bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interactions between charged surfaces mediated by molecules with spatially distributed charges
Authors: Bohinc Klemen
Published: December 2012

A short review of recent theoretical advances in studies of the interaction between highly charged systems is presented. Such a system could not be described by the mean field theory. More advanced methods have to be used in order to introduce the correlations between highly charged particles. In this work I focus on the system of highly charged surfaces, separated by a solution of molecules with spatially distributed charge. Two different representations of the molecular shape will be considered: rod-like and spherical. The system will be theoretically described by the density functional theory. For sufficiently long molecules and large surface charge densities, an attractive force between like-charged surfaces arises due to the spatially distributed charges within the molecules. The added salt has influence on the condition for the attractive force between like-charged surfaces. The theoretical results will be compared with Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. Recent measurements with multivalent rigid rod-like particles will be discussed.
“Has it been enough yet?” – Experimental study of an unreciprocated forgiving act and mentalizing ability influencing the chance for agreement in an escalating conflict
Authors: Kovács Judit , Pántya József , Bernáth Ágnes , Máth János , Hidegkuti István
Published: December 2012

Az interperszonális konfliktusok gyakran eszkalálódnak: az egyik fél ellenséges gesztusát követi a másiké. A tét jellemzően emelkedik, az okozott és viszonzásképp kapott károk egyre nagyobbak. Ez a folyamat mindenkinek árt, s a felek gyakran élik meg azt, hogy szeretnének belőle kilépni, de a folyamatnak olyan sodrása van, ami ezt nem engedi megtenni.
Kísérletes vizsgálatunkban, amelyben 90 fő vett részt, azt tanulmányoztuk, hogy az eszkalálódó konfliktusokból való kilépést bizonyos interaktív és személyi változók hogyan befolyásolják. Az interaktív tényezők közül a viszonzatlan békülési gesztus, a személyi változók közül pedig a mentalizációs képesség hatása állt érdeklődésünk középpontjában. Kérdéseink megválaszolására egy olyan kísérletes játékhoz fordultunk, amelyben jól értelmezhetőek voltak az eszkalálódó konfliktus, a békülési gesztus, a viszonzatlan békülési kezdeményezés és a bosszú jelenségei. A kísérletes játékot azért tartottuk megfelelő keretnek, mert a viszonzatlan békülési gesztus hatásának megragadása kontrollált környezetben lehetséges benne, másrészt a mentalizációs képesség feltételezett hatásai a stratégiai játékokban megfelelően kibontakozhatnak.
A viszonzatlan békülési gesztus későbbi megegyezést befolyásoló hatásáról felállított hipotézisünk egyértelmű megerősítést nyert: ez az esemény nehezíti a későbbi megegyezést. Normát sért, a kezdeményező felet ezáltal presztízssérelem éri, ami az egyébként is jelenlevő anyagi veszteségekhez adódóan további megtorlásra ösztönöz. A mentalizációs képességgel kapcsolatban pedig sikerült megerősíteni azt a várakozásunkat, hogy konfliktusviselkedés esetén a jobb mentalizációval bíró személyek (esetünkben a Szemből olvasás tesztben jobb eredményt elérő személyek), valószínűleg az empátia közvetítésével, könnyebben békülnek, könnyebben tudnak megegyezésre jutván véget vetni a konfliktusoknak.
Relationship between spirituality, religiosity and alcohol use among high school students
Authors: Pikó Bettina , Kovács Eszter , Kriston Pálma
Published: December 2012

A serdülőkor egyfajta útkeresés, mind az egyéni életút vonatkozásában, mind pedig a világkép megalapozásában, az értékek és erkölcsi elvek megismerésében és integrálásában. A pozitív pszichológia a vallásosságot és a spiritualitást humán erősségként határozza meg, amely fejlődéstanilag erősíti a rezilienciát, az egészséggel, boldogsággal és jólléttel kapcsolatban pedig hatékony védőfaktor. Jelen tanulmány célja szegedi középiskolások (N = 655, 14–21 évesek, 49,2% lány, 50,8% fiú) körében annak tesztelése volt, hogy mennyiben igazolható a kapcsolat az alkoholfogyasztás (életprevalencia, aktuális alkoholfogyasztás és nagyivás), valamint a vallásosság/spiritualitás mutatói között. Logisztikus regresszióanalízis segítségével értékeltük az alkoholfogyasztást mérő dichotóm változók, valamint az egyes vallásos változók közötti összefüggéseket. Adataink azt mutatják, hogy az alkoholfogyasztásra kevésbé hajlamosak azok a fiatalok, akiknek a vallás fontos szerepet tölt be a mindennapi életükben, akik biztosak a hitükben, és akik gyakorolják is a vallásukat (például imádkozással, templomba járással). Önmagában az, hogy valaki megnevez-e vallási felekezetet vagy közösséget, még nem jelent védelmet. A New Age hiedelmek elfogadása ugyanakkor nagyobb eséllyel hat az alkoholfogyasztás gyakoriságára.
Psychological aspects of infertility: Results of a Hungarian pilot study
Authors: Szigeti F. Judit , Konkolÿ Thege Barna
Published: December 2012

Háttér és célkitűzések: vizsgálatunk célja magyar mintán ellenőrizni a meddőség pszichés vonatkozásait feltáró eddigi, nemzetközi eredményeket.
Módszer: 75 fős (63 nő, 12 férfi), magyar, kényelmi, keresztmetszeti minta felmérése történt önkitöltős, részben sztenderdizált kérdőívekkel.
Eredmények: a vizsgált nők depresszióértékei szignifikánsan magasabbak a Hungarostudy Epidemiológiai Panelvizsgálat országos reprezentatív vizsgálatban talált, nőkre vonatkozó, 2006-os pontszámoknál (BDI-S; átlag (M)=13,9; szórás(SD)=13,4; vs. M=9,7; SD=11,9; p<0,05). Az élet értelmességének mértéke szignifikánsan alacsonyabb az átlagnépesség sztenderdjeinél (BSCI-LM-7, M=8,9; SD=3,2; vs. M=9,9; SD=2,8; p<0,05). Állapot- és vonásszorongásszintjük azonban nem különbözik ezektől (rendre p=0,205 és p=0,477). A férfiak semmilyen mutató mentén nem tértek el az országos átlagoktól. Mintánkon belül sem a nem, sem az életkor, egy gyermek léte vagy a meddőség hossza, diagnózisa, a kezelések mennyisége és minősége nem látszott befolyásolni a lelkiállapotot. Szignifikánsan magasabb volt mind az állapot-, mind a vonásszorongása azoknak a nőknek, akik spontán vetélést éltek át, szemben azokkal, akiknek nem volt vetélésük, vagy terhesség-megszakításuk (is) volt (STAI-S; M=49,5; SD=13,8; vs. M=41,4; SD=11,9; p<0,05; / STAI-T; M=47,4; SD=11,6; vs. M=41,5; SD=10,4; p<0,05). Azok a med-dők, akik nem hisznek egy transzcendens hatalom létében vagy bizonytalanok, szignifikánsan magasabb depresszió-pontszámot értek el azoknál, akik hisznek (BDI-S, M=17,1; SD=15,1; vs. M=10,0; SD=10,1; p<0,05). A válaszadók 44%-a hiányolja a meddőségi centrumokban a pszicho-lógiai segítségnyújtást.
Következtetések: a pilot-vizsgálat alátámasztja a nemzetközi eredményeket, miszerint a termékenységre várók lényegesen lehangoltabbak és életüket kevésbé érzik értelmesnek a ter-mékenységi nehézségekkel nem küzdőknél. Ez megfontolandóvá teszi a meddőségi kezelések során nyújtott pszichés támogatás beépítését a szakmai protokollba.
Utilising confinement reinforcement for shear resistance in reinforced concrete structures
Authors: Jaafar Kamal
Published: December 2012

Common transverse reinforcement of reinforced concrete members with circular cross-section consists of round ties or spirals. Its purpose in members that are not subjected to significant shear loading is to provide proper confinement for concrete, and eliminate buckling of the longitudinal reinforcement bars. If spirals are to be used as both shear enabler and confiner for reinforced concrete beams then, under combined action of moment and shear, spirals will be required to provide or contribute to proper shear resistance. Hence, a proper assessment for spiral shear contribution is required. The validity of concepts which underline current methods for shear design used in design codes will be investigated in this paper, especially for beams with the shear configuration, which violates basic code rules on forming a truss. A simplified sectional model based on sectional crack analysis and a corresponding approach in assessing the shear contribution of spiral shear reinforcement are presented. A method for evaluating the shear capacity of beams with spirals has also been proposed.
Relationship Between Medical Well Baby Visits and First Dental Examinations for Young Children in Medicaid
Authors: Chi Donald L. , Momany Elizabeth T. , Jones Michael P. , Kuthy Raymond A. , Askelson Natoshia M. , Wehby George L. , Damiano Peter C.
Published: December 2012

Objectives. We examined the relationship between preventive well baby visits (WBVs) and the timing of first dental examinations for young Medicaid-enrolled children.

Methods. The study focused on children born in 2000 and enrolled continuously in the Iowa Medicaid Program from birth to age 41 months (n = 6322). The main predictor variables were number and timing of WBVs. The outcome variable was timing of first dental examination. We used survival analysis to evaluate these relationships.

Results. Children with more WBVs between ages 1 and 2 years and ages 2 and 3 years were 2.96 and 1.25 times as likely, respectively, to have earlier first dental examinations as children with fewer WBVs. The number of WBVs before age 1 year and the timing of the WBVs were not significantly related to the outcome.

Conclusions. The number of WBVs from ages 1 to 3 years was significantly related to earlier first dental examinations, whereas the number of WBVs before age 1 year and the timing of WBVs were not. Future interventions and policies should actively promote first dental examinations by age 12 months at WBVs that take place during the first year of life.
The Best Possible Intentions Testing Prophylactic Approaches on Humans in Developing Countries
Authors: Löwy Ilana
Published: December 2012

Debates on human experiments in developing countries focus on ethical principles such as informed consent, accountability, involvement of the concerned communities, and the improvement of local health services. Public health specialists who conducted human experiments in Rio de Janeiro (1902–1905) and in Guatemala (1947–1948) believed, however, that they were acting in the best interests of local populations, were aware of the importance of informed consent, were closely collaborating with local health professionals, and were contributing to the development of local health structures. Nevertheless, their investigations went dramatically wrong. An initial desire to conduct ethically and scientifically sound studies was undermined by pressure to obtain results and to save the researchers’ initial investment, the possibility of freely using hospitalized patients as experimental participants, uncritical help from local professional elites, and structural pitfalls of experimenting with severely deprived people. These elements can still be found in trials of preventive methods in the Global South.
Mi??ing Data: Should We C?re?
Authors: Harel Ofer , Boyko Jennifer
Published: December 2012

Across all fields of research, the issue of missing data arises. In most studies, surveys, or experiments, there are instances of nonresponse that need to be appropriately dealt with to conduct reasonable statistical analyses. There are several types of missing data as well as ways to deal with incomplete data sets.
Pentachlorophenol Contamination of Private Drinking Water From Treated Utility Poles
Authors: Karlsson Lee , Cragin Lori , Center Gail , Giguere Cary , Comstock Jeff , Boccuzzo Linda , Sumner Austin
Published: December 2012

In 2009, after resident calls regarding an odor, the Vermont Department of Health and state partners responded to 2 scenarios of private drinking water contamination from utility poles treated with pentachlorophenol (PCP), an organochlorine wood preservative used in the United States. Public health professionals should consider PCP contamination of private water if they receive calls about a chemical or gasoline-like odor with concurrent history of nearby utility pole replacement.
Population-Based Versus Practice-Based Recall for Childhood Immunizations: A Randomized Controlled Comparative Effectiveness Trial
Authors: Kempe Allison , Saville Alison , Dickinson L. Miriam , Eisert Sheri , Reynolds Joni , Herrero Diana , Beaty Brenda , Albright Karen , Dibert Eva , Koehler Vicky , Lockhart Steven , Calonge Ned
Published: December 2012

Objectives. We compared the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of population-based recall (Pop-recall) versus practice-based recall (PCP-recall) at increasing immunizations among preschool children.

Methods. This cluster-randomized trial involved children aged 19 to 35 months needing immunizations in 8 rural and 6 urban Colorado counties. In Pop-recall counties, recall was conducted centrally using the Colorado Immunization Information System (CIIS). In PCP-recall counties, practices were invited to attend webinar training using CIIS and offered financial support for mailings. The percentage of up-to-date (UTD) and vaccine documentation were compared 6 months after recall. A mixed-effects model assessed the association between intervention and whether a child became UTD.

Results. Ten of 195 practices (5%) implemented recall in PCP-recall counties. Among children needing immunizations, 18.7% became UTD in Pop-recall versus 12.8% in PCP-recall counties (P < .001); 31.8% had documented receipt of 1 or more vaccines in Pop-recall versus 22.6% in PCP-recall counties (P < .001). Relative risk estimates from multivariable modeling were 1.23 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10, 1.37) for becoming UTD and 1.26 (95% CI = 1.15, 1.38) for receipt of any vaccine. Costs for Pop-recall versus PCP-recall were $215 versus $1981 per practice and $17 versus $62 per child brought UTD.

Conclusions. Population-based recall conducted centrally was more effective and cost-effective at increasing immunization rates in preschool children.
Microfiltration of distillery stillage: Influence of membrane pore size
Authors: Vasic Vesna , Sciban Marina , Jokic Aleksandar , Prodanovic Jelena , Kukic Dragana
Published: December 2012

Stillage is one of the most polluted waste products of the food industry.
Beside large volume, the stillage contains high amount of suspended solids,
high values of chemical oxygen demand and biological oxygen demand, so it
should not be discharged in the nature before previous purification. In this
work, three ceramic membranes for microfiltration with different pore sizes
were tested for stillage purification in order to find the most suitable
membrane for the filtration process. Ceramic membranes with a nominal pore
size of 200 nm, 450 nm and 800 nm were used for filtration. The influence of
pore size on permeate flux and removal efficiency was investigated. A
membrane with the pore size of 200 nm showed the best filtration performance
so it was chosen for the microfiltration process.
Screening of antibacterial activity of raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) fruit and pomace extracts
Authors: Velicanski Aleksandra , Cvetkovic Dragoljub , Markov Sinisa
Published: December 2012

Antibacterial activity of fruit and pomace extracts (concentration 50 mg/ml)
of two raspberry (Rubus idaeus L.) cultivars (Meeker and Willamette) was
tested against selected Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (reference
and wild strains). Disc diffusion method with 15 ?l of extracts and agar-well
diffusion method with 50 and 100 ?l were used. Antibiotic
(cefotaxime/clavulanic acid) was used as a control. Both raspberry fruit
extracts showed the strongest antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas
aeruginosa (wild strain) and Bacillus cereus, where the largest clear zones
(without growth) appeared. Escherichia coli was the most resistant strain,
with only zone of reduced growth. The highest antibacterial activity of
pomace extracts was against Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus
saprophyticus. There were no differences in the antibacterial activity
between cultivars for both fruit and pomace extracts.
Ethanol fermentation of molasses by Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells immobilized onto sugar beet pulp
Authors: Vucurovic Vesna , Razmovski Radojka
Published: December 2012

Natural adhesion of Saccharomyces cerevisiae onto sugar beet pulp (SBP) is a
very simple and cheap immobilization method for retaining high cells density
in the ethanol fermentation system. In the present study, yeast cells were
immobilized by adhesion onto SBP suspended in the synthetic culture media
under different conditions such as: glucose concentration (100, 120 and 150
g/l), inoculum concentration (5, 10 and 15 g/l dry mass) and temperature (25,
30, 35 and 40?C). In order to estimate the optimal immobilization conditions
the yeast cells retention (R), after each immobilization experiment was
analyzed. The highest R value of 0.486 g dry mass yeast /g dry mass SBP was
obtained at 30?C, glucose concentration of 150 g/l, and inoculum
concentration of 15 g/l. The yeast immobilized under these conditions was
used for ethanol fermentation of sugar beet molasses containing 150.2 g/l of
reducing sugar. Efficient ethanol fermentation (ethanol concentration of
70.57 g/l, fermentation efficiency 93.98%) of sugar beet molasses was
achieved using S. cerevisiae immobilized by natural adhesion on SBP.
Biosorption of copper(II) and chromium(VI) by modified tea fungus
Authors: Sciban Marina , Prodanovic Jelena , Razmovski Radojka
Published: December 2012

The tea fungus was found to have good adsorption capacities for heavy metal
ions. In this work it was treated with HCl or NaOH at 20?C or 100?C, with the
aim to improve its adsorption ability. The sorption of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) ions
from aqueous solutions by raw and treated tea fungus was investigated in the
batch mode. The largest quantity of adsorbed Cu(II), of about 55 mg/g, was
achieved by tea fungus modified with NaOH at 100?C. For Cr(VI), the largest
quantity of adsorbed anions, of about 58 mg/g, was achieved by the adsorbent
modified with NaOH at 20?C. It was shown that acid modification of tea fungus
biomass was not effective.
Edge Detection from MRI and DTI Images with an Anisotropic Vector Field Flow Using a Divergence Map
Authors: Giuliani Donatella
Published: December 2012

The aim of this work is the extraction of edges from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) images by a deformable contour procedure, using an external force field derived from an anisotropic flow. Moreover, we introduce a divergence map in order to check the convergence of the process. As we know from vector calculus, divergence is a measure of the magnitude of a vector field convergence at a given point. Thus by means level curves of the divergence map, we have automatically selected an initial contour for the deformation process. If the initial curve includes the areas from which the vector field diverges, it will be able to push the curve towards the edges. Furthermore the divergence map highlights the presence of curves pointing to the most significant geometric parts of boundaries corresponding to high curvature values. In this way, the skeleton of the extracted object will be rather well defined and may subsequently be employed in shape analysis and morphological studies.
Application of Gut Cell Models for Toxicological and Bioactivity Studies of Functional and Novel Foods
Authors: Trapecar Martin , Cencic Avrelija
Published: December 2012

The concept of functional and novel foods undoubtedly bears great potential as an asset to human health. However, this very same quest for ever new bioactive ingredients calls for reliable and distinct risk assessment as they may be potentially hazardous to human health. Most of today's methodologies still rely on decades old routines of animal trials and use of tumor-derived cell lines. Since such methodologies are not in line with the actual processes in the human body and with the 3R (replacement, reduction, refinement) concept, the results are often unreliable and misleading. Therefore, in this paper we propose the utilization of available untransformed small intestinal cell lines derived from human and pig tissue of non-tumor origin and describe several available cell models of the gut that offer a functional, close resemblance with the in vivo environment.
High Density Lipoprotein Protects Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Oxidative Stress-Induced Apoptosis via Activation of the PI3K/Akt Pathway and Suppression of Reactive Oxygen Species
Authors: Xu Jianfeng , Qian Juying , Xie Xinxing , Lin Li , Zou Yunzeng , Fu Mingqiang , Huang Zheyong , Zhang Guoping , Su Yangang , Ge Junbo
Published: December 2012

The therapeutic effect of transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in myocardial infarction (MI) appears to be limited by poor cell viability in the injured tissue, which is a consequence of oxidative stress and pro-apoptotic factors. High density lipoprotein (HDL) reverses cholesterol transport and has anti-oxidative and anti-apoptotic properties. We, therefore, investigated whether HDL could protect MSCs from oxidative stress-induced apoptosis. MSCs derived from the bone marrow of rats were pre-incubated with or without HDL, and then were exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in vitro, or were transplanted into experimentally infarcted hearts of rats in vivo. Pre-incubation of MSCs with HDL increased cell viability, reduced apoptotic indices and resulted in parallel decreases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) in comparison with control MSCs. Each of the beneficial effects of HDL on MSCs was attenuated by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt pathway. Preconditioning with HDL resulted in higher MSC survival rates, improved cardiac remodeling and better myocardial function than in the MSC control group. Collectively, these results suggest that HDL may protect against H2O2-induced apoptosis in MSCs through activation of a PI3K/Akt pathway, and by suppressing the production of ROS.
Label-Free Microcavity Biosensors: Steps towards Personalized Medicine
Authors: Amarie Dragos , Glazier James
Published: December 2012

Personalized medicine has the potential to improve our ability to maintain health and treat disease, while ameliorating continuously rising healthcare costs. Translation of basic research findings to clinical applications within regulatory compliance is required for personalized medicine to become the new foundation for practice of medicine. Deploying even a few of the thousands of potential diagnostic biomarkers identified each year as part of personalized treatment workflows requires clinically efficient biosensor technologies to monitor multiple biomarkers in patients in real time. This paper discusses a critical component of a regulatory system, a microcavity optical biosensor for label-free monitoring of biomolecular interactions at physiologically-relevant concentrations. While most current biosensor research focuses on improving sensitivity, this paper emphasizes other characteristics a biosensor technology requires to be practical in a clinical setting, presenting robust microcavity biosensors which are easy to manufacture and integrate with microfluidics into flexible and redesignable platforms making the microcavity biosensors deployable for continuous monitoring of biomarkers in body fluids in the clinic, in dense 2D random arrays for high-throughput applications like drug-library screening in interactomics, and of the secretory behavior of single cells in the laboratory.
Towards a Hybrid Energy Efficient Multi-Tree-Based Optimized Routing Protocol for Wireless Networks
Authors: Mitton Nathalie , Razafindralambo Tahiry , Simplot-Ryl David , Stojmenovic Ivan
Published: December 2012

This paper considers the problem of designing power efficient routing with guaranteed delivery for sensor networks with unknown geographic locations. We propose HECTOR, a hybrid energy efficient tree-based optimized routing protocol, based on two sets of virtual coordinates. One set is based on rooted tree coordinates, and the other is based on hop distances toward several landmarks. In HECTOR, the node currently holding the packet forwards it to its neighbor that optimizes ratio of power cost over distance progress with landmark coordinates, among nodes that reduce landmark coordinates and do not increase distance in tree coordinates. If such a node does not exist, then forwarding is made to the neighbor that reduces tree-based distance only and optimizes power cost over tree distance progress ratio. We theoretically prove the packet delivery and propose an extension based on the use of multiple trees. Our simulations show the superiority of our algorithm over existing alternatives while guaranteeing delivery, and only up to 30% additional power compared to centralized shortest weighted path algorithm.
An Ultrasensitive Chemiluminescence Biosensor for Carcinoembryonic Antigen Based on Autocatalytic Enlargement of Immunogold Nanoprobes
Authors: Hao Minjia , Ma Zhanfang
Published: December 2012

A sensitive flow injection chemiluminescence assay for carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) detection based on signal amplification with gold nanoparticles (NPs) is reported in the present work. The sandwich system of CEA/anti-CEA/goat-anti-mouse IgG functionalized Au nanoparticles was used as the sensing platform. In order to improve detection sensitivity, a further gold enlargement step was developed based on the autocatalytic Au deposition of gold nanoprobes via the reduction of AuCl4− to Au0 on their surface in the presence of NH2OH·HCl. AuCl4−, which is a soluble product of gold nanoprobes, served as an analyte in the CL reaction for the indirect measurement of CEA. Under optimized conditions, the CL intensity of the system was linearly related to the logarithm of CEA concentration in the range of 100 pg∙mL−1 to 1,000 ng∙mL−1, with a detection limit of 20 pg∙mL−1.
A Laboratory Goniometer System for Measuring Reflectance and Emittance Anisotropy
Authors: Roosjen Peter , Clevers Jan , Bartholomeus Harm , Schaepman Michael , Schaepman-Strub Gabriela , Jalink Henk , Van der Schoor Rob , De Jong Arjan
Published: December 2012

In this paper, a laboratory goniometer system for performing multi-angular measurements under controlled illumination conditions is described. A commercially available robotic arm enables the acquisition of a large number of measurements over the full hemisphere within a short time span making it much faster than other goniometers. In addition, the presented set-up enables assessment of anisotropic reflectance and emittance behaviour of soils, leaves and small canopies. Mounting a spectrometer enables acquisition of either hemispherical measurements or measurements in the horizontal plane. Mounting a thermal camera allows directional observations of the thermal emittance. This paper also presents three showcases of these different measurement set-ups in order to illustrate its possibilities. Finally, suggestions for applying this instrument and for future research directions are given, including linking the measured reflectance anisotropy with physically-based anisotropy models on the one hand and combining them with field goniometry measurements for joint analysis with remote sensing data on the other hand. The speed and flexibility of the system offer a large added value to the existing pool of laboratory goniometers.
Epstein-Barr Virus in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis—Association and Causation
Authors: Lossius Andreas , Johansen Jorunn , Torkildsen Øivind , Vartdal Frode , Holmøy Trygve
Published: December 2012

Epidemiological data suggest that the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with several autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, it is not clear whether EBV plays a role in the pathogenesis of these diseases, and if so, by which mechanisms the virus may contribute. In this review, we discuss possible viral and immunological mechanisms that might explain associations between EBV and autoimmune diseases and whether these associations represent causes or effects of inflammation and autoimmunity.
Influence of cyclodextrin on the solubility and the polymerization of (meth)acrylated Triton® X-100
Authors: Kemnitz Melanie , Ritter Helmut
Published: December 2012

Triton® X-100 (poly(ethylene glycol) tert-octylphenyl ether) was (meth)acrylated and polymerized in the absence and presence of randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin (RAMEB-CD). Triton®-polymers that were polymerized with RAMEB-CD in water were compared with polymers that were synthesized in organic solvents after the addition of RAMEB-CD. The polymers were characterized by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy, matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) and turbidity measurements. Additionally, the viscosity change of the methacrylic homopolymer with RAMEB-CD was evaluated.
Can the Turkish model be relevant for the Arab Awakening ?
Authors: Kirisci Kemal
Published: December 2012

La Turquie est de plus en plus présente sur la scène internationale. Alors que les pays arabes sont engagés dans un processus de transition politique, l’on prétend régulièrement que la Turquie « nouvelle » pourrait leur servir de modèle. Cet article revient sur cette idée qui fait florès, s’interroge sur la notion de modèle et jauge sa réalité.
Aux sources du dynamisme économique turc
Authors: Ünal Deniz
Published: December 2012

74 millions d’habitants, une puissante industrie automobile exportatrice, un PIB par tête qui la place en seconde position des grands émergents derrière la Russie : il y a loin, très loin, de la Turquie d’aujourd’hui, à celle, autarcique, des débuts de la République, qui n’abritait en 1923 que 14 millions d’habitants, dont plus des trois quarts étaient des paysans illettrés. La plongée aux sources de son dynamisme économique et démographique montre que le « modèle turc » résulte d’une lente et tâtonnante construction d’un régime démocratique et d’une économie de marché tout à fait spécifiques.
Le YÖK et le Politique : un rapport paralysant la réforme de l'enseignement supérieur en Turquie
Authors: Yilmaz Murat
Published: December 2012

Le YÖK, le conseil de l’enseignement supérieur, a été fondé en 1981 par la junte militaire arrivée au pouvoir en 1980 par un coup d’Etat. Les militaires, pressés de remettre le pays dans le « droit chemin », entreprirent rapidement une réforme de l’enseignement supérieur visant à retirer aux universités leur autonomie. Le devoir du YÖK était donc de veiller à l’application de la nouvelle loi sur l’éducation supérieure. Mais en tant qu’institution étatique supra-parlementaire concentrant tous les pouvoirs de décision dans le domaine de l’enseignement supérieur, il se trouva très vite critiqué par une multitude d’acteurs, notamment par les différents gouvernements qui se succédèrent. Pour ses détracteurs, le YÖK, jugé anti-démocratique et autoritaire, devait absolument disparaître pour céder la place à des universités autonomes capables de se gérer elles-mêmes. Pour cela, il était nécessaire de changer la loi sur l’enseignement supérieur, ce qui relevait de la compétence du parlement turc. Cependant, malgré les promesses des différents partis politiques de réformer radicalement cette loi, il n’y a jamais eu de changement profond. L’objectif de notre article est d’expliquer, à travers une analyse de l’évolution des rapports entre le pouvoir et le YÖK, la raison pour laquelle celui-ci n’a pas été réformé radicalement. Selon notre hypothèse, le blocage qui caractérise la réforme de l’enseignement supérieur réside dans la rivalité de pouvoir qui s’est instaurée entre le YÖK et l’autorité politique. En d’autres termes, au sein de l’appareil d’Etat, la compétition opposant le YÖK au politique constitue un obstacle majeur à la volonté réelle de réformer en profondeur le YÖK. Néanmoins, la Turquie, engagée depuis le début des années 1990 dans un processus de démocratisation, a besoin plus que jamais de démocratiser le fonctionnement de l’enseignement universitaire.
Conscience impressionnelle et conscience réflexive : Husserl, Fink et les critiques phénomenologiques
Authors: Serban Claudia
Published: December 2012

Résumé À partir la distinction des trois sens de la conscience dans la Cinquième Recherche logique de Husserl, nous tâchons d’évaluer les rapports entre conscience, impression et réflexion. Seule la prise en compte de la temporalité immanente de la conscience permet de comprendre l’articulation des trois. Mais on souligne la fonction de connaissance et d’unification égologique qui confère à la réflexion un poids méthodologique considérable dans la phénoménologie de Husserl comme dans la pensée du jeune Fink. Enfin, la critique de Michel Henry permet de préciser à quelles conditions le niveau préréflexif ou impressionnel peut acquérir une teneur propre, voire une relative autonomie.
Le cerveau, une réputation bien surfaite ? La conception standard et ses ennemis
Authors: Forest Denis
Published: December 2012

Résumé La seule alternative au dualisme est-elle la thèse de l’identité entre états mentaux et états cérébraux ? Non, si on en croit Alva Noë ( Out of our Heads , 2009) et W. Teed Rockwell ( Neither Brain nor Ghost , 2005). Privilégiant les interactions entre cerveau, corps et environnement, ils entendent proposer une critique des fondements des neurosciences cognitives. Cependant, ni la conception énactiviste de Noë, ni la conception néopragmatiste de Rockwell n’ont les implications bouleversantes qu’elles prétendent avoir. Le conflit apparent des théories semble en outre se ramener à des différences de perspective sur la cognition, l’esprit et la conscience.
Transcriptome analysis and physiology of Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705 cells under continuous culture conditions
Authors: Mozzetti V. , Grattepanche F. , Moine D. , Berger B. , Rezzonico E. , Arigoni F. , Lacroix C.
Published: December 2012

A central issue in the use of probiotics in food and food supplements is their sensitivity to many environmental stress factors. The resistance of probiotic cells to lethal stress can be improved by application of homologous or heterologous sub-lethal stress during culture. This screening procedure is generally performed using batch cultures. Continuous cultures could be a suitable and more efficient method to test different stress factors on one culture instead of repeating several batch cultures. However, before testing stresses using continuous cultures, the physiological stability of continuously produced cells over a considered time period must be first evaluated. A continuous culture of Bifidobacterium longum NCC2705 was maintained for 211 h at a dilution rate of 0.1 per h, mimicking a deceleration growth phase culture. Stable viable cell counts were measured over the culture period, decreasing only moderately from 8.8 to 8.6 log10 cfu/ml. A slight shift in metabolite production, characterized by increased lactate and decreased acetate, formate and ethanol concentrations was observed. Susceptibilities to antibiotics and stress conditions were stable (cefotaxim, ampicillin, ceftazidime) or moderately affected (simulated gastric juices, heat, bile salts, tetracycline, chloramphenicol, penicillin, vancomycin and neomycin) over culturing time. Comparison of gene transcription profiles between samples collected after 31 h of continuous culture and samples collected after 134 and 211 h revealed only limited changes in expression of 1.0 and 3.8% of total genes, respectively. Based on these results, we propose that continuous culture can be used to produce bacterial cells with stable physiological properties suitable for fast and efficient screening of sub-lethal stress conditions.
Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter in Measurements of Turbulent Boundary Layer Flows
Authors: Lu Hao , Wang Bing , Zhang Hui Qiang , Wang Xi Lin
Published: December 2012

Acoustic Doppler Velocimeter (ADV)’s applications in measuring velocity profiles of turbulent boundary layers (TBLs) are investigated at a flow Reynolds number of 36000 in a lab-made open channel. The 3D instantaneous velocity signals at different heights of TBLs are obtained, which present very strong abnormal noises in the near wall regions because of the aliasing of Doppler signal spectra. The minimum/maximum threshold filter is adopted for the signal to remove the noises reflected by walls. The mean streamwise velocities and turbulence intensities profiles are then calculated correctly. The measuring results consist with the law of turbulent boundary layer flow. The ADV has a good performance in measurements of TBLs with a simple implementation of filter to the sampled velocity signals. The present research is guidable for applications of ADV in practice.
Particle Size Measurements Using a New Signal Processing Method
Authors: Xu Ya Min
Published: December 2012

Transmission fluctuation spectrometry (TFS) is a new method for particle analysis based on the statistical fluctuations of a transmission signal. With simple optical arrangement and easy operation, the method can be applied to real-time, online measurements. The transmission signal with fluctuations are analyzed by using 1st order band-pass filters, and the experimental data in the frequency domain are obtained. The particle size distribution (PSD) and particle concentration are extracted from the experimental data with the modifed Chahine interations. It is found that the measurements using band-pass filters are of better resolution in the PSD than those with low-pass filters.
Using Improved Wavelet Networks in Image Compression
Authors: Xiao Wei Wei , Luan Wei Jun
Published: December 2012

We proposed improved wavelet network and applied it to image compression. Activation function was selected automatically from three wavelet basis functions based on the effect of image compression. The three given wavelet basis functions were Morlet, Mexican-Hat and Different Of Gauss(DOG) wavelet basis functions respectively. The results show that the improved wavelet networks method is better than general wavelet networks in image compression.
Effect of SNR Estimation in Defocus Blurred Image Restoration
Authors: Qin Feng Qing
Published: December 2012

A blind image restoration method is proposed to improve the quality of the image blurred by camera defocus and system noise. Firstly, the focus point spread function (PSF) of the blurred image is estimated through error-parameter analysis method. Secondly, the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of the blurred image is estimated through local deviation method. Thirdly, utilizing the estimated defocus PSF and SNR, image restoration is performed through Wiener filtering method, in which circulation boundary method is adopted to reduce ringing effect. Experimental results show that the SNR of the blurred image is estimated approximately, and verify the great effect of SNR estimation in blind image restoration.
A Novel Harmonic Calculating Method Based on Multiple-Average Algorithm
Authors: Xue Jin Hui , Li Tao Yong , Rong Hai , Yang Zhi , Yang Xiao Dan
Published: December 2012

On the base of fundamental principle of multiple-average harmonic Algorithm, a novel Harmonic calculating method is proposed, by which the amplitude and phase of every harmonics can be calculated accurately and conveniently. Computer simulation and physical experiment prove that the Algorithm has very high accuracy. Further, the influence of noise at samples to the result has been discussed by Monte Carlo method and given a qualitative result for practical engineering application.
Parameter Estimation and Restoration of Motion-Blurred Images
Authors: Wen Pei Zhi , Guo Kai , Li Li Fang
Published: December 2012

The motion-blurred image restoration has been the difficulty of the field of image processing. In this paper, proposed a motion-blurred length method based on Fourier transform of the parameter estimation method. The method improved the accuracy of the blurred length estimation. The method improved the effect of the motion-blurred image restoration. The experiments verified that the accuracy and feasibility of the method proposed.
A Steganographic Method Based on Double Layers Wet Paper Code in IWT Domain
Authors: Zhang Min Qing , Yang Xiao Ling , Su Gang Wei
Published: December 2012

Based on wet paper code, integer wavelet and matrix coding, this paper constructs a new steganographic algorithm. Combine with the advantage in integer wavelet domain, which more close to HVS, a part of secret messages are embedded by LSB in high-frequency coefficients after integer wavelet switch, wet paper code is used to change the direction of embedding. Another part of secret messages are embedded by matrix coding in low-frequency coefficients after integer wavelet switch, wet paper code is still used to change the direction of embedding. The performance of the proposed approach shows that security and capacity of secret messages are improved in integer wavelet domain.
MPPT of Two-Peak PV System Combined the Hysteresis Comparison Method with Incremental Conductance
Authors: Wu Dan , Xue Jing , Li Ting Ting
Published: December 2012

Due to the different PV modules and external conditions, large-scale photovoltaic power plants often show a multi-peak PV characteristics. But the traditional MPPT methods is only for single-peak P-V curve to strike a maximum power point. So we need to improve the conventional MPPT methods. In the MATLAB/Simulink environment, we combined the Hysteresis Comparison Method with Incremental Conductance to build the S-function to create a simulation model obtaining the maximum power point power, voltage and current. In the same simulation system the traditional Incremental Conductance was used to obtain the maximum power, voltage and current which compare with the maximum power, voltage and current which obtained by the proposed method . The results of simulation illustrated the effectiveness of the proposed method .
An Improved SIFT Matching Algorithm
Authors: Ding Can , Qu Chang Wen , Su Feng
Published: December 2012

The high dimension and complexity of feature descriptor of Scale Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT), not only occupy the memory spaces, but also influence the speed of feature matching. We adopt the statistic feature point’s neighbor gradient method, the local statistic area is constructed by 8 concentric square ring feature of points-centered, compute gradient of these pixels, and statistic gradient accumulated value of 8 directions, and then descending sort them, at last normalize them. The new feature descriptor descend dimension of feature from 128 to 64, the proposed method can improve matching speed and keep matching precision at the same time.
A Novel GVF-Based Adaptive Extracting Formulation for Image Reconstruction
Authors: Zhao Bin , Li Qin Liang , Wang Ying Chun , Jiang Guo Xing
Published: December 2012

This paper proposed a fast boundary reconstruction algorithm based on adaptive gradient vector flow (GVF) deformable model. The novel dynamic GVF field performs faster and wider capture range over original GVF model, which efficiently attracts the model approaching the object contour more quickly and more stably. Based on the approximation error analysis the algorithm can automatically add new knots in contour curve, which makes the accelerated model achieve adaptive adjustment according to local characteristics of the boundary. The improved algorithm can greatly increase the reconstruction accuracy without compromising approximation efficiency. Additional experiments demonstrate the efficient procedure and fine performance of the approach.
A Simplified Carrier Frequency Offset Estimation Algorithm for Burst Digital Transmission
Authors: Man Xin , Zhai Hai Tao , Zhang Er Yang
Published: December 2012

In this letter, we present a carrier frequency offset estimation method for burst digital transmission, by introducing a step factor into an earlier estimation algorithm to reduce the computational complexity, with little loss of the estimation accuracy. Performance simulations show that this method can separate the estimation range and accuracy, avoiding the weakness of reaching large estimation range at the expense of estimation accuracy.
The Characteristic Parameters Extraction of the Drawing Forming Cracks Based on Time-Series Analysis and ICA
Authors: Luo Zhi Gao , Zhang Jing Jing , Zhao Jun Li , Li Xu Dong
Published: December 2012

The purpose of the study is to extract the characteristic parameters of the forming crack acoustic emission (AE) signals generated by the metal deep drawing. Time-series analysis and MATLAB were used to adopt independent component analysis (ICA) to isolate the crack AE signals and extracted the characteristic parameters of AE signals. This study isolate the crack AE signals of the drawing parts by the FastICA method based on the maximum negative entropy, the data was processed by MATLAB and the regression model of the various decomposition established by time-series analysis to extract the characteristic parameters of the crack AE signals. The results suggested that this method can isolate the crack AE signals of the deep drawing successfully and can extract the characteristic parameters and distribution maps of the crack AE signals of the metal drawing parts effectively, provide a favorable basis for the judgment of the molding part quality.
An Improved Speech Blind Separation Algorithm Based on Non-Linear Function
Authors: Li Zhu Cheng
Published: December 2012

This paper introduces a new algorithm based on non-linear function to adaptively control step-size which is used for updating separation matrix to extract a target speech source accurately in blind source separation (BSS). The use of fixed step-size parameter of the conventional BSS algorithm usually results in a trade-off between convergence speed and steady-state misadjustment. The presented algorithm will eliminate much of this trade-off. It intelligently regulates the step-size according to the time-varying dynamics of other parameters at each iteration. The desirable ability of the new algorithm to improve convergence speed and steady-state misadjustment is demonstrated by MATLAB simulation results.
Applications of Statistical Directional Characteristics in Synthetic Aperture Radar Imagery Interpretation
Authors: Chen Si , Wang Dong Ya , Yang Jian
Published: December 2012

The concept of Statistical Directional Characteristics (SDCs) is introduced in this paper. The applications of SDCs in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery interpretation are discussed. Two applications, i.e., target recognition and line detection, are raised to demonstrate the effectiveness of the SDCs-based methods. Both numerical and graphical results are presented. According to the experiment results, the SDCs-based methodology shows advantages both in robustness and in efficiency.
Research on the Speech Enhancement Method based on PCA/KLT Algorithms
Authors: Wang Guang Yan , Geng Yan Xiang , Zhao Xiao Qun
Published: December 2012

In this paper, we propose a speech enhancement technique in terms of subspace methods to reduce the white or colored noise in strong background noise environment. This subspace approach based on Karhunen-Loève transform (KLT) and implemented via Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The subspace selection provided by the minimum description length (MDL) criterion. An offset factor generated from the white noise was used to modify the variance to adapt to the specified colored noise. The objective speech quality measures SegSNR have been introduced to evaluate the performance of the proposed method in time domain. A large amount of data and figures testify that our algorithm provides high performance for a large scale of input signal-to-noise ratio (-5~10dB). The performance of our algorithm is assessed in white and colored noise.
Research on Algorithm for Mining Frequent Itemsets Based on Cloud Computing
Authors: Huang Shu Zhuang , Li Tao Shen , Luo Dan
Published: December 2012

This thesis aims to discuss the problems now existing in mining probabilistic of MapReduce Apriori, and to put forward an algorithm about mining probabilistic frequent itemsets based on cloud computing. This algorithm proposes to reduce the quantity of candidate item sets by the strategy of designing to decrease candidate item sets, and divide data sets and candidate item sets into related nodes in order to minimize candidate item sets. By compressing the transaction set to accomplish connecting optimization, it can avoid producing massive alternatives item sets in the process of self-link to improve the operation efficiency of algorithm.