bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantifiers, Knowledge, and Counterfactuals
Authors: ICHIKAWA JONATHAN
Published: December 2010

Many of the motivations in favor of contextualism about knowledge apply also to a contextualist approach to counterfactuals. I motivate and articulate such an approach, in terms of the context‐sensitive ‘all cases’, in the spirit of David Lewis’s contextualist view about knowledge. The resulting view explains intuitive data, resolves a puzzle parallel to the skeptical paradox, and renders safety and sensitivity, construed as counterfactuals, necessary conditions on knowledge.
Antibody Coefficients for the Diagnosis of Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis
Authors: Furr M. , Howe D. , Reed S. , Yeargan M.
Published: December 2010

Background:Diagnosis of equine protozoal myeloencephalitis (EPM) remains a challenge for equine practitioners. Current utilized methods have inadequate sensitivity and specificity, because of a high number of false positive results.

Hypothesis/Objective:Evaluation of antibody indices toSarcocystis neuronashould provide high sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis of EPM.

Animals:Archived samples from 29 clinical patients.

Methods:Archived serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from clinical patients with either EPM (14) or cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy (CVM) (15) were examined and tested for anti‐S.neuronaantibodies by the SnSAG2 ELISA. The results were used to calculate the antibody index (AI) andC‐value. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated, and the AI,C‐value, immunoglobulin G (IgG) concentrations, and anti‐S.neuronatiters compared. In addition, negative CSF was spiked in varying concentrations with blood from a horse with a high anti‐S.neuronatiter, and the tests repeated.

Results:Results demonstrated that the IgG concentration, anti‐S.neuronatiter, AI, andC‐value were significantly higher (P< .05) in horses with EPM than in those with CVM. Sensitivity and specificity of the AI was 71 and 100%, respectively, and that of theC‐value was 86 and 100%, respectively. In addition, the AI andC‐value from the samples spiked withS.neuronapositive blood remained below 1 (eg, negative) in CSF with a red blood cell (RBC) count up to 105 RBC/μL.

Conclusions/Clinical Importance:Results of the study demonstrate the value of calculating the AI andC‐value in the diagnosis of EPM in horses. In addition, the test is robust in the presence of blood contamination.
Electron microscopy of pyroxene in the Almahata Sitta ureilite
Authors: MIKOUCHI Takashi , ZOLENSKY Michael E. , OHNISHI Ichiro , SUZUKI Toshiaki , TAKEDA Hiroshi , JENNISKENS Peter , SHADDAD Muawia H.
Published: December 2010

Abstract– We performed scanning electron microscope–electron backscatter diffraction (SEM‐EBSD) and focused ion beam–transmission electron microscopy (FIB‐TEM) investigations of pyroxene in the Almahata Sitta ureilite (sample #7). The pyroxenes (mg# = ∼0.92) are present as minute individual grains (10–20 μm in size) showing a polycrystalline texture, and they are both low‐Ca and high‐Ca pyroxenes. Although their Ca contents are as low as Wo2–3, the EBSD analysis shows that low‐Ca pyroxenes are clinopyroxene (P21/c). The obtained pyroxene equilibration temperature (1240–1280 °C) is consistent with the previous studies on many ureilites. In low‐Ca pigeonite, (001) augite exsolution lamellae (10–15 nm wide) develop in the pigeonite host (20–45 nm wide), and a similar exsolution texture was observed in augite. The exsolution wavelength of pyroxene (typically 30–60 nm) gives the cooling rate of 0.2–5 °C h−1. Such a rapid cooling probably records quenching from high temperature (1240–1280 °C) down to 1000 °C (estimated from the exsolution pair) due to the breakup of the ureilite parent body (UPB) while it was still hot. The pyroxene microstructure of Almahata Sitta is within the range of known ureilites and is most similar to that of Allan Hills (ALH) A81101 with the affinity of polycrystalline texture. The coarser exsolution texture of ALHA81101 pyroxene suggests slower cooling history than Almahata Sitta. However, direct comparison is difficult because of different pyroxene compositions. Because ALHA77257 has a similar pyroxene composition to Almahata Sitta and does not show visible pyroxene exsolution, it should have cooled faster than Almahata Sitta. Rapid, albeit variable cooling rates observed in different ureilite samples may suggest that they originated from UPB fragments of different size.
Mineralogy and petrography of the Almahata Sitta ureilite
Authors: ZOLENSKY Michael , HERRIN Jason , MIKOUCHI Takashi , OHSUMI Kazumasa , FRIEDRICH Jon , STEELE Andrew , RUMBLE Douglas , FRIES Marc , SANDFORD Scott , MILAM Stefanie , HAGIYA Kenji , TAKEDA Hiroshi , SATAKE Wataru , KURIHARA Taichi , COLBERT Matthew , HANNA Romy , MAISANO Jessie , KETCHAM Richard , GOODRICH Cyrena , LE Loan , ROBINSON GeorgAnn , MARTINEZ James , ROSS Kent , JENNISKENS Peter , SHADDAD Muawia H.
Published: December 2010

Abstract– We performed a battery of analyses on 17 samples of the Almahata Sitta meteorite, identifying three main lithologies and several minor ones present as clasts. The main lithologies are (1) a pyroxene‐dominated, very porous, highly reduced lithology, (2) a pyroxene‐dominated compact lithology, and (3) an olivine‐dominated compact lithology. Although it seems possible that all three lithologies grade smoothly into each other at the kg‐scale, at the g‐scale this is not apparent. The meteorite is a polymict ureilite, with some intriguing features including exceptionally variable porosity and pyroxene composition. Although augite is locally present in Almahata Sitta, it is a minor phase in most (but not all) samples we have observed. Low‐calcium pyroxene (<5 mole% wollastonite) is more abundant than compositionally defined pigeonite; however, we found that even the low‐Ca pyroxene in Almahata Sitta has the monoclinic pigeonite crystal structure, and thus is properly termed pigeonite. As the major pyroxene in Almahata Sitta is pigeonite, and the abundance of pigeonite is generally greater than that of olivine, this meteorite might be called a pigeonite‐olivine ureilite, rather than the conventional olivine‐pigeonite ureilite group. The wide variability of lithologies in Almahata Sitta reveals a complex history, including asteroidal igneous crystallization, impact disruption, reheating and partial vaporization, high‐temperature reduction and carbon burning, and re‐agglomeration.
The shape and rotation of asteroid 2008 TC3
Authors: SCHEIRICH Peter , ĎURECH Josef , PRAVEC Petr , KOZUBAL Marek , DANTOWITZ Ron , KAASALAINEN Mikko , BETZLER Alberto Silva , BELTRAME Paolo , MULER Gustavo , BIRTWHISTLE Peter , KUGEL Francois
Published: December 2010

Abstract– On October 6, 2008, a small F‐class asteroid 2008 TC3 was discovered by Catalina Sky Survey telescope, and exploded 20 hr later in the Earth’s atmosphere at 37 km altitude. We analyzed available photometric data taken from 6 October 21:10 to 7 October 01:46 UT, and created a numerical model of a shape and rotation state of the asteroid. The asteroid was in excited rotational state. We found two approximately mirror solutions of orientation of its angular momentum vector. Rotational and precession periods are 99.20 and 97.00 s (errors of the rotational period for the two solutions are 0.03 and 0.04 s; of the precession period are 0.05 s for both solutions). The volume of the convex model and the length of the longest axis of the dynamically equivalent, equal volume ellipsoid are and , where pV is surface geometric albedo. Assuming a mean albedo value for F taxonomic class, 0.049 ± 0.010, the volume is (25 ± 10) m3 and the longest axis is (6.7 ± 0.8) m. This volume of the convex model is an upper limit on a real volume of the asteroid, which may be less by up to 20% due to concavities.
FDiversity: a software package for the integrated analysis of functional diversity
Authors: Casanoves Fernando , Pla Laura , Di Rienzo Julio A. , Díaz Sandra
Published: December 2010

1. The growing interest in functional diversity has been accompanied by a proliferation of indices proposed to calculate its different components; however, empirical studies have been hampered by a lack of integrated tools for their easy calculation based on field data sets.

2. We present FDiversity, a free, user‐friendly, open source‐based software package for the calculation and integrated statistical analysis of most functional diversity indices and metrics published to date.

3. This tool greatly facilitates the analysis of functional diversity patterns and also the links of different dimensions of functional diversity with environmental factors and ecosystem properties and services.
Indications for a ceftriaxone dosing regimen in Japanese paediatric patients using population pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analysis and simulation
Authors: Iida Satofumi , Kawanishi Takehiko , Hayashi Masahiro
Published: December 2010

Objectives

The objective of this study was to build a ceftriaxone population pharmacokinetic model for Japanese paediatric patients and to examine the dosing regimen of ceftriaxone based on pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analysis.

Methods

The population pharmacokinetic analysis using NONMEM was based on published serum concentrations of ceftriaxone. A Monte Carlo simulation was examined to evaluate the time above the minimum inhibitory concentration (TAM) in 20 and 60 mg/kg body weight dose regimen using the population pharmacokinetic parameters.

Key findings

The time course of the serum concentration of ceftriaxone in paediatric patients was fitted to a two-compartment model and body weight was incorporated to pharmacokinetic parameters as the covariate. Based on the percent TAM estimated from the final population pharmacokinetic model and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ceftriaxone in 2004, we have predicted that the once daily administration of 20 mg/kg ceftriaxone would be effective on various infecting organisms.

Conclusions

A population pharmacokinetic model of ceftriaxone was built for Japanese paediatric patients based on the available data. The estimated PK/PD result confirmed the appropriateness of once daily dose of 20 mg/kg. In some patients for whom no efficacy was observed at 20 mg/kg, an increase to 60 mg/kg may be required.
Imbalanced K+ and Ca2+ subthreshold interactions contribute to increased hypothalamic presympathetic neuronal excitability in hypertensive rats
Authors: Sonner P. M. , Lee S. , Ryu P. D. , Lee S. Y. , Stern J. E.
Published: December 2010

Non‐technical summary

Despite the importance of brain‐mediated sympathetic activation in the morbidity and mortality of patients with high blood pressure, the precise cellular mechanisms involved remain largely unknown. We show that an imbalanced interaction between two opposing currents mediated by potassium (IA) and calcium (IT) channels occurs in sympathetic‐related hypothalamic neurons in hypertensive rats. We show that this imbalance contributes to enhanced membrane excitability and firing activity in this neuronal population. Knowledge of how these opposing ion channels interact in normal and disease states increases our understanding of underlying brain mechanisms contributing to the high blood pressure condition.
A trans‐spinal loop between neurones in the reticular formation and in the cerebellum
Authors: Hammar I. , Krutki P. , Drzymala‐Celichowska H. , Nilsson E. , Jankowska E.
Published: December 2010

Non‐technical summary

Voluntary limb movements are initiated in the brain but the neurones responsible for activating the muscles (motoneurones and interneurones) are located in the spinal cord. The spinal cord also contains neurones that provide the brain, and especially the cerebellum, with continuous information on effects of the descending commands. We show that one population of such neurones provide the cerebellum with information on how likely the brain's commands (mediated by descending reticulospinal neurones) are to be executed as planned, depending on the degree of inhibition of motoneurones. They may therefore play an important role in preventing errors in activation of motoneurones and thereby help the brain to correct its signals to the spinal cord before such errors have been committed.
A Conceptual Molecular Network for Chemotactic Behaviors Characterized by Feedback of Molecules Cycling Between the Membrane and the Cytosol
Authors: Otsuji Mikiya , Terashima Yuya , Ishihara Shuji , Kuroda Shinya , Matsushima Kouji
Published: December 2010

Simulations and observations of migrating cells suggest a model for feedback loops that regulate chemotaxis.
Neuronal ER Stress
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: December 2010

Inositol trisphosphate receptors (IP
3
Rs) are central to the neuronal response to endoplasmic reticulum stress.
Connecting Signaling and Metabolism in Cancer
Authors: Ray L. Bryan
Published: December 2010

A signaling pathway often activated in cancer cells influences aerobic glycolysis and growth factor receptor expression.
Getting HIV Under Control
Authors: Mueller Kristen L.
Published: December 2010

MHC class I alleles are the major genetic determinants associated with people able to control HIV infection without therapy.
FKS2
Mutations Associated with Decreased Echinocandin Susceptibility of
Candida glabrata
following Anidulafungin Therapy
Authors: Costa-de-Oliveira Sofia , Marcos Miranda Isabel , Silva Raquel M. , Pinto e Silva Ana , Rocha Rita , Amorim António , Gonçalves Rodrigues Acácio , Pina-Vaz Cidália
Published: December 2010

This is the first case report of
Candida glabrata
-disseminated candidiasis describing the acquisition of echinocandin resistance following anidulafungin treatment. The initial isolates recovered were susceptible to echinocandins. However, during 27 days of anidulafungin treatment, two resistant strains were isolated (from the blood and peritoneal fluid). The resistant peritoneal fluid isolate exhibited a Ser663Pro mutation in position 1987 of
FKS2
HS1 (hot spot 1), whereas the resistant blood isolate displayed a phenylalanine deletion (Phe659).
Three Residues in HIV-1 Matrix Contribute to Protease Inhibitor Susceptibility and Replication Capacity
Authors: Parry Chris M. , Kolli Madhavi , Myers Richard E. , Cane Patricia A. , Schiffer Celia , Pillay Deenan
Published: December 2010

Other than cleavage site mutations, there is little data on specific positions within Gag that impact on HIV protease inhibitor susceptibility. We have recently shown that non-cleavage site mutations in
gag
, particularly within matrix protein can restore replication capacity and further reduce protease inhibitor drug susceptibility when coexpressed with a drug-resistant (mutant) protease. The matrix protein of this patient-derived virus was studied in order to identify specific changes responsible for this phenotype. Three amino acid changes in matrix (R76K, Y79F, and T81A) had an impact on replication capacity as well as drug susceptibility. Introduction of these three changes into wild-type (WT) matrix resulted in an increase in the replication capacity of the protease mutant virus to a level similar to that achieved by all the changes within the mutant matrix and part of the capsid protein. Pairs of changes to wild-type matrix led to an increased replication capacity of the protease mutant (although less than with all three changes). Having only these three changes to matrix in a wild-type virus (with wild-type protease) resulted in a 5- to 7-fold change in protease inhibitor 50% effective concentration (EC
50
). Individual changes did not have as great an effect on replication capacity or drug susceptibility, demonstrating an interaction between these positions, also confirmed by sequence covariation analysis. Molecular modeling predicts that each of the three mutations would result in a loss of hydrogen bonds within α-helix-4 of matrix, leading to the hypothesis that more flexibility within this region or altered matrix structure would account for our findings.
In Vitro
Activity and
In Vivo
Efficacy of Anidulafungin in Murine Infections by
Aspergillus flavus
Authors: Calvo Enrique , Pastor F. Javier , Mayayo Emilio , Salas Valentina , Guarro Josep
Published: December 2010

Anidulafungin (AFG) showed high activity against 27 strains of
Aspergillus flavus
by use of broth microdilution and disk diffusion methods. This drug was effective
in vivo
in a murine model of disseminated infection with five isolates tested. AFG was able to prolong survival and reduce tissue burden of infected mice but not able to reduce galactomannan serum concentrations. The AFG serum levels were above the corresponding minimum effective concentrations (MEC) for all of the strains tested.
Interleukin-17 Contributes to Generation of Th1 Immunity and Neutrophil Recruitment duringChlamydia muridarumGenital Tract Infection but Is Not Required for Macrophage Influx or Normal Resolution of Infection
Authors: Scurlock Amy M. , Frazer Lauren C. , Andrews Charles W. , O'Connell Catherine M. , Foote Isaac P. , Bailey Sarabeth L. , Chandra-Kuntal Kumar , Kolls Jay K. , Darville Toni
Published: December 2010

Interleukin 17 (IL-17) contributes to development of Th1 immunity and neutrophil influx duringChlamydia muridarumpulmonary infection, but its role duringC. muridarumgenital tract infection has not been described. We detected similar numbers ofChlamydia-specific Th17 and Th1 cells in iliac nodes of wild-type mice early during genitalC. muridaruminfection, while Th1 cells predominated later.il17ra−/−mice exhibited a reduced chlamydia-specific Th1 response in draining iliac nodes and decreased local IFN-γ production. Neutrophil influx into the genital tract was also decreased. However,il17ra−/−mice resolved infection normally, and no difference in pathology was observed compared to the wild type. Macrophage influx and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) production were increased inil17ra−/−mice, providing a compensatory mechanism to effectively control chlamydial genital tract infection despite a reduced Th1 response. Inifnγ−/−mice, a marked increase in cellular infiltrates and chronic pathology was associated with an increased Th17 response. Although neutralization of IL-17 inifnγ−/−mice decreased neutrophil influx, macrophage infiltration remained intact and the bacterial burden was not increased. Collectively, these results indicate that IL-17 contributes to the generation of Th1 immunity and neutrophil recruitment but is not required for macrophage influx or normal resolution ofC. muridarumgenital infection. These data highlight the redundant immune mechanisms operative at this mucosal site and the importance of examining site-specific responses to mucosal pathogens.
ENVELOPE OF HOLOMORPHY OF CERTAIN TWO-MANIFOLDS IN ℂ2
Authors: KANG HYUNSUK , STENSØNES BERIT
Published: December 2010

We study two-spheres Γ with isolated complex tangencies of high order of tangency. We show that under certain conditions the envelope of holomorphy of such two-sphere is a three-surface M foliated by complex discs and the boundary of M is Γ.
TRIPLE MONOGENIC FUNCTIONS AND HIGHER SPIN DIRAC OPERATORS
Authors: BRACKX F. , EELBODE D. , RAEYMAEKERS T. , DE VOORDE L. VAN
Published: December 2010

In the Clifford analysis context a specific type of solution for the higher spin Dirac operators [Formula: see text] is studied; these higher spin Dirac operators can be seen as generalizations of the classical Rarita–Schwinger operator. To that end subspaces of the space of triple monogenic polynomials are introduced and their algebraic structure is investigated. Also a dimensional analysis is carried out.
INFLUENCES ON OTTO E. RÖSSLER'S EARLIEST PAPER ON CHAOS
Authors: LETELLIER CHRISTOPHE , MESSAGER VALÉRIE
Published: December 2010

Otto E. Rössler is well-known in "chaos theory" for having published one of the most often used benchmark systems producing chaotic attractors. His contribution is mostly reduced to this simple chaotic system published in 1976. Our aim is to show that a slightly earlier paper contains, in fact, much more and reveals a deep topological understanding of how chaotic attractors are organized in phase space. Moreover it is shown that Otto had three main influences: Andronov, Khaikin and Vitt's textbook, the 1963 Lorenz paper and Li and Yorke's theorem "period-three implies chaos". In this paper, these three contributions are clearly identified as the main influences on Rössler's earliest paper on chaos. The content of the latter is briefly compared to other works that appeared (or were available as reprints) before its own publication.
ENTANGLEMENT DYNAMICS IN ROVIBRATIONAL MOLECULES DRIVEN BY INFRARED PULSES
Authors: PEI PEI , LI CHONG , SONG HE-SHAN
Published: December 2010

We studied the dynamics of entanglement in ultra-cold heteronuclear diatomic rovibrational molecules driven by an infrared laser field. Environment-induced spontaneous emission is considered. Numerical results show that the resonant external field and damping processes can bring into equilibrium and the disentanglement can be suppressed evidently. Appropriate intensity of far detuned pulses can also suppress disentanglement and produce some entanglement if there is initially separable state, but damping processes and interaction via polarizability dominate the disentanglement, leading to the vanishing of entanglement after a long time.
LiDAR basics for natural resource mapping applications
Authors: Giglierano James D.
Published: December 2010

LiDAR elevation data is becoming widely available for use by many non-engineering mapping specialists such as geologists, soil scientists and planners. Understanding the basics of LiDAR data acquisition is essential to using the data effectively in mapping applications, including how vegetation affects the vertical accuracy of LiDAR. Tools are available for mapping specialists to process raw LiDAR data into useful GIS products so they do not have to rely on vendor supplied products.
Monitoring coastal change using terrestrial LiDAR
Authors: Hobbs P. R. N. , Gibson A. , Jones L. , Pennington C. , Jenkins G. , Pearson S. , Freeborough K.
Published: December 2010

The paper describes recent applications by the British Geological Survey (BGS) of the technique of mobile terrestrial Light Detection And Ranging (LiDAR) surveying to monitor various geomorphological changes on English coasts and estuaries. These include cliff recession, landslides and flood defences, and are usually sited at remote locations undergoing dynamic processes with no fixed reference points. Advantages, disadvantages and some practical problems are discussed. The role of GPS in laser scanning is described.
Digital elevation models for research: UK datasets, copyright and derived products
Authors: Smith M. J.
Published: December 2010

The UK is served by a wide range of digital elevation models (DEMs) that have a variety of technical specifications from several different vendors. The abundance of data presents researchers with a complex range of choices dependent upon their application (and therefore ‘fitness-for-purpose’) and desired use of intellectual property rights (IPR). This paper explores current DEM datasets of the UK and presents their use within the context of claimed copyright and IPR. In particular, responsibilities placed upon grant holders for the lodgement of research outputs by UK Research Councils places new emphasis upon data access, derived data and data re-use. The complex interplay of rights between research output stakeholders (data suppliers, data creators, data users) presents a difficult scenario for both data repositories and data depositors.
Refinement of ASTER digital elevation models using SRTM data for an environmental study in China
Authors: Nightingale M. R. A. , Morgan G. L. K.
Published: December 2010

This paper presents a simple but effective method to improve Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER) digital elevation models (DEMs). Digital elevation models are an important component of geomorphological modelling so their integrity is vital to achieve reliable results. For this investigation the relative ASTER DEM produced from an automated cross-correlation algorithm was not considered accurate enough, so 3 arcsecond (90 m) Shuttle Radar Topography Mission (SRTM) data were used to modulate the ASTER DEM.

The method presented in this paper allows the SRTM to enforce vertical control on the relative ASTER DEM whilst attempting to maintain the ASTER DEM's 30 m spatial resolution. The process is fast and efficient, and can be applied to other DEMs. There is, however, a compromise since the fusion process, involving the averaging of the values, does potentially mean that some of the detail in the original 30 m ASTER DEM will be lost.
On the bicriteria
k
-server problem
Authors: Flammini Michele , Nicosia Gaia
Published: December 2010

In this article we consider multicriteria formulations of classical online problems in which an algorithm must simultaneously perform well with respect to two different cost measures. Every strategy for serving a sequence of requests is characterized by a pair of costs and therefore there can be many different minimal or optimal incomparable solutions. The adversary is assumed to choose from one of these minimal strategies and the performance of the algorithm is measured with respect to the costs the adversary pays servicing the sequence according to its determined choice of strategy. We consider a parametric family of functions which includes all the possible selections for such strategies. Then, starting from a simple general method that combines any multicriteria instance into a single-criterion one, we provide a universal multicriteria algorithm that can be applied to different online problems. In the multicriteria
k
-server formulation with two different edge weightings, for each function class, such a universal algorithm achieves competitive ratios that are only an
O
(log
W
) multiplicative factor away from the corresponding determined lower bounds, where
W
is the maximum ratio between the two weights associated to each edge. We then extend our results to two specific functions, for which nearly optimal competitive algorithms are obtained by exploiting more knowledge of the selection properties. Finally, we show how to apply our framework to other multicriteria online problems sharing similar properties.
Steepest-ascent constrained simultaneous perturbation for multiobjective optimization
Authors: McClary Daniel W. , Syrotiuk Violet R. , Kulahci Murat
Published: December 2010

The simultaneous optimization of multiple responses in a dynamic system is challenging. When a response has a known gradient, it is often easily improved along the path of steepest ascent. On the contrary, a stochastic approximation technique may be used when the gradient is unknown or costly to obtain. We consider the problem of optimizing multiple responses in which the gradient is known for only one response. We propose a hybrid approach for this problem, called
simultaneous perturbation stochastic approximation steepest ascent
, SPSA-SA or SP(SA)
2
for short. SP(SA)
2
is an SPSA technique that leverages information about the known gradient to constrain the perturbations used to approximate the others. We apply SP(SA)
2
to the cross-layer optimization of throughput, packet loss, and end-to-end delay in a
mobile ad hoc network
(MANET), a self-organizing wireless network. The results show that SP(SA)
2
achieves higher throughput and lower packet loss and end-to-end delay than the steepest ascent, SPSA, and the Nelder--Mead stochastic approximation approaches. It also reduces the cost in the number of iterations to perform the optimization.
Joint congestion control and distributed scheduling for throughput guarantees in wireless networks
Authors: Sharma Gaurav , Joo Changhee , Shroff Ness B. , Mazumdar Ravi R.
Published: December 2010

We consider the problem of throughput-optimal cross-layer design of wireless networks. We propose a joint congestion control and scheduling algorithm that achieves a fraction 1/
d

I

(
G
) of the capacity region, where
d

I

(
G
) depends on certain structural properties of the underlying connectivity graph
G
of the wireless network, and also on the type of interference constraints. For a wide range of wireless networks,
d

I

(
G
) can be upper bounded by a constant, independent of the number of nodes in the network. The scheduling element of our algorithm is the maximal scheduling policy. Although this scheduling policy has been considered in several previous works, the challenges underlying its practical implementation in a fully distributed manner while accounting for necessary message exchanges have not been addressed in the literature. In this article, we propose two algorithms for the distributed implementation of the maximal scheduling policy accounting for message exchanges, and analytically show that they still can achieve the performance guarantee under the 1-hop and 2-hop interference models. We also evaluate the performance of our cross-layer solutions in more realistic network settings with imperfect synchronization under the Signal-to-Interference-Plus-Noise Ratio (SINR) interference model, and compare with the standard layered approaches such as TCP over IEEE 802.11b DCF networks.
Ontology-based semantic matching for business process management
Authors: Kim Gunwoo , Suhh Yongmoo
Published: December 2010

A company's competitiveness relies heavily on its business processes, and thus the need to execute business processes with agility and efficiency is ever-increasing. However, examination of current practice of business process management reveals the problem that it does not satisfy the need and the main reason for the problem is that sufficient semantic information associated with business processes is not included in the definition of business processes. This paper aims to build semantic business process space, which stores such semantic information as various generic and specific ontologies and to illustrate how such semantic information can be utilized when searching for a proper business process, which is the most essential element for the successful implementation of business process management. To that end, we have extended existing semantic matching method that matches only functional properties to a new one which matches non-functional properties as well as functional ones. As a way of validating our approach, we have shown how semantic business process space can be built from a part of the sales order process adopted from SAP R/3 ERP application and illustrated semantic matching using an example. We believe that this study will give practitioners a clear insight into implementing efficient business process management.
Efficient interpretation using quickening
Authors: Brunthaler Stefan
Published: December 2010

Just-in-time compilers offer the biggest achievable payoff performance-wise, but their implementation is a non-trivial, time-consuming task affecting the interpreter's maintenance for years to come, too. Recent research addresses this issue by providing ways of leveraging existing just-in-time compilation infrastructures.

Though there has been considerable research on improving the efficiency of just-in-time compilers, the area of optimizing interpreters has gotten less attention as if the implementation of a dynamic translation system was the "ultima ratio" for efficiently interpreting programming languages. We present optimization techniques for improving the efficiency of interpreters
without
requiring just-in-time compilation thereby maintaining the ease-of-implementation characteristic that brought many people to implementing an interpreter in the first place.
Optimizing dynamic dispatch with fine-grained state tracking
Authors: Zakirov Salikh S. , Chiba Shigeru , Shibayama Etsuya
Published: December 2010

Dynamic mixin is a construct available in Ruby and other dynamic languages. It can be used as a base to implement a range of programming paradigms, such as dynamic aspect-oriented programming and context-oriented programming. However, the performance characteristics of current implementation of dynamic mixin in Ruby leaves much to be desired under condition of frequent dynamic mixin operations, global method cache and inline cache misses incur significant overhead. In this work we implemented fine-grained state tracking for CRuby 1. and were able to improve performance by more than six times on the microbenchmark exercising extreme case flowing 4 times to global method cache clearing, 28% to fine-grained state tracking and further 12% to inline cache miss elimination by caching alternating states. We demonstrated a small application using dynamic mixins that gets 48% improvement in performance from our techniques. We also implemented in C a more general delegation object models and proposed an algorithm of thread-local caching, which allows to reduce inline cache misses while permitting thread-local delegation changes.
Contracts for first-class classes
Authors: Strickland T. Stephen , Felleisen Matthias
Published: December 2010

First-class classes add expressive power to class-based object-oriented languages. Most importantly, programmers can abstract over common scenarios with first-class classes. When it comes to behavioral software contracts, however, first-class classes pose significant challenges. In this paper, we present the first contract system for a programming language with first-class classes. The design has been implemented for Racket, which supports first-class classes and which implements mixins and traits as syntactic sugar. We expect that our experience also applies to languages with native mixins and/or traits.
Fine-tuned regulation of the PGC-1α gene transcription by different intracellular signaling pathways
Authors: Hong Tao , Ning Jie , Yang Xuefeng , Liu Hui-Yu , Han Jianmin , Liu Zhenqi , Cao Wenhong
Published: December 2010

It has previously been known that transcription of the PGC-1α gene can be either inhibited or stimulated by p38 MAP kinase (p38 MAPK). To determine whether p38 MAPK plays an inhibitory or stimulatory role in PGC-1α gene transcription, we further investigated the role of p38 MAPK in this study. Our results showed that the basal level of p38 MAPK phosphorylation was increased in gastrocnemius of mice under HFD and that p38 MAPK stimulated PGC-1α gene transcription in C2C12 myotubes. Our results also provided new mechanisms in myotubes that the p38 MAPK-induced PGC-1α gene transcription was mediated by CREB. In exploring the role of the Akt-dependent insulin signaling on PGC-1α gene transcription, we found that the basal Akt-dependent signaling was increased in gastrocnemius of mice under HFD. The p38 MAPK-induced PGC-1α gene transcription was prevented by insulin. Insulin suppression of PGC-1α gene transcription was neutralized by overexpression of the constitutively nuclear form of FoxO1. Finally, we located three insulin response elements (IREs) in the PGC-1α promoter, and mutations of these IREs abolish or blunt activity of the PGC-1α promoter. Together, our results show that transcription of the PGC-1α gene is balanced by different intracellular signaling pathways.
On the Optimization of the IEEE 802.11 DCF: A Cross-Layer Perspective
Authors: Laddomada Massimiliano , Mesiti Fabio
Published: December 2010

This paper is focused on the problem of optimizing the aggregate throughput of the distributed coordination function (DCF) employing the basic access mechanism at the data link layer of IEEE 802.11 protocols. We consider general operating conditions accounting for both nonsaturated and saturated traffic in the presence of transmission channel errors, as exemplified by the packet error rate . The main clue of this work stems from the relation that links the aggregate throughput of the network to the packet rate of the contending stations. In particular, we show that the aggregate throughput presents two clearly distinct operating regions that depend on the actual value of the packet rate with respect to a critical value , theoretically derived in this work. The behavior of paves the way to a cross-layer optimization algorithm, which proved to be effective for maximizing the aggregate throughput in a variety of network operating conditions. A nice consequence of the proposed optimization framework relies on the fact that the aggregate throughput can be predicted quite accurately with a simple, yet effective, closed-form expression. Finally, theoretical and simulation results are presented in order to unveil, as well as verify, the key ideas.
Comparative Hydrological and Geoelectrical Study on the Quaternary Aquifer in the Deltas of Wadi Badaa and Ghweiba, El Ain El Sukhna Area, Northwest Suez Gulf, Egypt
Authors: El Osta M. M. , El Sheikh A. El. , Barseem M. S.
Published: December 2010

El Ain El Sukhna area was selected in the last ten years to initiate many governmental and investmental programs. The different activities in that area depend mainly on the groundwater of the Quaternary aquifer, which forms the main water bearing strata. In the present work, twenty one geoelctrical soundings using the Schlumberger configuration are carried out at selected sites especially in missing parts from wells to delineate the groundwater setting in such sites. Eight of them are conducted in the close vicinity of water wells, where lithologs and pumping test data of these wells are available to relate hydrologic and geoelctric measurements. The pumping tests data are analyzed by using AQTESOLV program and the geolectrical sounding data were interpreted by partial curve matching technique to obtain the initial parameters. The results indicated that, the transmissivity is found to be closely related with transverse resistance and the hydraulic conductivity with average transverse resistivity, while the salinity is inversely related with resistivity. Finally, priority map for drilling water wells is constructed to make the results more illustrative and useful for decision maker. The promising area for drilling is located at the western portion of the study region.
Parameters Expediting the Thermal Conversion of Ba-Exchanged Zeolite A to Monoclinic Celsian
Authors: Marocco A. , Pansini M. , Dell'Agli G. , Esposito S.
Published: December 2010

Four samples of Ba-exchanged zeolite A, bearing small residual amounts of Na (0.27, 0.43, 0.58, and 0.74 meq/g), were thermally treated in the temperature range 200–1500∘C for times up to 28 hours. The same samples were pressed at 30 and 60 MPa to form cylindrical pellets which were thermally treated at 1300∘C for 5 hours. All materials were characterized by room temperature XRD. The sequence of thermal transformations that Ba-exchanged zeolite A undergoes (zeolite → amorphous phase → hexacelsian → monoclinic celsian) and the strong mineralizing action developed by Na are confirmed. Pressing the Ba-exchanged zeolite A powder-like samples to obtain cylindrical pellets is found to expedite the sluggish final phase transition hexacelsian → monoclinic celsian. The optimum residual Na content of Ba-exchanged zeolite A for transformation into monoclinic celsian is assessed to be between 0.27 and 0.43 meq/g.
Helicobacter pyloriEradication Lowers Serum Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Levels
Authors: Aydemir Selim , Eren Hacı , Tekin Ishak Ozel , Harmandar Ferda Akbay , Demircan Nejat , Cabuk Mehmet
Published: December 2010

Introduction. Microbial pathogens, one of them isHelicobacter pylori(H. pylori), have frequently been implicated in the atherogenesis. Endothelium-derived nitric oxide (NO) is synthesized from L-arginine by nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and plays a pivotal role in the regulation of vascular tone. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) is the most potent endogenous NOS inhibitor. Elevated levels of ADMA have been reported in many circumstances associated with a high cardiovascular risk. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the eradication ofH. pyloriinfection affects serum ADMA levels.Materials and Methods. Forty-twoH. pylori-positive patients were enrolled in the study. Triple therapy for 14 days were given to all patients. Serum ADMA levels were measured at baseline and 2 months after therapy.Results. Eradication was achieved in 34 (81%) patients. The mean serum ADMA levels before and after therapy were and  ng/mL in the group withH. pylorieradicated and and  ng/mL in the noneradicated, respectively. We detected statistically significant decreased serum ADMA levels after therapy inH. pylorieradicated group.Conclusion. These findings have indicated that eradication ofH. pyloriinfection may decrease the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.
Segmental Odontomaxillary Dysplasia: Review of the Literature and Case Report
Authors: Kuklani Riya M. , Nair Madhu K.
Published: December 2010

Segmental Odontomaxillary Dysplasia (SOD) is an uncommon, nonhereditary, recently recognized developmental disorder affecting the upper jaw and related dental components. It is a rare condition of uncertain etiology that results in painless unilateral expansion of the posterior dentoalveolar complex, gingival hyperplasia, lack of one or both premolars in the affected area, delayed eruption of adjacent teeth and malformations of the primary molars. Radiographically, the affected bone is thickened and irregular in outline, with coarse trabecular pattern that is vertically oriented resulting in a relatively radiopaque granular appearance. Only a few cases have been reported in the English literature. Considering the rarity of the condition, we report a case of SOD in a pediatric patient who was followed up over a period of over two years. The clinical, radiographic, and histologic features are presented along with a review of the literature.
Joint Estimation of the Characteristics and Intensity of Poverty in Spain: The Case of Imputed Rent
Authors: Calvo José L. , Sánchez Cristina , Cortiñas Pedro
Published: December 2010

In 2007 the Spanish National Institute of Statistics modified the methodological
approach to the Survey of Income and Living Conditions and included an estimate of Imputed
Rent. It removes one of the main criticisms of Spanish poverty studies since this variable is
associated with home ownership, and because more than 80% of Spanish families are
homeowners, its exclusion biased the estimates of the size of Spain′s poor population and
poverty intensity. We estimate a Heckman model with a selection equation in which the
dependent variable is the probability of being poor, and a truncated regression to explain
poverty intensity. Our findings have at least two economic policy implications: Spanish social
policy against poverty should take into account geographical differences but, at the same time,
should consider Imputed Rent. Without this variable efforts should concentrate in Spanish less
developed regions and rural areas, but if we include it poverty increases in urban population.
The article has also reveals that most retired people cannot be considered poor if we take into
account wealth (imputed rent included) instead of current income (pension).
Perinatal Hypoxic‐Ischemic Encephalopathy
Authors: Lai Ming-Chi , Yang San-Nan
Published: December 2010

Perinatal hypoxic‐ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is an important cause of brain injury in the newborn and can result in long‐term devastating consequences. Perinatal hypoxia is a vital cause of long‐term neurologic complications varying from mild behavioural deficits to severe seizure, mental retardation, and/or cerebral palsy in the newborn. In the mammalian developing brain, ongoing research into pathophysiological mechanism of neuronal injury and therapeutic strategy after perinatal hypoxia is still limited. With the advent of promising therapy of hypothermia in HIE, this paper reviews the pathophysiology of HIE and the future potential neuroprotective strategies for clinical potential for hypoxia sufferers.
Macrophage-Derived Biomarkers of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis
Authors: Bargagli E. , Prasse A. , Olivieri C. , Muller-Quernheim J. , Rottoli P.
Published: December 2010

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a severe, rapidly progressive diffuse lung disease. Several pathogenetic mechanisms have been hypothesized on the basis of the fibrotic lung damage occurring in this disease, and a potential profibrotic role of activated alveolar macrophages and their mediators in the pathogenesis of IPF was recently documented. This paper focuses on recent literature on potential biomarkers of IPF derived from activated alveolar macrophages. Biomarker discovery and clinical application are a recent topic of interest in the field of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Cytokines, CC-chemokines, and other macrophage-produced mediators are the most promising prognostic biomarkers. Many molecules have been proposed in the literature as potential biomarker of IPF; however, a rigorous validation is needed to confirm their clinical utility.
Pore-Width-Dependent Preferential Interaction of sp2Carbon Atoms in Cyclohexene with Graphitic Slit Pores by GCMC Simulation
Authors: Kojima Natsuko , Ohba Tomonori , Urabe Yasuhiko , Kanoh Hirofumi , Kaneko Katsumi
Published: December 2010

The adsorption of cyclohexene with two sp2and four sp3carbon atoms in graphitic slit pores was studied by performing grand canonical Monte Carlo simulation. The molecular arrangement of the cyclohexene on the graphitic carbon wall depends on the pore width. The distribution peak of the sp2carbon is closer to the pore wall than that of the sp3carbon except for the pore width of 0.7 nm, even though the Lennard-Jones size of the sp2carbon is larger than that of the sp3carbon. Thus, the difference in the interactions of the sp2and sp3carbon atoms of cyclohexene with the carbon pore walls is clearly observed in this study. The preferential interaction of sp2carbon gives rise to a slight tilting of the cyclohexene molecule against the graphitic wall. This is suggestive of a π-π interaction between the sp2carbon in the cyclohexene molecule and graphitic carbon.
Analysis of the T-Cell Receptor Repertoires of Tumor-Infiltrating Conventional and Regulatory T Cells Reveals No Evidence for Conversion in Carcinogen-Induced Tumors
Authors: Hindley James P. , Ferreira Cristina , Jones Emma , Lauder Sarah N. , Ladell Kristin , Wynn Katherine K. , Betts Gareth J. , Singh Yogesh , Price David A. , Godkin Andrew J. , Dyson Julian , Gallimore Awen
Published: December 2010

A significant enrichment of CD4+Foxp3+ T cells (regulatory T cells, Treg) is frequently observed in murine and human carcinomas. As Tregs can limit effective antitumor immune responses, thereby promoting tumor progression, it is important that the mechanisms underpinning intratumoral accumulation of Tregs are identified. Because of evidence gathered mostly in vitro, the conversion of conventional T cells (Tconv) into Tregs has been proposed as one such mechanism. We assessed the contribution of conversion in vivo by analyzing the TCR (T-cell receptor) repertoires of Tconvs and Tregs in carcinogen-induced tumors in mice. Our results indicate that the TCR repertoires of Tregs and Tconvs within tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) are largely distinct. Indeed, the cell population with the greatest degree of repertoire similarity with tumor-infiltrating Tregs was the Treg population from the tumor-draining lymph node. These findings demonstrate that conversion of Tconvs does not contribute significantly to the accumulation of tumor-infiltrating Tregs; rather, Tconvs and Tregs arise from different populations with unique TCR repertoires. Enrichment of Tregs within TILs most likely, therefore, reflects differences in the way that Tregs and Tconvs are influenced by the tumor microenvironment. Elucidating the nature of these influences may indicate how the balance between tumor-infiltrating Tregs and Tconvs can be manipulated for therapeutic purposes. Cancer Res; 71(3); 736–46. ©2010 AACR.