bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Overview and Performance Analysis of Ad-Hoc on-Demand Distance Vector Routing Protocol
Authors: Khan Jahangir
Published: March 2012

Ad-Hoc on demand distance vector routing protocol (AODV) is a reactive routing protocol in the arena of mobile ad-hoc network. In order to concentrate on the performance in ad-hoc networks, one must pay attention to the technological advancements and applications of MANETS, going on the track of 3G and has the potential to make a tremendous stance in 5G. In evolutionary view, 5G will be capable of supporting Wireless World Wide Web (WWWW), allowing high flexibility in dynamic ad-hoc networks. This intelligent technology is capable of interconnecting the entire world without limitations. AODV can make a very good contribution in 3G-5G technologies in order to prove its correctness and performance evolution in MANETS routing protocols. The objective of this Master’s research is to extend and evaluate proposed routing protocol to be suitable for mobile ad hoc networks. In order to improve performance and selecting the packet delivery fraction, end-to-end delay and also route discovery frequency should be compared with global statistics frequencies. The correctness and performance evaluation of the proposed protocol should be done theoretically and implemented through simulation, using OPNET simulator to improve routing performance and end to end data delivery.
Security Threats and Issues with MANET
Authors: Singh Sudha
Published: March 2012

In recent years, mobile ad hoc networks have received tremendous attention because of their self configuration capabilities. Although security has long been an active research topic in wireless networks, the unique characteristics of MANETs present a new set of non trivial challenges to security design. These challenges include open network architecture, shared wireless medium, stringent resource constraints, and highly dynamic network topology. Consequently, the existing security solutions for wired networks do not directly apply to the MANET domain. The ultimate goal of the security solution for MANET is to provide security services, such as authentication, confidentiality, integrity, anonymity, and availability to the mobile users. One distinguishing characteristics of MANETs from the security design perspective is the lack of a clear line of defense. The wireless channel is accessible to both legitimate network users and malicious attackers. There is no well defined place where traffic monitoring or access control mechanisms can be deployed. As a result, the boundary that separates the inside network from the outside world becomes blurred.
Security Aware Routing Protocols for Mobile Ad hoc Networks
Authors: Ali M.S. , Jawandhiya P.M.
Published: March 2012

An ad hoc network is the cooperative engagement of a collection of mobile nodes without the required intervention of any centralized access point or existing infrastructure. There is an increasing trend to adopt ad hoc networking for commercial user; however, their main applications lie in military, tactical, and other security-sensitive operations. In these and other applications of ad hoc networking, secure routing is an important issue. Designing a foolproof security protocol for ad hoc network is a challenging task due to its unique characteristics, such as lack of central authority, frequent topology changes, rapid node mobility, shared radio channel, and limited availability of resources. A number of protocols have been proposed for secure routing. However, most of these protocols are either proactive or reactive in approach. Both the approaches have their own limitations; for example, the proactive protocols use excess bandwidth in maintaining the routing information, while the reactive ones have long route request delay.
Data Fusion in Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Agrawal Lalit , Kumar Alok , Nagori Jaya , Varma Shirshu
Published: March 2012

Many strategies have been devised over the years for improving performance of wireless sensor networks with special consideration to energy efficiency, accuracy of the sensed data, increasing network lifetime, providing QoS, et cetera. Such techniques include design of various MAC protocols, routing algorithms, aggregation techniques, and many more. Data fusion has been developed to be one of such techniques that has a span of benefits across all the above mentioned performance criteria. The basic concept of data fusion is to apply various mathematical concepts on the raw sensor data to achieve an output with better fidelity and accuracy. Various mathematical, signal processing, and probabilistic techniques can be implemented to fuse the data. This might be done for decreasing the volume of the data, improving the precision of the data, deriving an inference from the raw data that was not present earlier, and many other similar functions. The motive of this chapter is to introduce data fusion and why it is important in case of wireless sensor networks. Further, it classifies data fusion, explains the major techniques, models, as well as the implementation aspects of data fusion, and concludes with the challenges and limitations posed for data fusion to be useful.
Agility Improvement in Cognitive Radio under Bluetooth Paradigm Using Ant Colony Metaphor
Authors: Darwish Ashraf
Published: March 2012

Cognitive radio is a paradigm for wireless communication in which either network or wireless node itself changes particular transmission or reception parameters to execute its tasks efficiently. This parameter alteration is based on observations of several factors from external and internal cognitive radio environment, such as radio frequency spectrum, user behavior, and network state. The chapter presents the relationship between cognitive radio and ant colony. The bio-inspired cognitive radio algorithm is presented.
Do You Need a Content Management System?
Authors: Polgar Jana
Published: March 2012

Today the Web is used as a means to allow people and business to use services, get information and conduct transactions. Businesses today depend upon their visibility in their respective marketplaces and provision of e-services to customers. The Internet has become an important delivery mechanism of business visibility. Internet also significantly extends businesses capabilities to sell and buy worldwide. Therefore, the company website plays important role in maintaining and extending the business opportunities over the Internet.
WSRP, SOA and UDDI
Authors: Polgar Tony
Published: March 2012

Web Services for Remote Portlets (WSRP) provide solutions for implementation of lightweight Service Oriented Architecture (SOA). UDDI extension for WSRP enables the discovery and access to user facing web services provided by business partners while eliminating the need to design local user facing portlets. Most importantly, the remote portlets can be updated by web service providers from their own servers. Remote portlet consumers are not required to make any changes in their portals to accommodate updated remote portlets. This approach results in easier team development, upgrades, administration, low cost development and usage of shared resources. Furthermore, with the growing interest in SOA, WSRP should cooperate with service bus (ESB).In this paper, the author examines the technical underpinning of the UDDI extensions for WSRP (user facing remote web services) and their role in service sharing among business partners. The author also briefly outlines the architectural view of using WSRP in enterprise integration tasks and the role Enterprise Service Bus (ESB).
How Thick Is Your Client?
Authors: Young Ed , Jessopp Michael
Published: March 2012

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) is a measure of the revenue generated by users of a particular business service. It is a term most commonly used by consumer communications and networking businesses. For mobile devices, they generate ARPU through network and content services (value-added services) that they make accessible to the user. The more accessible these services are the greater the ARPU generated. The harder something is to find, the less likely someone is to use it. This paper explores the potential continuum between ARPU and service discoverability for mobile services by comparing and contrasting various technologies with respect to development, user experience, security, and commercialisation.
Impact of Web Portal Announcements on Market Valuations
Authors: Gupta Manish , Sharman Raj
Published: March 2012

Organizations providing enhanced electronic services to their customers have exponentially increased in past years. The benefits of web-portals to companies and to customers are well evident and are considered an IT artifact manifested in entry points to Internet-based information presentation and exchange by communities of common interest. Despite much research done on the benefits of web portals to companies, no research exists that focuses on impact of adoption of web-portals on a company’s market valuation. In this paper, the authors look into impact of web-portal announcements on company’s stock prices (market value). Using event-study methodology, they provide empirical evidence on the effect of announcements of web portals on the market valuation of the company for a sample of 25 publicly traded companies in 2008. The study examines stock data to access investors and shareholders’ reactions to web portal announcements. Results indicate that web portal announcements significantly and positively influence investors’ perceptions toward financial worth and future prospects of the company. The authors discuss these findings in detail and present implications for both research and practice. Findings offer insight that can be used by managers and executives in understanding the role and effect of a companies’ market value.
Toward a Quality-of-Service Framework for Peer-to-Peer Applications
Authors: Gupta Ankur , Awasthi Lalit K.
Published: March 2012

P2P networks have caught the imagination of the research community and application developers with their sheer scalability and fault-tolerance characteristics. However, only content-sharing applications based on the P2P concept have reached the desired level of maturity. The potential of the P2P concept for designing the next-generation of real-world distributed applications can be realized only if a comprehensive framework quantifying the performance related aspects of all classes of P2P applications is available. Researchers have proposed some QoS (Quality-of-Service) parameters for content-sharing P2P applications based on response time and delay, but these do not cover the gamut of application domains that the P2P concept is applicable to. Hence, this research paper proposes an early QoS framework covering various classes of P2P applications; content distribution, distributed computing and communication and collaboration. Early results from the prototype implementation of the Peer Enterprises framework (a cross-organizational P2P collaborative application) are used as a basis for formulation of the QoS parameters. The individual performance measures which comprise the QoS framework are also discussed in detail along with some thoughts on how these can be complied with. The proposed framework would hopefully lead to quantifiable Service-Level Agreements for a variety of peer-to-peer services and applications.
Collaborative e-Learning and ICT Tools to Develop SME Managers
Authors: Giambona Genoveffa (Jeni) , Birchall David W.
Published: March 2012

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create a dynamic and successful European economy. Existing skill deficiencies in sales, management and administrative staff are adversely affecting competitiveness in almost a third of those small firms surveyed (Bolden, 2001, 2007). Additionally, attending face-to-face and classroom-based development courses is problematic for time-poor SME managers. Thanks to the development of new technologies online learning is becoming commonplace due to wireless and mobile devices, together with the Internet boom, are providing the infrastructure necessary to support the development of new learning forms. Collaborative learning, especially as represented by an action learning approach, would seem ideal for SME managers. But can collaborative learning be adopted as a blanket approach in the case of SME managers? Or should one first take into account the contextual influences on learning, networking and collaboration?
OBIRE
Authors: Liu Xiangyu , Li Maozhen , Liu Yang , Qi Man
Published: March 2012

It has been widely recognized that bibliographic information plays an increasingly important role for scientific research. Peer-to-peer (P2P) networks provide an effective environment for people belonging to a community to share various resources on the Internet. This paper presents OBIRE, an ontology based P2P network for bibliographic information retrieval. For a user query, OBIRE computes the degree of matches to indicate the similarity of a published record to the query. When searching for information, users can incorporate their domain knowledge into their queries which guides OBIRE to discover the bibliographic records that are of most interest of users. In addition, fuzzy logic based user recommendations are used to compute the trustiness of a set of keywords used by a bibliographic record which assists users in selecting bibliographic records. OBIRE is evaluated from the aspects of precision and recall, and experimental results show the effectiveness of OBIRE in bibliographic information retrieval.
Impaired IL-17 Signaling Pathway Contributes to the Increased Collagen Expression in Scleroderma Fibroblasts
Authors: Nakashima Taiji , Jinnin Masatoshi , Yamane Keitaro , Honda Noritoshi , Kajihara Ikko , Makino Takamitsu , Masuguchi Shinichi , Fukushima Satoshi , Okamoto Yoshinobu , Hasegawa Minoru , Fujimoto Manabu , Ihn Hironobu
Published: March 2012

Among IL-17 families, IL-17A and IL-17F share amino acid sequence similarity and bind to IL-17R type A. IL-17 signaling is implicated in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases, but its role in the regulatory mechanism of extracellular matrix expression and its contribution to the phenotype of systemic sclerosis (SSc) both remain to be elucidated. This study revealed that IL-17A expression was significantly increased in the involved skin and sera of SSc patients, whereas the IL-17F levels did not increase. In contrast, the expression of IL-17R type A in SSc fibroblasts significantly decreased in comparison with that in normal fibroblasts, due to the intrinsic TGF-β1 activation in these cell types. Moreover, IL-17A, not IL-17F, reduced the protein expression of α1(I) collagen and connective tissue growth factor. miR-129-5p, one of the downregulated microRNAs in SSc fibroblasts, increased due to IL-17A and mediated the α1(I) collagen reduction. These results suggest that IL-17A signaling, not IL-17F, has an antifibrogenic effect via the upregulation of miR-129-5p and the downregulation of connective tissue growth factor and α1(I) collagen. IL-17A signaling is suppressed due to the downregulation of the receptor by the intrinsic activation of TGF-β1 in SSc fibroblasts, which may amplify the increased collagen accumulation and fibrosis characteristic of SSc. Increased IL-17A levels in the sera and involved skin of SSc may be due to negative feedback. Clarifying the novel regulatory mechanisms of fibrosis by the cytokine network consisting of TGF-β and IL-17A may lead to a new therapeutic approach for this disease.
Protein Kinase C-θ Is Required for Murine Neutrophil Recruitment and Adhesion Strengthening under Flow
Authors: Bertram Anna , Zhang Hong , von Vietinghoff Sibylle , de Pablo Carmen , Haller Hermann , Shushakova Nelli , Ley Klaus
Published: March 2012

Protein kinase C (PKC)-θ is involved in T cell activation via regulating the avidity of the β2 integrin LFA-1 in the immunological synapse. LFA-1 also mediates leukocyte adhesion. To investigate the role of PKC-θ in neutrophil adhesion, we performed intravital microscopy in cremaster venules of mice reconstituted with bone marrow from LysM-GFP+ (wild-type [WT]) and PKC-θ gene-deficient (Prkcq−/−) mice. Following stimulation with CXCL1, both WT and Prkcq−/− cells became adherent. Although most WT neutrophils remained adherent for at least 180 s, 50% of Prkcq−/− neutrophils were detached after 105 s and most by 180 s. Upon CXCL1 injection, rolling of all WT neutrophils stopped for 90 s, but rolling of Prkcq−/− neutrophils started 30 s after CXCL1 stimulation. A similar neutrophil adhesion defect was seen in vitro, and spreading of Prkcq−/− neutrophils was delayed. Prkcq−/− neutrophil recruitment was impaired in fMLP-induced transmigration into the cremaster muscle, thioglycollate-induced peritonitis, and LPS-induced lung injury. We conclude that PKC-θ mediates integrin-dependent neutrophil functions and is required to sustain neutrophil adhesion in postcapillary venules in vivo. These findings suggest that the role of PKC-θ in outside–in signaling following engagement of neutrophil integrins is relevant for inflammation in vivo.
A Unique Role for ITK in Survival of Invariant NKT Cells Associated with the p53-Dependent Pathway in Mice
Authors: Qi Qian , Huang Weishan , Bai Yuting , Balmus Gabriel , Weiss Robert S. , August Avery
Published: March 2012

Invariant NKT (iNKT) cells play important roles in the immune response. ITK and TXK/RLK are Tec family kinases that are expressed in iNKT cells; the expression level of ITK is ∼7-fold higher than that of TXK. Itk−/− mice have reduced iNKT cell frequency and numbers, with defects in development and cytokine secretion that are exacerbated in Itk/Txk double-knockout mice. In contrast, there is no iNKT cell defect in Txk−/− mice. To determine whether ITK and TXK play distinct roles in iNKT cell development and function, we examined mice that overexpress TXK in T cells at levels similar to Itk. Overexpression of TXK rescues the maturation and cytokine secretion of Itk−/− iNKT cells, as well as altered expression of transcription factors T-bet, eomesodermin, and PLZF. In contrast, the increased apoptosis observed in Itk−/− splenic iNKT cells is not affected by TXK overexpression, likely due to the lack of effect on the elevated expression of p53 regulated proapoptotic pathways Fas, Bax, and Bad in those cells. Supporting this idea, p53−/− and Bax−/− mice have increased splenic iNKT cells. Our results suggest that TXK plays an overlapping role with ITK in iNKT cell development and function but that ITK also has a unique function in the survival of iNKT cells, likely via a p53-dependent pathway.
The E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Adaptor Ndfip1 Regulates Th17 Differentiation by Limiting the Production of Proinflammatory Cytokines
Authors: Ramon Hilda E. , Beal Allison M. , Liu Yuhong , Worthen George Scott , Oliver Paula M.
Published: March 2012

Ndfip1 is an adaptor for the E3 ubiquitin ligase Itch. Both Ndfip1- and Itch-deficient T cells are biased toward Th2 cytokine production. In this study, we demonstrate that lungs from Ndfip1−/− mice showed increased numbers of neutrophils and Th17 cells. This was not because Ndfip1−/− T cells are biased toward Th17 differentiation. In fact, fewer Ndfip1−/− T cells differentiated into Th17 cells in vitro due to high IL-4 production. Rather, Th17 differentiation was increased in Ndfip1−/− mice due to increased numbers of IL-6–producing eosinophils. IL-6 levels in mice that lacked both Ndfip1 and IL-4 were similar to wild-type controls, and these mice had fewer Th17 cells in their lungs. These results indicate that Th2 inflammation, such as that observed in Ndfip1−/− mice, can increase Th17 differentiation by recruiting IL-6–producing eosinophils into secondary lymphoid organs and tissues. This may explain why Th17 cells develop within an ongoing Th2 inflammatory response.
The importance of anthropometry, physical and motor skills, sport specific testing and sports vision techniques in the evaluation of adult male rugby.
Authors: Gray S. , Henning E. , Kleynhans M. , Grobbelaar Craig , Terblanche H. , Crafford Dalene , Du Toit Peet
Published: March 2012

Sport has become an increasingly competitive field of expertise, thus it is imperative that an athlete is able to perform at the highest level possible at all times. Many coaches and athletes are under the falseimpression that performance is solely determined by physical capabilities and as a result, theyfail to account for compounding factors such as: fitness levels, visual skills, body composition, nutritional status and the lifestyle habits of the athletes.
Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever in Trinidad and Tobago: A Case for a Conservative Approach to Platelet Transfusion
Authors: Sharma Anu , Charles Kenneth , Chadee Dave , Teelucksingh Surujpaul
Published: March 2012

Dengue fever is endemic to Trinidad and Tobago. A retrospective analysis of all adult admissions at a tertiary hospital in Trinidad treated for dengue during January 1–December 31, 2008 was performed. A total of 186 patients were treated during this period: 98.9% (184) of the patients were thrombocytopenic; 45.2% were severely thrombocytopenic; 13 patients showed development of minor hemorrhage and only one case of major hemorrhage; platelet transfusion was given for 7% (13) of the cases; and 6 cases for which platelet transfusion was given did not show evidence of plasma leakage (12 of these cases did not show evidence of hemorrhage). There was a strong association between the lowest platelet value and hemoconcentration (χ2 = 13.16, P < 0.025). No association was found between giving a platelet transfusion and hemoconcentration or hemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia seen in dengue resolves spontaneously and independent of any transfusion used.
The Economic Value of a Visceral Leishmaniasis Vaccine in Bihar State, India
Authors: Lee Bruce Y. , Bacon Kristina M. , Shah Mirat , Kitchen Sara Beth , Connor Diana L. , Slayton Rachel B.
Published: March 2012

Visceral leishmaniasis (VL) is responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality and current available treatments have many limitations. The ability of VL infection to generate life-long immunity offers promise for the development of a VL vaccine. A VL vaccine candidate has recently completed phase I clinical trials. We constructed a computer simulation model to determine the potential economic value of a VL vaccine in the endemic region of Bihar state, India. Results found a potential vaccine to be cost-effective (and in many cases economically dominant, i.e., saving costs and providing health benefits) throughout a wide range of vaccination costs and vaccine efficacies, and VL risks. Overall, our study strongly supports the continued development of a VL vaccine.
Identification of a Western Blot Pattern for the Specific Diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi Infection in Human Sera
Authors: Riera Cristina , Verges Mireia , Iniesta Laura , Fisa Roser , Gállego Montserrat , Tebar Silvia , Portús Montserrat
Published: March 2012

A Western blot (WB) method using a lysate from Trypanosoma cruzi (Maracay strain) epimastigotes was evaluated. Serum samples from 37 patients with confirmed Chagas disease (cohort I), 27 Spanish patients with visceral leishmaniasis caused by Leishmania infantum (cohort II), and 28 Colombian patients with cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by L. panamensis and negative serology for Chagas disease (cohort III) were tested. The negative controls were 55 healthy seronegative subjects for T. cruzi and Leishmania; 28 of the negative controls were from a region endemic for Chagas disease and Leishmania (cohort IV), and 27 of the negative controls were from a non-endemic area for Leishmania and T. cruzi (cohort V). A homogeneous standard band pattern consisting of six antigenic bands corresponding to 28, 32, 38, 39, 40, and 48 kDa was recognized simultaneously for all Chagasic patients' sera. Sera from Leishmania-infected patients showed a heterogeneous band pattern that was easily differentiated from the pattern of patients with Chagas disease. WB with T. cruzi epimastigote antigen is an efficient method for diagnosis and may be used as an alternative to confirm T. cruzi and detect cross-reactivity with Leishmania.
Mosquito Infection Studies with Aotus Monkeys and Humans Infected with the Chesson Strain of Plasmodiun vivax
Authors: Collins William E. , Sullivan JoAnn S. , Jeffery Geoffrey M. , Nace Douglas , Williams Tyrone , Galland G. Gale , Williams Allison , Barnwell John W.
Published: March 2012

Oocyst counts were compared between mosquitoes that fed on humans versus mosquitoes that fed on Aotus monkeys, both of which were infected with the Chesson strain of Plasmodium vivax. Oocyst counts obtained from mosquitoes fed on humans were almost 10-fold higher in number. Mosquitoes were more likely to be infected and with a higher rate of infection when they fed on monkeys before the peak in the asexual parasite count. Mosquitoes that fed on humans were more likely to be more heavily infected when fed after the peak in the asexual count. Of several species of owl monkeys, Aotus vociferans was infected at a higher frequency. On the basis of oocyst counts, Anopheles dirus were the most susceptible and An. maculatus were the least susceptible of the mosquito species tested.
Epidemiological and Clinical Changes in American Tegumentary Leishmaniasis in an Area of Leishmania (Viannia) braziliensis Transmission Over a 20-Year Period
Authors: Jirmanus Lara , Glesby Marshall J. , Guimarães Luiz H. , Lago Ednaldo , Rosa Maria Elisa , Machado Paulo R. , Carvalho Edgar M.
Published: March 2012

The Health Post of Corte de Pedra is located in a region endemic for American tegumentary leishmaniasis (ATL) in the Brazilian state of Bahia, and it treats 500–1,300 patients annually. To describe temporal changes in the epidemiology of ATL, we reviewed a random sample of 10% of patient charts (N = 1,209) from 1988 to 2008. There was a twofold increase in the number of cases over the 20-year period, with fluctuations in 10-year cycles. Patients were most frequently male, between the ages of 10 and 30 years, and engaged in agricultural labor; 4.3% of patients had mucosal disease, and 2.4% of patients had disseminated disease. Over the study period, the number of disseminated cases increased threefold, the proportion of cases in younger patients and agricultural workers decreased, and the proportion of patients residing in coastal areas increased. ATL is on the rise in Bahia, with a 10-year periodicity and evolving changes in epidemiology and manifestations of disease.
Severe Dengue Virus Infection in Pediatric Travelers Visiting Friends and Relatives after Travel to the Caribbean
Authors: Krishnan Nivedita , Purswani Murli , Hagmann Stefan
Published: March 2012

Of eight children given a diagnosis of dengue, a complicated course developed in three (38%), including one infant with dengue shock syndrome. Children visiting friends and relatives in dengue-endemic regions are at risk for severe dengue-associated morbidity. Children of families originally from these locations may benefit from pre-travel advice and may represent candidates for a future dengue vaccine.
Accuracy of a Commercial IgM ELISA for the Diagnosis of Human Leptospirosis in Thailand
Authors: Desakorn Varunee , Wuthiekanun Vanaporn , Thanachartwet Vipa , Sahassananda Duangjai , Chierakul Wirongrong , Apiwattanaporn Apichat , Day Nicholas P. , Limmathurotsakul Direk , Peacock Sharon J.
Published: March 2012

The Leptospira immunoglobulin M enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (IgM ELISA) has been recommended for the rapid diagnosis of leptospirosis in endemic areas. We conducted a retrospective case-control study of 218 patients (109 leptospirosis cases confirmed by Leptospira culture and/or microscopic agglutination test and 109 control patients with acute febrile illness) to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of a commercial IgM ELISA (Panbio) in northeast Thailand. Paired serum samples taken on admission and at least 10 days after the onset of symptoms were tested. Using the cutoff value recommended by the manufacturer (11 Panbio units), sensitivity and specificity of IgM ELISA on paired sera were 90.8% and 55.1%. A receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cutoff value. This was 20 Panbio units, which gave a sensitivity and specificity of 76.1% and 82.6%, respectively, on paired sera. We conclude that using either cutoff value, the accuracy of IgM ELISA is limited in our setting.
Efficacy of a Single Oral Dose of Oxfendazole against Fasciola hepatica in Naturally Infected Sheep
Authors: Gomez-Puerta Luis A. , Gavidia Cesar , Lopez-Urbina Maria T. , Garcia Hector H. , Gonzalez Armando E. , _ _
Published: March 2012

The efficacy of a single oral dose of 30 mg/kg of oxfendazole against Fasciola hepatica was evaluated in a controlled study in naturally infected sheep. Sheep were diagnosed by stool microscopy after sedimentation, and positive animals were randomized to oxfendazole (N = 20) or no treatment (N = 20). A new stool exam was performed 10 days after treatment. All stool microscopies were performed masked to the treatment group. No side effects were noticed. All sheep in the control group remained infected with similar counts of eggs per gram of stools. None of the animals in the treatment group showed Fasciola eggs in stools after 10 days of treatment. A single dose of oxfendazole is highly effective against F. hepatica, providing a new drug alternative for the control of fascioliasis or integrated zoonosis control.
Leishmaniasis in the United States: Treatment in 2012
Authors: Murray Henry W.
Published: March 2012

Although civilian physicians in the United States seldom encounter patients with leishmaniasis, therapeutic advances in endemic regions have opened the door to approaches that can be applied in this country. Advances revolve around the use of oral miltefosine in all forms of leishmaniasis and the use of short-course intravenous liposomal amphotericin B in visceral and possibly cutaneous infection. Lengthy, traditional intravenous treatment with pentavalent antimony (sodium stibogluconate) still has a role in the United States; however, although expensive, miltefosine and liposomal amphotericin B are considerably more appealing selections for initial therapy.
Distribution and origin of suspended sediments and organic carbon pools in the Tana River Basin, Kenya
Authors: Tamooh F. , Van den Meersche K. , Meysman F. , Marwick T. R. , Borges A. V. , Merckx R. , Dehairs F. , Schmidt S. , Nyunja J. , Bouillon S.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. We studied patterns in organic carbon pools and their origin in the Tana River Basin (Kenya), in February 2008 (dry season), September–November 2009 (wet season), and June–July 2010 (end of wet season), and covering the full continuum from headwater streams to lowland mainstream sites. A consistent downstream increase in total suspended matter (TSM, 0.6 to 7058 mg l−1) and particulate organic carbon (POC, 0.23 to 119.8 mg l−1) was observed during all three sampling campaigns, particularly pronounced below 1000 m above sea level, indicating that most particulate matter exported towards the coastal zone originated from the mid and low altitude zones rather than from headwater regions. This indicates that the cascade of hydroelectrical reservoirs act as an extremely efficient particle trap. The decrease in 7Be/210Pbxs ratios of TSM downstream (range: 0.43 to 1.93) during the wet season indicated that the increasing sediment load in the lower Tana was largely due to recent surface erosion. During lower flow conditions, however, the gradual longitudinal increase in TSM coincided was more variable 7Be/210Pbxs ratios (0 to 4.5), suggesting that bank erosion and/or remobilisation of older sediments are the sources of the increasing TSM concentrations downstream. With the exception of reservoir waters, POC was predominantly of terrestrial origin as indicated by generally high POC/Chl-a ratios (up to ∼ 41 000). Stable isotope signatures of POC (δ13CPOC) ranged between –32 and –20 ‰ and increased downstream, reflecting an increasing contribution of C4-derived carbon in combination with an expected shift in δ13C for C3 vegetation towards the more semi-arid lowlands. Sediments from the main reservoir (Masinga) showed δ13C values higher (–19.5 to –15.7 ‰ than found in any of the riverine samples, indicating selective retention of particles associated with C4 fraction. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) concentrations were highest during the end of wet season (2.1 to 6.9 mg l−1), with a stable isotope signatures generally between –28 and –22 ‰. A consistent downstream decrease in % organic carbon (% OC) was observed for both soils, riverine sediments, and suspended matter; likely due to better preservation of the organic fraction in colder high altitude regions, with loss of carbon during downstream spiraling. Both δ13C values for soil and sediment did not exhibit clear altitudinal patterns, but values reflect the full spectrum from C3-dominated to C4-dominated sites. Very low ratios of organic carbon to mineral surface area (OC:SA) were found in reservoir sediments and suspended matter in the lower Tana River, indicating that these are stable OC pools which have undergone extensive degradation.
Accounting for seasonality in a soil moisture change detection algorithm for ASAR Wide Swath time series
Authors: Van doninck J. , Peters J. , Lievens H. , De Baets B. , Verhoest N. E. C.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. A change detection algorithm is applied on a three year time series of ASAR Wide Swath images in VV polarization over Calabria, Italy, in order to derive information on temporal soil moisture dynamics. The algorithm, adapted from an algorithm originally developed for ERS scatterometer, was validated using a simple hydrological model incorporating meteorological and pedological data. Strong positive correlations between modelled soil moisture and ASAR soil moisture were observed over arable land, while the correlation became much weaker over more vegetated areas. In a second phase, an attempt was made to incorporate seasonality in the different model parameters. It was observed that seasonally changing surface properties mainly affected the multitemporal incidence angle normalization. When applying a seasonal angular normalization, correlation coefficients between modelled soil moisture and retrieved soil moisture increased overall. Attempts to account for seasonality in the other model parameters did not result in an improved performance.
Estimating ice phenology on large northern lakes from AMSR-E: algorithm development and application to Great Bear Lake and Great Slave Lake, Canada
Authors: Kang K.-K. , Duguay C. R. , Howell S. E. L.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. Time series of brightness temperatures (TB) from the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer–Earth Observing System (AMSR-E) are examined to determine ice phenology variables on the two largest lakes of northern Canada: Great Bear Lake (GBL) and Great Slave Lake (GSL). TB measurements from the 18.7, 23.8, 36.5, and 89.0 GHz channels (H- and V- polarization) are compared to assess their potential for detecting freeze-onset/melt-onset and ice-on/ice-off dates on both lakes. The 18.7 GHz (H-pol) channel is found to be the most suitable for estimating these ice dates as well as the duration of the ice cover and ice-free seasons. A new algorithm is proposed using this channel and applied to map all ice phenology variables on GBL and GSL over seven ice seasons (2002–2009). Analysis of the spatio-temporal patterns of each variable at the pixel level reveals that: (1) both freeze-onset and ice-on dates occur on average about one week earlier on GBL than on GSL (Day of Year (DY) 318 and 333 for GBL; DY 328 and 343 for GSL); (2) the freeze-up process or freeze duration (freeze-onset to ice-on) takes a slightly longer amount of time on GBL than on GSL (about 1 week on average); (3) melt-onset and ice-off dates occur on average one week and approximately four weeks later, respectively, on GBL (DY 143 and 183 for GBL; DY 135 and 157 for GSL); (4) the break-up process or melt duration (melt-onset to ice-off) lasts on average about three weeks longer on GBL; and (5) ice cover duration estimated from each individual pixel is on average about three weeks longer on GBL compared to its more southern counterpart, GSL. A comparison of dates for several ice phenology variables derived from other satellite remote sensing products (e.g. NOAA Interactive Multisensor Snow and Ice Mapping System (IMS), QuikSCAT, and Canadian Ice Service Database) show that, despite its relatively coarse spatial resolution, AMSR-E 18.7 GHz provides a viable means for monitoring of ice phenology on large northern lakes.
Coupling of climate models and ice sheet models by surface mass balance gradients: application to the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Helsen M. M. , van de Wal R. S. W. , van den Broeke M. R. , van de Berg W. J. , Oerlemans J.
Published: March 2012

Abstract. It is notoriously difficult to couple surface mass balance (SMB) results from climate models to the changing geometry of an ice sheet model. This problem is traditionally avoided by using only accumulation from a climate model, and parameterizing the meltwater run-off as a function of temperature, which is often related to surface elevation (Hs). In this study, we propose a new strategy to calculate SMB, to allow a direct adjustment of SMB to a change in ice sheet topography and/or a change in climate forcing. This method is based on elevational gradients in the SMB field as computed by a regional climate model. Separate linear relations are derived for ablation and accumulation, using pairs of Hs and SMB within a minimum search radius. The continuously adjusting SMB forcing is consistent with climate model forcing fields, also for initially non-glaciated areas in the peripheral areas of an ice sheet. When applied to an asynchronous coupled ice sheet – climate model setup, this method circumvents traditional temperature lapse rate assumptions. Here we apply it to the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS). Experiments using both steady-state forcing and glacial-interglacial forcing result in realistic ice sheet reconstructions.
An Unusual Case of Central Venous Catheter-Related Bacteremia
Authors: Badin Julie , François Maud , Birmelé Béatrice , Turmel-Rodrigues Luc , Nivet Hubert , Pengloan Josette
Published: March 2012

Some hemodialysed patients need definitive central venous catheterization. One of the main complications is catheter infection, and each infection must be treated.

We report a case of an unusual cause of central venous catheter (CVC) infection: physical examination and catheter opacification demonstrated two pin-holes in the catheter. It was possible to salvage the catheter following a treatment regimen combining systemic antibiotics, antibiotic locks, fibrinolytics, and removal of a catheter segment.
Anticonvulsant Drugs, Brain Glutamate Dehydrogenase Activity and Oxygen Consumption
Authors: Vega Rasgado Lourdes A. , Ceballos Reyes Guillermo , Vega-Díaz Fernando
Published: March 2012

Glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH, E.C. 1.4.1.3.) is a key enzyme for the biosynthesis and modulation of glutamate (GLU) metabolism and an indirectγ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) source, here we studied the effect of anticonvulsants such as pyridoxal phosphate (PPAL), aminooxyacetic acid (AAOA), and hydroxylamine (OHAMINE) on GDH activity in mouse brain. Moreover, since GLU is a glucogenic molecule and anoxia is a primary cause of convulsions, we explore the effect of these drugs on oxygen consumption. Experiments were performedin vitroas well asin vivofor both oxidative deamination of GLU and reductive amination ofα-ketoglutarate (αK). Resultsin vitroshowed that PPAL decreased oxidative deamination of GLU and oxygen consumption, whereas AAOA and OHAMINE inhibited GDH activity competitively and also inhibited oxygen consumption whenαK reductive amination was carried out. In contrast, results showed thatin vivo, all anticonvulsants enhanced GLU utilization by GDH and also decreased oxygen consumption. Together, results suggest that GDH activity has repercussions on oxygen consumption, which may indicate that the enzyme activity is highly regulated by energy requirements for metabolic activity. Besides, GDH may participate in regulation of GLU and, indirectly GABA levels, hence in neuronal excitability, becoming a key enzyme in seizures mechanism.
A Radon Slantlet Transforms Based OFDM System Design and Performance Simulation under Different Channel Conditions
Authors: Kattoush Abbas Hasan
Published: March 2012

Due to its good orthogonality, slantlet transform (SLT) is used in orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems to reduce intersymbol interference (ISI) and intercarrier interference (ICI). This eliminates the need for cyclic prefix (CP) and increases the spectral efficiency of the design. Finite Radon transform (FRAT) mapper has the ability to increase orthogonality of subcarriers, is nonsensitive to channel parameters variations, and has a small constellation energy compared with conventional fast-Fourier-transform- (FFT-) based OFDM. It is also able to work as a good interleaver, which significantly reduces the bit error rate (BER). In this paper both FRAT mapping technique and SLT modulator are implemented in a new design of an OFDM system. The new structure was tested and compared with conventional FFT-based OFDM, Radon transform-based OFDM, and SLT-based OFDM for additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channel, flat fading channel (FFC), and multipath selective fading channel (SFC). Simulation tests were generated for different channel parameters values. The obtained results showed that the proposed system has increased the spectral efficiency, reduced ISI and ICI, and improved BER performance compared with other systems.
A Mathematical Model of Three-Species Interactions in an Aquatic Habitat
Authors: Ndam J. N. , Chollom J. P. , Kassem T. G.
Published: March 2012

A mathematical model for three-species interactions in a food chain, with the assumption that the interacting species are mobile, has been constructed using a combination of Holling’s type III and the BD functional responses. Conditions for the onset of diffusive instability were determined. The results indicate the possibility of a stable coexistence of the three interacting species in form of stable oscillations under the reflecting boundary conditions. Habitat segregation also occurs under these conditions. However, under the absorbing boundary conditions, the species experience damped oscillations leading to their extinction. The effects of cross-diffusion of the intermediate and the toppredator were also examined.
Microbial Enrichment of Vermicompost
Authors: Rajasekar Kuppuraj , Daniel Thilagavathy , Karmegam Natchimuthu
Published: March 2012

The present study has been conducted to explore the possibility of enrichment of vermicompost with microbial inoculants (i.e., biofertilizer organisms), Azospirillum brasilense and Rhizobium leguminosarum, optimization of inoculum level, and time of inoculation during vermicomposting. The survival rate of each microbial inoculant, total microbial population in vermicompost, and their correlation with the microbial inoculants during the storage period (180 days) were assessed. The change in population of A. brasilense and R. leguminosarum in vermicompost (at 30, 35, and 40 mL/175 g substrates) with reference to storage period showed highly significant negative correlation (). The total microbial population in A. brasilense and R. leguminosarum inoculated vermicompost was high during initial phases of storage and then total microbial population declined towards the end. The inoculum level of A. brasilense and R. leguminosarum at 35 mL per 175 g vermibed substrate is sufficient to maintain viable cells up to 160 days after ther harvesting of vermicompost. The inoculum of these two biofertilizer organisms into vermibed on the 30th day showed increased survival rate and, hence, the optimized inoculation of 35 mL of inoculum per 175 g substrate on the 30th day of vermicomposting is helpful for the maintenance of sufficient viable population for more than five months in the enriched vermicompost.
Delito en el Comercio Electrónico
Authors: Pecoy Taque Martin
Published: March 2012

Acompañando los avances técnicos, la compra y venta de productos o de servicios a través de medios electrónicos, se ha concentrado en las ventas a través de Internet, disminuyéndose los costos y prescindiéndose de intermediarios, pero los delincuentes han adoptado esta herramienta tecnológica, utilizándola como medio y objeto de actos ilícitos. Así, son básicamente cuatro conductas las que los Estados pretenden punir en derecho comparado: 1) estafa informática, 2) falsificación de documentos electrónicos, 3) publicidad engañosa, y 4) sustracción de datos personales. Ese es el objeto de estudio del presente trabajo: el análisis de las figuras típicas aplicables a esas conductas, con la finalidad de demostrar que no es necesario aprobar nuevas leyes penales para comportamientos ya reprobados por el ordenamiento jurídico en Uruguay.
Do Leito de Procusto à discricionariedade judicial: as implicações do solipsismo filosófico para o direito e sua superação pela hermenêutica jurídica
Authors: Menna Barreto Ricardo De Macedo
Published: March 2012

O presente texto tem por objetivo analisar a problemática da discricionariedade judicial e o solipsismo filosófico a partir do Mito de Teseu, notadamente a partir do encontro deste herói grego com o sádico Procusto. Simbolicamente, Procusto configura a tirania intelectual exercida por pessoas que não toleram e nem aceitam as ações e os julgamentos alheios, desvelando-se como apólogo possível da intransigência atualmente revelada pelo solipsismo judicial, postura que cristaliza um quadro de discricionariedade judicial – fruto de certa resistência do paradigma positivista. Assim, buscaremos apontar para a superação desta postura solipsista, fundada em um sujeito transcendental, a partir da hermenêutica de Heidegger e Gadamer, matriz que permite, a partir do estabelecimento de certos padrões hermenêuticos, a preservação da autonomia e da coerência do direito.
Identidades culturais e a sustentabilidade na criação de parques ambientais
Authors: Marra Natalia Cardoso
Published: March 2012

O princípio da sustentabilidade ganhou respaldo quando ficou óbvia a necessidade de conservar o meio onde vivem os serem humanos. Para a preservação do patrimônio ambiental natural foi criado no Brasil o Sistema Nacional de Unidades de Conservação da Natureza, o SNUC (Lei 9.985/2000). Uma das formas de proteção integral se dá pela implantação de Parques Nacionais. Ocorre que a criação de respectivos parques exclui as pessoas que viviam há anos dos recursos naturais existentes na área a ser preservada, sem degradar a natureza, preservando-a para a manutenção da vida. O objetivo desse trabalho é demonstrar a importância do reconhecimento dos métodos aplicados pelas comunidades tradicionais como patrimônio cultural para que esses possam ser estudados, aprimorados e aplicados na nossa sociedade. A metodologia aplicada foi a de pesquisa bibliográfica e estudos de casos que representam na prática o objeto desse trabalho. A sustentabilidade retrata equilíbrio, a implantação dos parques precisa ser interdisciplinar, ao zelar pelo meio ambiente, a cultura e os problemas sociais não podem ser menosprezados. A educação, os costumes e a identidade são parceiros para a construção de uma sociedade sustentável que habite um ambiente saudável.