bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genome Sequence of Rickettsia australis, the Agent of Queensland Tick Typhus
Authors: Dong Xin , El Karkouri Khalid , Robert Catherine , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard
Published: August 2012

Rickettsia australisstrain PhillipsTwas isolated in Queensland, Australia, in 1950. It is the tick-borne agent of Queensland tick typhus, a disease endemic in Australia. The 1.29-Mb genome sequence of this bacterium is highly similar to that ofRickettsia akaribut contains two plasmids.
Genome Sequence of Rickettsia conorii subsp. israelensis, the Agent of Israeli Spotted Fever
Authors: Sentausa Erwin , El Karkouri Khalid , Robert Catherine , Raoult Didier , Fournier Pierre-Edouard
Published: August 2012

Rickettsia conoriisubsp.israelensisis the agent of Israeli spotted fever. The present study reports the draft genome ofRickettsia conoriisubsp.israelensisstrain ISTT CDC1, isolated from aRhipicephalus sanguineustick collected in Israel.
Complete Genome Sequence of Brucella canis Strain HSK A52141, Isolated from the Blood of an Infected Dog
Authors: Kim Jong-So , Jeong Wooseog , Jeoung Hye-Young , Song Jae-Young , Kim Hyungtae , Beak Jeong-Hun , Parisutham Vinuselvi , Lee Sung Kuk , Kim Jong Wan , Kim Ji-Yeon , Jung Suk Chan , Her Moon , An Dong-Jun
Published: August 2012

Brucella canisinfection can be clinically inapparent in dogs, and when infection goes unnoticed, there is a chance for dog-to-human transmission. A new strain ofB. caniswas isolated from the blood of an infected dog in order to analyze the pathogenic mechanism, compare genetic properties, and develop new genetic tools for early diagnosis of canine brucellosis. Herein, we report the complete genome sequence of the strainB. canisHSK A52141. This is the second complete genome sequence and biological annotation available for a member ofB. canis.
Genome Sequence of Pectin-Degrading Alishewanella agri, Isolated from Landfill Soil
Authors: Kim Jisun , Jung Jaejoon , Sung Jung-Suk , Chun Jongsik , Park Woojun
Published: August 2012

Alishewanella agriBL06T(= KCTC 22400T= JCM 15597T) was isolated from landfill soil in Pohang, South Korea.A. agrishowed the ability to degrade pectin, a structural heteropolysaccharide present in the cell wall of plants. Here we report the genome sequence ofAlishewanella agriBL06T, the second sequenced strain in the genusAlishewanella.
Genome Sequence of Novosphingobium sp. Strain Rr 2-17, a Nopaline Crown Gall-Associated Bacterium Isolated from Vitis vinifera L. Grapevine
Authors: Gan Han Ming , Chew Teong Han , Hudson André O. , Savka Michael A.
Published: August 2012

Novosphingobiumsp. strain Rr 2-17 is anN-acyl homoserine lactone (AHL)-producing bacterium isolated from the crown gall tumor of a grapevine. To our knowledge, this is the first draft genome announcement of a plant-associated strain from the genusNovosphingobium.
Genome Sequence of Ralstonia sp. Strain PBA, a Bacterium Involved in the Biodegradation of 4-Aminobenzenesulfonate
Authors: Gan Han Ming , Chew Teong Han , Tay Yea-Ling , Lye Siew Fen , Yahya Adibah
Published: August 2012

Ralstoniasp. strain PBA was isolated from textile wastewater in a coculture withHydrogenophagasp. strain PBC. Here we present the assembly and annotation of its genome, which may provide further insights into the mechanism of its interaction with strain PBC during 4-aminobenzenesulfonate degradation.
Draft Genome Sequence of Alcaligenes faecalis subsp.faecalisNCIB 8687 (CCUG 2071)
Authors: Phung Le T. , Trimble William L. , Meyer Folker , Gilbert Jack A. , Silver Simon
Published: August 2012

Alcaligenes faecalissubsp.faecalisNCIB 8687, the betaproteobacterium from which arsenite oxidase had its structure solved and the first “arsenate gene island” identified, provided a draft genome of 3.9 Mb in 186 contigs (with the largest 15 comprising 90% of the total) for this opportunistic pathogen species.
Genome Sequence of Acinetobacter sp. Strain HA, Isolated from the Gut of the Polyphagous Insect Pest Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Malhotra Jaya , Dua Ankita , Saxena Anjali , Sangwan Naseer , Mukherjee Udita , Pandey Neeti , Rajagopal Raman , Khurana Paramjit , Khurana Jitendra P. , Lal Rup
Published: August 2012

In this study,Acinetobactersp. strain HA was isolated from the midgut of a fifth-instar larva ofHelicoverpa armigera. Here, we report the draft genome sequence (3,125,085 bp) of this strain that consists of 102 contigs, 2,911 predicted coding sequences, and a G+C content of 41%.
Genome Sequence of Methylobacterium sp. Strain GXF4, a Xylem-Associated Bacterium Isolated from Vitis vinifera L. Grapevine
Authors: Gan Han Ming , Chew Teong Han , Hudson André O. , Savka Michael A.
Published: August 2012

Methylobacteriumsp. strain GXF4 is an isolate from grapevine. Here we present the sequence, assembly, and annotation of its genome, which may shed light on its role as a grapevine xylem inhabitant. To our knowledge, this is the first genome announcement of a plant xylem-associated strain of the genusMethylobacterium.
Effects of flashlight guidance on chest compression performance in cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a noisy environment
Authors: You Je Sung , Chung Sung Phil , Chang Chul Ho , Park Incheol , Lee Hye Sun , Kim SeungHo , Lee Hahn Shick
Published: August 2012

Background

In real cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), noise can arise from instructional voices and environmental sounds in places such as a battlefield and industrial and high-traffic areas. A feedback device using a flashing light was designed to overcome noise-induced stimulus saturation during CPR. This study was conducted to determine whether ‘flashlight’ guidance influences CPR performance in a simulated noisy setting.

Materials and methods

We recruited 30 senior medical students with no previous experience of using flashlight-guided CPR to participate in this prospective, simulation-based, crossover study. The experiment was conducted in a simulated noisy situation using a cardiac arrest model without ventilation. Noise such as patrol car and fire engine sirens was artificially generated. The flashlight guidance device emitted light pulses at the rate of 100 flashes/min. Participants also received instructions to achieve the desired rate of 100 compressions/min. CPR performances were recorded with a Resusci Anne mannequin with a computer skill-reporting system.

Results

There were significant differences between the control and flashlight groups in mean compression rate (MCR), MCR/min and visual analogue scale. However, there were no significant differences in correct compression depth, mean compression depth, correct hand position, and correctly released compression. The flashlight group constantly maintained the pace at the desired 100 compressions/min. Furthermore, the flashlight group had a tendency to keep the MCR constant, whereas the control group had a tendency to decrease it after 60 s.

Conclusion

Flashlight-guided CPR is particularly advantageous for maintaining a desired MCR during hands-only CPR in noisy environments, where metronome pacing might not be clearly heard.
Identifying and characterizing the most significant β-glucosidase of the novel species Aspergillus saccharolyticus
Authors: Sørensen Annette , Ahring Birgitte K. , Lübeck Mette , Ubhayasekera Wimal , Bruno Kenneth S. , Culley David E. , Lübeck Peter S.
Published: August 2012

The newly discovered fungal species Aspergillus saccharolyticus was found to produce a culture broth rich in β-glucosidase activity. In this present work, the main β-glucosidase of A. saccharolyticus responsible for the efficient hydrolytic activity was identified, isolated, and characterized. Ion exchange chromatography was used to fractionate the culture broth, yielding fractions with high β-glucosidase activity and only 1 visible band on an SDS–PAGE gel. Mass spectrometry analysis of this band gave peptide matches to β-glucosidases from aspergilli. Through a polymerase chain reaction approach using degenerate primers and genome walking, a 2919 bp sequence encoding the 860 amino acid BGL1 polypeptide was determined. BGL1 of A. saccharolyticus has 91% and 82% identity with BGL1 from Aspergillus aculeatus and BGL1 from Aspergillus niger , respectively, both belonging to Glycoside Hydrolase family 3. Homology modeling studies suggested β-glucosidase activity with preserved retaining mechanism and a wider catalytic pocket compared with other β-glucosidases. The bgl1 gene was heterologously expressed in Trichoderma reesei QM6a, purified, and characterized by enzyme kinetics studies. The enzyme can hydrolyze cellobiose, p-nitrophenyl-β-d-glucoside, and cellodextrins. The enzyme showed good thermostability, was stable at 50 °C, and at 60 °C it had a half-life of approximately 6 h.
Characterization of antibiotic-resistant and potentially pathogenic Escherichia coli from soil fertilized with litter of broiler chickens fed antimicrobial-supplemented diets
Authors: Merchant Laura E. , Rempel Heidi , Forge Tom , Kannangara Tissa , Bittman Shabtai , Delaquis Pascal , Topp Edward , Ziebell Kim A. , Diarra Moussa S.
Published: August 2012

The objective of this study was to characterize antimicrobial resistance and virulence determinants of Escherichia coli from soil amended with litter from 36-day-old broiler chickens ( Gallus gallus domesticus ) fed with diets supplemented with a variety of antimicrobial agents. Soil samples were collected from plots before and periodically after litter application in August to measure E. coli numbers. A total of 295 E. coli were isolated from fertilized soil samples between August and March. Antibiotic susceptibility was determined by Sensititre, and polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect the presence of resistance and virulence genes. The results confirmed that E. coli survived and could be quantified by direct plate count for at least 7 months in soil following litter application in August. The effects of feed supplementation were observed on E. coli numbers in November and January. Among the 295 E. coli, the highest antibiotic resistance level was observed against tetracycline and β-lactams associated mainly with the resistance genes tetB and blaCMY-2, respectively. Significant treatment effects were observed for phylogenetic groups, antibiotic resistance profiles, and virulence gene frequencies. Serotyping, phylogenetic grouping, and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis confirmed that multiple-antibiotic-resistant and potentially pathogenic E. coli can survive in soil fertilized with litter for several months regardless of antimicrobials used in the feed.
Phosphate limitation induces sporulation in the chytridiomyceteBlastocladiella emersonii
Authors: Bongiorno Vagner Alexandre , Ferreira da Cruz Angela , Nunis da Silva Antonio , Corrêa Luiz Carlos
Published: August 2012

The cell cycle is controlled by numerous mechanisms that ensure correct cell division. If growth is not possible, cells may eventually promote autophagy, differentiation, or apoptosis. Microorganisms interrupt their growth and differentiate under general nutrient limitation. We analyzed the effects of phosphate limitation on growth and sporulation in the chytridiomycete Blastocladiella emersonii using kinetic data, phase-contrast, and laser confocal microscopy. Under phosphate limitation, zoospores germinated and subsequently formed 2–4 spores, regardless of the nutritional content of the medium. The removal of phosphate at any time during growth induced sporulation of vegetative cells. If phosphate was later added to the same cultures, growth was restored if the cells were not yet committed to sporulation. The cycles of addition and withdrawal of phosphate from growth medium resulted in cycles of germination–growth, germination–sporulation, or germination–growth–sporulation. These results show that phosphate limitation is sufficient to interrupt cell growth and to induce complete sporulation in B. emersonii. We concluded that the determination of growth or sporulation in this microorganism is linked to phosphate availability when other nutrients are not limiting. This result provides a new tool for the dissection of nutrient–energy and signal pathways in cell growth and differentiation.
VARIABLE NEIGHBORHOOD DESCENT FOR THE UNRELATED PARALLEL MACHINE SCHEDULING PROBLEM
Authors: CHARALAMBOUS CHRISTOFOROS , FLESZAR KRZYSZTOF
Published: August 2012

The NP-hard problem of scheduling jobs on unrelated parallel machines with the objective of minimizing the makespan is addressed. A variable neighborhood descent heuristic hybridized with mathematical programming is proposed. A new constructive heuristic is also introduced to seed the search with a solution residing in a promising region. The strength of the approach lies in the adoption of appropriately chosen optimization criteria that avoid early local optimum entrapment and in the hybridization of the heuristic with mathematical programming for the exploration of the large neighborhood structures. Experimental results on a large set of benchmark problem instances attest to the efficacy of the proposed approach.
PREPARATION OF ZnO:Tm, Gd AND ITS FLUORESCENCE PROPERTIES
Authors: DONG LIMIN , LI YOU , LI QIN , SHAN LIANWEI , HAN ZHIDONG , ZHANG XIANYOU
Published: August 2012

ZnO:Tm , Gd materials with high quality blue light emissions were successfully prepared using the chemical co-precipitation method. The surface morphology, composition, crystal structure and fluorescence properties were investigated using the thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). The results showed that the lowest sintering temperature was 580°C; the optimal sintering temperature was 900°C; ZnO:Tm3+ , Gd3+ had two emission peaks: 1 D 2→3 H 4 and 1 G 4→3 H 6; the optimal heat preservation time was 3 h; the proportion of matrix and doping elements was 100:2; and the optimal proportion of Tm and Gd was 3:2.
中国海外移民的根文化建构研究：
Authors: 王春光
Published: August 2012

在移民海外的中国人中，来自温州的一群移民既具有中国移民的普遍性，又有一些地域特点。这里试图从对温州移民的 “根文化” 表达和建构中，去探寻中国移民的文化特性。 “根文化” 是每个族群得以生存和发展的深层文化基础，是 “第二层空气”，在他们的日常生活和社会结构中得以体现和建构。 从温州移民在法国的日常生活和社会结构来看，家文化、国文化、信仰文化是其 “根文化” 的核心，不过其中却缺乏 “社会” 文化，这与中国传统的家国文化以及社会不发达直接关联。 在移民和代际交替过程中，虽然 “根文化” 的具体内容会有所变化，但是总体文化格局在不断建构中得以持续，这是因为它们是移民在移入地与移出地之间获得生存和发展得以依托的生活价值和资源： 一方面确保他们与移出地仍然能维持情感、价值和社会、经济的联系，另一方面也能维持他们在移民地的族群优势和生存资本。由此， 我们认为 “根文化” 是一个对理解和研究移民群体行为具有很好解释力的概念。
STATISTICS OF STATISTICIANS: CRITICAL MASS OF STATISTICS AND OPERATIONAL RESEARCH GROUPS
Authors: KENNA RALPH , BERCHE BERTRAND
Published: August 2012

Using a recently developed model, inspired by mean field theory in statistical physics, and data from the UK's Research Assessment Exercise, we analyse the relationship between the qualities of statistics and operational research groups and the quantities of researchers in them. Similar to other academic disciplines, we provide evidence for a linear dependency of quality on quantity up to an upper critical mass, which is interpreted as the average maximum number of colleagues with whom a researcher can communicate meaningfully within a research group. The model also predicts a lower critical mass, which research groups should strive to achieve to avoid extinction. For statistics and operational research, the lower critical mass is estimated to be 9 ± 3. The upper critical mass, beyond which research quality does not significantly depend on group size, is 17 ± 6.
ESTIMATION OF FLUX BETWEEN INTERACTING NODES ON HUGE INTER-FIRM NETWORKS
Authors: TAMURA KOUTAROU , MIURA WATARU , TAKAYASU MISAKO , TAKAYASU HIDEKI , KITAJIMA SATOSHI , GOTO HAYATO
Published: August 2012

We analyze Japanese inter-firm network data showing scale-free properties as an example of a real complex network. The data contains information on money flow (annual transaction volume) between about 7000 pairs of firms. We focus on this money-flow data and investigate the correlation between various quantities such as sales or link numbers. We find that the flux from a buyer to a supplier is given by the product of the fractional powers of both sales with different exponents. This result indicates that the principle of detailed balance does not hold in the real transport of money; therefore, random walk type transport models such as PageRank are not suitable.
THE ENTROPY OF NON-ERGODIC COMPLEX SYSTEMS — A DERIVATION FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES
Authors: THURNER STEFAN , HANEL RUDOLF
Published: August 2012

In information theory the 4 Shannon-Khinchin1,2 (SK) axioms determine Boltzmann Gibbs entropy, S ~ -∑i pi log pi, as the unique entropy. Physics is different from information in the sense that physical systems can be non-ergodic or non-Markovian. To characterize such strongly interacting, statistical systems – complex systems in particular – within a thermodynamical framework it might be necessary to introduce generalized entropies. A series of such entropies have been proposed in the past decades. Until now the understanding of their fundamental origin and their deeper relations to complex systems remains unclear. To clarify the situation we note that non-ergodicity explicitly violates the fourth SK axiom. We show that by relaxing this axiom the entropy generalizes to, S ~∑i Γ(d + 1, 1 - c log pi), where Γ is the incomplete Gamma function, and c and d are scaling exponents. All recently proposed entropies compatible with the first 3 SK axioms appear to be special cases. We prove that each statistical system is uniquely characterized by the pair of the two scaling exponents (c, d), which defines equivalence classes for all systems. The corresponding distribution functions are special forms of Lambert-W exponentials containing, as special cases, Boltzmann, stretched exponential and Tsallis distributions (power-laws) – all widely abundant in nature. This derivation is the first ab initio justification for generalized entropies. We next show how the phasespace volume of a system is related to its generalized entropy, and provide a concise criterion when it is not of Boltzmann-Gibbs type but assumes a generalized form. We show that generalized entropies only become relevant when the dynamically (statistically) relevant fraction of degrees of freedom in a system vanishes in the thermodynamic limit. These are systems where the bulk of the degrees of freedom is frozen. Systems governed by generalized entropies are therefore systems whose phasespace volume effectively collapses to a lower-dimensional 'surface'. We explicitly illustrate the situation for accelerating random walks, and a spin system on a constant-conectancy network. We argue that generalized entropies should be relevant for self-organized critical systems such as sand piles, for spin systems which form meta-structures such as vortices, domains, instantons, etc., and for problems associated with anomalous diffusion.
The dynamic complexity of formal languages
Authors: Gelade Wouter , Marquardt Marcel , Schwentick Thomas
Published: August 2012

The article investigates the power of the dynamic complexity classes D
yn
FO, D
yn
QF, and D
yn
PROP over string languages. The latter two classes contain problems that can be maintained using quantifier-free first-order updates, with and without auxiliary functions, respectively. It is shown that the languages maintainable in D
yn
PROP are exactly the regular languages, even when allowing arbitrary precomputation. This enables lower bounds for D
yn
PROP and separates D
yn
PROP from D
yn
QF and D
yn
FO. Further, it is shown that any context-free language can be maintained in D
yn
FO and a number of specific context-free languages, for example all Dyck-languages, are maintainable in D
yn
QF. Furthermore, the dynamic complexity of regular tree languages is investigated and some results concerning arbitrary structures are obtained: There exist first-order definable properties which are not maintainable in D
yn
PROP. On the other hand, any existential first-order property can be maintained in D
yn
QF when allowing precomputation.
Permissive-nominal logic
Authors: Dowek Gilles , Gabbay Murdoch J.
Published: August 2012

Permissive-Nominal Logic (PNL) is an extension of first-order predicate logic in which term-formers can bind names in their arguments.

This allows for direct axiomatizations with binders, such as of the λ-binder of the lambda-calculus or the ∀-binder of first-order logic. It also allows us to finitely axiomatize arithmetic, and similarly to axiomatize “nominal” datatypes-with-binding.

Just like first- and higher-order logic, equality reasoning is not necessary to α-rename.

This gives PNL much of the expressive power of higher-order logic, but models and derivations of PNL are first-order in character, and the logic seems to strike a good balance between expressivity and simplicity.
Calculus of cooperation and game-based reasoning about protocol privacy
Authors: More Sara Miner , Naumov Pavel
Published: August 2012

The article introduces a new formal system, the calculus of cooperation, for reasoning about coalitions of players in a certain class of games. The calculus is an extension of the propositional intuitionistic logic that adds a coalition parameter to intuitionistic implication. The system is shown to be sound and complete with respect to a game semantics.

One intended application of the calculus of cooperation is the verification of privacy properties in multiparty computation protocols. The article argues that such properties can be established by providing a set of strategies for a non-zero-sum, perfect information game based on the protocol. It concludes with several examples of such verifications formalized in the calculus of cooperation.
Arithmetic complexity via effective names for random sequences
Authors: Kjos-Hanssen Bjørn , Stephan Frank , Teutsch Jason
Published: August 2012

We investigate enumerability properties for classes of sets which permit recursive, lexicographically increasing approximations, or
left-r.e.
sets. In addition to pinpointing the complexity of left-r.e. Martin-Löf, computably, Schnorr, and Kurtz random sets, weakly 1-generics and their complementary classes, we find that there exist characterizations of the third and fourth levels of the arithmetic hierarchy purely in terms of these notions. More generally, there exists an equivalence between arithmetic complexity and existence of numberings for classes of left-r.e. sets with shift-persistent elements. While some classes (such as Martin-Löf randoms and Kurtz nonrandoms) have left-r.e. numberings, there is no canonical, or
acceptable
, left-r.e. numbering for any class of left-r.e. randoms. Finally, we note some fundamental differences between left-r.e. numberings for sets and reals.
Well-structured program equivalence is highly undecidable
Authors: Goldblatt Robert , Jackson Marcel
Published: August 2012

We show that strict deterministic propositional dynamic logic with intersection is highly undecidable, solving a problem in the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. In fact we show something quite a bit stronger. We introduce the construction of program equivalence, which returns the value ⊤ precisely when two given programs are equivalent on halting computations. We show that virtually any variant of propositional dynamic logic has a Π
1
1
-hard validity problem if it can express even just the equivalence of well-structured programs with the empty program skip. We also show, in these cases, that the set of propositional statements valid over finite models is not recursively enumerable, so there is not even an axiomatization for finitely valid propositions.
Chips go upscale
Authors: Anthes Gary
Published: August 2012

After decades in Flatland, the end of Moore's Law is pushing semiconductors into the third dimension.
Seven lessons from bad history
Authors: Haigh Thomas
Published: August 2012

Journalists, historians, and the invention of email.
Automated prediction
Authors: Zarsky Tal Z.
Published: August 2012

A few predictions about predictions.
Alan and I
Authors: Papadimitriou Christos H.
Published: August 2012

A personal account of Alan Turing's life and impact.
Software needs seatbelts and airbags
Authors: Berger Emery D.
Published: August 2012

Finding and fixing bugs in deployed software is difficult and time-consuming. Here are some alternatives.
Puzzled: Solutions and sources
Authors: Winkler Peter
Published: August 2012

Last month (August 2012) we posted a trio of brainteasers concerning "magic sets." Here, we offer solutions to all three. How did you do?
Internet voting and political participation
Authors: Carter Lemuria , Bélanger France
Published: August 2012

One emerging facet of e-government is Internet voting, or i-voting. I-voting refers to the secure transmission of a ballot via the Internet. This phenomenon has the potential to increase citizen participation in the democratic process. However, few studies have identified the unique characteristics that make i-voting an appealing option. In particular, there Is a need for research that identifies the impacts of both technological and political factors on intentions to use an Internet voting system. In this study, we propose a model inclusive of technological, situational and political factors. To test the model we administer a survey to a diverse pool of citizens with regards to age, income, and education. Results indicate that relative advantage and trust of the Internet impact intentions to use Internet voting, while party mobilization and political interest impact propensity to vote. Further, it was found that perceived Internet accessibility impacts the perceived convenience of voting online, which in turn impacts the perceived relative advantage of online voting. Implications of these findings for research and practice are discussed. We conclude with recommendations for future research. As local and state governments begin to experiment with internet voting, now is the time to identify the Internet-specific characteristics that will attract non-voters and retain habitual voters.
A bricolage perspective on healthcare information systems design
Authors: Teoh Say Yen , Wickramsinghe Nilmini , Pan Shan L.
Published: August 2012

Pressured by escalating costs, continual demand for high quality, and the speed of technological advances, the need for change and improvisation has become a critical priority for the healthcare industry. Now society demands that healthcare providers offer better patient care through the careful use of information technologies. For that, practitioners are urged to expand the boundaries of innovative IS design strategies. Unfortunately, research on healthcare information systems (HIS) improvisation remains relatively underdeveloped. Thus, this study uses the organizational improvisation and bricolage theoretical lenses, from the perspective of a case study, to examine how strategic improvisation might give rise to fruitful HIS novel design performances. Theoretically, we provide an inductively derived strategic conceptual model of improvisation that couples with network, structure, and institutional bricolage to execute a 'resource-time-effort' model. This enables us to improvise a superior HIS that offers quality patient-centric healthcare delivery and a valuable improvisation model. Professionally, this study contributes three key insights for IS improvisation in the healthcare industry.
Formation of Galaxy Clusters
Authors: Kravtsov Andrey V. , Borgani Stefano
Published: August 2012

Formation of galaxy clusters corresponds to the collapse of the largest gravitationally bound overdensities in the initial density field and is accompanied by the most energetic phenomena since the Big Bang and by the complex interplay between gravity-induced dynamics of collapse and baryonic processes associated with galaxy formation. Galaxy clusters are, thus, at the cross-roads of cosmology and astrophysics and are unique laboratories for testing models of gravitational structure formation, galaxy evolution, thermodynamics of the intergalactic medium, and plasma physics. At the same time, their large masses make them a useful probe of growth of structure over cosmological time, thus providing cosmological constraints that are complementary to other probes. In this review, we describe our current understanding of cluster formation: from the general picture of collapse from initial density fluctuations in an expanding Universe to detailed simulations of cluster formation including the effects of galaxy formation. We outline both the areas in which highly accurate predictions of theoretical models can be obtained and areas where predictions are uncertain due to uncertain physics of galaxy formation and feedback. The former includes the description of the structural properties of the dark matter halos hosting clusters, their mass function, and clustering properties. Their study provides a foundation for cosmological applications of clusters and for testing the fundamental assumptions of the standard model of structure formation. The latter includes the description of the total gas and stellar fractions and the thermodynamical and nonthermal processes in the intracluster plasma. Their study serves as a testing ground for galaxy formation models and plasma physics. In this context, we identify a suitable radial range where the observed thermal properties of the intracluster plasma exhibit the most regular behavior and, thus, can be used to define robust observational proxies for the total cluster mass. Finally, we discuss the formation of clusters in nonstandard cosmological models, such as non-Gaussian models for the initial density field and models with modified gravity, along with prospects for testing these alternative scenarios with large cluster surveys in the near future.
Star Formation in the Milky Way and Nearby Galaxies
Authors: Kennicutt Robert C. , Evans Neal J.
Published: August 2012

We review progress over the past decade in observations of large-scale star formation, with a focus on the interface between extragalactic and Galactic studies. Methods of measuring gas contents and star-formation rates are discussed, and updated prescriptions for calculating star-formation rates are provided. We review relations between star formation and gas on scales ranging from entire galaxies to individual molecular clouds.
Synergistic Cytotoxic Effects ofGanoderma lucidumand Bacillus Calmette Guérin on Premalignant Urothelial HUC-PC Cells and Its Regulation on Proinflammatory Cytokine Secretion
Authors: Yuen John Wai-man , Gohel Mayur-Danny I. , Ng Chi-fai
Published: August 2012

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is conventionally used as an adjuvant immunotherapy to reduce the recurrence of bladder cancer. To address the issues of efficacy and safety, an ethanol extract ofGanoderma lucidum(GLe) was evaluated for its interaction with BCG. In a model of premalignant human uroepithelial cells (HUC-PC),GLeexerted immediate cytotoxic effects while BCG showed a delayed response, given that both were immunological active in inducing the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1). Synergistic cytotoxic effects were observed when cells were either coincubated with both drugs or firstly preincubated withGLe. Synergism betweenGLeand BCG was demonstrated to achieve a complete cytostasis in 24 hours, and such effects were progressed in the subsequent 5 days. However, the pretreatment ofGLeresulted in suppression of IL-6, IL-8, and MCP-1 secretions without affecting the cytotoxicity. Given that numerous proinflammatory cytokines are associated with the high side effects toll of BCG, results herein suggested the potential implications of GL to supplement the BCG immunotherapy in bladder cancer, for better efficacy and reducing side effects.
A DES Procedure Applied to a Wall-Mounted Hump
Authors: Bozinoski Radoslav , Davis Roger L.
Published: August 2012

This paper describes a detached-eddy simulation (DES) for the flow over a wall-mounted hump. The Reynolds number based on the hump chord isRec=9.36×105with an in-let Mach number of 0.1. Solutions of the three-dimensional Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) procedure are obtained using the Wilcoxk−ωequations. The DES results are obtained using the model presented by Bush and Mani and are compared with RANS solutions and experimental data from NASA's 2004 Computational Fluid Dynamics Validation on Synthetic Jets and Turbulent Separation Control Workshop. The DES procedure exhibited a three-dimensional flow structure in the wake, with a 13.65% shorter mean separation region compared to RANS and a mean reattachment length that is in good agreement with experimental measurements. DES predictions of the pressure coefficient in the separation region also exhibit good agreement with experiment and are more accurate than RANS predictions.
A Generalization of Mahadevan′s Version of the Krein‐Rutman Theorem and Applications to p‐Laplacian Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Cui Yujun , Sun Jingxian
Published: August 2012

We will present a generalization of Mahadevan’s version of the
Krein‐Rutman theorem for a compact, positively 1‐homogeneous operator on a
Banach space having the properties of being increasing with respect to a cone P
and such that there is a nonzero u ∈ P∖{θ} − P
for which MTpu ≥ u for some
positive constant M and some positive integer p. Moreover, we give some new
results on the uniqueness of positive eigenvalue with positive eigenfunction and
computation of the fixed point index. As applications, the existence of positive
solutions for p‐Laplacian boundary‐value problems is considered under some
conditions concerning the positive eigenvalues corresponding to the relevant
positively 1‐homogeneous operators.
Size and Shape: Morphology's Impact on Human Speed and Mobility
Authors: Wall-Scheffler Cara M.
Published: August 2012

While human sexual dimorphism is generally expected to be the result of differential reproductive strategies, it has the potential to create differences in the energetics of locomotion and the speed at which each morph travels, particularly since people have been shown to choose walking speeds around their metabolic optimum. Here, people of varying sizes walked around a track at four self-selected speeds while their metabolic rate was collected, in order to test whether the size variation within a population could significantly affect the shape of the optimal walking curve. The data show that larger people have significantly faster optimal walking speeds, higher costs at their optimal speed, and a more acute optimal walking curve (thus an increased penalty for walking at suboptimal speeds). Bigger people who also have wider bitrochanteric breadths have lower metabolic costs at their minimum than bigger people with a more narrow bitrochanteric breadth. Finally, tibia length significantly positively predicts optimal walking speed. These results suggest sex-specific walking groups typical of living human populations may be the result of energy maximizing strategies. In addition, testable hypotheses of group strategies are put forth.
Handling Stability of Tractor Semitrailer Based on Handling Diagram
Authors: Yuan-yuan Ren , Xue-lian Zheng , Xian-sheng Li
Published: August 2012

Handling instability is a serious threat to driving safety. In order to analyze the handling stability of a tractor semitrailer, a handling diagram can be used. In our research, considering the impact of multiple nonsteering rear axles and nonlinear characteristics of tires on vehicle handling stability, the handling equations are developed for description of stability of tractor semi‐trailer. Then we obtain handling diagrams so as to study the influence of driving speed, loaded mass, and fifth wheel lead on vehicle handling stability. The analysis results show that the handling stability of a tractor semi‐trailer when the tractor has two nonsteering rear axles is better than that when the tractor has only one nonsteering rear axle. While the stability in the former case is slightly influenced by driving speed and loaded mass, the latter is strongly influenced by both. The fifth wheel lead is found to only slightly influence handling stability for both tractor semi‐trailers. Therefore, to ensure the driving safety of tractor semi‐trailers when the tractor has only one nonsteering rear axle, much stricter restraints should be imposed on driving speed, and the loaded mass must not exceed the rated load of the trailer.
Antitumor Activities of Kushen: Literature Review
Authors: Sun Mingyu , Cao Hongyan , Sun Lin , Dong Shu , Bian Yanqin , Han Jun , Zhang Lijun , Ren Shuang , Hu Yiyang , Liu Chenghai , Xu Lieming , Liu Ping
Published: August 2012

To discover and develop novel natural compounds with therapeutic selectivity or that can preferentially kill cancer cells without significant toxicity to normal cells is an important area in cancer chemotherapy. Kushen, the dried roots ofSophora flavescensAiton, has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine to treat inflammatory diseases and cancer. Kushen alkaloids (KS-As) and kushen flavonoids (KS-Fs) are well-characterized components in kushen. KS-As containing oxymatrine, matrine, and total alkaloids have been developed in China as anticancer drugs. More potent antitumor activities were identified in KS-Fs than in KS-Asin vitroandin vivo. KS-Fs may be developed as novel antitumor agents.
Series Solution of the System of Fuzzy Differential Equations
Authors: Hashemi M. S. , Malekinagad J. , Marasi H. R.
Published: August 2012

The homotopy analysis method (HAM) is proposed to obtain a semianalytical solution of the system of fuzzy differential equations (SFDE). The HAM contains the auxiliary parameterħ, which provides us with a simple way to adjust and control the convergence region of solution series. Concept ofħ-meshes and contour plots firstly are introduced in this paper which are the generations of traditionalh-curves. Convergency of this method for the SFDE has been considered and some examples are given to illustrate the efficiency and power of HAM.
Posterior Semicircular Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo Presenting with Torsional Downbeating Nystagmus: An Apogeotropic Variant
Authors: Vannucchi Paolo , Pecci Rudi , Giannoni Beatrice
Published: August 2012

The aim of this study is to verify the hypothesis that free-floating particles could sometimes localize into the distal portion of the non ampullary arm of the posterior semicircular canal (PSC) so that assuming the Dix-Hallpike’s positions, the clot could move towards the ampulla eliciting a inhibitory torsional-down beating paroxysmal positional nystagmus (PPNy), instead of typical excitatory torsional-up beating PPNy. Among 45 patients with vestibular signs suggesting anterior semicircular canal paroxysmal positional vertigo (PPV), collected from February 2003 to August 2006, we detected a group of 6 subjects whose clinical findings showed a singular behaviour during follow-up. At the first check-up, all patients were submitted to different types of physical manoeuvres for ASC canalolithiasis. Patients were controlled during the same session and after one week. When we found that nystagmus was qualitatively changed we adopted the appropriate physical therapies for that sign. At a next check-up, after having performed some physical therapies, all patients had a typical PSC PPNy of the opposite side, with respect to that of the ASC initially diagnosed. Basing on these observations we conclude that PSC PPV, similarly to lateral semicircular canal PPV, could manifests in a apogeotropic variant.
Thirty Years Later: Pregnancies in Females Perinatally Infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus-1
Authors: Badell Martina L. , Lindsay Michael
Published: August 2012

The first cases of mother to child transmission of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were described more than two decades ago and since then several thousands more have been reported in western countries. In the early 1980s the majority of perinatally acquired HIV children did not survive beyond childhood. However combined antiretroviral therapy (ART) for perinatally HIV-acquired children has prolonged their survival and in the past 2 decades, many have reached adulthood. As the perinatally HIV-infected females become sexually active, they are in turn at risk for pregnancy and of transmitting HIV infection to their children. A considerable proportion of this population appears to engage in unprotected sexual intercourse leading to teenage pregnancies, STDs, and abnormal cervical cytology despite frequent contact with HIV health care providers and clinics. Currently there is a paucity of data regarding pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in HIV perinatally infected women. As increasing number of pregnancies will occur among this population we must continue to monitor and focus on their reproductive health issues to improve perinatal and long-term maternal outcomes. This paper will summarize our current knowledge about reproductive health issues and identify areas for future inquiry.
Validation of the Subchannel Code SUBCHANFLOW Using the NUPEC PWR Tests (PSBT)
Authors: Imke Uwe , Sanchez Victor Hugo
Published: August 2012

SUBCHANFLOW is a computer code to analyze thermal-hydraulic phenomena in the core of pressurized water reactors, boiling water reactors, and innovative reactors operated with gas or liquid metal as coolant. As part of the ongoing assessment efforts, the code has been validated by using experimental data from the NUPEC PWR Subchannel and Bundle Tests (PSBT). The database includes single-phase flow bundle outlet temperature distributions, steady state and transient void distributions and critical power measurements. The performed validation work has demonstrated that the two-phase flow empirical knowledge base implemented in SUBCHANFLOW is appropriate to describe key mechanisms of the experimental investigations with acceptable accuracy.
Integrated Band Intensities of Ethylene (C212H4) by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Lebron G. B. , Tan T. L.
Published: August 2012

The integrated band intensities of ethylene (12C2H4) in the 640–3260 cm−1 region were determined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The infrared absorbance spectra of the ν7 and ν10, ν12, ν7+ν8, ν6+ν10, v11, and ν9 and ν2+ν12 bands of ethylene recorded at a resolution of 0.5 cm−1 were measured at an ambient temperature of 296 K at various vapor pressures ranging from 3×10−5 to 1×10−3 atm to obtain respective Beer-Lambert's law plots. The measured integrated band intensities in cm−1/cm atm were S(ν9andν2+ν12)=112.20±0.24, S(ν11)=55.35±0.14, S(ν12)=41.22±0.30, and S(ν7andν10)=328.66±16.55. In addition, the measured infrared band intensities of the ν7+ν8 and ν6+ν10 combination bands of ethylene are reported for the first time: S(ν7+ν8)=21.701±0.028 cm−1/cm atm and S(ν6+ν10)=2.568±0.025 cm−1/cm atm.
Prenatal Diagnosis of Cystic Hygroma related to a Deletion of 16q24.1 with Haploinsufficiency of FOXF1 and FOXC2 Genes
Authors: Garabedian Matthew J. , Wallerstein Donna , Medina Nubia , Byrne James , Wallerstein Robert J.
Published: August 2012

We report the prenatal diagnosis of cystic hygroma that was subsequently identified to have haploinsufficiency of the FOXF1 and FOXC2 genes via array comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH). Deletion o f these genes has previously neither been associated with cystic hygroma nor prenatally diagnosed. The FOX gene cluster is involved in cardiopulmonary development. This case expands the phenotypic spectrum o f abnormalities of the FOXF1 and FOXC2 genes, as it seems within the spectrum of function that disruption of the FOX gene cluster would lead to include abnormalities of prenatal onset. Identification of this association would not be possible with conventional karyotype or targeted aCGH. This case highlights the power of whole genomic aCGH to further delineate the etiology of birth defects.
Bone Mineral Density in Spinal Cord Injury: An Evaluation of the Distal Femur
Authors: Gaspar Alexandra Passos , Lazaretti-Castro Marise , Brandão Cynthia M. A.
Published: August 2012

Osteoporosis (OP) in spinal cord injury (SCI) patients is a secondary process in which numerous factors are involved. Diagnosing OP and the threshold for fractures in this population, based on bone mineral density (BMD) measured by double energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), is still a challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral loss by DXA, its relationship with body composition and fracture incidence, in complete paraplegics patients, compared with aged-matched controls; we include a nonstandard bone site, the distal femur, and describe the technical and practical aspects of this procedure. Twenty-five SCI patients were included in the study and 17 subjects as control group. No prior or recent fractures were observed in X-ray analysis. The BMD of all femoral sites was significantly lower in patients than in controls (femoral neck, total femur, and distal femur); no difference was observed between BMD of the lumbar spine of patients and controls. We found inverse relationship between time of SCI and bone mineral mass only for distal femur BMD. We conclude that the distal femur is a more sensitive bone site for assessing bone loss by DXA, in SCI patients, than the proximal femoral sites.
Optimality Condition‐Based Sensitivity Analysis of Optimal Control for Hybrid Systems and Its Application
Authors: Song Chunyue
Published: August 2012

Gradient‐based algorithms are efficient to compute numerical solutions of optimal control problems for hybrid systems (OCPHS), and the key point is how to get the sensitivity analysis of the optimal control problems. In this paper, optimality condition‐based sensitivity analysis of optimal control for hybrid systems with mode invariants and control constraints is addressed under a priori fixed mode transition order. The decision variables are the mode transition instant sequence and admissible continuous control functions. After equivalent transformation of the original problem, the derivatives of the objective functional with respect to control variables are established based on optimal necessary conditions. By using the obtained derivatives, a control vector parametrization method is implemented to obtain the numerical solution to the OCPHS. Examples are given to illustrate the results.
Age-Related Decline in Controlled Retrieval: The Role of the PFC and Sleep
Authors: Wilckens Kristine A. , Erickson Kirk I. , Wheeler Mark E.
Published: August 2012

Age-related cognitive impairments often include difficulty retrieving memories, particularly those that rely on executive control. In this paper we discuss the influence of the prefrontal cortex on memory retrieval, and the specific memory processes associated with the prefrontal cortex that decline in late adulthood. We conclude that preretrieval processes associated with preparation to make a memory judgment are impaired, leading to greater reliance on postretrieval processes. This is consistent with the view that impairments in executive control significantly contribute to deficits in controlled retrieval. Finally, we discuss age-related changes in sleep as a potential mechanism that contributes to deficiencies in executive control that are important for efficient retrieval. The sleep literature points to the importance of slow-wave sleep in restoration of prefrontal cortex function. Given that slow-wave sleep significantly declines with age, we hypothesize that age-related changes in slow-wave sleep could mediate age-related decline in executive control, manifesting a robust deficit in controlled memory retrieval processes. Interventions, like physical activity, that improve sleep could be effective methods to enhance controlled memory processes in late life.