bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A statistical similarity measure for aggregate crowd dynamics
Authors: Guy Stephen J. , van den Berg Jur , Liu Wenxi , Lau Rynson , Lin Ming C. , Manocha Dinesh
Published: November 2012

We present an information-theoretic method to measure the similarity between a given set of observed, real-world data and visual simulation technique for aggregate crowd motions of a complex system consisting of many individual agents. This metric uses a two-step process to quantify a simulator's ability to reproduce the collective behaviors of the whole system, as observed in the recorded real-world data. First, Bayesian inference is used to estimate the simulation states which best correspond to the observed data, then a maximum likelihood estimator is used to approximate the prediction errors. This process is iterated using the EM-algorithm to produce a robust, statistical estimate of the magnitude of the prediction error as measured by its entropy (smaller is better). This metric serves as a simulator-to-data similarity measurement. We evaluated the metric in terms of robustness to sensor noise, consistency across different datasets and simulation methods, and correlation to perceptual metrics.
Simulation of complex nonlinear elastic bodies using lattice deformers
Authors: Patterson Taylor , Mitchell Nathan , Sifakis Eftychios
Published: November 2012

Lattice deformers are a popular option for modeling the behavior of elastic bodies as they avoid the need for conforming mesh generation, and their regular structure offers significant opportunities for performance optimizations. Our work expands the scope of current lattice-based elastic deformers, adding support for a number of important simulation features. We accommodate complex nonlinear, optionally anisotropic materials while using an economical one-point quadrature scheme. Our formulation fully accommodates near-incompressibility by enforcing accurate nonlinear constraints, supports implicit integration for large time steps, and is not susceptible to locking or poor conditioning of the discrete equations. Additionally, we increase the accuracy of our solver by employing a novel high-order quadrature scheme on lattice cells overlapping with the model boundary, which are treated at sub-cell precision. Finally, we detail how this accurate boundary treatment can be implemented at a minimal computational premium over the cost of a voxel-accurate discretization. We demonstrate our method in the simulation of complex musculoskeletal human models.
RigMesh
Authors: Borosán Péter , Jin Ming , DeCarlo Doug , Gingold Yotam , Nealen Andrew
Published: November 2012

The creation of a 3D model is only the first stage of the 3D character animation pipeline. Once a model has been created, and before it can be animated, it must be
rigged
. Manual rigging is laborious, and automatic rigging approaches are far from real-time and do not allow for incremental updates. This is a hindrance in the real world, where the shape of a model is often revised after rigging has been performed. In this paper, we introduce algorithms and a user-interface for sketch-based 3D modeling that unify the modeling and rigging stages of the 3D character animation pipeline. Our algorithms create a rig for each sketched part in real-time, and update the rig as parts are merged or cut. As a result, users can freely pose and animate their shapes and characters while rapidly iterating on the base shape. The rigs are compatible with the state-of-the-art character animation pipeline; they consist of a low-dimensional skeleton along with skin weights identifying the surface with bones of the skeleton.
Smooth skinning decomposition with rigid bones
Authors: Le Binh Huy , Deng Zhigang
Published: November 2012

This paper introduces the Smooth Skinning Decomposition with Rigid Bones (SSDR), an automated algorithm to extract the linear blend skinning (LBS) from a set of example poses. The SSDR model can effectively approximate the skin deformation of nearly articulated models as well as highly deformable models by a low number of rigid bones and a sparse, convex bone-vertex weight map. Formulated as a constrained optimization problem where the least squared error of the reconstructed vertices by LBS is minimized, the SSDR model can be solved by a block coordinate descent-based algorithm to iteratively update the weight map and the bone transformations. By employing the sparseness and convex constraints on the weight map, the SSDR model can be used for traditional skinning decomposition tasks such as animation compression and hardware-accelerated rendering. Moreover, by imposing the orthogonal constraints on the bone rotation matrices (rigid bones), the SSDR model can also be applied in motion editing, skeleton extraction, and collision detection tasks. Through qualitative and quantitative evaluations, we show the SSDR model can measurably outperform the state-of-the-art skinning decomposition schemes in terms of accuracy and applicability.
Member spotlight
Authors: Sweedyk Z
Published: November 2012

In this new feature of the Bulletin, we highlight recent accomplishments of our members. For this issue, Bulletin co-editor Z Sweedyk interviewed Colleen Lewis, Harvey Mudd College, who won the Chair's Award for best paper at ICER 2012 for her work "Tracking Program State: A Key Challenge in Learning to Program."
Angiotensin II type 2 receptor promotes adipocyte differentiation and restores adipocyte size in high-fat/high-fructose diet-induced insulin resistance in rats
Authors: Shum Michaël , Pinard Sandra , Guimond Marie-Odile , Labbé Sébastien M. , Roberge Claude , Baillargeon Jean-Patrice , Langlois Marie-France , Alterman Mathias , Wallinder Charlotta , Hallberg Anders , Carpentier André C. , Gallo-Payet Nicole
Published: November 2012

This study was aimed at establishing whether specific activation of angiotensin II (ANG II) type 2 receptor (AT2R) modulates adipocyte differentiation and function. In primary cultures of subcutaneous (SC) and retroperitoneal (RET) preadipocytes, both AT2R and AT1R were expressed at the mRNA and protein level. Cells were stimulated with ANG II or the AT2R agonist C21/M24, alone or in the presence of the AT1R antagonist losartan or the AT2R antagonist PD123,319. During differentiation, C21/M24 increased PPARγ expression in both RET and SC preadipocytes while the number of small lipid droplets and lipid accumulation solely increased in SC preadipocytes. In mature adipocytes, C21/M24 decreased the mean size of large lipid droplets. Upon abolishment of AT2R expression using AT2R-targeted shRNAs, expressions of AT2R, aP2, and PPARγ remained very low, and cells were unable to differentiate. In Wistar rats fed a 6-wk high-fat/high-fructose (HFHF) diet, a significant shift toward larger adipocytes was observed in RET and SC adipose tissue depots. C21/M24 treatments for 6 wk restored normal adipocyte size distribution in both these tissue depots. Moreover, C21/M24 and losartan decreased hyperinsulinemia and improved insulin sensitivity impaired by HFHF diet. A strong correlation between adipocyte size area and glucose infusion rate during euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp was observed. These results indicate that AT2R is involved in early adipocyte differentiation, while in mature adipocytes and in a model of insulin resistance AT2R activation restores normal adipocyte morphology and improves insulin sensitivity.
The opposite roles of glucocorticoid and α1-adrenergic receptors in stress triggered apoptosis of rat Leydig cells
Authors: Andric Silvana A. , Kojic Zvezdana , Bjelic Maja M. , Mihajlovic Aleksandar I. , Baburski Aleksandar Z. , Sokanovic Srdjan J. , Janjic Marija M. , Stojkov Natasa J. , Stojilkovic Stanko S. , Kostic Tatjana S.
Published: November 2012

The stress-induced initiation of proapoptotic signaling in Leydig cells is relatively well defined, but the duration of this signaling and the mechanism(s) involved in opposing the stress responses have not been addressed. In this study, immobilization stress (IMO) was applied for 2 h daily, and animals were euthanized immediately after the first (IMO1), second (IMO2), and 10th (IMO10) sessions. In IMO1 and IMO2 rats, serum corticosterone and adrenaline were elevated, whereas serum androgens and mRNA transcription of insulin-like factor-3 in Leydig cells were inhibited. Reduced oxygen consumption and the mitochondrial membrane potential coupled with a leak of cytochrome c from mitochondria and increased caspase-9 expression, caspase-3 activity, and number of apoptotic Leydig cells was also observed. Corticosterone and adrenaline were also elevated in IMO10 rats but were accompanied with a partial recovery of androgen secretion and normalization of insulin-like factor-3 transcription coupled with increased cytochrome c expression, abolition of proapoptotic signaling, and normalization of the apoptotic events. Blockade of intratesticular glucocorticoid receptors diminished proapoptotic effects without affecting antiapoptotic effects, whereas blockade of intratesticular α1-adrenergic receptors diminished the antiapoptotic effects without affecting proapoptotic effects. These results confirmed a critical role of glucocorticoids in mitochondria-dependent apoptosis and showed for the first time the relevance of stress-induced upregulation of α1-adrenergic receptor expression in cell apoptotic resistance to repetitive IMOs. The opposite role of two hormones in control of the apoptotic rate in Leydig cells also provides a rationale for a partial recovery of androgen production in chronically stressed animals.
Restoration of renal function by a novel prostaglandin EP4 receptor-derived peptide in models of acute renal failure
Authors: Leduc Martin , Hou Xin , Hamel David , Sanchez Melanie , Quiniou Christiane , Honoré Jean-Claude , Roy Olivier , Madaan Ankush , Lubell William , Varma Daya R. , Mancini Joseph , Duhamel François , Peri Krishna G. , Pichette Vincent , Heveker Nikolaus , Chemtob Sylvain
Published: November 2012

Acute renal failure (ARF) is a serious medical complication characterized by an abrupt and sustained decline in renal function. Despite significant advances in supportive care, there is currently no effective treatment to restore renal function. PGE2 is a lipid hormone mediator abundantly produced in the kidney, where it acts locally to regulate renal function; several studies suggest that modulating EP4 receptor activity could improve renal function following kidney injury. An optimized peptidomimetic ligand of EP4 receptor, THG213.29, was tested for its efficacy to improve renal function (glomerular filtration rate, renal plasma flow, and urine output) and histological changes in a model of ARF induced by either cisplatin or renal artery occlusion in Sprague-Dawley rats. THG213.29 modulated PGE2-binding dissociation kinetics, indicative of an allosteric binding mode. Consistently, THG213.29 antagonized EP4-mediated relaxation of piglet saphenous vein rings, partially inhibited EP4-mediated cAMP production, but did not affect Gαi activation or β-arrestin recruitment. In vivo, THG213.29 significantly improved renal function and histological changes in cisplatin- and renal artery occlusion-induced ARF models. THG213.29 increased mRNA expression of heme-oxygenase 1, Bcl2, and FGF-2 in renal cortex; correspondingly, in EP4-transfected HEK293 cells, THG213.29 augmented FGF-2 and abrogated EP4-dependent overexpression of inflammatory IL-6 and of apoptotic death domain-associated protein and BCL2-associated agonist of cell death. Our results demonstrate that THG213.29 represents a novel class of diuretic agent with noncompetitive allosteric modulator effects on EP4 receptor, resulting in improved renal function and integrity following acute renal failure.
Relationship between electrophysiological signature and defined sensory modality of trigeminal ganglion neurons in vivo
Authors: Boada M. Danilo
Published: November 2012

The trigeminal ganglia (TG) innervate a heterogeneous set of highly sensitive and exposed tissues. Weak, innocuous stimuli can evoke pain as a normal response in some areas such as the cornea. This observation implies, however, the capability of low-threshold mechanoreceptors, inducing pain in the normal condition. To clarify this matter, the present study correlates the electrical signature (both fiber conduction velocity and somatic electrical properties) with receptor field, mechanical threshold, and temperature responsiveness of sensory afferents innervating tissues with dissimilar sensitivity (skin vs. cornea) in the trigeminal domain. Intracellular recordings were obtained in vivo from 148 neurons of the left TG of 62 mice. In 111 of these neurons, the peripheral receptor field was successfully localized: 96 of them innervated the hairy skin, while the remaining 15 innervated the cornea. The electrical signature was defined and peripheral responses correlated with tissue target. No high threshold neurons were found in the cornea. Moreover, the electrical signature of corneal afferents resembles nociceptive neurons in the skin. TG skin afferents showed similar membrane electrical signature and sensory modality as skin afferents from dorsal root ganglion, although TG afferents exhibited a shorter duration of afterhyperpolarization then those previously described in dorsal root ganglion. These data suggest than new or different ways to classify and study TG sensory neurons may be required.
Interaction between Red Yeast Rice and CYP450 Enzymes/P-Glycoprotein and Its Implication for the Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Lovastatin
Authors: Chen Chia-Hao , Uang Yow-Shieng , Wang Shang-Ta , Yang Jyh-Chin , Lin Chun-Jung
Published: November 2012

Red yeast rice (RYR) can reduce cholesterol through its active component, lovastatin. This study was to investigate the pharmacokinetic properties of lovastatin in RYR products and potential RYR-drug interactions. Extracts of three registered RYR products (LipoCol Forte, Cholestin, and Xuezhikang) were more effective than pure lovastatin in inhibiting the activities of cytochrome P450 enzymes and P-glycoprotein. Among CYP450 enzymes, RYR showed the highest inhibition on CYP1A2 and CYP2C19, with comparable inhibitory potencies to the corresponding typical inhibitors. In healthy volunteers taking the RYR product LipoCol Forte, the pharmacokinetic properties of lovastatin and lovastatin acid were linear in the dose range of 1 to 4 capsules taken as a single dose and no significant accumulation was observed after multiple dosing. Concomitant use of one LipoCol Forte capsule with nifedipine did not change the pharmacokinetics of nifedipine. Yet, concomitant use of gemfibrozil with LipoCol Forte resulted in a significant increase in the plasma concentration of lovastatin acid. These findings suggest that the use of RYR products may not have effects on the pharmacokinetics of concomitant comedications despite their effects to inhibit the activities of CYP450 enzymes and P-gp, whereas gemfibrozil affects the pharmacokinetics of lovastatin acid when used concomitantly with RYR products.
Equivalent Mechanical Model for Lateral Liquid Sloshing in Partially Filled Tank Vehicles
Authors: Xue-lian Zheng , Xian-sheng Li , Yuan-yuan Ren
Published: November 2012

This paper reports a new approach to investigating sloshing forces and moments caused by liquid sloshing within partially filled tank vehicles subjected to lateral excitations. An equivalent mechanical model is used in the paper to approximately simulate liquid sloshing. The mechanical model is derived by calculating the trajectory of the center of gravity of the liquid bulk in tanks as the vehicle’s lateral acceleration changes from 0 to 1 g. Parametric expressions for the model are obtained by matching the dynamic effect of the mechanical model to that of liquid sloshing. And parameter values of a liquid sloshing dynamic effect, such as sloshing frequency and forces, are acquired using FLUENT to simulate liquid sloshing in tanks with different cross‐sections and liquid fill percentages. The equivalent mechanical model for liquid sloshing in tank vehicles is of a great significance for simplifying the research on roll stability of tank vehicles and for developing active/passive roll control systems for these vehicles.
The Spatial-Temporal Dynamics of China’s Changing Urban Hierarchy (1950–2005)
Authors: Chen Xuwei , Greene Richard
Published: November 2012

This paper examines the dynamic spatial and temporal patterns of China’s urban hierarchy from 1950 to 2005. We limit the study to mainland China’s 137 urban agglomerations of 750,000 or more population as of 2005. The paper improves upon a classic approach to measuring shifting ranks within an urban hierarchy by applying advanced spatial analysis techniques. We use a Getis-Ord , a space-time Moran scatter plot, and dynamic LISA paths to examine the regional difference and change for these urban agglomerations. Our study revealed a north-south divide in the changing urban hierarchy of China after 1990. The analysis demonstrated that the spatial and temporal shift of urban dominance in China was closely associated with policy and economic factors. The paper concludes with a discussion of the differences across the six different time periods of change from 1950 to 2005.
Buckling Analysis of Laminated Composite Panel with Elliptical Cutout Subject to Axial Compression
Authors: Allahbakhsh Hamidreza , Dadrasi Ali
Published: November 2012

A buckling analysis has been carried out to investigate the response of laminated composite cylindrical panel with an elliptical cutout subject to axial loading. The numerical analysis was performed using the Abaqus finite-element software. The effect of the location and size of the cutout and also the composite ply angle on the buckling load of laminated composite cylindrical panel is investigated. Finally, simple equations, in the form of a buckling load reduction factor, were presented by using the least square regression method. The results give useful information into designing a laminated composite cylindrical panel, which can be used to improve the load capacity of cylindrical panels.
Approximate Analytical Solution for One‐Dimensional Solidification Problem of a Finite Superheating Phase Change Material Including the Effects of Wall and Thermal Contact Resistances
Authors: El Qarnia Hamid , El Adnani Fayssal , Lakhal El Khadir
Published: November 2012

This work reports an analytical solution for the solidification of a superheating phase change material (PCM) contained in a rectangular enclosure with a finite height. The analytical solution has been obtained by solving nondimensional energy equations by using the perturbation method for a small perturbation parameter: the Stefan number, ε. This analytical solution, which takes into account the effects of the superheating of PCM, finite height of the enclosure, thickness of the wall, and wall‐solid shell interfacial thermal resistances, was expressed in terms of nondimensional temperature distributions of the bottom wall of the enclosure and both PCM phases, and the dimensionless solid‐liquid interface position and its dimensionless speed. The developed solution was firstly compared with that existing in the literature for the case of nonsuperheating PCM. The predicted results agreed well with those published in the literature. Next, a parametric study was carried out in order to study the impacts of the dimensionless control parameters on the dimensionless temperature distributions of the wall, the solid shell, and liquid phase of the PCM, as well as the solid‐liquid interface position and its dimensionless speed.
Corticosteroids in Patients with IgA Nephropathy and Severe Chronic Renal Damage
Authors: Pozzi Claudio , Ferrario Francesca , Visciano Bianca , Del Vecchio Lucia
Published: November 2012

Little is known about the utility of treating patients with advanced IgA nephropathy (IgAN). From 2001 to 2005, four patients came to our observation because of serum creatinine higher than 3 mg/dL, proteinuria ranging from 1.8 to 5.1 g/day, and a histological picture of diffuse sclerotic lesions. A corticosteroid course of 12 months was given. Patients were observed for a mean follow up of 84 months. At the end of the steroid course, proteinuria lowered quickly below 1 g/day in two patients, whereas the other two experienced a slower and less persistent decrease of proteinuria. Despite similar lesion severity at renal biopsy, renal function stabilized only in these two ones. In conclusion, these preliminary observations suggest a possible efficacy of corticosteroids in slowing down the progression of renal disease and in postponing the need of dialysis in IgAN patients with stage IV CKD and severe chronic histological lesions.
Selective Forwarding Attacks against Data and ACK Flows in Network Coding and Countermeasures
Authors: Zhang Yuanyuan , Minier Marine
Published: November 2012

Network coding has attracted the attention of many researchers in security and cryptography. In this paper, a well-known attackselective forwarding attackwill be studied in network coding systems. While most of the works have been dedicated to the countermeasures against pollution attacks where an attacker modifies intermediate packets, only few works concern selective forwarding attacks on data or acknowledgment (ACK) packets; those last ones are required in network coding. However, selective forwarding attacks stay a real threat in resource constraint networks such as wireless sensor networks, especially when selective forwarding attacks target the acknowledgment (ACK) messages, referred to asflooding attack. In the latter model, an adversary can easily create congestion in the network and exhaust all the resources available. The degradation of the QoS (delay, energy) goes beyond the capabilities of cryptographic solutions. In this paper, we first simulate and analyze the effects of selective forwarding attacks on both data flows and ACK flows. We then investigate the security capabilities of multipath acknowledgment in more details than in our original proposal (Zhang et al., 2011).
Dynamics of 1.55 μm Wavelength Single-Mode Vertical-Cavity Surface-Emitting Laser Output under External Optical Injection
Authors: Kim Kyong Hon , Lee Seoung Hun , Deshmukh Vijay Manohar
Published: November 2012

We review the temporal dynamics of the laser output spectrum and polarization state of 1.55 μm wavelength single-mode (SM) vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) induced by external optical beam injection. Injection of an external continuous-wave laser beam to a gain-switched SM VCSEL near the resonance wavelength corresponding to its main polarization-mode output was critical for improvement of its laser pulse generation characteristics, such as pulse timing-jitter reduction, linewidth narrowing, pulse amplitude enhancement, and pulse width shortening. Pulse injection of pulse width shorter than the cavity photon lifetime into the SM VCSEL in the orthogonal polarization direction with respect to its main polarization mode caused temporal delay of the polarization recovery after polarization switching (PS), and its delay was found to be the minimum at an optimized bias current. Polarization-mode bistability was observed even in the laser output of an SM VCSEL of a standard circularly cylindrical shape and used for all-optical flip-flop operations with set and reset injection pulses of very low pulse energy of order of the 3.5~4.5 fJ.
Control of Surge in Centrifugal Compressor by Using a Nozzle Injection System: Universality in Optimal Position of Injection Nozzle
Authors: Hirano Toshiyuki , Uchida Takanori , Tsujita Hoshio
Published: November 2012

The passive control method for surge and rotating stall in centrifugal compressors by using a nozzle injection system was proposed to extend the stable operating range to the low flow rate. A part of the flow at the scroll outlet of a compressor was recirculated to an injection nozzle installed on the inner wall of the suction pipe of the compressor through the bypass pipe and injected to the impeller inlet. Two types of compressors were tested at the rotational speeds of 50,000 rpm and 60,000 rpm with the parameter of the circumferential position of the injection nozzle. The present experimental results revealed that the optimum circumferential position, which most effectively reduced the flow rate for the surge inception, existed at the opposite side of the tongue of the scroll against the rotational axis and did not depend on the compressor system and the rotational speeds.
Ginseng and Its Active Components Ginsenosides Inhibit Adipogenesis in 3T3-L1 Cells by Regulating MMP-2 and MMP-9
Authors: Oh Jaeho , Lee Hyunghee , Park Dongmin , Ahn Jiwon , Shin Soon Shik , Yoon Michung
Published: November 2012

The growth and development of adipose tissue are believed to require adipogenesis, angiogenesis, and extracellular matrix remodeling. As our previous study revealed that ginseng reduces adipose tissue mass in part by decreasing matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity in obese mice, we hypothesized that adipogenesis can be inhibited by ginseng and its active components ginsenosides (GSs). Treatment of 3T3-L1 adipocytes with Korean red ginseng extract (GE) inhibited lipid accumulation and the expression of adipocyte-specific genes (PPARγ, C/EBPα, aP2, and leptin). GE decreased both the mRNA levels and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in 3T3-L1 cells. These effects were further inhibited by total GSs (TGSs) and individual GSs. TGSs and individual GSs also significantly decreased MMP-2 and MMP-9 reporter gene activities in the presence of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), the MMP inducer. Among the GSs, Rb1 most effectively inhibited MMP activity. In addition, PMA treatment attenuated the inhibitory actions of GE and GSs on adipogenesis. Moreover, GE and GSs reduced the expression of NF-κB and AP-1, the transcription factors of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results demonstrate that ginseng, in particular GSs, effectively inhibits adipogenesis and that this process may be mediated in part through the suppression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Thus, ginseng and GSs likely have therapeutic potential for controlling adipogenesis.
Utilisation of Nanoparticle Technology in Cancer Chemoresistance
Authors: Ayers Duncan , Nasti Alessandro
Published: November 2012

The implementation of cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs in the fight against cancer has played an invariably essential role for minimizing the extent of tumour progression and/or metastases in the patient and thus allowing for longer event free survival periods following chemotherapy. However, such therapeutics are nonspecific and bring with them dose-dependent cumulative adverse effects which can severely exacerbate patient suffering. In addition, the emergence of innate and/or acquired chemoresistance to the exposed cytotoxic agents undoubtedly serves to thwart effective clinical efficacy of chemotherapy in the cancer patient. The advent of nanotechnology has led to the development of a myriad of nanoparticle-based strategies with the specific goal to overcome such therapeutic hurdles in multiple cancer conditions. This paper aims to provide a brief overview and recollection of all the latest advances in the last few years concerning the application of nanoparticle technology to enhance the safe and effective delivery of chemotherapeutic agents to the tumour site, together with providing possible solutions to circumvent cancer chemoresistance in the clinical setting.
On the Meaning of Affinity Limits in B-Cell Epitope Prediction for Antipeptide Antibody-Mediated Immunity
Authors: Caoili Salvador Eugenio C.
Published: November 2012

B-cell epitope prediction aims to aid the design of peptide-based immunogens (e.g., vaccines) for eliciting antipeptide antibodies that protect against disease, but such antibodies fail to confer protection and even promote disease if they bind with low affinity. Hence, the Immune Epitope Database (IEDB) was searched to obtain published thermodynamic and kinetic data on binding interactions of antipeptide antibodies. The data suggest that the affinity of the antibodies for their immunizing peptides appears to be limited in a manner consistent with previously proposed kinetic constraints on affinity maturation in vivo and that cross-reaction of the antibodies with proteins tends to occur with lower affinity than the corresponding reaction of the antibodies with their immunizing peptides. These observations better inform B-cell epitope prediction to avoid overestimating the affinity for both active and passive immunization; whereas active immunization is subject to limitations of affinity maturation in vivo and of the capacity to accumulate endogenous antibodies, passive immunization may transcend such limitations, possibly with the aid of artificial affinity-selection processes and of protein engineering. Additionally, protein disorder warrants further investigation as a possible supplementary criterion for B-cell epitope prediction, where such disorder obviates thermodynamically unfavorable protein structural adjustments in cross-reactions between antipeptide antibodies and proteins.
The Effect of Weight Loss on Serum Mannose-Binding Lectin Levels
Authors: Høyem P. H. , Bruun J. M. , Pedersen S. B. , Thiel S. , Richelsen B. , Christiansen J. S. , Hansen T. K.
Published: November 2012

Background. Serum levels of the mannose-binding lectin (MBL), which is an activator of the complement system, have been considered as a pathogenic factor in a broad range of diseases, and means of modulating MBL are therefore being evaluated. In this study we examine the effects of weight loss on MBL levels, and in continuation of this if MBL is synthesized in human adipose tissue.Methods. 36 nondiabetic obese subjects received a very low-calorie diet (VLCD) of 800 kcal/day for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at baseline and after VLCD. Furthermore, we measured MBL mRNA levels by the real-time RT-PCR on human adipose tissue compared to liver tissue.Results. The mean body weight was reduced from106.3±2.6 kg to92.8±2.4 kg,P<0.0001. Median MBL at baseline was 746 μg/L (IQR 316–1190) versus 892 μg/L (IQR 336–1511) after 8 weeks,P=0.23. No correlations were found between weight loss and changes in MBL (r=-0.098,P=0.57). MBL real-time RT-PCR showed no expression of mRNA in adipose tissue, but as expected a good expression in liver tissue was seen.Conclusions. MBL levels are not affected by weight loss and MBL is not synthesized in human adipose tissue.
Four Ultrasound and Clinical Pictures of Parathyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Halenka Milan , Karasek David , Frysak Zdenek
Published: November 2012

Parathyroid carcinoma is a rare cause of primary hyperparathyroidism. It may be suspected based on severe clinical signs, significant laboratory findings, and the tumor size. High-resolution ultrasonography with Doppler imaging has become the principal imaging method in the preoperative diagnosis of primary hyperparathyroidism. The ultrasound finding is not specific, but three of the described pictures are different from the typical appearance of benign adenoma of the thyroid gland and were suspicious in the context of clinical findings. According to the ultrasound criteria, one finding was benign and only the histological examination revealed carcinoma.
Inhibitory Effects of Pretreatment with Radon on Acute Alcohol-Induced Hepatopathy in Mice
Authors: Toyota Teruaki , Kataoka Takahiro , Nishiyama Yuichi , Taguchi Takehito , Yamaoka Kiyonori
Published: November 2012

We previously reported that radon inhalation activates antioxidative functions in the liver and inhibits carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatopathy in mice. In addition, it has been reported that reactive oxygen species contribute to alcohol-induced hepatopathy. In this study, we examined the inhibitory effects of radon inhalation on acute alcohol-induced hepatopathy in mice. C57BL/6J mice were subjected to intraperitoneal injection of 50% alcohol (5 g/kg bodyweight) after inhaling approximately 4000 Bq/m3radon for 24 h. Alcohol administration significantly increased the activities of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) in serum, and the levels of triglyceride and lipid peroxide in the liver, suggesting acute alcohol-induced hepatopathy. Radon inhalation activated antioxidative functions in the liver. Furthermore, pretreatment with radon inhibited the depression of hepatic functions and antioxidative functions. These findings suggested that radon inhalation activated antioxidative functions in the liver and inhibited acute alcohol-induced hepatopathy in mice.
Diversity Management in the Canadian Workplace: Towards an Antiracism Approach
Authors: Hiranandani Vanmala
Published: November 2012

Most diversity management programs in Canada maintain that enhancing workforce diversity is of tremendous significance for business organizations in today’s competitive global urban markets. Since well-meaning diversity management initiatives have been largely ineffective thus far in dealing with workplace discrimination and racism in the Canadian workplace, this paper underscores the need to decenter the focus of diversity management from a business imperative to an antidiscrimination and social justice imperative. Within this latter perspective, the paper examines the strengths and limitations of the antiracism approach that has been implemented in various developed countries in recent years. The antiracism approach is an action-oriented strategy for institutional and systemic change that has at its core the interrogation of privilege, power disparities, and other forms of inequity within the organization. Drawing from the lessons of various initiatives that have utilized this approach, the present paper emphasizes the need for a nuanced antiracism approach in the multicultural Canadian society if diversity management is to attain its goal of greater inclusion of all individuals in informal networks and formal organizational programs.
Adipocytokine Levels in Genetically High Risk for Type 2 Diabetes in the Indian Population: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Bose K. Subhash Chandra , Gupta Shachin K. , Vyas Prerna
Published: November 2012

Introduction. In view of the noteworthy role of adipocytokines in the onset of insulin resistance and diabetes in gene-knockout-rat-model-cell-line studies we aimed to study the influence of genetic predisposition for diabetes on adipocytokine levels and their role in building insulin-resistance-like environment well before the onset of diabetes; thus a hypothesis can be drawn on their role in developing diabetes in high risk population.Methods. Ages between 18 and 22 years were selected and divided into three groups. Group I(n=81): control group with no family history of diabetes. Group II(n=157): with one of their parents with history of type 2 diabetes. Group III(n=47): with both parents having history of type 2 diabetes. In all the groups we estimated fasting plasma glucose, insulin and adipocytokines like adiponectin, leptin, TNF-α, and IL-6.Results. Of all adipocytokines we observed significantly lower levels of adiponectin (8.7±1 μg/mL in group III and9.5±1.3 μg/mL group II) when compared to control (11.0±1.2 μg/mL;P<0.01)and it has strong correlation with family history of diabetes with Pearson’s coefficient of −0.502. Linear regression analysis showed significant negative association with HOMA-IR(P<0.01)and logistic regression analysis showed highest association with parental diabetes (P<0.01; OR .260, 95% CI .260–.468).Conclusion. Genetic predisposition for diabetes may influence adiponectin gene expression leading to decrease in its plasma concentration, which might play a key role in developing diabetes in near future.
Children’s Tolerance of Word-Form Variation
Authors: Bruening Paul R. , Brooks Patricia J. , Alfieri Louis , Kempe Vera , Dabašinskienė Ineta
Published: November 2012

How much morphological variation can children tolerate when identifying familiar words? This is an important question in the context of the acquisition of richly inflected languages where identical word forms occur far less frequently than in English. To address this question, we compared children’s (N=96, mean age 4;1, range 2;11–5;1) and adults’ (N=96, mean age 21 years) tolerance of word-onset modifications (e.g., for stug: wug and wastug) and pseudoaffixes (e.g., kostug and stugko) in a label-extension task. Word-form modifications were repeated within each experiment to establish productive inflectional patterns. In two experiments, children and adults exhibited similar strategies: they were more tolerant of prefixes (wastug) than substitutions of initial consonants (wug), and more tolerant of suffixes (stugko) than prefixes (kostug). The findings point to word-learning strategies as being flexible and adaptive to morphological patterns in languages.
An Adaptive Bacterial Foraging Optimization Algorithm with Lifecycle and Social Learning
Authors: Yan Xiaohui , Zhu Yunlong , Zhang Hao , Chen Hanning , Niu Ben
Published: November 2012

Bacterial Foraging Algorithm (BFO) is a recently proposed swarm intelligence algorithm inspired by the foraging and chemotactic phenomenon of bacteria. However, its optimization ability is not so good compared with other classic algorithms as it has several shortages. This paper presents an improved BFO Algorithm. In the new algorithm, a lifecycle model of bacteria is founded. The bacteria could split, die, or migrate dynamically in the foraging processes, and population size varies as the algorithm runs. Social learning is also introduced so that the bacteria will tumble towards better directions in the chemotactic steps. Besides, adaptive step lengths are employed in chemotaxis. The new algorithm is named BFOLS and it is tested on a set of benchmark functions with dimensions of 2 and 20. Canonical BFO, PSO, and GA algorithms are employed for comparison. Experiment results and statistic analysis show that the BFOLS algorithm offers significant improvements than original BFO algorithm. Particulary with dimension of 20, it has the best performance among the four algorithms.
Effect of Contaminants on the Gas Holdup and Mixing in Internal Airlift Reactors Equipped with Microbubble Generator
Authors: Pallapothu Surya K. , Al Taweel Adel M.
Published: November 2012

The impact of contaminants on the gas holdup and mixing characteristics encountered in internal airlift reactors was investigated using a 200 L pilot scale unit equipped with a two-phase transonic sparger capable of generating microbubbles. Small dosages of a cationic surfactant (0–50 ppm of sodium dodecyl sulfonate (SDS)) were used to simulate the coalescence-retarding effect encountered in most industrial streams and resulted in the formation of bubbles that varied in size between 280 and 1,900 μm. Gas holdups as high as 0.14 were achieved in the riser under homogeneous flow regime when slowly coalescent systems were aerated at the relatively low superficial velocity of 0.02 ms−1, whereas liquid circulation velocities as high as 1.3 ms−1were achieved in conjunction with rapidly coalescent systems at the same superficial velocity. This excellent hydrodynamic performance represents a 5-fold improvement in the riser gas holdup and up to 8-fold enhancement in the liquid circulation velocity and is expected to yield good mixing and mass transfer performance at low energy dissipation rates.
Evaluation of Effectiveness of Wavelet Based Denoising Schemes Using ANN and SVM for Bearing Condition Classification
Authors: G. S. Vijay , H. S. Kumar , Pai P. Srinivasa , N. S. Sriram , Rao Raj B. K. N.
Published: November 2012

The wavelet based denoising has proven its ability to denoise the bearing vibration signals by improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and reducing the root-mean-square error (RMSE). In this paper seven wavelet based denoising schemes have been evaluated based on the performance of the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and the Support Vector Machine (SVM), for the bearing condition classification. The work consists of two parts, the first part in which a synthetic signal simulating the defective bearing vibration signal with Gaussian noise was subjected to these denoising schemes. The best scheme based on the SNR and the RMSE was identified. In the second part, the vibration signals collected from a customized Rolling Element Bearing (REB) test rig for four bearing conditions were subjected to these denoising schemes. Several time and frequency domain features were extracted from the denoised signals, out of which a few sensitive features were selected using the Fisher’s Criterion (FC). Extracted features were used to train and test the ANN and the SVM. The best denoising scheme identified, based on the classification performances of the ANN and the SVM, was found to be the same as the one obtained using the synthetic signal.
Mothering Here and Mothering There: International Migration and Postbirth Mental Health
Authors: Bouris Stephanie S. , Merry Lisa A. , Kebe Amy , Gagnon Anita J.
Published: November 2012

Over 125,000 women immigrate to Canada yearly—most in their childbearing years and many having given birth before immigrating. We sought to (1) examine the background characteristics and mental health profile of women separated from their children due to migration and subsequently giving birth in Canada (“dual-country (DC) mothers”) and (2) contrast these with those of “non-dual-country” migrant mothers. Of 514 multiparous migrant women giving birth, one-fifth (18%) reported being separated from their children due to migration. Over one-third of DC mothers were living in poverty (36.0% versus 18.6%,P=0.001), and one in seven was experiencing household food insecurity (16.3% versus 7.6%,P=0.01). Over one-third had no partner (40.2% versus 11.4%,P=0.00), and nearly one-quarter reported no available support (23.1% versus 12.2%,P=0.007). Over three-quarters were asylum seekers or refugees (83.7% versus 51%,P=0.00). More DC than non-DC mothers had symptoms of postpartum depression (28.3% versus 18.6%,P=0.04), symptoms of clinical depression (23.1% versus 13.5%,P=0.02), and anxiety related to trauma (16.5% versus 9.4%,P=0.04). Results suggest that identifying DC mothers is a rapid approach to enable clinicians to target a subgroup of women needing special attention.
Possible Influence of Resistance to Malaria in Clinical Presentation of Rheumatoid Arthritis: Biological Significance of Natural Selection
Authors: Bonilla-Abadía Fabio , Tobón Gabriel J. , Cañas Carlos A.
Published: November 2012

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a common autoimmune disease that affects all ethnic groups. Genetic factors, mainly HLA alleles, are highly associated with increased risk to develop RA. However, there are few available data about the role of these genetic polymorphisms in the prevalence or severity of RA in the Afrodescendant population, who have evolutionarily and by natural selection developed mutations that allowed them to acquire resistance to infectious diseases like malaria. Some of the mechanisms, by which this resistance was developed as a product of natural selection, are involved in different forms of immunological response, many of them of a well-known importance in the pathophysiology of RA. This paper focuses on presenting the known mechanisms of resistance to malaria and their possible contribution to the pathophysiology of RA, including “loss-of-function” mutations, lack of expression of chemokine receptors, decrease of immune complexes clearance by asplenia, or increase of immune reactivity mediated by B cells, among other mechanisms in this special group of patients.
Kidney Diseases Caused by Complement Dysregulation: Acquired, Inherited, and Still More to Come
Authors: Heeringa Saskia F. , Cohen Clemens D.
Published: November 2012

Inherited and acquired dysregulation of the complement alternative pathway plays an important role in multiple renal diseases. In recent years, the identification of disease-causing mutations and genetic variants in complement regulatory proteins has contributed significantly to our knowledge of the pathogenesis of complement associated glomerulopathies. In these diseases defective complement control leading to the deposition of activated complement products plays a key role. Consequently, complement-related glomerulopathies characterized by glomerular complement component 3 (C3) deposition in the absence of local immunoglobulin deposits are now collectively described by the term “C3 glomerulopathies.” Therapeutic strategies for reestablishing complement regulation by either complement blockade with the anti-C5 monoclonal antibody eculizumab or plasma substitution have been successful in several cases of C3 glomerulopathies. However, further elucidation of the underlying defects in the alternative complement pathway is awaited to develop pathogenesis-specific therapies.
Phototriggered Production of Reactive Oxygen Species by TIO2 Nanospheres and Rods
Authors: Geiseler Bianca , Miljevic Marko , Müller Philipp , Fruk Ljiljana
Published: November 2012

We present the study of reactive oxygen species production under the light irradiation of two different types of TiO2 nanocrystals. Both TiO2 spheric NPs and anisotropic nanorods were investigated using activation of the horseradish peroxidase enzyme and subsequent substrate oxidation into a fluorescent product. The influence of the surface ligand dopamine was also explored to shed more light on the effect of catechol binders on the photoactivity of TiO2 species.
Successful Smoking Cessation in COPD: Association with Comorbidities and Mortality
Authors: Kupiainen H. , Kinnula V. L. , Lindqvist A. , Postma D. S. , Boezen H. M. , Laitinen T. , Kilpeläinen M.
Published: November 2012

Smoking cessation is the cornerstone of COPD management, but difficult to achieve in clinical practice. The effect of comorbidities on smoking cessation and risk factors for mortality were studied in a cohort of 739 COPD patients recruited in two Finnish University Hospitals. The diagnosis of COPD was done for the first time on average 5.5 years prior to the enrollment. Data from the medical records and followup questionnaires (years 0, 1, 2, and 4) have been analyzed. The patients’ lung function varied greatly; mean FEV158% of predicted. A total of 60.2% of men and 55.6% of women had been able to quit smoking. Alcohol abuse (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.4–3.3) and psychiatric conditions (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2–2.7) were strongly related to low success rates of quitting. Among current smokers high nicotine dependency was again explained by alcohol abuse and psychiatric conditions. Non-quitters were younger than quitters, but their mortality rates remained significantly higher even when the model was adjusted for impairment of lung functions and comorbidities. In conclusion, co-existing addiction and psychiatric diseases significantly decreased the success rates in smoking cessation and increased mortality among the patients.
An Efficient Technique for Compressing ECG Signals Using QRS Detection, Estimation, and 2D DWT Coefficients Thresholding
Authors: Abo-Zahhad Mohammed , Ahmed Sabah M. , Zakaria Ahmed
Published: November 2012

This paper presents an efficient electrocardiogram (ECG) signals compression technique based on QRS detection, estimation, and 2D DWT coefficients thresholding. Firstly, the original ECG signal is preprocessed by detecting QRS complex, then the difference between the preprocessed ECG signal and the estimated QRS-complex waveform is estimated. 2D approaches utilize the fact that ECG signals generally show redundancy between adjacent beats and between adjacent samples. The error signal is cut and aligned to form a 2-D matrix, then the 2-D matrix is wavelet transformed and the resulting wavelet coefficients are segmented into groups and thresholded. There are two grouping techniques proposed to segment the DWT coefficients. The threshold level of each group of coefficients is calculated based on entropy of coefficients. The resulted thresholded DWT coefficients are coded using the coding technique given in the work by (Abo-Zahhad and Rajoub, 2002). The compression algorithm is tested for 24 different records selected from the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database (MIT-BIH Arrhythmia Database). The experimental results show that the proposed method achieves high compression ratio with relatively low distortion and low computational complexity in comparison with other methods.