bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Osteosarcoma at the site of titanium orthopaedic implants in a dog
Authors: Dunn AL , Buffa EA , Hanshaw DM , Farrell M
Published: January 2012

An Alaskan Malamute underwent unilateral tibial tuberosity advancement (TTA) surgery to stabilise a stifle joint with a deficient cranial cruciate ligament. The dog made an excellent recovery with no postoperative complications, until 20 months post‐surgery when he presented with acute onset ipsilateral pelvic limb lameness. Osteosarcoma (OSA) was diagnosed adjacent to the titanium implants. Currently, there is a paucity of information on the epidemiology of OSA adjacent to orthopaedic implants in canine patients. The clinical, radiological and pathological findings of this case of periprosthetic OSA, and a potential causal relationship between titanium implants and bone neoplasia, are discussed.
Does Disclosure Regulation Work? Evidence from International IPO Markets*
Authors: Shi Charles , Pukthuanthong Kuntara , Walker Thomas
Published: January 2012

This study examines whether IPO disclosure requirements mandated by countries’ securities laws are associated with variation in IPO underpricing in international IPO markets. Our empirical analysis uses a unique sample of 6,025 IPOs from 34 countries over the period from 1995 to 2002. We show for the first time that the stringency of disclosure requirements for IPO prospectuses is negatively associated with the extent of IPO underpricing, after controlling for various country‐ and firm‐level determinants of underpricing. Moreover, we find that the disclosure effect on IPO underpricing is moderated by the extent of a country’s capital market integration. Taken together, our findings are consistent with the view that increased disclosure regulation appears to reduce IPO underpricing and hence the cost of equity, and that institutional factors such as capital market integration play an important role in understanding the economic consequences of disclosure regulation in international IPO markets.
Selecting pseudo‐absences for species distribution models: how, where and how many?
Authors: Barbet‐Massin Morgane , Jiguet Frédéric , Albert Cécile Hélène , Thuiller Wilfried
Published: January 2012

1. Species distribution models are increasingly used to address questions in conservation biology, ecology and evolution. The most effective species distribution models require data on both species presence and the available environmental conditions (known as background or pseudo‐absence data) in the area. However, there is still no consensus on how and where to sample these pseudo‐absences and how many.

2. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive comparative analysis based on simple simulated species distributions to propose guidelines on how, where and how many pseudo‐absences should be generated to build reliable species distribution models. Depending on the quantity and quality of the initial presence data (unbiased vs. climatically or spatially biased), we assessed the relative effect of the method for selecting pseudo‐absences (random vs. environmentally or spatially stratified) and their number on the predictive accuracy of seven common modelling techniques (regression, classification and machine‐learning techniques).

3. When using regression techniques, the method used to select pseudo‐absences had the greatest impact on the model’s predictive accuracy. Randomly selected pseudo‐absences yielded the most reliable distribution models. Models fitted with a large number of pseudo‐absences but equally weighted to the presences (i.e. the weighted sum of presence equals the weighted sum of pseudo‐absence) produced the most accurate predicted distributions. For classification and machine‐learning techniques, the number of pseudo‐absences had the greatest impact on model accuracy, and averaging several runs with fewer pseudo‐absences than for regression techniques yielded the most predictive models.

4. Overall, we recommend the use of a large number (e.g. 10 000) of pseudo‐absences with equal weighting for presences and absences when using regression techniques (e.g. generalised linear model and generalised additive model); averaging several runs (e.g. 10) with fewer pseudo‐absences (e.g. 100) with equal weighting for presences and absences with multiple adaptive regression splines and discriminant analyses; and using the same number of pseudo‐absences as available presences (averaging several runs if few pseudo‐absences) for classification techniques such as boosted regression trees, classification trees and random forest. In addition, we recommend the random selection of pseudo‐absences when using regression techniques and the random selection of geographically and environmentally stratified pseudo‐absences when using classification and machine‐learning techniques.
An objective, niche‐based approach to indicator species selection
Authors: Butler Simon J. , Freckleton Robert P. , Renwick Anna R. , Norris Ken
Published: January 2012

1. Species‐based indices are frequently employed as surrogates for wider biodiversity health and measures of environmental condition. Species selection is crucial in determining an indicator’s metric value and hence the validity of the interpretation of ecosystem condition and function it provides, yet an objective process to identify appropriate indicator species is frequently lacking.

2. An effective indicator needs to (i) be representative, reflecting the status of wider biodiversity; (ii) be reactive, acting as early‐warning systems for detrimental changes in environmental conditions; (iii) respond to change in a predictable way. We present an objective, niche‐based approach for species’ selection, founded on a coarse categorisation of species’ niche space and key resource requirements, which ensures the resultant indicator has these key attributes.

3. We use UK farmland birds as a case study to demonstrate this approach, identifying an optimal indicator set containing 12 species. In contrast to the 19 species included in the farmland bird index (FBI), a key UK biodiversity indicator that contributes to one of the UK Government’s headline indicators of sustainability, the niche space occupied by these species fully encompasses that occupied by the wider community of 62 species.

4. We demonstrate that the response of these 12 species to land‐use change is a strong correlate to that of the wider farmland bird community. Furthermore, the temporal dynamics of the index based on their population trends closely matches the population dynamics of the wider community. However, in both analyses, the magnitude of the change in our indicator was significantly greater, allowing this indicator to act as an early‐warning system.

5. Ecological indicators are embedded in environmental management, sustainable development and biodiversity conservation policy and practice where they act as metrics against which progress towards national, regional and global targets can be measured. Adopting this niche‐based approach for objective selection of indicator species will facilitate the development of sensitive and representative indices for a range of taxonomic groups, habitats and spatial scales.
Underwater radiated noise from modern commercial ships
Authors: McKenna Megan F. , Ross Donald , Wiggins Sean M. , Hildebrand John A.
Published: January 2012

Underwater radiated noise measurements for seven types of modern commercial ships during normal operating conditions are presented. Calibrated acoustic data (<1000 Hz) from an autonomous seafloor-mounted acoustic recorder were combined with ship passage information from the Automatic Identification System. This approach allowed for detailed measurements (i.e., source level, sound exposure level, and transmission range) on ships of opportunity. A key result was different acoustic levels and spectral shapes observed from different ship-types. A 54 kGT container ship had the highest broadband source level at 188 dB re 1μPa@1m; a 26 kGT chemical tanker had the lowest at 177 dB re 1μPa@1m. Bulk carriers had higher source levels near 100 Hz, while container ship and tanker noise was predominantly below 40 Hz. Simple models to predict source levels of modern merchant ships as a group from particular ship characteristics (e.g., length, gross tonnage, and speed) were not possible given individual ship-type differences. Furthermore, ship noise was observed to radiate asymmetrically. Stern aspect noise levels are 5 to 10 dB higher than bow aspect noise levels. Collectively, these results emphasize the importance of including modern ship-types in quantifying shipping noise for predictive models of global, regional, and local marine environments.
Tuning of Natural Killer Cell Reactivity by NKp46 and Helios Calibrates T Cell Responses
Authors: Narni-Mancinelli Emilie , Jaeger Baptiste N. , Bernat Claire , Fenis Aurore , Kung Sam , De Gassart Aude , Mahmood Sajid , Gut Marta , Heath Simon C. , Estellé Jordi , Bertosio Elodie , Vely Frédéric , Gastinel Louis N. , Beutler Bruce , Malissen Bernard , Malissen Marie , Gut Ivo G. , Vivier Eric , Ugolini Sophie
Published: January 2012

Natural Killer Controls

Cytolytic natural killer (NK) cells participate in both antimicrobial and antitumor immunity. Their responsiveness is tuned through signals received through a variety of inhibitory and activating receptors expressed on their cell surface.

Narni-Mancinelli
et al.

(p.
344
) now show that signaling through the activating receptor NKp46 paradoxically keeps NK cell responses in check. NK cells from mice with disrupted NKp46 expression were hyperresponsive to stimulation and better protected against viral infection. NK cell responses, which are part of the early response to infection, may thus need to be carefully tuned to ensure optimal initiation of adaptive immunity and formation of protective long-lived memory cells.
Taking a Back Door to Target Myc
Authors: Evan Gerard
Published: January 2012

The oncogenic activity of the transcription factor Myc might be blocked by targeting nononcogenic proteins that Myc depends on to cause cancer.
Immunology Taught by Humans
Authors: Davis Mark M.
Published: January 2012

Studying human immunology can improve disease therapy as well as inform basic biology.
Subpopulation Analysis of Heteroresistance to Fluoroquinolone in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates from Beijing, China
Authors: Zhang Xiaobing , Zhao Bing , Liu Liguo , Zhu Yafang , Zhao Yanlin , Jin Qi
Published: January 2012

The presence of heteroresistance was represented by 23% of 235 fluoroquinolone (FQ)-resistant
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
isolates in Beijing, China, from 2008 to 2010. The main mechanism of FQ heteroresistance is due to the segregation of a single
M. tuberculosis
strain in patients; the majority of isolates with multidrug-resistant tuberculosis contained a mixture of bacterial subpopulations consisting of various mutant types, suggesting that the improper use of FQ is the major cause of FQ resistance.
Inhibition of Latent Membrane Protein 1 Impairs the Growth and Tumorigenesis of Latency II Epstein-Barr Virus-Transformed T Cells
Authors: Ndour Papa Alioune , Brocqueville Guillaume , Ouk Tan-Sothéa , Goormachtigh Gautier , Morales Olivier , Mougel Alexandra , Bertout Julie , Melnyk Oleg , Fafeur Véronique , Feuillard Jean , Coll Jean , Adriaenssens Eric
Published: January 2012

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common human herpesvirus. Infection with EBV is associated with several human malignancies in which the virus expresses a set of latent proteins, among which is latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1). LMP1 is able to transform numerous cell types and is considered the main oncogenic protein of EBV. The mechanism of action is based on mimicry of activated members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor superfamily, through the ability of LMP1 to bind similar adapters and to activate signaling pathways. We previously generated two unique models: a monocytic cell line and a lymphocytic (NC5) cell line immortalized by EBV that expresses the type II latency program. Here we generated LMP1 dominant negative forms (DNs), based on fusion between green fluorescent protein (GFP) and
t
ransformation
e
ffector
s
ite 1 (TES1) or TES2 of LMP1. Then we generated cell lines conditionally expressing these DNs. These DNs inhibit NF-κB and Akt pathways, resulting in the impairment of survival processes and increased apoptosis in these cell lines. This proapoptotic effect is due to reduced interaction of LMP1 with specific adapters and the recruitment of these adapters to DNs, which enable the generation of an apoptotic complex involving TRADD, FADD, and caspase 8. Similar results were obtained with cell lines displaying a latency III program in which LMP1-DNs decrease cell viability. Finally, we prove that synthetic peptides display similar inhibitory effects in EBV-infected cells. DNs derived from LMP1 could be used to develop therapeutic approaches for malignant diseases associated with EBV.
Experimental Infection of Cynomolgus Macaques (Macaca fascicularis) with Human Varicella-Zoster Virus
Authors: Willer David O. , Ambagala Aruna P. N. , Pilon Richard , Chan Jacqueline K. , Fournier Jocelyn , Brooks James , Sandstrom Paul , MacDonald Kelly S.
Published: January 2012

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is a member of the alphaherpesvirus family and the causative agent of chickenpox and shingles. To determine the utility of cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) as a nonhuman primate model to evaluate VZV-based simian immunodeficiency virus/human immunodeficiency virus (SIV/HIV) vaccines, we experimentally inoculated 10 animals with the parental Oka (Oka-P) strain of VZV derived from MeWo or Telo-RF cells. VZV DNA could be detected in the lungs as late as 4 days postinfection, with replicating virus detected by shell vial culture assay in one case. Infection did not result in any overt clinical symptoms but was characterized by humoral and cell-mediated immunity in a time frame and at a magnitude similar to those observed following VZV vaccination in humans. The cell line source of VZV inoculum influenced both the magnitude and polyfunctionality of cell-mediated immunity. Animals mounted a vigorous anamnestic antibody response following a second inoculation 12 weeks later. Inoculations resulted in transient increases in CD4+T-cell activation and proliferation, as well as a sustained increase in CD4+T cells coexpressing CCR5 and α4β7 integrin. In contrast to previous failed attempts to successfully utilize attenuated VZV-Oka as an SIV vaccine vector in rhesus macaques due to suboptimal infectivity and cellular immunogenicity, the ability to infect cynomolgus macaques with Oka-P VZV should provide a valuable tool for evaluating VZV-vectored SIV/HIV vaccines.
The C Terminus of the Large Tegument Protein pUL36 Contains Multiple Capsid Binding Sites That Function Differently during Assembly and Cell Entry of Herpes Simplex Virus
Authors: Schipke Julia , Pohlmann Anja , Diestel Randi , Binz Anne , Rudolph Kathrin , Nagel Claus-Henning , Bauerfeind Rudolf , Sodeik Beate
Published: January 2012

The largest tegument protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1), pUL36, is a multivalent cross-linker between the viral capsids and the tegument and associated membrane proteins during assembly that upon subsequent cell entry releases the incoming capsids from the outer tegument and viral envelope. Here we show that pUL36 was recruited to cytosolic progeny capsids that later colocalized with membrane proteins of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV1) and the trans-Golgi network. During cell entry, pUL36 dissociated from viral membrane proteins but remained associated with cytosolic capsids until arrival at the nucleus. HSV1 UL36 mutants lacking C-terminal portions of increasing size expressed truncated pUL36 but could not form plaques. Cytosolic capsids of mutants lacking the C-terminal 735 of the 3,164 amino acid residues accumulated in the cytosol but did not recruit pUL36 or associate with membranes. In contrast, pUL36 lacking only the 167 C-terminal residues bound to cytosolic capsids and subsequently colocalized with viral and host membrane proteins. Progeny virions fused with neighboring cells, but incoming capsids did not retain pUL36, nor could they target the nucleus or initiate HSV1 gene expression. Our data suggest that residues 2430 to 2893 of HSV1 pUL36, containing one binding site for the capsid protein pUL25, are sufficient to recruit pUL36 onto cytosolic capsids during assembly for secondary envelopment, whereas the 167 residues of the very C terminus with the second pUL25 binding site are crucial to maintain pUL36 on incoming capsids during cell entry. Capsids lacking pUL36 are targeted neither to membranes for virus assembly nor to nuclear pores for genome uncoating.
Nonstructural Protein 2 of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus Inhibits the Antiviral Function of Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15
Authors: Sun Zhi , Li Yanhua , Ransburgh Russell , Snijder Eric J. , Fang Ying
Published: January 2012

Type I interferon (alpha/beta interferon [IFN-α/β]) stimulates the expression of interferon-stimulated gene 15 (ISG15), which encodes a ubiquitin-like protein, ISG15. Free ISG15 and ISG15 conjugates function in diverse cellular pathways, particularly regulation of antiviral innate immune responses. In this study, we demonstrate that ISG15 overexpression inhibits porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) replication in cell culture and that the antiviral activity of interferon is reduced by inhibition of ISG15 conjugation. PRRSV nonstructural protein 2 (nsp2) was previously identified as a potential antagonist of ISG15 production and conjugation. The protein contains a papain-like protease domain (PLP2) that plays a crucial role in the proteolytic cleavage of the PRRSV replicase polyproteins. PLP2 was also proposed to belong to the ovarian tumor domain-containing superfamily of deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs), which is capable of inhibiting ISG15 production and counteracting ISG15 conjugation to cellular proteins. To determine whether this immune antagonist function could be selectively inactivated, we engineered a panel of mutants with deletions and/or mutations at the N-terminal border of the nsp2 PLP2-DUB domain. A 23-amino-acid deletion (amino acids 402 to 424 of the ORF1a-encoded protein) largely abolished the inhibitory effect of nsp2 on ISG15 production and conjugation, but no viable recombinant virus was recovered. A 19-amino-acid deletion (amino acids 402 to 420), in combination with a downstream point mutation (S465A), partially relieved the ISG15 antagonist function and yielded a viable recombinant virus. Taken together, our data demonstrate that ISG15 and ISGylation play an important role in the response to PRRSV infection and that nsp2 is a key factor in counteracting the antiviral function of ISG15.
Mucinous subtype as prognostic factor in colorectal cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Verhulst J , Ferdinande L , Demetter P , Ceelen W
Published: January 2012

Background

Mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC) of the colorectum has been known and studied for many years. The prognostic significance of this histological subtype remains controversial. The authors reviewed the prognostic significance of mucinous differentiation in colorectal cancer.

Materials and methods

A systematic web-based search was performed using Web of Knowledge and Medline. Articles published in English, German or French which used the WHO definition of MAC and described cohort studies, case–control studies or cross-sectional studies comparing survival in patients with MAC and adenocarcinoma (AC) not otherwise specified were included. Data on first author, year of publication, country, number of patients included, prevalence of MAC, % stage IV disease, % disease located in the proximal colon, mean age at presentation, % male patients and 5-year overall survival were extracted from individual studies. A fixed-effects meta-analysis model was used for analysis. The primary outcome was survival, expressed as the HR. Differences between categorical outcome parameters were quantified using the RR and corresponding 95% CI.

Results

44 studies and 222 256 patients were included. The RR for proximal disease versus distal disease was 1.55 (95% CI 1.53 to 1.58). Mucinous differentiation was less frequent in male subjects (RR 0.93 (95% CI 0.91 to 0.94)). Interestingly, the prevalence of stage IV disease was similar in MAC and AC (RR 0.99 (95% CI 0.96 to 1.02)). Thirty-five articles were included in the survival analysis. A worse survival in MAC versus AC was demonstrated (HR 1.05 (95% CI 1.02 to 1.08)). Conversely, three out of four studies reported a better survival in MAC with microsatellite instability (MSI). Due to heterogeneity a meta-analysis on the effect of MSI was not possible.

Conclusion

MAC more often originates from the right colon and is less frequent in male subjects. The authors did not identify a difference in the proportion of stage IV patients at presentation. Mucinous differentiation results in a 2–8% increased hazard of death, which persists after correction for stage. More research is needed to define the interaction between mucinous differentiation, MSI and outcome.
Photonic analogue of boson Josephson junction in two coupled nonlinear cavities with pumping and dissipation
Authors: Guo Xiaoyong , Ren Zhongzhou , Guo Guangjie , Zhou Bo
Published: January 2012

In this paper, we propose a photonic Josephson junction in two coupled, Kerr-type, nonlinear cavities. In the coherent state representation, saddle point analysis of the system action yields a mean-field description of the coherent photon current. The photonic analogs of the Rabi oscillation, the AC effect as well as the Shapiro resonance are found. The tunneling dynamics dramatically change at a critical point that is determined by the relative value of on-site nonlinear strength versus intercavity tunneling rate. We discuss this critical behavior for various parameters in detail. Furthermore, the influences of the initial conditions and the environment-induced pumping–dissipation process on the system dynamics are also studied.
DYNAMICAL ASPECTS OF INEXTENSIBLE CHAINS
Authors: FERRARI FRANCO , PYRKA MACIEJ
Published: January 2012

In the present work, a method to impose the inextensibility constraints on the dynamics of a chain fluctuating in a thermal bath at fixed temperature is investigated. The final goal is to construct the probability function of the chain and the generating functional of the correlation functions of the relevant degrees of freedom of the system. First, we study the dynamics of a freely hinged chain composed by massive beads connected together by massless segments of fixed length. It is shown that a system of this kind may be described by a set of Langevin equations in which the noise is characterized by a non-gaussian probability distribution. Starting from these Langevin equations, the generating functional of the freely hinged chain is derived in path integral form. A connection with a stochastic process governed by a Fokker–Planck equation is established. Next, a chain composed by one-dimensional bars with constant mass distribution is considered. A path integral expression of the generating functional for a chain of this type is derived. Finally, it is verified that in the limit in which the chain becomes continuous, both generating functionals of the freely hinged chain and of the freely jointed bar chain converge to the same result as expected.
HEARTBEAT CLASSIFICATION USING SUPPORT VECTOR MACHINES (SVMs) WITH AN EMBEDDED REJECT OPTION
Authors: ZIDELMAL ZAHIA , AMIROU AHMED , BELOUCHRANI ADEL
Published: January 2012

In this paper, we introduce a new system for ECG beat classification using support vector machines classifier with a double hinge loss. The proposed classifier rejects samples that cannot be classified with enough confidence. Specifically in medical diagnoses, the consequence of a wrong classification can be so harmful that it is convenient to reject such sample. After ECG preprocessing, feature selection and extraction, our decision rule uses dynamic reject thresholds according to the cost of rejecting or misclassifying a sample. Significant performance enhancement is observed when the proposed approach is tested with the MIT-BIH arrythmia database. The achieved results are represented by the error reject tradeoff. We obtained 98.2% of sensitivity with no rejection and more than 99% of sensitivity for the optimal classification cost being competitive to other published studies.
EDPF: A REAL-TIME PARAMETER-FREE EDGE SEGMENT DETECTOR WITH A FALSE DETECTION CONTROL
Authors: AKINLAR CUNEYT , TOPAL CIHAN
Published: January 2012

We propose a real-time, parameter-free edge/edge segment detection algorithm based on our novel edge/edge segment detector, the edge drawing (ED) algorithm; hence the name edge drawing parameter free (EDPF). EDPF works by running ED with ED's parameters set at their extremes. This produces all edge segments in a given image with numerous false detections. The detected edge segments are then validated by an "a contrario" validation step due to the Helmholtz principle, which eliminates invalid detections leaving only "meaningful" edge segments.
REPRESENTING 3D FACE FROM POINT CLOUD TO FACE-ALIGNED SPHERICAL DEPTH MAP
Authors: LIU PEIJIANG , WANG YUNHONG , ZHANG ZHAOXIANG
Published: January 2012

We propose a novel representation of 3D face shape which is a key step for feature extraction and face recognition. The input of the proposed methods is unstructured point cloud, which determines the wide applicability of the proposed representation. Our contributions mainly include two parts: Spherical Depth Map (SDM) and face alignment based on SDM. SDM, which can be adopted to many applications, is a special kind of range image utilizing the prior anatomical knowledge of human face. Useful characteristics of SDM facilitate face alignment with higher efficiency and accuracy. Experiments conducted on three popular 3D face databases verify the high efficacy and superiority of the proposed method. The accuracy of face alignment is up to 100% with our strategy. The face verification rates based on the standard protocols are all higher than the baseline performance of FRGC2.0.
ADDITIVITY OF CIRCULAR WIDTH
Authors: EUDAVE-MUÑOZ M. , MANJARREZ-GUTIÉRREZ F.
Published: January 2012

We show that circular width is preserved under connected sum of knots for some cases.
TIME EVOLUTION OF A NONSINGULAR PRIMORDIAL BLACK HOLE
Authors: MBONYE MANASSE R. , BATTISTA NICHOLAS , FARR BENJAMIN
Published: January 2012

There is growing notion that black holes may not contain curvature singularities (and that indeed nature in general may abhor such spacetime defects). This notion could have implications on our understanding of the evolution of primordial Black holes (PBHs) and possibly on their contribution to cosmic energy. This paper discusses the evolution of a nonsingular black hole (NSBH) based on a recent model [M. R. Mbonye and D. Kazanas, Phys. Rev. D. 72 (2005) 024016]. The model is used to discuss the time evolution of a primordial black hole (PBH), through the early radiation era of the universe to present, under the assumption that PBHs are nonsingular. In particular, we track the evolution of two benchmark PBHs, namely the one radiating up to the end of the cosmic radiation domination era, and the one stopping to radiate currently, and in each case determine some useful features including the initial mass mf and the corresponding time of formation tf. It is found that along the evolutionary history of the universe the distribution of PBH remnant masses (PBH-RM) PBH-RMs follows a power law. We believe such a result can be a useful step in a study to establish current abundance of PBH-MRs.
VISCOUS CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PRESSURE FOR THE POTENTIAL FLOW ANALYSIS OF MAGNETOHYDRODYNAMIC KELVIN–HELMHOLTZ INSTABILITY
Authors: AWASTHI MUKESH KUMAR , AGRAWAL G. S.
Published: January 2012

The present paper deals with the study of viscous contributions to the pressure for the viscous potential flow analysis of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability with tangential magnetic field at the interface of two viscous fluids. Viscosity enters through normal stress balance in the viscous potential flow theory and tangential stresses for two fluids are not continuous at the interface. Here, we have considered viscous pressure in the normal stress balance along with the irrotational pressure and it is assumed that the addition of this viscous pressure will resolve the discontinuity between the tangential stresses and the tangential velocities at the interface. The viscous pressure is derived by mechanical energy equation and this pressure correction applied to compute the growth rate of magnetohydrodynamic Kelvin–Helmholtz instability. A dispersion relation is obtained and stability criterion is given in the terms of critical value of relative velocity. It has been observed that the inclusion of irrotational shear stresses have stabilizing effect on the stability of the system.
PULL-IN INSTABILITY OF CIRCULAR PLATE MEMS: A NEW MODEL BASED ON STRAIN GRADIENT ELASTICITY THEORY
Authors: WANG BINGLEI , ZHOU SHENJIE , ZHAO JUNFENG , CHEN XI
Published: January 2012

Size-dependent characteristics have been widely observed in microscale devices. For the electrostatically actuated circular microplate-based MEMS, we propose a new model to predict the size-dependent pull-in instability based on the strain gradient elasticity theory. The model embeds three material length scale parameters (MLSPs), which can effectively predict the size-dependent pull-in voltage. The model can be reduced to the classical continuum model when MLSPs are ignored. The results show that the normalized pull-in voltage predicted by the present model increases nonlinearly with the decrease of the size scale of the plate, and the size effect becomes prominent if the characteristic dimension (plate thickness) is on the order of microns or smaller. The effects of the plate thickness and gap on the pull-in voltage are also investigated.
DYNAMICS OF PULSATILE FLOWS THROUGH ELASTIC MICROTUBES
Authors: SAN OMER , STAPLES ANNE E.
Published: January 2012

We investigate the dynamics of pressure driven-transient flows of incompressible Newtonian fluids through circular microtubes having thin elastic walls under the long-wavelength and small deformation assumptions, which are valid for many industrial and biological processes. An analytical solution of the coupled fluid and solid equations is found using Navier slip boundary conditions and is shown to include some existing Womersley solutions as limiting cases. The effect of the slip length at the fluid–solid interface is analyzed for oscillatory pressure gradients using a range of slip ratio and frequency parameters. The solutions for elastic and rigid walls are compared for the cases with and without slip boundary conditions for a broad range of the relevant parameters. It is shown that the elastic behavior of the microtube couples nonlinearly with the slip velocity, which greatly enhances the achievable flow rate and pumping efficacy compared to the inelastic case. In addition, it is observed that increasing the slip length produces less shear stress, which is consistent with the nearly frictionless interfaces observed in many microscale experiments.
STOCHASTIC THERMAL POST-BUCKLING RESPONSE OF LAMINATED COMPOSITE CYLINDRICAL SHELL PANEL WITH SYSTEM RANDOMNESS
Authors: LAL ACHCHHE , SINGH B. N. , KALE SUSHIL
Published: January 2012

The effect of random system properties on thermal post-buckling temperature of laminated composite cylindrical shell panel with temperature independent (TID) and dependent (TD) material properties subjected to uniform temperature distribution is examined in this study. System properties such as material properties, thermal expansion coefficients and lamina plate thickness are modeled as independent basic random variables. The basic formulation is based on higher-order shear deformation (HSDT) theory with von-Karman nonlinearity using modified C0 continuty. A direct iterative-based C0 nonlinear finite element method (FEM) combined with Taylor series-based mean-centered first-order perturbation technique (FOPT) developed by the authors for composite plate is extended for shell panel with reasonable accuracy to compute second-order statistics of post-buckling temperature of cylindrical shell panel. Typical numerical results for second order statistics (mean and coefficient of variance) of thermal post-buckling temperature of laminated cylindrical shell panel are obtained through numerical examples for various support conditions, amplitude ratios, shell thickness ratios, aspect ratios, lamination lay-up sequences, curvature to length ratios, types of material properties with the effect of random system parameters. The performance of outlined approach has been validated with those results available in the literatures and independent MCS.
An e-government initiative to support supply chain integration for small to medium sized enterprises
Authors: Chen Hsin , Papazafeiropoulou Anastasia , Wu Chingfang
Published: January 2012

The paper highlights the importance of the e-government initiative to support the supply chain integration among Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs). It has been reported that organisations need to integrate their Information Technology (IT) infrastructures to support the integration of their supply chains to increase their efficiency. However, the current research suggests that Small and Medium Size Enterprises (SMEs), due to their lack of expertise and financial resources to invest in the necessary technologies, seem to need further support from the government in their efforts to adopt IT. Therefore, the role of the government is fundamental in supporting them to adopt supply chain management technologies, especially in geographical contexts such as this of Taiwan. A case study is therefore carried out in this paper to study an initiative taken in Taiwan by the government in order to help the supply chain integration of Taiwanese IT manufacturing companies. The findings suggest that the adoption of IT by SMEs (i.e. suppliers) is very much dependent on external forces (resource-dependency view), thus the government has a very important role to play when it comes to supporting SMEs to join supply chain networks. In doing so, this research provides a broader understanding of the phenomenon of e-government initiatives to support supply chain integration in practice.
Etanercept-Induced Myelopathy in a Pediatric Case of Blau Syndrome
Authors: Caracseghi Fabiola , Izquierdo-Blasco Jaume , Sanchez-Montanez Angel , Melendo-Perez Susana , Roig-Quilis Manuel , Modesto Consuelo
Published: January 2012

Blau syndrome is a rare autoinflammatory disorder within the group of pediatric granulomatous diseases. Mutations in nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain 2 (NOD2/CARD15) are responsible for this condition, which has an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance and variable expressivity. The clinical picture includes arthritis, uveitis, skin rash, and granulomatous inflammation. Central nervous system involvement is seldom reported, although some isolated cases of seizures, neurosensorial hearing loss, and transient cranial nerve palsy have been described. Treatment consists of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, and immunosuppressive agents, among which anti-tumor-necrosis-factor-alpha (TNF-α) biologic agents, such as etanercept, play an important role. Among the major adverse effects of TNF-αinhibitors, demyelinating disease, multiple sclerosis, and acute transverse myelitis have been reported in adults. We describe a case of pediatric Blau syndrome affected by etanercept-induced myelopathy, manifesting as a clinical syndrome of transverse myelitis. The patient experienced rapid recovery after etanercept was discontinued. To our knowledge, this is the first such case reported in the literature and, possibly, the one with the latest onset, following 8 years of treatment. We discuss the etiopathogenic mechanisms of this reaction and possible explanations for the imaging findings.
Atomic Layer Deposition of MgO Nanofilms on BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ Blue Phosphors
Authors: Kim Hyug Jong , Kim Hee Gyu , Kang In Gu , Choi Byung Ho
Published: January 2012

This paper reports the growth of MgO nanofilms on BaMgAl10O17:Eu2+ blue phosphors by using the atomic layer deposition method. MgO films were prepared at 120°C by using Mg(CpEt)2 and H2O as the precursor and reactant gas, respectively. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis showed that the Mg peak of the coated powders was higher than that of the uncoated powders. This confirmed that the surface of the coated phosphor powder comprised MgO nanoscale film. Through TEM and FE‐SEM analysis, it was observed that the growth rate was about 0.33 Å/cycle and that the surface morphology of the coated phosphors was smoother and clearer than that of uncoated phosphor. The photoluminescence (PL) intensity for the coated phosphors was 5%–19% higher than that of uncoated phosphor. This means that the reactive surface is uniformly grown with stable magnesium oxide to reduce the dead surface layer without change of bulk properties.
Design and Realization of GaAs Digital Circuit for Mixed Signal MMIC Implementation in AESA Applications
Authors: Bentini Andrea , Pasciuto Benedetto , Ciccognani Walter , Limiti Ernesto , Nanni Antonio , Romanini Paolo
Published: January 2012

A complete design flow starting from the technological process development up to the fabrication of digital circuits is presented. The aim of this work is to demonstrate the GaAs Enhancement/Depletion (E/D) double stop-etch technology implementation feasibility for digital applications, aimed at mixed signal circuit integration. On the basis of the characterization of small E/D devices with different Gate peripheries, developed by the SELEX-SI foundry, and the analysis of several GaAs-based logical families, the most suitable logic for the available technology has been selected. Then, simple test vehicles (level shifters, NOR logic gates and D Flip-Flops) have been designed, realized, and measured to validate the design strategy applied to the GaAs E/D process. These logical circuits are preliminary to the design of a more complex serial-to-parallel converter, to be implemented onto the same chip together with RF analog blocks, such as stepped attenuators and phase shifters.
Gas Gangrene as a Result of Femoral Traction Pin Placement
Authors: Taylor Benjamin C. , Bramwell Thomas J. , Formaini Nathan
Published: January 2012

Treatment of adult femoral shaft fractures typically involves operative stabilization with intramedullary implants, external fixation, or a plate and screw construct. However, when stabilization is delayed for any reason, use of a traction pin is recommended to stabilize the fracture, prevent significant shortening, as well as to help with pain control. In this paper, we present the rare complication of a severe gas gangrene infection caused byClostridium perfringensthat led to several amputations and ultimately death. We also discuss risks of temporary skeletal traction and techniques to overcome the morbidity of such a procedure.
American Indian Identity and Blood Quantum in the 21st Century: A Critical Review
Authors: Schmidt Ryan W.
Published: January 2012

Identity in American Indian communities has continually been a subject of contentious debate among legal scholars, federal policy-makers, anthropologists, historians, and even within Native American society itself. As American Indians have a unique relationship with the United States, their identity has continually been redefined and reconstructed over the last century and a half. This has placed a substantial burden on definitions for legal purposes and tribal affiliation and on American Indians trying to self-identify within multiple cultural contexts. Is there an appropriate means to recognize and define just who is an American Indian? One approach has been to define identity through the use of blood quantum, a metaphorical construction for tracing individual and group ancestry. This paper will review the utility of blood quantum by examining the cultural, social, biological, and legal implications inherent in using such group membership and, further, how American Indian identity is being affected.
Acute Liver Failure Secondary to Metastatic Medullary Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Gorospe Emmanuel C. , Badamas Jemilat
Published: January 2012

Acute liver failure (ALF) is a rare presentation of liver metastases. Although cases of ALF from metastatic disease have been reported, etiologies have been largely confined to lymphoma, metastatic breast, lung, and gastric cancers. ALF from medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) has never been reported. We present a 59-year-old male with newly diagnosed MTC, who was admitted with ALF. He presented with jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy, and synthetic dysfunction. His clinical course was marked by rapid decompensation within 6 days from initial presentation of jaundice to development of hepatic coma. Although liver metastases from medullary thyroid cancer have been reported, to our knowledge, this is the first described case of MTC resulting in acute liver failure.
Structural Basis for Species Selectivity in the HIV-1 gp120-CD4 Interaction: Restoring Affinity to gp120 in Murine CD4 Mimetic Peptides
Authors: Kassler Kristin , Meier Julia , Eichler Jutta , Sticht Heinrich
Published: January 2012

The first step of HIV-1 infection involves interaction between the viral glycoprotein gp120 and the human cellular receptor CD4. Inhibition of the gp120-CD4 interaction represents an attractive strategy to block HIV-1 infection. In an attempt to explore the known lack of affinity of murine CD4 to gp120, we have investigated peptides presenting the putative gp120-binding site of murine CD4 (mCD4). Molecular modeling indicates that mCD4 protein cannot bind gp120 due to steric clashes, while the larger conformational flexibility of mCD4 peptides allows an interaction. This finding is confirmed by experimental binding assays, which also evidenced specificity of the peptide-gp120 interaction. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate that the mCD4-peptide stably interacts with gp120 via an intermolecular β-sheet, while an important salt-bridge formed by a C-terminal lysine is lost. Fixation of the C-terminus by introducing a disulfide bridge between the N- and C-termini of the peptide significantly enhanced the affinity to gp120.
General Anaesthesia for Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in a Patient with the Kearns-Sayre Syndrome
Authors: Calzavacca Paolo , Schmidt Walter , Guzzi Manuela
Published: January 2012

We report a case of a 40-year-old man affected by the Kearns-Sayre syndrome who underwent an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy under general anaesthesia. We describe the management of general anaesthesia in this rare myopathy, with emphasis on the use of rocuronium as muscle blocking agent. Induction was achieved with propofol and fentanyl, and general anaesthesia was maintained with fentanyl and sevoflurane/N2O/O2mixture. The anaesthetic plan proved to be safe and effective, and extubation was achieved in the operating theatre. The postoperative recovery of the patient was satisfactory and uneventful.
Development of New Candidate Gene and EST-Based Molecular Markers forGossypiumSpecies
Authors: Buyyarapu Ramesh , Kantety Ramesh V. , Yu John Z. , Saha Sukumar , Sharma Govind C.
Published: January 2012

New source of molecular markers accelerate the efforts in improving cotton fiber traits and aid in developing high-density integrated genetic maps. We developed new markers based on candidate genes andG. arboreumEST sequences that were used for polymorphism detection followed by genetic and physical mapping. Nineteen gene-based markers were surveyed for polymorphism detection in 26Gossypiumspecies. Cluster analysis generated a phylogenetic tree with four major sub-clusters for 23 species while three species branched out individually. CAP method enhanced the rate of polymorphism of candidate gene-based markers betweenG. hirsutumandG. barbadense. Two hundred A-genome based SSR markers were designed after datamining ofG. arboreumEST sequences (MississippiGossypiumarboreum  EST-SSR: MGAES). Over 70% of MGAES markers successfully produced amplicons while 65 of them demonstrated polymorphism between the parents ofG. hirsutumandG. barbadenseRIL population and formed 14 linkage groups. Chromosomal localization of both candidate gene-based and MGAES markers was assisted by euploid and hypoaneuploid CS-B analysis. Gene-based and MGAES markers were highly informative as they were designed from candidate genes and fiber transcriptome with a potential to be integrated into the existing cotton genetic and physical maps.
Evaluation of the Inductive Coupling between Equivalent Emission Sources of Components
Authors: Ferber Moisés , Zangui Sanâa , Sartori Carlos , Vollaire Christian , Perrussel Ronan , Krähenbühl Laurent
Published: January 2012

The electromagnetic interference between electronic systems or between their components influences the overall performance. It is important thus to model these interferences in order to optimize the position of the components of an electronic system. In this paper, a methodology to construct the equivalent model of magnetic field sources is proposed. It is based on the multipole expansion, and it represents the radiated emission of generic structures in a spherical reference frame. Experimental results for different kinds of sources are presented illustrating our method.
Sunspot Cycle 24 and the Advent of Dalton-Like Minimum
Authors: Ahluwalia H. S. , Ygbuhay R. C.
Published: January 2012

Ahluwalia and Jackiewicz (2011) have predicted that sunspot cycle 24 will be only half as active as cycle 23, reaching its peak in May2013±6months. Here, we discuss the timeline for cycle 24 since its onset in December, 2008 and compare it to the timelines for the last ten cycles (14 to 23) of the 20th century; cycle 24 is rising the slowest. We speculate that cycle 24 may herald the onset of a Dalton-like minimum in the 21st century. The implications of this outcome on global temperature change and ensuing socioeconomic and political scenarios are discussed, on the basis of the historical record.
Synthesis and Electroanalytical Performance of a Composite Material Based on Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) Doped with Lignosulfonate
Authors: Milczarek Grzegorz , Rebis Tomasz
Published: January 2012

3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene (EDOT) was electropolymerized in the presence of sodium lignosulfonate (LS) at constant current density of 0.25 mA cm−2. As a result, a thin composite film consisting of poly(3,4-Ethylenedioxythiophene) and LS (PEDOT/LS) was deposited on the electrode surface. Unlike PEDOT, PEDOT/LS shows appreciable redox activity due to LS-derived quinone moieties with diffusion-like charge propagation across the film thickness. The film-modified gold electrodes can be used as voltammetric sensor of uric acid (UA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA). Interestingly, the UA response is catalysed by the presence of AA, and for high AA/UA concentration ratios more than 10-fold enhancement of the UA peak currents are apparent.
Scimitar Syndrome in an Asymptomatic Adult: Fortuitous Diagnosis by Imaging Technique
Authors: Ramirez-Marrero Miguel Angel , de Mora-Martin Manuel
Published: January 2012

Congenital cardiopathies in adults are a rare clinical entity in the cardiology consultations. Advances in imaging techniques allow the fortuitous diagnosis of mild forms of these congenital abnormalities. We describe a case of an asymptomatic 41-year-old man, with a medical history of recurrent pneumonia during childhood and an established diagnosis of scimitar syndrome by computed tomography.