These results suggest thatC. monspeliensisextract has an ability to enhance the energy metabolism in human intestinal cells.
Impact of Mobility on Routing Energy Consumption in Mobile Sensor Networks
Authors: Jung Jinman , Cho Yookun , Hong Jiman
Published: March 2012

Mobility in mobile sensor networks causes frequent route breaks, and each routing scheme reacts differently during route breaks. It results in a performance degradation of the energy consumption to reestablish the route. Since routing schemes have various operational characteristics for rerouting, the impact of mobility on routing energy consumption shows significantly different results under varying network dynamics. Therefore, we should consider the mobility impact when analyzing the routing energy consumption in mobile sensor networks. However, most analysis of the routing energy consumption concentrates on the traffic condition and often neglects the mobility impact. We analyze the mobility impact on the routing energy consumption by deriving the expected energy consumption of reactive, proactive, and flooding scheme as a function of both the packet arrival rate and topology change rate. Routing energy consumption for mobile sensor networks is analytically shown to have a strong relationship with sensor mobility and traffic conditions. We then demonstrate the accuracy of our analysis through simulations. Our analysis can be used to decide a routing scheme that will operate most energy efficiently for a sensor application, taking into account the mobility as well as traffic condition.
Challenges in Blood Pressure Self-Measurement
Authors: Wagner Stefan , Toftegaard Thomas Skjødeberg , Bertelsen Olav W.
Published: March 2012

Blood pressure self-measurement (BPSM) requires patients to follow a range of recommendations in order to be considered reliable for diagnostic use. We investigated currently used BPSM interventions at four medical clinics combined with an online questionnaire targeting BPSM users. We found that the participating healthcare personnel perceived BPSM as a relevant and useful intervention method providing that the recommendations are followed. A total of six challenges were identified: (1) existing devices do not guarantee that the recommendations are followed, (2) healthcare providers cannot verify whether self-monitoring patients follow the recommendations, (3) patients are not aware of all recommendations and the need to follow them, (4) risk of patient induced reporting bias, (5) risk of healthcare provider induced data-transfer bias, and (6) risk of data being registered as belonging to the wrong patient. We conclude that existing BPSM interventions could be significantly affected by user-induced bias resulting in an indeterminable quality of the measurement data. Therefore, we suggest applying context-aware technological support tools to better detect and quantify user errors. This may allow us to develop solutions that could overcome or compensate for such errors in the future.
TXNIP Links Innate Host Defense Mechanisms to Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Retinal Muller Glia under Chronic Hyperglycemia: Implications for Diabetic Retinopathy
Authors: Devi Takhellambam S. , Lee Icksoo , Hüttemann Maik , Kumar Ashok , Nantwi Kwaku D. , Singh Lalit P.
Published: March 2012

Thioredoxin Interacting Protein (TXNIP) mediates retinal inflammation, gliosis, and apoptosis in experimental diabetes. Here, we investigate the temporal response of Muller glia to high glucose (HG) and TXNIP expression using a rat Muller cell line (rMC1) in culture. We examined if HG-induced TXNIP expression evokes host defense mechanisms in rMC1 in response to metabolic abnormalities. HG causes sustained up-regulation of TXNIP (2 h to 5 days), ROS generation, ATP depletion, ER stress, and inflammation. Various cellular defense mechanisms are activated by HG: (i) NLRP3 inflammasome, (ii) ER stress response (sXBP1), (iii) hypoxic-like HIF-1αinduction, (iv) autophagy/mitophagy, and (v) apoptosis. We also foundin vivothat streptozocin-induced diabetic rats have higher retinal TXNIP and innate immune response gene expression than normal rats. Knock down of TXNIP by intravitreal siRNA reduces inflammation (IL-1β) and gliosis (GFAP) in the diabetic retina. TXNIP ablationin vitroprevents ROS generation, restores ATP level and autophagic LC3B induction in rMC1. Thus, our results show that HG sustains TXNIP up-regulation in Muller glia and evokes a program of cellular defense/survival mechanisms that ultimately lead to oxidative stress, ER stress/inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis. TXNIP is a potential target to ameliorate blinding ocular complications of diabetic retinopathy.
Metastatic Prostate Adenocarcinoma Presenting Central Diabetes Insipidus
Authors: Yılmaz Hakkı , Kaya Mustafa , Can Mücteba , Özbek Mustafa , Keyik Bahir
Published: March 2012

The pituitary gland and infundibulum can be involved in a variety of medical conditions, including infiltrative diseases, fungal infections, tuberculosis, and primary and metastatic tumors. Metastases to the pituitary gland are absolutely rare, and they are generally secondary to pulmonary carcinoma in men and breast carcinoma in women. Pituitary metastases more commonly affect the posterior lobe and the infundibulum than the anterior lobe. The posterior lobe involvement may explain why patients with pituitary metastases frequently present with diabetes insipidus. We are presenting a case report of a 78-year-old male patient who had metastatic prostate with sudden onset of polyuria and persistent thirst. He had no electrolyte imbalance except mild hypernatremia. The MRI scan of the brain yielded a suspicious area in pituitary gland. A pituitary stalk metastasis was found on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of pituitary. Water deprivation test was compatible with DI. A clinical response to nasal vasopressin was achieved and laboratory results revealed central diabetes insipidus. As a result, the intrasellar and suprasellar masses decreased in size, and urinary output accordingly decreased.
Increasing Age Is Associated with Worse Prognostic Factors and Increased Distant Recurrences despite Fewer Sentinel Lymph Node Positives in Melanoma
Authors: Page A. J. , Li A. , Hestley A. , Murray D. , Carlson G. W. , Delman K. A.
Published: March 2012

Background. Advanced age is associated with a poorer prognosis in patients with melanoma. Despite this established finding, a decreased incidence of positive sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs) with advancing age has paradoxically been described.Methods. Using a single-institution database of melanoma patients between 1994 and 2009, the relationship between standard clinicopathologic variables and recurrence based on age was evaluated.Results. 1244 patients who underwent successful SLN biopsies were analyzed (mean followup 80.3 months). Increasing age was independently associated with worse survival on multivariable analysis (P=0.02). SLN status was more likely to be negative if the patient was older (P=0.01).Conclusions. Our data supports the paradox that increasing age is associated with a lower frequency of positive-SLN biopsies despite age itself being a poor prognostic factor. We propose that age-dependent variations in the primary tumor and the patient may predispose to a hematogenous route of spread for the older population, leading to worse survival.
Previous Gestational Diabetes Mellitus and Markers of Cardiovascular Risk
Authors: Vrachnis Nikolaos , Augoulea Areti , Iliodromiti Zoe , Lambrinoudaki Irene , Sifakis Stavros , Creatsas George
Published: March 2012

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in the developed world has increased at an alarming rate over the last few decades. GDM has been shown to be associated with postpartum diabetes, insulin resistance, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. A history of previous GDM (pGDM), associated or not with any of these metabolic abnormalities, can increase the risk of developing not only type 2 diabetes mellitus but also cardiovascular disease (CVD) independent of a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes later in life. In this paper we discuss the relationship among inflammatory markers, metabolic abnormalities, and vascular dysfunction in women with pGDM. We also review the current knowledge on metabolic modifications occurring in normal pregnancy and the link between alterations of a normal metabolic state with the long-term maternal complications that may result in increased CVD risk. Our review of studies on pGDM prompts us to recommend that these women be considered a population at risk for later CVD events, which however could be avoided via the use of specially designed follow-up programs in the future.
GRP78 Protein Expression in Ovarian Cancer Patients and Perspectives for a Drug-Targeting Approach
Authors: Delie Florence , Petignat Patrick , Cohen Marie
Published: March 2012

Glucose-regulated protein of 78 kD (GRP78) is a chaperone protein mainly located in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This protein is normally present at low levels in adult cells but its expression is triggered by ER stress including glucose deprivation and hypoxia. In tumor cells, it is overexpressed with fraction of protein found at the cell surface. This paper presents the physiology of GRP78 in the context of ovarian cancer and its potential use as drug delivery systems targeting ovarian cancer cell.
Prevalence and Characteristics of Incidentalomas Discovered by Whole Body FDG PETCT
Authors: Pampaloni Miguel Hernandez , Win Aung Z.
Published: March 2012

Objectives. To determine the prevalence of incidentalomas in a patient population with no known thyroid malignancy who underwent whole body FDG-PET/CT for staging or restaging of neoplasia. The additional aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of using PETCT as a screening tool for malignant thyroid incidentalomas. Methods. Retrospective review of medical records of all the thyroid exams done at our institution between January 1, 2000 and August 20, 2008. We made a criterion of PET/CT as the primary method of detection of incidentalomas. Results. From a total of 8464 thyroid exams, 156 incidentalomas were found and 40 incidentalomas underwent anatomopathology analysis, which was used as gold standard. Chi-square analysis was used to analyze the data. There is no significant association between SUV value and the prevalence of incidentalomas. Discussion. From January 1, 2000 to August 20, 2008, incidentalomas have a prevalence of 1.84% at our institution. 38% of the incidentalomas that were biopsied were characterized as representing malignant tumors. Conclusion. Focal, abnormal FDG uptake representing incidentalomas must be followed up with biopsies. It is impractical to use PET/CT as a screening tool to detect incidentalomas for the general population but it must be done in patients with history of any type of cancer.
Synthesis and Characterization of Sodium Bis(2‐ethylhexyl)Sulfonsuccinate (AOT) Capped Pure and Mn‐Doped CdS Nanoparticles
Authors: Venkatesan D. , Deepan D. , Ramkumar J. , Moorthy Babu S. , Dhanasekaran R.
Published: March 2012

CdS nanoparticles and thin films are well known for their excellent semiconducting properties. When transition metal ions are doped into the CdS, it exhibits magnetic properties in addition to semiconducting properties and they are termed as dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMSs). In this paper, we discuss the preparation of sodium bis(2‐ethylhexyl) sulfonsuccinate (AOT) capped CdS nanoparticles and thin films doped with magnetic impurity Mn. Sodium bis(2‐ethulexyl) sulfonsuccinate (AOT), capping agent promotes the uniform formation of nanoparticles. Optical characterizations are made using the UV‐Vis spectrometer, PL, and FTIR. XRD shows the hexagonal structure of the CdS. SEM images and EDS measurements were made for the thin films. EPR shows the clear hyperfine lines corresponding to Mn2+ ion in the CdS nanoparticles.
Elemental Contents in Hair of Children from Two Regions in Dar Es Salaam
Authors: Mohammed Najat K.
Published: March 2012

The work presented in this paper is part of the study which aims at determining the levels of elements in hair of children in Tanzania as a bioindicator of their nutrition and health. In this paper, the levels of trace elements in hair from children living in Dar es Salaam have been analysed. The analysis was carried out by long and short irradiation INAA at the reactor centre of the Institute of Nuclear Physics, Rez Czech Republic. 22 samples were collected from children living at Kiwalani about 12 km from Dar es Salaam city and 16 samples from children living at Mlimani, the main campus of University of Dar es Salaam. A total of 34 elements were found in the hair of the children. There were no big differences between the concentration levels of the essential elements in hair samples collected from the children which might indicate the same food consumption habits.
Ultrasonographic, Surgical, and Histopathological Findings of a Uterine Leiomyoma in a Cow
Authors: Sharma Arvind , Kumar Adarsh , Imran Sheikh , Sood Pankaj , Asrani Rajesh Kumar
Published: March 2012

The objective of this case report was to describe the ultrasonographic, surgical, and histopathological findings of a rare clinical case of uterine leiomyoma in a 5-year-old Holstein crossbred cow presented for diagnosis and treatment of infertility. Transrectal palpation revealed a large nonpainful mass suspected to be an abscess or a tumor in the caudal abdomen on the right side. Transabdominal ultrasonography revealed a round mass with irregular hypoechogenic/echogenic foci and a thin echogenic capsule around it. Ultrasonographic-guided centesis of the lesion under local analgesia did not yield any foul smelling aspirate leading to a tentative diagnosis of an intra-abdominal tumor. The lesion was later confirmed by exploratory laparotomy and histopathology as a case of uterine leiomyoma. The cow gave birth to a live normal calf 12 months following the surgery. Rectal examination after parturition revealed no evidence of the tumor at the surgical site. Ultrasonography enabled prompt, noninvasive diagnosis of uterine leiomyoma and proved to be a useful decision-making tool in the abdominal surgery of the cow. This is an interesting case which broadens the spectrum of the causes of infertility in cattle.
Approximation by Lupas‐Type Operators and Szász‐Mirakyan‐Type Operators
Authors: Jung Hee Sun , Sakai Ryozi
Published: March 2012

Lupas‐type operators and Szász‐Mirakyan‐type operators are the modifications of Bernstein polynomials to infinite intervals. In this paper, we investigate the convergence of Lupas‐type operators and Szász‐Mirakyan‐type operators on [0, ∞).
Exendin-4 Protects MIN6 Cells from t-BHP-Induced Apoptosis via IRE1-JNK-Caspase-3 Signaling
Authors: Chen Wen-Jia , Wang Lin-Xi , Wang Yan-Ping , Chen Zhou , Liu Xiao-Ying , Liu Xiao-Hong , Liu Li-Bin
Published: March 2012

Objectives.This study aimed to explore the effect of exendin-4 on t-BHP-induced apoptosis in pancreaticβcells and the mechanism of action.Methods.Murine MIN6 pancreaticβcells were treated with exendin-4 in the presence or absence of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP). Cell survival was assessed by MTT staining. The percentage of apoptotic cells was determined by fluorescence microscopy analysis after Hoechst/PI staining and flow cytometric assay after Annexin V-FITC/PI staining. The activity of caspase-3 was determined using a caspase-3 activity kit. Expression of P-IRE1α, IRE1α, C-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), P-JNK, C-JUN, and P-C-JUN was detected by western blotting.Results.Exendin-4 was found to inhibit t-BHP-induced apoptosis in pancreaticβ-cells by downregulating caspase-3 activity. Exendin-4 also inhibited the endoplasmic reticulum transmembrane protein IRE1, the apoptosis-related signaling molecule JNK, and c-Jun activation.Conclusions.Our findings suggest that exendin-4 ultimately reduces t-BHP-inducedβ-cell apoptosis. IRE1-JNK-c-Jun signaling is involved in the exendin-4-mediated modulation ofβ-cell apoptosis.
Effects of Kaolin Surface Treatments on the Thermomechanical Properties and on the Degradation of Polypropylene
Authors: Guessoum Melia , Nekkaa Sorya , Fenouillot-Rimlinger Françoise , Haddaoui Nacerddine
Published: March 2012

The effects of kaolin content and treatments on the thermal and mechanical properties and on the degradation of polypropylene were examined using mechanical tests, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and thermogravimetry (TGA). The weak interactions filler/matrix have been reinforced using a modification with urea then with an ammonium salt and a surface treatment with a silane coupling agent. The XRD results showed that the peak at thed-value of 10.7 Å increases in urea/kaolin complex, but the treatment with the ammonium salt caused the return to the initial state of the clay. FTIR results showed the appearance of new bands characteristic of the interactions between urea and kaolinite and the alkylammonium and kaolinite. The mechanical properties of the composites exhibited important variations while the DSC results showed the decrease of the crystallization temperature as a function of kaolin content. TGA thermograms pointed out the improvement of the composites' thermal stability.
A Note on the Eigenvalue Analysis of the SIMPLE Preconditioning for Incompressible Flow
Authors: Wu Shi-Liang , Chen Feng , Niu Xiao-Qi
Published: March 2012

We consider the SIMPLE preconditioning for block two‐by‐two generalized saddle point problems; this is the general nonsymmetric, nonsingular case where
the (1,2) block needs not to equal the transposed (2,1) block, and the (2,2) block may not
be zero. The eigenvalue analysis of the SIMPLE preconditioned matrix is presented.
The relationship between the two different formulations spectrum of the SIMPLE preconditioned matrix is established by using the theory of matrix eigenvalue, and some corresponding results in recent article by Li and Vuik (2004) are extended.
Error Upper Bounds for a Computational Method for Nonlinear Boundary and Initial‐Value Problems
Authors: Guimarães Osvaldo , Piqueira José Roberto C.
Published: March 2012

This work develops a computational approach for boundary and initial‐value problems by using operational matrices, in order to run an evolutive process in a Hilbert space. Besides, upper bounds for errors in the solutions and in their derivatives can be estimated providing accuracy measures.