bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are the Mesothelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition, Sclerotic Peritonitis Syndromes, and Encapsulating Peritoneal Sclerosis Part of the Same Process?
Authors: Loureiro Jesús , Gónzalez-Mateo Guadalupe , Jimenez-Heffernan José , Selgas Rafael , López-Cabrera Manuel , Aguilera Peralta Abelardo
Published: February 2013

Mesothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (MMT) is an autoregulated physiological process of tissue repair that in uncontrolled conditions, such as peritoneal dialysis (PD), can lead to peritoneal fibrosis. The maximum expression of sclerotic peritoneal syndromes (SPS) is the encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) for which no specific treatment exists. The SPS includes a wide range of peritoneal fibrosis that appears progressively and is considered as a reversible process, while EPS does not. EPS is a serious complication of PD characterized by a progressive intra-abdominal inflammatory process that results in bridles and severe fibrous tissue formation which cover and constrict the viscera. Recent studies show that transdifferentiated mesothelial cells isolated from the PD effluent correlate very well with the clinical events such as the number of hemoperitoneum and peritonitis, as well as with PD function (lower ultrafiltration and high Cr-MTC). In addition, in peritoneal biopsies from PD patients, the MMT correlates very well with anatomical changes (fibrosis and angiogenesis). However, the pathway to reach EPS from SPS has not been fully and completely established. Herein, we present important evidence pointing to the MMT that is present in the initial peritoneal fibrosis stages and it is perpetual over time, with at least theoretical possibility that MMT initiated the fibrosing process to reach EPS.
Merkel Cell Carcinoma: Chemotherapy and Emerging New Therapeutic Options
Authors: Desch Laura , Kunstfeld Rainer
Published: February 2013

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare neuroendocrine skin tumor that typically occurs in elderly, immunosuppressed patients. Infection with Merkel cell virus (MCV) and immunosuppression play an important role in the development of MCC. Different staging systems make it difficult to compare the existing clinical data. Furthermore, there predominantly exist single case reports and case series, but no randomized controlled trials. However, it is necessary to develop further therapy options because MCC tends to grow rapidly and metastasizes early. In the metastatic disease, therapeutic attempts were made with various chemotherapeutic combination regimens. Because of the high toxicity of these combinations, especially those established in SCLC, and regarding the unsatisfying results, the challenge is to balance the pros and cons of chemotherapy individually and carefully. Up to now, emerging new therapy options as molecular-targeted agents, for example, pazopanib, imatinib, or somatostatin analogues as well as immunologicals, for example, imiquimod and interferons, also showed less success concerning the disease-free response rates. According to the literature, neither chemotherapy nor molecular-targeted agents or immunotherapeutic strategies have shown promising effects in the therapy of the metastatic disease of MCC so far. There is a great demand for randomized controlled studies and a need for an MCC registry and multicenter clinical trials due to the tumors curiosity.
Prolonged Paroxysmal Sympathetic Storming Associated with Spontaneous Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Authors: Liu Yan , Jolly Suneil , Pokala Krishna
Published: February 2013

Paroxysmal sympathetic storming (PSS) is a rare disorder characterized by acute onset of nonstimulated tachycardia, hypertension, tachypnea, hyperthermia, external posturing, and diaphoresis. It is most frequently associated with severe traumatic brain injuries and has been reported in intracranial tumors, hydrocephalous, severe hypoxic brain injury, and intracerebral hemorrhage. Although excessive release of catecholamine and therefore increased sympathetic activities have been reported in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), there is no descriptive report of PSS primarily caused by spontaneous SAH up to date. Here, we report a case of prolonged PSS in a patient with spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage and consequent vasospasm. The sympathetic storming started shortly after patient was rewarmed from hypothermia protocol and symptoms responded to Labetalol, but intermittent recurrence did not resolve until 3 weeks later with treatment involving Midazolam, Fentanyl, Dexmedetomidine, Propofol, Bromocriptine, and minimizing frequency of neurological and vital checks. In conclusion, prolonged sympathetic storming can also be caused by spontaneous SAH. In this case, vasospasm might be a precipitating factor. Paralytics and hypothermia could mask the manifestations of PSS. The treatment of the refractory case will need both timely adjustment of medications and minimization of exogenous stressors or stimuli.
Using Metaheuristic and Fuzzy System for the Optimization of Material Pull in a Push-Pull Flow Logistics Network
Authors: Mehrsai Afshin , Karimi Hamid-Reza , Thoben Klaus-Dieter , Scholz-Reiter Bernd
Published: February 2013

Alternative material flow strategies in logistics networks have crucial influences on the overall performance of the networks. Material flows can follow push, pull, or hybrid systems. To get the advantages of both push and pull flows in networks, the decoupling-point strategy is used as coordination mean. At this point, material pull has to get optimized concerning customer orders against pushed replenishment-rates. To compensate the ambiguity and uncertainty of both dynamic flows, fuzzy set theory can practically be applied. This paper has conceptual and mathematical parts to explain the performance of the push-pull flow strategy in a supply network and to give a novel solution for optimizing the pull side employing Conwip system. Alternative numbers of pallets and their lot-sizes circulating in the assembly system are getting optimized in accordance with a multi-objective problem; employing a hybrid approach out of meta-heuristics (genetic algorithm and simulated annealing) and fuzzy system. Two main fuzzy sets as triangular and trapezoidal are applied in this technique for estimating ill-defined waiting times. The configured technique leads to smoother flows between push and pull sides in complex networks. A discrete-event simulation model is developed to analyze this thesis in an exemplary logistics network with dynamics.
Chest Pain? An Unusual Presentation of Vertebral Osteomyelitis
Authors: Landa Cristian , Giddings Stanley , Reddy Pramod
Published: February 2013

We present a case of vertebral osteomyelitis presenting as chest pain. The patient initially underwent a CT chest angiogram to rule out a pulmonary embolism, which incidentally showed a soft tissue vertebral mass at T3-T4 disk space. Subsequent thoracic vertebral MRI was consistent with osteomyelitis with cord compression. Tissue culture from a CT-guided biopsy grew MRSA. The patient was successfully treated with Vancomycin. This is a rare presentation of vertebral osteomyelitis which poses an interesting diagnostic challenge.
Uncertainty Analyses Applied to the UAM/TMI-1 Lattice Calculations Using the DRAGON (Version 4.05) Code and Based on JENDL-4 and ENDF/B-VII.1 Covariance Data
Authors: Hernández-Solís Augusto , Demazière Christophe , Ekberg Christian
Published: February 2013

The OECD/NEA Uncertainty Analysis in Modeling (UAM) expert group organized and launched the UAM benchmark. Its main objective is to perform uncertainty analysis in light water reactor (LWR) predictions at all modeling stages. In this paper, multigroup microscopic cross-sectional uncertainties are propagated through the DRAGON (version 4.05) lattice code in order to perform uncertainty analysis on and 2-group homogenized macroscopic cross-sections. The chosen test case corresponds to the Three Mile Island-1 (TMI-1) lattice, which is a 15 15 pressurized water reactor (PWR) fuel assembly segment with poison and at full power conditions. A statistical methodology is employed for the uncertainty assessment, where cross-sections of certain isotopes of various elements belonging to the 172-group DRAGLIB library format are considered as normal random variables. Two libraries were created for such purposes, one based on JENDL-4 data and the other one based on the recently released ENDF/B-VII.1 data. Therefore, multigroup uncertainties based on both nuclear data libraries needed to be computed for the different isotopic reactions by means of ERRORJ. The uncertainty assessment performed on and macroscopic cross-sections, that is based on JENDL-4 data, was much higher than the assessment based on ENDF/B-VII.1 data. It was found that the computed Uranium 235 fission covariance matrix based on JENDL-4 is much larger at the thermal and resonant regions than, for instance, the covariance matrix based on ENDF/B-VII.1 data. This can be the main cause of significant discrepancies between different uncertainty assessments.
On the Laws of Total Local Times for -Paths and Bridges of Symmetric Lévy Processes
Authors: Hayashi Masafumi , Yano Kouji
Published: February 2013

The joint law of the total local times at two levels for -paths of symmetric Lévy processes is shown to admit an explicit representation in terms of the laws of the squared Bessel processes of dimensions two and zero. The law of the total local time at a single level for bridges is also discussed.
A Case of an Undifferentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from an Epidermal Cyst
Authors: Tokunaga Mai , Toya Masami , Endo Yuichiro , Fujisawa Akihiro , Tanioka Miki , Kato Mayumi , Miyachi Yoshiki
Published: February 2013

An epidermal cyst is a common benign subcutaneous tumor and rarely develops malignancy. We report a case of an undifferentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) that arose from an epidermal cyst on the left side of the neck. The epidermal cyst had rapidly increased in size and presented cauliflower-like tumor. Histological study revealed undifferentiated squamous cell carcinoma that was arising from the epidermal cyst.
Some Properties of Third-Order Differential Equations with Mixed Arguments
Authors: Baculíková B. , Džurina J.
Published: February 2013

We offer a new comparison the principle for deducing properties of third-order differential equations with mixed arguments,(r(t)[x'(t)]γ)′′+q(t)f(x(τ(t)))+p(t)h(x(σ(t)))=0, from those of the corresponding differential equations, without deviating arguments. The presented technique permits to extend immediately the results known for an equation without deviating arguments to a more general equation with advanced and delay arguments.
Exercise‐Induced Rhabdomyolysis and Stress‐Induced Malignant Hyperthermia Events, Association with Malignant Hyperthermia Susceptibility, and RYR1 Gene Sequence Variations
Authors: Carsana Antonella
Published: February 2013

Exertional rhabdomyolysis (ER) and stress‐induced malignant hyperthermia (MH) events are syndromes that primarily afflict military recruits in basic training and athletes. Events similar to those occurring in ER and in stress‐induced MH events are triggered after exposure to anesthetic agents in MH‐susceptible (MHS) patients. MH is an autosomal dominant hypermetabolic condition that occurs in genetically predisposed subjects during general anesthesia, induced by commonly used volatile anesthetics and/or the neuromuscular blocking agent succinylcholine. Triggering agents cause an altered intracellular calcium regulation. Mutations in RYR1 gene have been found in about 70% of MH families. The RYR1 gene encodes the skeletal muscle calcium release channel of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, commonly known as ryanodine receptor type 1 (RYR1). The present work reviews the documented cases of ER or of stress‐induced MH events in which RYR1 sequence variations, associated or possibly associated to MHS status, have been identified.
Multiobjective Model for Emergency Resources Allocation
Authors: Yang Zhaosheng , Zhou Huxing , Gao Xueying , Liu Songnan
Published: February 2013

Emergency resources allocation is essential to the emergency rescue effectiveness, and it has become a research focus for emergency rescue. This paper proposes a multiresource dynamic allocation model of emergency rescues and corresponding solving method. The object of the proposed model is to maximize the overall emergency rescue effectiveness of allocated resources and minimize the allocating costs of resources. The model considers the dynamic nature that the casualties of trapped victims change over time. At last, a numerical example is presented to test the model and its algorithm.
Recent Advances in Stimuli‐Responsive Photofunctional Materials Based on Accommodation of Chromophore into Layered Double Hydroxide Nanogallery
Authors: Li Wu , Yan Dongpeng , Gao Rui , Lu Jun , Wei Min , Duan Xue
Published: February 2013

The assembly of photofunctional molecules into host matrices has become an important strategy to achieve tunable fluorescence and to develop intelligent materials. The stimuli‐responsive photofunctional materials based on chromophores‐assembled layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have received much attention from both academic and industry fields as a result of their advantages, such as high photo/thermal stability, easy processing, and well reversibility, which can construct new types of smart luminescent nanomaterials (e.g., ultrathin film and nanocomposite) for sensor and switch applications. In this paper, external environmental stimuli have mainly involved physical (such as temperature, pressure, light, and electricity) and chemical factors (such as pH and metal ion); recent progress on the LDH‐based organic‐inorganic stimuli‐responsive materials has been summarized. Moreover, perspectives on further development of these materials are also discussed.
Relative Navigation in LEO by Carrier-Phase Differential GPS with Intersatellite Ranging Augmentation
Authors: Renga Alfredo , Grassi Michele , Tancredi Urbano
Published: February 2013

Carrier-phase differential GPS (CDGPS) is a promising technology for accurate relative navigation in LEO formations of cooperating satellites, but navigation filter robustness against poor GPS geometry and noisy measurements has to be improved. This can be performed by augmenting the navigation filter with intersatellite local ranging measurements, as the ones provided by ranging transponders or GNSS-like systems. In this paper, an augmented CDGPS navigation filter is proposed for the formation of two satellites characterized by a short, varying baseline, relevant to next generation Synthetic Aperture Radar missions. Specifically, a cascade-combination of dynamic and kinematic filters which processes double-differenced code and carrier measurements on two frequencies, as well as local inter-satellite ranging measurements, is used to get centimeter-level baseline estimates. The augmented filter is validated by numerical simulations of the formation orbital path. Results demonstrate that the proposed approach is effective in preserving the centimeter-level accuracy achievable by a CDGPS-only filter also in the presence of a poor GDOP or a limited number of GPS satellites in view.
Convergence of Variational Iteration Method for Second-Order Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Liu Hongliang , Xiao Aiguo , Su Lihong
Published: February 2013

This paper employs the variational iteration method to obtain analytical solutions of second-order delay differential equations. The corresponding convergence results are obtained, and an effective technique for choosing a reasonable Lagrange multiplier is designed in the solving process. Moreover, some illustrative examples are given to show the efficiency of this method.
A Study on the Optimal Receiver Impedance for SNR Maximization in Broadband PLC
Authors: Antoniali Massimo , Tonello Andrea M. , Versolatto Fabio
Published: February 2013

We consider the design of the front-end receiver for broadband power line communications. We focus on the design of the input impedance that maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the receiver. We show that the amplitude, rather than the power, of the received signal is important for communication purposes. Furthermore, we show that the receiver impedance impacts the amplitude of the noise term. We focus on the background noise, and we propose a novel description of the noise experienced at the receiver port of a PLC network. We model the noise as the sum of four uncorrelated contributions, that is, the active, resistive, receiver, and coupled noise components. We study the optimal impedance design problem for real in-home grids that we assessed with experimental measurements. We describe the results of the measurement campaign, and we report the statistics of the optimal impedance. Hence, we study the best attainable performance when the optimal receiver impedance is deployed. We focus on the SNR and the maximum achievable rate, and we show that power matching is suboptimal with respect to the proposed impedance design approach.
DFAL: Diode-Free Adiabatic Logic Circuits
Authors: Upadhyay Shipra , Mishra R. A. , Nagaria R. K. , Singh S. P.
Published: February 2013

The manufacturing advances in semiconductor processing (continually reducing minimum feature size of transistors, increased complexity and ever increasing number of devices on a given IC) change the design challenges for circuit designers in CMOS technology. The important challenges are low power high speed computational devices. In this paper a novel low power adiabatic circuit topology is proposed. By removing the diode from the charging and discharging path, higher output amplitude is achieved and also the power dissipation of the diodes is eliminated. A mathematical expression has been developed to explain the energy dissipation in the proposed circuit. Performance of the proposed logic is analyzed and compared with CMOS and reported adiabatic logic styles. Also the layout of proposed inverter circuit has been drawn. Subsequently proposed topology-based various logic gates, combinational and sequential circuits and multiplier circuit are designed and simulated. The simulations were performed by VIRTUOSO SPECTRE simulator of Cadence in 0.18 μm UMC technology. In proposed inverter the energy efficiency has been improved to almost 60% up to 100 MHz in comparison to conventional CMOS circuits. The present research provides low power high speed results up to 100 MHz, and proposal has proven to be used in power aware high-performance VLSI circuitry.
Untangling RFID Privacy Models
Authors: Coisel Iwen , Martin Tania
Published: February 2013

The rise of wireless applications based on RFID has brought up major concerns on privacy. Indeed nowadays, when such an application is deployed, informed customers yearn for guarantees that their privacy will not be threatened. One formal way to perform this task is to assess the privacy level of the RFID application with a model. However, if the chosen model does not reflect the assumptions and requirements of the analyzed application, it may misevaluate its privacy level. Therefore, selecting the most appropriate model among all the existing ones is not an easy task. This paper investigates the eight most well-known RFID privacy models and thoroughly examines their advantages and drawbacks in three steps. Firstly, five RFID authentication protocols are analyzed with these models. This discloses a main worry: although these protocols intuitively ensure different privacy levels, no model is able to accurately distinguish them. Secondly, these models are grouped according to their features (e.g., tag corruption ability). This classification reveals the most appropriate candidate model(s) to be used for a privacy analysis when one of these features is especially required. Furthermore, it points out that none of the models are comprehensive. Hence, some combinations of features may not match any model. Finally, the privacy properties of the eight models are compared in order to provide an overall view of their relations. This part highlights that no model globally outclasses the other ones. Considering the required properties of an application, the thorough study provided in this paper aims to assist system designers to choose the best suited model.
The Development of a Mathematical Model for the Prediction of Corrosion Rate Behaviour for Mild Steel in 0.5 M Sulphuric Acid
Authors: Suleiman I. Y. , Oloche O. B. , Yaro S. A.
Published: February 2013

The effect of varying temperature, concentration, and time on the corrosion rate of mild steel in 0.5 M H2SO4acid with and without (wild jute tree)grewia venustaplant extract has been investigated by weight loss. The temperature, concentration of inhibitor and time were varied in the range of 0–10% v/v at 2% v/v interval, 30–70∘C at 20∘C interval, and 45–270 minutes at 45 minutes interval respectively. Scanning electron microscope was used to analyze the morphology of the sample surface. Linear regression equation and analysis of variance (ANOVA) were employed to investigate the influence of process parameters on the corrosion rate of the samples. The predicted corrosion rate of the samples was found to lie close to those experimentally observed ones. The confirmation of the experiment conducted using ANOVA to verify the optimal testing parameters shows that the increase in inhibitor concentration above 2% v/v and time would reduce the corrosion rate. The results also showed that the increase in temperature would also increase the corrosion rate greatly and that the plant extract was very effective for the corrosion inhibition of mild steel in acidic medium.
Variational Iteration Method for Nonlinear Singular Two-Point Boundary Value Problems Arising in Human Physiology
Authors: Abukhaled Marwan
Published: February 2013

The variational iteration method is applied to solve a class of nonlinear singular boundary value problems that arise in physiology. The process of the method, which produces solutions in terms of convergent series, is explained. The Lagrange multipliers needed to construct the correctional functional are found in terms of the exponential integral and Whittaker functions. The method easily overcomes the obstacle of singularities. Examples will be presented to test the method and compare it to other existing methods in order to confirm fast convergence and significant accuracy.
Study of Gamma Ray Exposure Buildup Factor for Some Ceramics with Photon Energy, Penetration Depth and Chemical Composition
Authors: Singh Tejbir , Kaur Gurpreet , Singh Parjit S.
Published: February 2013

Gamma ray exposure buildup factor for some ceramics such as boron nitride (BN), magnesium diboride (MgB2), silicon carbide (SiC), titanium carbide (TiC) and ferrite (Fe3O4) has been computed using five parametric geometric progression (G.P.) fitting method in the energy range of 0.015 to 15.0 MeV, up to the penetration of 40 mean free path (mfp). The variation of exposure buildup factors for all the selected ceramics with incident photon energy, penetration depth, and chemical composition has been studied.
Fractional Resonance-BasedRLβCαFilters
Authors: Freeborn Todd J. , Maundy Brent , Elwakil Ahmed
Published: February 2013

We propose the use of a fractional order capacitor and fractional order inductor with orders0≤α,  β≤1, respectively, in a fractionalRLβCαseries circuit to realize fractional-step lowpass, highpass, bandpass, and bandreject filters. MATLAB simulations of lowpass and highpass responses having orders of(α+β)=1.1, 1.5, and 1.9 and bandpass and bandreject responses having orders of 1.5 and 1.9 are given as examples. PSPICE simulations of 1.1, 1.5, and 1.9 order lowpass and 1.0 and 1.4 order bandreject filters using approximated fractional order capacitors and fractional order inductors verify the implementations.
Call-Fleming Syndrome (Reversible Cerebral Artery Vasoconstriction) and Aneurysm Associated with Multiple Recreational Drug Use
Authors: Drazin Doniel , Alexander Michael J.
Published: February 2013

Drug abuse represents a significant health issue. Evidence suggests that recreational drug use has a direct effect on the cerebral vasculature and is of greater concern in those with undiagnosed aneurysms or vascular malformations. The authors report a case of thunderclap headache with a negative head CT and equivocal lumbar puncture after a drug-fueled weekend. The patient underwent diagnostic cerebral angiogram which demonstrated multisegmental, distal areas of focal narrowing of the middle, anterior, posterior, and posterior inferior cerebral artery and an incidental aneurysm. It is often difficult to determine the exact origin of symptoms; thus we were left with a bit of a chicken or the egg debate, trying to decipher which part came first. Either the aneurysm ruptured with associated concomitant vasospasm or it is a case of Call-Fleming syndrome (reversible cerebral artery vasoconstriction) with an incidental aneurysm. The authors proposed their management and rationale of this complex case.
Chinese Herbal Medicine and Depression: The Research Evidence
Authors: Butler Lee , Pilkington Karen
Published: February 2013

Background. Alternative approaches for managing depression are often sought and herbal mixtures are widely used in China. The aim of this paper was to provide an overall picture of the current evidence by analysing published systematic reviews and presenting a supplementary systematic review of trials in Western databases.Methods. Searches were conducted using AMED, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE/PubMed, PsycINFO, and trial registers. Results were screened and selected trials were evaluated by two reviewers working independently. Systematic reviews were identified and assessed using key criteria.Results. Five systematic reviews were located addressing the Chinese literature, adjunctive use of Chinese herbs, and the formulae Chaihu-Shugan-San, Xiao Yao San, and Free and Easy Wanderer Plus. The supplementary review located 8 trials, 3 of which were not included in previous reviews. Positive results were reported: no significant differences from medication, greater effect than medication or placebo, reduced adverse event rates when combined or compared with antidepressants. However, limitations in methodology and reporting were revealed.Conclusions. Despite promising results, particularly for Xiao Yao San and its modifications, the effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine in depression could not be fully substantiated based on current evidence. Further well-designed, well-reported trials that reflect practice may be worth pursuing.
Antiresorptive Activity ofBacillus-Fermented Antler Extracts: Inhibition of Osteoclast Differentiation
Authors: Choi Sik-Won , Moon Seong-Hee , Yang Hye Jeong , Kwon Dae Young , Son Young-Jin , Yu Ri , Kim Young Su , Kim So I. , Chae Eun Jeong , Park Sang-Joon , Kim Seong Hwan
Published: February 2013

Antlers have been traditionally used for thousands of years as a natural product with medicinal and pharmaceutical properties. In developing healthy foods,Bacillus-mediated fermentation is widely used to enhance the biological activity of nutrients in foods. Recently, fermentation was shown to enhance the osteogenic activity of antlers. This study aimed to elucidate the antiresorptive activity ofBacillus-fermented antler and its mode of action. We found thatBacillus-fermented antler extract strongly inhibited osteoclast differentiation by downregulating the expression and activity of nuclear factor of activated T cells, cytoplasmic 1 (NFATc1). This extract also inhibited the activation of phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2), a signaling molecule that could regulate NFATc1 transcriptional activity. This suggested thatBacillus-fermented antler extract could inhibit PLCγ2-NFATc1 signaling required for bone resorption and cell fusion. Consequently,Bacillus-fermented antler extract might benefit osteoclast-related disorders, including osteoporosis; furthermore, it may improve gastrointestinal activity.
Lidar Data Analysis for Time to Headway Determination in the DriveSafe Project Field Tests
Authors: Altay İlker , Aksun Güvenç Bilin , Güvenç Levent
Published: February 2013

The DriveSafe project was carried out by a consortium of university research centers and automotive OEMs in Turkey to reduce accidents caused by driver behavior. A huge amount of driving data was collected from 108 drivers who drove the instrumented DriveSafe vehicle in the same route of 25 km of urban and highway traffic in Istanbul. One of the sensors used in the DriveSafe vehicle was a forward-looking LIDAR. The data from the LIDAR is used here to determine and record the headway time characteristics of different drivers. This paper concentrates on the analysis of LIDAR data from the DriveSafe vehicle. A simple algorithm that only looks at the forward direction along a straight line is used first. Headway times based on this simple approach are presented for an example driver. A more accurate detection and tracking algorithm taken from the literature are presented later in the paper. Grid-based and point distance-based methods are presented first. Then, a detection and tracking algorithm based on the Kalman filter is presented. The results are demonstrated using experimental data.
Targeting Metabolism to Induce Cell Death in Cancer Cells and Cancer Stem Cells
Authors: Pecqueur Claire , Oliver Lisa , Oizel Kristell , Lalier Lisenn , Vallette François M.
Published: February 2013

Abnormal metabolism and the evasion of apoptosis are considered hallmarks of cancers. Accumulating evidence shows that cancer stem cells are key drivers of tumor formation, progression, and recurrence. A successful therapy must therefore eliminate these cells known to be highly resistant to apoptosis. In this paper, we describe the metabolic changes as well as the mechanisms of resistance to apoptosis occurring in cancer cells and cancer stem cells, underlying the connection between these two processes.
The Battle between Infection and Host Immune Responses of Dengue Virus and Its Implication in Dengue Disease Pathogenesis
Authors: Sun Peifang , Kochel Tadeusz J.
Published: February 2013

Dengue virus (DENV) is a mosquito‐transmitted single stranded RNA virus belonging to genus Flavivirus. The virus is endemic in the tropical and subtropical countries of the world, causing diseases classified according to symptoms and severity (from mild to severe) as dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, and dengue shock syndrome. Among a variety of human cell types targeted by DENV, monocytes, macrophages, and dendritic cells are members of innate immunity, capable of mounting rapid inflammatory responses. These cells are also major antigen presenting cells, responsible for activating the adaptive immunity for long‐term memory. This paper is an overview of the current understanding of the following mutually affected aspects: DENV structure, viral infectivity, cellular receptors, innate immune response, and adaptive immunity.
Antimicrobial Activity of Hippurate Nanocomposite and Its Cytotoxicity Effect in Combination with Cytarabine against HL‐60
Authors: Hussein Al Ali Samer Hasan , Al-Qubaisi Mothanna , El Zowalaty Mohamed , Hussein Mohd Zobir , Ismail Maznah
Published: February 2013

Hippuric acid (HA) was intercalated into a zinc‐layered hydroxide (ZLH) by direct reaction of an aqueous suspension of zinc oxide with an aqueous solution of hippuric acid to obtain hippurate nanocomposite (HAN). Various concentrations of hippuric acid (0.05, 0.2, and 0.4 molar) were used for the synthesis of the nanocomposite. The as‐synthesized HAN using 0.2 molar was found to give a well‐ordered layered nanocomposite material with an increase in the basal spacing to 21.3 Å which indicated the insertion of hippurate organic moiety into the ZLH interlayers. The cytotoxicity of HAN in combination with cytarabine against human promyelocytic leukemia cells (HL‐60) was tested using MTT cell viability assay and trypan blue dye exclusion assay. The combination of cytarabine with HAN showed higher tumor suppression efficiency as compared to that of cytarabine alone. The IC50 values of HAN/cytarabine combination and cytarabine alone were 0.16 ± 0.07 μg/mL and 0.17 ± 0.09 μg/mL, respectively. DNA fragmentation was also studied, and the exposure of HL‐60 cells to cytarabine produced 10.70 ± 0.96% DNA fragmentation compared to 18.90 ± 1.33% when cells were exposed to combination of cytarabine with HAN. The antimicrobial activity of hippuric acid and HAN nanocomposite was carried out against Gram‐positive bacteria, Gram‐negative bacteria, and yeasts. It was found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus were more sensitive to HAN compared to Bacillus subtilis and Salmonella choleraesuis.
Chronic Stress Induces Structural Alterations in Splenic Lymphoid Tissue That Are Associated with Changes in Corticosterone Levels in Wistar-Kyoto Rats
Authors: Hernandez María Eugenia , Martinez-Mota Lucia , Salinas Citlaltepetl , Marquez-Velasco Ricardo , Hernandez-Chan Nancy G. , Morales-Montor Jorge , Pérez-Tapia Mayra , Streber María L. , Granados-Camacho Ivonne , Becerril Enrique , Javier Baquera-Heredia , Pavón Lenin
Published: February 2013

Major depressive disorder patients present chronic stress and decreased immunity. The Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY) is a strain in which the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is overactivated. To determine whether chronic stress induces changes in corticosterone levels and splenic lymphoid tissue, 9-week-old male rats were subject to restraint stress (3 h daily), chemical stress (hydrocortisone treatment, 50 mg/Kg weight), mixed stress (restraint plus hydrocortisone), or control treatment (without stress) for 1, 4, and 7 weeks. The serum corticosterone levels by RIA and spleens morphology were analyzed. Corticosterone levels as did the structure, size of the follicles and morphology of the parenchyma (increase in red pulp) in the spleen, varied depending on time and type of stressor. These changes indicate that chronic stress alters the immune response in the spleen in WKY rats by inducing morphological changes, explaining in part the impaired immunity that develops in organisms that are exposed to chronic stress.
Publicly Verifiable Secret Sharing Scheme with Provable Security against Chosen Secret Attacks
Authors: Gan Yuanju , Wang Lihua , Wang Licheng , Pan Ping , Yang Yixian
Published: February 2013

Secret sharing is an important aspect of key management in wireless ad hoc and sensor networks. In this paper, we define a new secure model of secret sharing, use the Lagrange interpolation and the bilinear cyclic groups to construct an efficient publicly verifiable secret sharing scheme on the basis of this model, and show that this scheme is provably secure against adaptively chosen secret attacks (CSAs) based on the decisional bilinear Diffie-Hellman (DBDH) problem. We find that this scheme has the following properties: (a) point-to-point secure channels are not required in both the secret distribution phase and the secret reconstruction phase; (b) it is a noninteractive secret sharing system in that the participants need not communicate with each other during subshadow verification; and (c) each participant is able to share many secrets with other participants despite holding only one shadow.
High-Frequency and Low-Power Output Stages Based on FGMOS Flipped Voltage Follower
Authors: Gupta Maneesha , Singh Urvashi , Srivastava Richa
Published: February 2013

Two new high-performance output stages are proposed. These output stages are basically designed by using a flipped voltage follower (FVF). The proposed low-power and low-voltage output stages have utilized the advantages of the FGMOS technology. They are characterized by low-power dissipation, reduced power supply requirement, and larger bandwidth. By using FGMOS-based FVF in place of conventional FVF, the linearity of the output stages has been highly improved. The small-signal analysis of FGMOS-based FVF is done to show the bandwidth enhancement of conventional FVF. The circuits are simulated to demonstrate the effectiveness using SPICE, in TSMC 0.25-micron CMOS device models. The simulation results show that the power supply requirement of the proposed output stages is highly reduced and bandwidths are extremely higher than the conventional circuits.
A Note on Double Laplace Transform and Telegraphic Equations
Authors: Eltayeb Hassan , Kiliçman Adem
Published: February 2013

Double Laplace transform is applied to solve general linear telegraph and partial integrodifferential equations. The scheme is tested through some examples, and the results demonstrate reliability and efficiency of the proposed method.
Atrial Natriuretic Peptide, Arginine Vasopressin Peptide and Cortisol Serum Levels in Opiate-Dependent Patients
Authors: Glahn Alexander , Heberlein Annemarie , Dürsteler-MacFarland Kenneth M. , Lenz Bernd , Frieling Helge , Gröschl Michael , Wiesbeck Gerhard A. , Kornhuber Johannes , Bönsch Dominikus , Bleich Stefan , Hillemacher Thomas
Published: February 2013

Preclinical studies suggest that chronic drug abuse profoundly alters stress-responsive systems. The best studied of the stress-responsive systems in humans is the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. Apart from cortisol, arginine vasopressin peptide (AVP), and atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) are known to directly impact upon the HPA axis in addictive behavior. We investigated alterations in ANP, AVP and cortisol serum levels in opiate-dependent patients who received diacetylmorphine treatment within a structured opiate maintenance program. ANP serum levels were significantly increased in opiate-dependent patients as compared to healthy controls, whereas AVP and cortisol serum levels were reduced. The ANP, AVP and cortisol serum levels were not significantly associated with the psychometric dimensions of heroin craving. In conclusion, chronic drug abuse profoundly alters stress-responsive systems like the HPA axis. Alterations of AVP, ANP and cortisol appear to constitute an important component in the neurobiology of opiate-dependent patients.
Neuropathology of Partial PGC-1α Deficiency Recapitulates Features of Mitochondrial Encephalopathies but Not of Neurodegenerative Diseases
Authors: Szalardy Levente , Zadori Denes , Plangar Imola , Vecsei Laszlo , Weydt Patrick , Ludolph Albert C. , Klivenyi Peter , Kovacs Gabor G.
Published: February 2013

Background: Deficient peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) function is one component of mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Current molecular classification of such diseases is based on the predominant protein accumulating as intra- or extracellular aggregates. Experimental evidence suggests that mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired protein processing are closely interrelated. In vitro findings further indicate that PGC-1α dysfunction may contribute to protein misfolding in neurodegeneration. Objective: To systematically evaluate the neuropathological alterations of mice lacking the expression of the full-length PGC-1α protein (FL-PGC-1α) but expressing an N-truncated fragment. Methods: To assess the pattern of neurodegeneration-related proteins, we performed immunostaining for Tau, pTau, α-synuclein, amyloid-β, amyloid precursor protein, prion protein, FUS, TDP-43 and ubiquitin. Using hematoxylin and eosin, Klüver-Barrera and Bielschowsky silver stainings and anti-GFAP immunohistochemistry, we performed an anatomical mapping to provide a lesion profile. Results: The immunohistochemical pattern of neurodegeneration-related proteins did not differ between FL-PGC-1α knockout and wild-type animals, and there was a complete lack of protein deposits or ubiquitin-positive inclusions. The analysis of neuropathological alterations revealed widespread vacuolation predominating in the cerebral white matter, caudate-putamen, thalamus and brainstem, and reactive astrogliosis in the brainstem and cerebellar nuclei. This morphological phenotype was thus reminiscent of human mitochondrial encephalopathies, especially the Kearns-Sayre syndrome. Conclusion: We conclude that the lack of FL-PGC-1α per se is insufficient to recapitulate major features of neurodegenerative diseases, but evokes a pathology seen in mitochondrial encephalopathies, which makes PGC-1α-deficient mice a valuable model for this yet incurable group of diseases.
Blacks Have a Greater Sensitivity to α
1
-Adrenoceptor–Mediated Venoconstriction Compared With Whites
Authors: Adefurin Abiodun , Ghimire Laxmi V. , Kohli Utkarsh , Muszkat Mordechai , Sofowora Gbenga G. , Paranjape Sachin Y. , Stein C. Michael , Kurnik Daniel
Published: February 2013

Blacks have increased hemodynamic responses to both physiological and pharmacological adrenergic stimulation compared with whites, and this may contribute to the greater prevalence of hypertension in this ethnic group. A small study suggested enhanced α
1
-adrenoreceptor–mediated arterial vasoconstriction in the forearm vasculature of blacks compared with whites, but it is unknown whether this reflects a generalized vascular phenomenon. The objective of this study was to examine the hypothesis that there are ethnic differences in venous α
1
-adrenoreceptor responsiveness. Using a linear variable differential transformer, we measured local dorsal hand vein responses to increasing doses of the selective α
1
-adrenoreceptor agonist, phenylephrine, in 106 subjects (64 whites and 42 blacks). There was wide interindividual variability in responses to phenylephrine. The dose that produced 50% of maximal constriction (ED
50
) ranged from 11 to 5442 ng/min, and maximal venoconstriction (E
max
) ranged from 13.5% to 100%. Blacks (geometric mean ED
50
=172 ng/min; 95% confidence interval, 115–256 ng/min) were more sensitive to phenylephrine than whites (310 ng/min; 95% confidence interval, 222–434 ng/min; unadjusted
P
=0.026; adjusted
P
=0.003). Median E
max
was slightly higher in blacks (89%; interquartile range, 82% to 98%) compared with whites (85%; interquartile range, 75% to 95%;
P
=0.07). Taken together with previous findings in arterial vessels, our results suggest a generalized increased sensitivity to α
1
-adrenoreceptor–mediated vasoconstriction in blacks. Increased vascular α-adrenoreceptor sensitivity could predispose to hypertension, and future studies addressing the contribution of this mechanism to ethnic differences in the prevalence of hypertension will be of interest.
Ties of Resistance and Cooperation. Aedemon, Lusius Quietus and the Baquates
Authors: Vanacker Wouter
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Gaius’ decision to dissolve the protectorate of Mauretania and to depose its client king, Ptolemaeus, led to the outbreak of the Revolt of Aedemon (AD 40). This paper will develop a number of innovative thoughts and hypotheses concerning the extent of this rebellion and its possible impact on the deposition of Ptolemaeus, as well as the role of the Romans in its suppression. The main aim is to explore the connection between this revolt, Trajanus’ famous general Lusius Quietus (cos. AD 117?), and the Baquates, an indigenous Mauretanian tribe. I will suggest that Lusius Quietus was descended from a chief of a (semi-)nomadic tribe who supported the Roman cause during the Revolt of Aedemon. Considering the setting and dimension of this revolt, as well as the unrest in Mauretania at the time of Lusius Quietus’ execution by Hadrianus, I argue that this tribe can be identified as the Baquates. This reconstruction suggests a long-lasting and particularly positive relationship between this tribe and Rome. It allows for a further reconsideration of the relationship between (semi-)nomadic and Roman/sedentary groups in Roman North Africa, to the detriment of one-sided analytical schemes that stress endemic hostility.
Habitat use of the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus) in Estonia
Authors: Rannap Riinu , Markus Maris , Kaart Tanel
Published: February 2013

Habitat loss and degradation are the most obvious and acute factors which influence amphibian decline. Fortunately, however, habitat deterioration is potentially reversible. Recognizing the factors critical for the species is therefore essential for successful habitat restoration and maintenance. In this study we explored the habitat requirements of the common spadefoot toad (Pelobates fuscus), a severely declining species in Europe. The toad is considered a typical representative of herpetofauna in open agricultural landscapes but at its northern and western range edge the species occurs also in forested areas. So far, studies on the habitat requirements of the common spadefoot toad have only focused on agricultural areas and the significance of forest habitats has remained indistinct. In order to determine the habitat characteristics vital for the species as well as the function of forests as possible sink or source habitats, we explored 34 water bodies and their surroundings comparatively in forested and open landscapes in Estonia. Our study demonstrated that land cover type did not influence the presence of the species – the limiting habitat factors were related to soil type and quality of the reproduction site only. Respectively, the species preferred large fish free sun exposed water bodies in areas with sandy soil. In our study sites such conditions were best met in old growth coniferous forest areas. Thus we suggest that these types of forests holding viable populations of the common spadefoot toad should be protected with large scale clear cuttings as well as altering of hydrology avoided.
Another Look at Sosates, The “Jewish Homer”
Authors: Burgess R. W.
Published: February 2013

Abstract

A late eighth-century Latin translation of a Greek Alexandrian chronograph of the second quarter of the sixth century contains a reference to a Sosates, who is described as a “Jewish Homer” who lived in Alexandria. The first, and most complicated, difficulty with this short entry is determining Sosates’ date, which would seem to be the second quarter of the first century B.C.E. The next difficulty is working out what “Jewish Homer” means. Clues are provided by the Jewish poets Philo, Theodotus, and Ezekiel, who used Greek tragic and epic verse to describe Jewish content including the Old Testament, and by the later tradition of Christian Biblical epic in Greek and Latin, which we know of from the fourth century onwards. These examples suggest that Sosates turned some part of the early books of the Old Testament into Homeric verse.
Jeremiah 7 and Flavius Josephus on the First Jewish War
Authors: Ferda Tucker S.
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Study of Josephus’ interpretation of the Bible has focused on the paraphrase in Antiquities, but Josephus continued to engage Scripture in his post-biblical history. This article contends that Josephus, like the authors of the synoptic gospels and later Jewish exegetes, saw the events of 66-70 C.E. through the lens of Jeremiah’s temple sermon (7:1-34). The accounts of Jesus ben Ananias and Josephus’ speech before the city walls, among other examples, show recourse to Jeremiah 7.
The Problem of the Theater in Early Judaism
Authors: Jay Jeff
Published: February 2013

Abstract

Some scholars have characterized Jewish participation in Roman theatrical institutions as a departure from normative Judaism, while others have distinguished Jews in the diaspora, who attend the theaters, from Jews in Palestine, who criticize and reject them. Both of these narratives are inadequate because scholars have failed to analyze the sources in terms of the cultural and discursive dynamics of Roman theater-going in general. Critiques and accommodations of the theater are common among Jews who lived in both the diaspora and Palestine, for the nature of theatrical culture itself provided Jews with opportunities for vigorous dialogical give-and-take under a Roman imperium in which theaters and their shows were of utmost political and social importance.