bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seventy‐two total knee arthroplasties performed in patients with haemophilia using continuous infusion
Authors: Chevalier Y. , Dargaud Y. , Lienhart A. , Chamouard V. , Negrier C.
Published: October 2012

Background and Objectives  Total knee replacement (TKR) is the treatment of choice in case of end‐stage knee arthropathy, the main complication of haemophilia. We report here a retrospective evaluation of 72 total knee replacement in 51 haemophilia A and B patients using continuous infusion of factor concentrates (CIFC).

Materials and Methods  Patients were evaluated on the basis of the following efficacy and safety criteria: range of motion, surgery‐related blood loss by three different methods, factor consumption and occurrence of short and long term complications.

Results  Kaplan–Meier analysis showed a removal‐free survival of TKRs of 88.4% 10 years after surgery. Most patients were satisfied with their prosthesis and described pain relief and improved mobility and better quality of life after surgery. The long term follow‐up showed a mean range of motion at 86° with a flexion deformity of 4°. The blood loss differed significantly according to the method used for measurement. No life‐threatening bleeding occurred. Twenty six haematomas (36.1%) and 2 haemarthroses (2.7%) occurred in 38.8% of cases during the first three postoperative weeks, with no significant impact on the orthopaedic outcome. The average factor consumption during hospitalization was 79 IU/kg/day for patients with haemophilia A and 99 IU/kg/day for patients with haemophilia B. Infections occurred in 4.1% of patients. One patient with severe haemophilia A developed an inhibitor.

Conclusions  The multidisciplinary approach and the homogeneous management of our large cohort allowed the achievement of excellent functional results. Our results confirmed previously reported data on the safety and efficacy of CIFC in situations requiring intensive factor replacement, such as TKR surgery.
Extraosseous plasmacytoma with an aggressive course occurring solely in the CNS
Authors: Wu William , Pasch Whitney , Zhao Xiaohui , Rezk Sherif A.
Published: October 2012

Extraosseous (extramedullary) plasmacytoma is a relatively indolent neoplasm that constitutes 3–5% of all plasma cell neoplasms. Rare cases have been reported to truly occur in the CNS and not as an extension from a nasal lesion. EBV expression in plasma cell neoplasms has been reported in very few cases that are mainly post‐transplant or occurring in severely immunosuppressed patients. We report a case of extraosseous plasmacytoma with an aggressive course in an HIV‐positive individual that occurred solely in the CNS, showing EBV expression by in situ hybridization, and presenting as an intraparenchymal mass as well as in the CSF.
Benign intraocular teratoid medulloepithelioma causing glaucoma in an 11‐year‐old Arabian mare
Authors: Leiva Marta , Felici Fiorenza , Carvalho Andrea , Ramis Antonio , Peña Teresa
Published: October 2012

Case description: An 11‐year‐old Arabian mare was presented for investigation of a visible, pale‐colored intraocular mass in the right eye.

Clinical findings: An intraocular mass was detected clinically and ultrasonographically as originating from the superior temporal quadrant of the ciliary body and iris and causing secondary glaucoma. The echodense mass was occupying the majority of the vitreous chamber and extended into the anterior chamber. The left eye appeared normal.

Treatment and Outcome: Enucleation was recommended for therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. No adjuvant treatment was given. Histopathological examination demonstrated a benign intraocular teratoid medulloepithelioma located at the ciliary body. Immunohistochemical studies showed that neoplastic cells were positive for vimentin, S‐100 protein, neuron‐specific enolase (NSE), and nestin and negative for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Electron microscopy revealed abundant cellular matrix and blood vessels surrounding tumor cells, which had indented, round to oval nuclei. There were also apoptotic bodies and cells containing melanosomes of variable shape and size. Eight years later, the horse has had no recurrence and maintains normal vision in the left eye.

Clinical relevance: This is the first report of a benign teratoid intraocular medulloepithelioma in an adult horse and the ultrastructural and immunohistochemical characterization of a teratoid medulloepithelioma in this species.
Approximate Bias Compensation for Rendering Scenes with Heterogeneous Participating Media
Authors: Engelhardt Thomas , Novák Jan , Schmidt Thorsten‐W. , Dachsbacher Carsten
Published: October 2012

In this paper we present a novel method for high‐quality rendering of scenes with participating media. Our technique is based on instant radiosity, which is used to approximate indirect illumination between surfaces by gathering light from a set of virtual point lights (VPLs). It has been shown that this principle can be applied to participating media as well, so that the combined single scattering contribution of VPLs within the medium yields full multiple scattering. As in the surface case, VPL methods for participating media are prone to singularities, which appear as bright “splotches” in the image. These artifacts are usually countered by clamping the VPLs' contribution, but this leads to energy loss within the short‐distance light transport. Bias compensation recovers the missing energy, but previous approaches are prohibitively costly. We investigate VPL‐based methods for rendering scenes with participating media, and propose a novel and efficient approximate bias compensation technique. We evaluate our technique using various test scenes, showing it to be visually indistinguishable from ground truth.
Scalable Programmable Motion Effects on GPUs
Authors: Huang Xuezhen , Hou Qiming , Ren Zhong , Zhou Kun
Published: October 2012

We present an efficient and scalable system that enables programmable motion effects on GPUs. Our system is based on the framework proposed by Schmid et al. [SSBG10] that extends the concept of a surface shader to that of a programmable motion effect. While capable of expressing a variety of motion depiction styles, the execution of motion effect programs requires global knowledge about all portions of an object's surface that passes in front of a pixel during an arbitrarily long period of time, resulting in extremely high memory usage and significantly restricting the degree of parallelism of typical GPU rendering algorithms that parallelize computations over pixels in each frame of animations. To address this problem, we design our system to process multiple frames of a pixel in parallel. This new parallelization approach enables better utilization of GPU memory and also makes it possible to design an efficient out‐of‐core algorithm required in rendering real‐world animations. We also develop an analytical visibility algorithm to resolve depth conflicts of objects, reducing the required temporal resampling rate and further exposing parallelism. Experiments show that we are able to handle very large scenes and improve runtime performance up to an order of magnitude.
Long‐Term Care and the Housing Market
Authors: Bell David , Rutherford Alasdair
Published: October 2012

This study examines the combined effects of population ageing and changes in long‐term care policy on the housing market. Those needing care prefer to receive it at home rather than in institutional settings. Public authorities prefer to provide care in residential settings, which are generally lower cost than institutional care. The trend away from institutional provision towards care at home is endorsed by national governments and by the OECD. Nevertheless, as the number requiring care increases, this policy shift will maintain the level of housing demand above what it would otherwise be. It will also have distributional consequences with individuals less likely to reduce their housing equity to pay for institutional care, which in turn will increase the value of their bequests. Empirical analysis using the UK Family Resources Survey and the British Household Panel Survey shows that household formation effects involving those requiring long‐term care are relatively weak and unlikely to significantly offset the effects of this policy shift on the housing market and on the distribution of wealth.
Through Solidarity to “Fluidarity”: Understanding Difference and Developing Change Agency Through Narrative Reflection
Authors: Maruggi Matthew
Published: October 2012

This paper examines the development of the concept of solidarity as expressing a sense of shared humanity, while detailing critiques of its current use, especially when it implies a privileged center setting the agenda for the sake of marginalized others. My research demonstrates how solidarity can be modified when encountering difference, and how it might be better conceptualized as “fluidarity,” an attitude and practice that embraces the complexity of engaging the other in pluralized and ever‐changing struggles. This engagement with otherness, an explicit part of an undergraduate theological ethics course with an embedded service‐learning component, is pedagogically facilitated by a threefold reflection process required of students: critical reflection on their own narratives, reflection on the narratives encountered in their service‐learning, and reflection on the lives of spiritually grounded agents of social change. Case studies of four undergraduate students demonstrate the ways in which this pedagogical strategy contributes to the development of solidarity and moves students' understanding towards fluidarity. In the end, the students gained a sense of spiritually grounded change agency, combining spiritual development with growth in critical consciousness.
Beyond 3×1: Linking Sending and Receiving Societies in the Development Process
Authors: Hazán Miryam
Published: October 2012

In this paper, I explore the possibilities of linking and expanding existing sending and receiving countries' initiatives that mobilize immigrants to participate in the development process of their countries of origin in such a way as to advance two main goals of such initiatives: (1) to multiply their developmental impact in sending regions; and (2) to help increase the social and political capital of immigrants and immigrant associations, so as to facilitate both their role in the development of their countries of origin and also their integration in their host societies. In the paper, I will study the Mexican 3×1 programme and Spain's co‐development model and explore the ways in which programmes such as these could be ideally linked and implemented, in diverse contexts, in a way that is advantageous to both sending and receiving societies. The paper is based on research conducted over the past 9 years with Mexican immigrant associations in the United States; on interviews with Mexican government officials in Mexico and the United States; and on interviews conducted in 2008 and 2009 in Spain.
Identification of Novel Genes Involved in Migraine
Authors: Lafrenière Ronald G. , Rouleau Guy A.
Published: October 2012

Background.— Migraine is a common form of headache affecting about 12% of the population. Genetic studies in the rare form of familial hemiplegic migraine have identified mutations in 3 genes (CACNA1A, ATP1A2, and SCN1A) encoding proteins involved in ion homeostasis and suggesting that other such genes may be involved in the more common forms of migraine.

Objectives.— To test this proposition, the coding regions of 150 brain‐expressed genes involved in ion homeostasis (ion channels, transporters, exchangers, and accessory subunits) were systematically screened to identify DNA variants in a group of 110 migraine probands and 250 control samples.

Methods.— DNA variants were analyzed using a number of complementary in silico approaches.

Results.— Several genes encoding potassium channels, including KCNK18, KCNG4, and KCNAB3, were identified as potentially linked to migraine. In situ hybridization studies of the mouse Kcnk18 ortholog show that it is developmentally expressed in the trigeminal and dorsal root ganglia, further supporting the involvement of this gene in migraine pathogenesis.

Conclusions.— Our study is the first to link variations in these K+ channel genes to migraine, thus expanding on the view of migraine as a channelopathy and providing potential molecular targets for further study and therapeutic applications.
Mind/Body and Behavioral Treatments: The Evidence and Approach
Authors: Wells Rebecca Erwin , Loder Elizabeth
Published: October 2012

Nonpharmacological treatments may help many patients with headaches. This review addresses the most common questions about nondrug treatment options from the perspective of patients by (1) defining behavioral and mind/body treatments, (2) discussing the research evidence supporting their use, and (3) describing their role in the management of headaches. Research suggests that mind/body and behavioral treatments may decrease the frequency of migraine or tension‐type headaches by 35‐50%, an effect size comparable with those observed in medication trials but with fewer side effects than drugs. Most benefit seems to occur in those who combine medications with nonpharmacological treatments. Despite the fact that research evidence for behavioral treatment of headaches is stronger than that for specific mind/body treatments, research shows that adults with headache in the general population are more likely to use mind/body treatments. Nondrug treatments may have a longer time to onset of benefits than drugs, but their effect may be broader and more durable because they may improve stress, coping, and self‐efficacy. Additional research is needed to address other questions that patients and their physicians may have about these interventions.
Learner Perception of Formal and Informal Pronouns in Russian
Authors: DEWAARD LISA
Published: October 2012

This project investigates whether learners of Russian perceive the sociocultural weight of the two personal pronouns for ‘you,’ty (informal/intimate) and vy (formal/polite) when they listen to native speech. Research on address pronoun use shows it to be an important sociocultural variable and, while there is some general consistency in use, there is also a great deal of manipulation of the pronouns to create effect or demonstrate a change in relational dynamic. Students at Northeast College and Midwest University participated in a listening task involving video clips from Russian and Soviet films. Results indicate that perception of the pronouns in a listening task is not significantly different across proficiency levels. That is, beginning and advanced learners demonstrate similar ability with the understanding of the feature. Furthermore, female learners outperformed male learners on the listening task to a statistically significant degree within each program. These results add to the body of knowledge in second language acquisition and, more specifically, to our knowledge of how pragmatic features of a language are understood by learners.
Molecular Control of Male Reproductive Development and Pollen Fertility in RiceF
Authors: Guo Jing‐Xin , Liu Yao‐Guang
Published: October 2012

Anther development and male fertility are essential biological processes for flowering plants and are important for crop seed production. Genetic manipulation of male fertility/sterility is critical for crop hybrid breeding. Rice (Oryza sativa L.) male sterility phenotypes, including genic male sterility, hybrid male sterility, and cytoplasmic male sterility, are generally caused by mutations of fertility‐related genes, by incompatible interactions between divergent allelic or non‐allelic genes, or by genetic incompatibilities between cytoplasmic and nuclear genomes. Here, we review the recent advances in the molecular basis of anther development and male fertility‐sterility conversion in specific genetic backgrounds, and the interactions with certain environmental factors. The highlighted findings in this review have significant implications in both basic studies and rice genetic improvement.

image

[ Yao‐Guang Liu (Corresponding author)]
Jacob Bercovitch: Understanding Hands Across the Divide
Authors: Druckman Daniel , Lutmar Carmela
Published: October 2012

In this article we provide an overview of the research contributions made by Jacob Bercovitch to the field of international mediation. These contributions include both descriptive findings about the use of mediation and factors that correlate with the successful practice of mediation. Interestingly, three‐quarters of the attempts to mediate international conflicts either fail or result in partial settlements. Bercovitch's work informs mediators about ways to improve their practice. The article concludes with personal reflections about the person and our relationship with him.
Accessing Hepatitis C patients who are difficult to reach: it is time to overcome barriers
Authors: Bruggmann P.
Published: October 2012

With the arrival of simple, efficient and safe interferon‐free treatment regimens, hepatitis C virus (HCV) therapy will have the potential to be successfully used for the majority of infected patients and prevent the associated morbidity and mortality. With the current treatment uptake rates, only a very small proportion of HCV‐infected patients are reached. Paradoxically, treatment rates are lowest in the most affected at‐risk group – people who inject drugs (PWID) – which is the major driving force behind the spread of HCV infection. To conquer the increasing problem of HCV‐related liver disease, many existing but modifiable obstacles, which prevent detection, assessment and treatment uptake, have to be overcome in this population. This review article summarizes the existing literature on the most relevant barriers preventing HCV care and describes measures to overcome these obstacles.
Malakoplakia after renal transplantation in the current era of immunosuppressive therapy: case report and literature review
Authors: Leão C.A. , Duarte M.I.S. , Gamba C. , Ramos J.F. , Rossi F. , Galvão M.M. , David‐Neto E. , Nahas W. , Shikanai‐Yasuda M.A. , Pierrotti L.C.
Published: October 2012

Malakoplakia is a rare chronic granulomatous disease of unknown cause. It is thought to be caused by an acquired bactericidal defect of macrophages. Malakoplakia is associated with chronic infections and immunosuppression. Although it occurs mainly in the urinary tract, it has already been reported in almost every organ system. The isolation of bacteria, especially Escherichia coli, is common in malakoplakia patients. Here, we present a case of primary cutaneous malakoplakia in a kidney transplant recipient who had been taking prednisone, tacrolimus, and mycophenolate. Culture of a lesion grew Burkholderia cepacia complex. Treatment with high doses of trimethoprim‐sulfamethoxazole was successful. We also present a systematic review of the literature, identifying 4 previously reported cases of malakoplakia after renal transplantation under similar immunosuppressive therapy, most occurring in the urinary tract or perineum and following benign courses to cure. Data in the literature suggest that malakoplakia has become even rarer since changes were made in the immunosuppressive therapy employed after kidney transplantation.
Pharmacokinetics of low‐dose cidofovir in kidney transplant recipients with BK virus infection
Authors: Momper J.D. , Zhao Y. , Shapiro R. , Schonder K.S. , Gao Y. , Randhawa P.S. , Venkataramanan R.
Published: October 2012

Background

BK virus (BKV) infection in kidney transplant recipients is associated with progressive graft dysfunction and graft loss. Cidofovir, an antiviral agent with known nephrotoxicity, has been used in low doses to treat BKV infections. However, the systemic exposure and disposition of the low‐dose cidofovir regimen are not known in kidney transplant recipients.

Methods

We investigated the pharmacokinetics (PK) of low‐dose cidofovir (0.24 – 0.62 mg/kg) both without and with oral probenecid in 9 transplant patients with persistent BK viremia without nephropathy in a crossover design.

Results

The mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of the study participants was 46.2 mL/min/1.73 m2 (range: 17–75 mL/min/1.73 m2). The contribution of active renal secretion to cidofovir total body clearance was assessed by evaluating the effect of probenecid on cidofovir PK. Maximum cidofovir plasma concentrations, which averaged approximately 1 μg/mL, were significantly below the 36 μg/mL 50% effective concentration in vitro for cidofovir against BKV. The plasma concentration of cidofovir declined with an overall disposition half‐life of 5.1 ± 3.5 and 5.3 ± 2.9 h in the absence and in the presence of probenecid, respectively (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Cidofovir clearance and eGFR were linearly related irrespective of probenecid administration (r2 = 0.8 without probenecid; r2 = 0.7 with probenecid). This relationship allows for the prediction of systemic cidofovir exposure in individual patients and may be utilized to evaluate exposure‐response relationships to optimize the cidofovir dosing regimen for BKV infection.
Clinical significance of quantitative cytomegalovirus detection in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in lung transplant recipients
Authors: Schlischewsky E. , Fuehner T. , Warnecke G. , Welte T. , Haverich A. , Ganzenmueller T. , Heim A. , Gottlieb J.
Published: October 2012

Objectives

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is an important pathogen after lung transplant (LTx) and may be associated with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). We assessed the outcome of LTx patients with CMV DNA‐positive bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) during surveillance.

Methods

A single‐center retrospective study was performed. Outpatients transplanted between September 2007 and February 2010, who had undergone at least 3 BALs, were included. CMV DNA load in BAL was measured by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Monitoring of peripheral blood antigenemia was performed simultaneously.

Results

In total, 103 LTx patients underwent 1118 BALs. During median follow‐up of 639 days (interquartile range, 495–780), 53 (51%) patients exhibited at least 1 positive CMV PCR in BAL. The incidence of positive CMV PCR varied post transplantation, with 6%, 30%, and 25% of BALs testing positive at <6 months, 6–24 months, and >24 months, respectively. Neither CMV BAL positivity, positive CMV antigenemia, nor dual positivity were significantly associated with BOS‐free survival during follow‐up. Patients with CMV‐positive BAL more frequently developed CMV antigenemia in the first year (44% vs. 5%, respectively, log‐rank P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Detection of CMV‐positive BAL after the sixth month appears common, but did not correlate with BOS‐free survival after LTx in this study. An increased risk of developing blood antigenemia was observed in patients with positive CMV PCR in BAL, warranting close follow‐up.
Altered neurovascular control of the resting circulation in human metabolic syndrome
Authors: Limberg Jacqueline K. , Morgan Barbara J. , Sebranek Joshua J. , Proctor Lester T. , Walker Benjamin J. , Eldridge Marlowe W. , Schrage William G.
Published: October 2012

Key points

Young healthy adults exhibit a balance between muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and α‐adrenergic‐mediated vasoconstriction such that those with higher MSNA exhibit lower vascular‐adrenergic responsiveness.

In contrast to healthy adults, the balance between MSNA and α1‐adrenergic‐mediated vasoconstriction is lost in adults with metabolic syndrome. In addition, adults with metabolic syndrome exhibit increased α2‐adrenergic responsiveness.

This study uncovered some of the earliest sympathetic–haemodynamic changes in the progression from metabolic syndrome to cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

Considering metabolic syndrome subjects were relatively young and free of overt cardiovascular disease, it is reasonable to speculate as the disease progresses the observed uncoupling between MSNA and α‐adrenergic responsiveness may lead to reduced whole‐limb blood flow, altered blood flow distribution, reduced glucose delivery and/or increased hypertension severity.

Abstract  Young healthy adults exhibit an inverse linear relationship between muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) and α‐adrenergic responsiveness. This balance may be reversed in metabolic syndrome (MetSyn) as animal models exhibit increased sympathetic activity and α‐mediated vasoconstriction. We hypothesized humans with MetSyn would demonstrate increased α‐adrenergic vasoconstriction and the inverse relationship between MSNA and adrenergic responsiveness would be lost. We measured MSNA (microneurography of the peroneal nerve) and forearm blood flow (FBF, Doppler ultrasound) in 16 healthy control subjects (31 ± 3 years) and 14 adults with MetSyn (35 ± 3 years; P > 0.05) during local administration of α‐adrenergic agonists (phenylephrine (PE), α1; clonidine (CL), α2). MSNA was greater in MetSyn subjects than in healthy controls (P < 0.05). A group difference in vasoconstriction to PE was not detected (P= 0.08). The level of α1‐mediated vasoconstriction was inversely related to MSNA in control subjects (r= 0.5, P= 0.04); this balance between MSNA and α1 responsiveness was lost in adults with MetSyn. MetSyn subjects exhibited greater vasoconstriction to CL infusion as compared with healthy controls (P < 0.01). A relationship between MSNA and α2‐mediated vasoconstriction was not detected in either group. In summary, altered neurovascular control in human MetSyn is receptor specific. The observed uncoupling between MSNA and α1‐adrenergic responsiveness and increased α2 vasoconstriction may lead to reduced FBF, altered flow distribution, and/or severe hypertension with the progression toward diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Effect of Posaconazole on Cyclosporine Blood Levels and Dose Adjustment in Allogeneic Blood and Marrow Transplant Recipients
Authors: Sánchez-Ortega Isabel , Vázquez Lourdes , Montes Carmen , Patiño Beatriz , Arnan Montserrat , Bermúdez Arancha , Yáñez Lucrecia , Caballero Teresa , Duarte Rafael F.
Published: October 2012

The posaconazole prescribing information recommends an upfront cyclosporine dose reduction upon initiation of posaconazole prophylaxis. We examined this recommendation in the early phase of allogeneic transplantation, where cyclosporine levels potentially becoming subtherapeutic following upfront dose reduction would be deleterious to transplant outcome. Our data show that while posaconazole leads to an increase in cyclosporine levels, subsequent cyclosporine dose reduction can be safely guided by therapeutic drug monitoring and is not required upfront. Therefore, the current recommendation may be modified.
Insulin Treatment Directly Restores Neutrophil Phagocytosis and Bactericidal Activity in Diabetic Mice and Thereby Improves Surgical Site Staphylococcus aureus Infection
Authors: Yano Hidekazu , Kinoshita Manabu , Fujino Keiichi , Nakashima Masahiro , Yamamoto Yoritsuna , Miyazaki Hiromi , Hamada Koji , Ono Satoshi , Iwaya Keiichi , Saitoh Daizoh , Seki Shuhji , Tanaka Yuji
Published: October 2012

Bacterial infections, including surgical site infections (SSI), are a common and serious complication of diabetes.
Staphylococcus aureus
, which is eliminated mainly by neutrophils, is a major cause of SSI in diabetic patients. However, the precise mechanisms by which diabetes predisposes to staphylococcal infection are not fully elucidated. The effect of insulin on this infection is also not well understood. We therefore investigated the effect of insulin treatment on SSI and neutrophil function in diabetic mice.
S. aureus
was inoculated into the abdominal muscle in diabetic
db
/
db
and high-fat-diet (HFD)-fed mice with or without insulin treatment. Although the diabetic
db
/
db
mice developed SSI, insulin treatment ameliorated the infection.
db
/
db
mice had neutrophil dysfunction, such as decreased phagocytosis, superoxide production, and killing activity of
S. aureus
; however, insulin treatment restored these functions.
Ex vivo
treatment (coincubation) of neutrophils with insulin and euglycemic control by phlorizin suggest that insulin may directly activate neutrophil phagocytic and bactericidal activity independently of its euglycemic effect. However, insulin may indirectly restore superoxide production by neutrophils through its euglycemic effect. HFD-fed mice with mild hyperglycemia also developed more severe SSI by
S. aureus
than control mice and had impaired neutrophil phagocytic and bactericidal activity, which was improved by insulin treatment. Unlike
db
/
db
mice, in HFD mice, superoxide production was increased in neutrophils and subsequently suppressed by insulin treatment. Glycemic control by insulin also normalized the neutrophil superoxide-producing capability in HFD mice. Thus, insulin may restore neutrophil phagocytosis and bactericidal activity, thereby ameliorating SSI.
STATE COMPLEXITY AND APPROXIMATION
Authors: GAO YUAN , YU SHENG
Published: October 2012

We discuss a number of essential questions concerning the state complexity research. The questions include why many basic problems were not studied earlier, whether there is a general algorithm for state complexity of combined operations, and whether there is a new and effective approach in this area of research. The concept of state complexity approximation is also discussed. We show that state complexity approximation can be used to obtain good results when the exact state complexities are difficult to find and when the exact state complexities are too complex to comprehend. We also list a number of questions for future research in this area.
THE PHYSICAL CHURCH-TURING THESIS AND THE PRINCIPLES OF QUANTUM THEORY
Authors: ARRIGHI PABLO , DOWEK GILLES
Published: October 2012

As was emphasized by Deutsch, quantum computation shatters complexity theory, but is innocuous to computability theory. Yet Nielsen and others have shown how quantum theory as it stands could breach the physical Church-Turing thesis. We draw a clear line as to when this is the case, in a way that is inspired by Gandy. Gandy formulates postulates about physics, such as homogeneity of space and time, bounded density and velocity of information — and proves that the physical Church-Turing thesis is a consequence of these postulates. We provide a quantum version of the theorem. Thus this approach exhibits a formal non-trivial interplay between theoretical physics symmetries and computability assumptions.
STATISTICAL CONSIDERATION ON THE VARIABILITY INCIDENTAL TO PIXE-HAIR MINERALS
Authors: SAUNDERS TODD , KURODA SHOHEI , NAKAMURA TSUYOSHI , YAMADA TOMOMI , SERA KOICHIRO , GOTOH SHOKO , NOSE YOSHIAKI
Published: October 2012

Hair mineral content has become a useful biomarker to measure exposure to elements both safe and unsafe. To promote the use of hair mineral volumes in clinical practice, it would seem crucial to first determine their normal ranges by the statistical analysis of hair minerals sampled from a large healthy population. This paper used Proton Induced X-ray emissions (PIXE) to measure mineral concentrations in the hair of 842 mother-infant pairs. The data were then statistically analyzed to determine their normal ranges and categorized into 4 groups based on distributional characteristics. Intra-individual variations are also identified and discussed with regard to risk analysis.
SAMPLE PREPARATION FOR PIXE ANALYSIS OF FATTY FOOD
Authors: GOTO S. , TAKAHASHI C. , SAITOH Y. , MURAO S. , SERA K.
Published: October 2012

As a part of research project for food risk assesment in Asian countries, we have collected a variety of samples including dairy products from Mongolia for PIXE analysis. However, some kinds of milk products or fats such as butter, margarine, mayonnaise and cream are often hard to be homogenized with internal standards because of their viscosity and oiliness, which makes their sample preparation a tiresome work. We have tried to develop efficient preparation and measurement methods for in-air PIXE analysis of those samples. For butter and margarine, liquid internal standard method was taken after melting them with water bath. Pasty samples like mayonnaise and cream were mixed with liquid standard in agate mortar. The applicability of these methods was examined by checking homogeneity of so prepared samples on the basis of Ca concentration. Along with the internal standard methods, a standard-free method has also been worked out for those fatty samples. The obtained results have been fairly satisfactory and we have applied the methods to the Mongolian dairy samples.
ANALYSIS OF PLANTS AND SEDIMENTS FROM THE TIDELANDS OF THE COASTAL REGIONS OF THE TOHOKU DISTRICT FOLLOWING THE 2011 TSUNAMI
Authors: SERA K. , BABA F. , GOTO S. , TAKAHASHI C. , SAITOH Y. , MATSUMASA M.
Published: October 2012

The tidelands (tidal flats) of the seaside district of Tohoku, Japan, which play an important role in maintaining the diversity of the marine ecosystem, were almost completely destroyed by the massive tsunami that occurred on March 11, 2011. The tsunami also brought large quantities of contaminated sludge from the bottom of the sea to the coastal lands including the tidelands. In this study, we collected sludge samples from three tidelands: the Tsugaruishi estuary tideland (Iwate pref.), the Orikasa estuary tideland (Iwate pref.), and the Gamou tideland (Miyagi pref.). We then analyzed the samples using PIXE in accordance with a powdered-internal-standard method that we developed. In order to investigate the effects of the contaminated sludge on the ecosystem, we gathered and analyzed various kinds of wild plants and seaweed. We found that the tidelands are contaminated with heavy elements, such as arsenic, lead, zirconium, and barium, although the contamination is less serious in the vicinity of the beach.
LOCAL ANALYSIS OF STRONTIUM USING FISH SCALE BY MICRO-PIXE WITH A CdTe X-RAY DETECTOR
Authors: SUZUKI KYOKO , HOMMA-TAKEDA SHINO , OIKAWA MASAKAZU , YOSHITOMI TOMOYASU , ICHIMURA MASAKI , ISO HIROYUKI , ISHIKAWA TAKAHIRO , HIGUCHI YUICHI , IMASEKI HITOSHI , HARUMOTO KEIKO , OTAKE TSUGUO
Published: October 2012

Sr is an indicator used in studies on fish migration. In this study, the Sr profiles of ridges, which are growth lines in fish scales, in Sakhalin taimen (Hucho perryi) were examined by micro-PIXE analysis. Sakhalin taimen were reared under freshwater conditions for six months. The ridges that formed during the rearing experiment were subjected to PIXE spot analysis. This analysis was performed in a 5 X 5 μm2 area in the center region of each ridge of the scale section, and the Sr levels were calculated using the thin-section standard. The mean Sr concentration in the ridges was 428± 48 μg/g. The quantitative PIXE spot analysis successfully provided Sr profiles for the scale corresponding to ridge formation.
MEASURES AGAINST RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINATION DUE TO FUKUSHIMA FIRST NUCLEAR POWER PLANT ACCIDENTS PART II: MEASUREMENT OF SPACE RADIATION DOSE RATES AND EXAMINATION OF CONTAMINATION IN FOOD
Authors: ISHII K. , TERAKAWA A. , MATSUYAMA S. , HASEGAWA A. , NAGAKUBO K. , SAKURADA T. , KIKUCHI Y. , FUJIWARA M. , YAMAZAKI H. , YUHKI H. , KIM S. , SATOH I.
Published: October 2012

The space radiation dose rates at several points in Miyagi prefecture and their time dependencies were measured. Radiation exposure was mainly caused by 131 I at the earlier stage of Fukushima first nuclear power accidents and then by 134 Cs and 137 Cs . We inspected radioactive contamination for food produced in Miyagi prefecture and Fukushima city. As the result, almost all food were safe.
MODIFIED PERTURBATION THEORY FOR ANGULAR DISTRIBUTION IN W-PAIR PRODUCTION
Authors: NEKRASOV M. L.
Published: October 2012

We examine the capabilities of the modified perturbation theory (MPT) for description of W-pair production and decay in e+ e- annihilation. In a model with Dyson-resummed propagators of unstable particles, we calculate even and odd contributions to the distribution in the cosine of the W- production angle relative to the e- beam. On comparing the results of calculations in the NNLO approximation of MPT with the exact results in the model, a coincidence of outcomes at the ILC energies is detected at the per-mille level.
COMPLETE STUDY OF THE SEMILEPTONIC B TO $K_2^*(1430)$ DECAYS IN THE STANDARD MODEL WITH FOURTH GENERATION
Authors: JUNAID MUHAMMAD , ASLAM MUHAMMAD JAMIL , AHMED ISHTIAQ
Published: October 2012

The [Formula: see text] decays are analyzed in the standard model (SM) extended to fourth generation of quarks (SM4). The decay rate, forward–backward asymmetry, lepton polarization asymmetries, the helicity fractions of the final state [Formula: see text] meson and CP asymmetry are discussed using the form factors calculated in the light-cone sum rules (LCSR) approach. We utilized the constraints on different fourth generation parameters obtained from the experimental information on K, B and D decays and from their recent searches at the ATLAS and CMS experiments to explore their impact on the [Formula: see text] decays. We find that the values of above mentioned physical observables deviate significantly from their minimal SM predications. In the present study, we will also perform the analysis of CP asymmetry in [Formula: see text] decays within SM4, which is one of the most interesting observable in the study of SM4.
QUANTUM DISCORD AND RELATED MEASURES OF QUANTUM CORRELATIONS IN FINITE XY CHAINS
Authors: CANOSA N. , CILIBERTI L. , ROSSIGNOLI R.
Published: October 2012

We examine the quantum correlations of spin pairs in the ground state of finite XY chains in a transverse field, by evaluating the quantum discord as well as other related entropic measures of quantum correlations. A brief review of the latter, based on generalized entropic forms, is also included. It is shown that parity effects are of crucial importance for describing the behavior of these measures below the critical field. It is also shown that these measures reach full range in the immediate vicinity of the factorizing field, where they become independent of separation and coupling range. Analytical and numerical results for the quantum discord, the geometric discord and other measures in spin chains with nearest neighbor coupling and in fully connected spin arrays are also provided.
ANALYTICAL TIME DOMAIN NORMAL MODE SOLUTION OF AN ACOUSTIC WAVEGUIDE WITH PERFECTLY REFLECTING WALLS
Authors: SERTLEK HÜSEYIN ÖZKAN , AKSOY SERKAN
Published: October 2012

Solution of wide-band underwater acoustic problems with the classical Normal Mode method in the frequency domain needs to solve the problem repeating for every frequency component of the wide-band source signal. In this paper, a direct and causal analytical Time Domain Normal Mode Method is presented for arbitrary time-dependent acoustic sources for a single layered isovelocity waveguide. An incomplete separation of variables technique is used to solve the inhomogeneous wave equation, directly in the time domain. Therefore, it becomes possible to calculate the time domain acoustic pressure in a single run.
A NOTE ON ERDŐS–STRAUS AND ERDŐS–GRAHAM DIVISIBILITY PROBLEMS (WITH AN APPENDIX BY ANDRZEJ SCHINZEL)
Authors: ULAS MACIEJ , SCHINZEL ANDRZEJ
Published: October 2012

In this paper we are interested in two problems stated in the book of Erdős and Graham. The first problem was stated by Erdős and Straus in the following way: Let n ∈ ℕ+ be fixed. Does there exist a positive integer k such that [Formula: see text]

The second problem is similar and was formulated by Erdős and Graham. It can be stated as follows: Can one show that for every nonnegative integer n there is an integer k such that [Formula: see text]

The aim of this paper is to give some computational results related to these problems. In particular we show that the first problem has positive answer for each n ≤ 20. Similarly, we show the existence of desired n in the second problem for all n ≤ 9. We also note some interesting connections between these two problems.
MOMENT ESTIMATES FOR EXPONENTIAL SUMS OVER k-FREE NUMBERS
Authors: KEIL EUGEN
Published: October 2012

We investigate the size of Lp-integrals for exponential sums over k-free numbers and prove essentially tight bounds.
AN ASYMPTOTIC FORMULA FOR THE COEFFICIENTS OF j(z)
Authors: DEWAR MICHAEL , MURTY M. RAM
Published: October 2012

We obtain a new proof of an asymptotic formula for the coefficients of the j-invariant of elliptic curves. Our proof does not use the circle method. We use Laplace's method of steepest descent and the Hardy–Ramanujan asymptotic formula for the partition function. (The latter asymptotic formula can be derived without the circle method.)
NUMERICAL AND EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF THE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF R134a FLOWING THROUGH ADIABATIC HELICAL CAPILLARY TUBES
Authors: CHINGULPITAK SUKKARIN , KAEW-ON JATUPORN , WONGWISES SOMCHAI
Published: October 2012

This paper presents numerical and experimental results of the flow characteristics of R134a flowing through adiabatic helical capillary tubes. The local pressure distribution along the length of the capillary tubes is measured at inlet pressures ranging from 10 to 14 bar, mass flow rates from 8 to 20 kg h-1, and degrees of subcooling from 0.5°C to 15°C. The theoretical model is based on conservation of mass, energy and the momentum of the fluids in the capillary tube. The model is divided into three regions: subcooled liquid region, metastable liquid region and equilibrium two-phase region and can be applied for various tube geometries, new alternative refrigerants and critical or noncritical flow conditions. The model is validated by comparing results from the present experimental data with that of the available literature. Based on the comparison results, the model used in the present study provides reasonable agreement with the experimental data.
Integrated biomagnetochronology for the Palaeogene of ODP Hole 647A: implications for correlating palaeoceanographic events from high to low latitudes
Authors: Firth J. V. , Eldrett J. S. , Harding I. C. , Coxall H. K. , Wade B. S.
Published: October 2012

Lower Eocene to Oligocene microfossil-rich hemipelagic sediments in ODP Hole 647A, southern Labrador Sea, provide a strategic section for resolving the early history of high North Atlantic climates and ocean circulation, and for correlating with carbonate-poor lower Cenozoic sediments in the Arctic and Nordic seas. Our new, integrated palaeomagneto- and multigroup biostratigraphy (63 dinoflagellate cyst, calcareous nannofossil, planktonic foraminifer and diatom datums) significantly improves Site 647 chronostratigraphy and provides a framework for future studies. This new age model, coupled with provisional δ
18
O analyses, provides greater confidence in the location of significant ocean-climate events at this site, including the Eocene–Oligocene transition and the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum. Early Eocene hyperthermals may also be present near the base of the section. Palaeomagnetic age control is significantly improved in the Eocene, but not in the Oligocene. Revised estimates of sedimentation and biogenic flux indicate changes in supply and preservation that may be climatically controlled. A Lower to Middle Eocene hiatus is more precisely constrained, with a
c.
4 million year duration. Age and depth errors quantify the age uncertainties throughout the section. Our revised age model will play an important role in stratigraphic correlation between very high latitude and lower latitude sites.

Supplementary material:

All tables with ages and age-derived calculations based on the

Gradstein
et al.
(2004)

timescale used herein are reproduced as supplementary tables using both the

Gradstein
et al.
(2004)

and the
Cande & Kent (1995)
timescales (Tables DS1–DS6). Discrete sample and shipboard pass-through cryomagnetometer palaeomagnetic data, planktonic foraminifer and fine fraction (<20 µm) stable isotope data, raw and processed core GRA density data, and specifications and results of GRA density spectral analyses are also provided as supplementary tables (Tables DS7–DS11). These tables are available at
www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18546
.
A model-driven methodology to the content layout problem in web applications
Authors: Comai Sara , Mazza Davide
Published: October 2012

This article presents a model-driven approach for the design of the layout in a complex Web application, where large amounts of data are accessed. The aim of this work is to reduce, as much as possible, repetitive tasks and to factor out common aspects into different kinds of rules that can be reused across different applications. In particular, exploiting the conceptual elements of the typical models used for the design of a Web application, it defines presentation and layout rules at different levels of abstraction and granularity. A procedure for the automatic layout of the content of a page is proposed and evaluated, and the layout of advanced Web applications is discussed.
FoXtrot
Authors: Miliaraki Iris , Koubarakis Manolis
Published: October 2012

Publish/subscribe systems have emerged in recent years as a promising paradigm for offering various popular notification services. In this context, many XML filtering systems have been proposed to efficiently identify XML data that matches user interests expressed as queries in an XML query language like XPath. However, in order to offer XML filtering functionality on an Internet-scale, we need to deploy such a service in a distributed environment, avoiding bottlenecks that can deteriorate performance. In this work, we design and implement FoXtrot, a system for filtering XML data that combines the strengths of automata for efficient filtering and distributed hash tables for building a fully distributed system. Apart from structural-matching, performed using automata, we also discuss different methods for evaluating value-based predicates. We perform an extensive experimental evaluation of our system, FoXtrot, on a local cluster and on the PlanetLab network and demonstrate that it can index millions of user queries, achieving a high indexing and filtering throughput. At the same time, FoXtrot exhibits very good load-balancing properties and improves its performance as we increase the size of the network.
Fully dynamic randomized algorithms for graph spanners
Authors: Baswana Surender , Khurana Sumeet , Sarkar Soumojit
Published: October 2012

Spanner of an undirected graph
G
= (
V,E
) is a subgraph that is sparse and yet preserves all-pairs distances approximately. More formally, a spanner with
stretch
t
∈ ℕ is a subgraph (

V,E
S

),

E
S

⊆
E
such that the distance between any two vertices in the subgraph is at most
t
times their distance in
G
. Though
G
is trivially a
t
-spanner of itself, the research as well as applications of spanners invariably deal with a
t
-spanner that has as small number of edges as possible.

We present fully dynamic algorithms for maintaining spanners in centralized as well as synchronized distributed environments. These algorithms are designed for undirected unweighted graphs and use randomization in a crucial manner.

Our algorithms significantly improve the existing fully dynamic algorithms for graph spanners. The expected size (number of edges) of a
t
-spanner maintained at each stage by our algorithms matches, up to a polylogarithmic factor, the worst case optimal size of a
t
-spanner. The expected amortized time (or messages communicated in distributed environment) to process a single insertion/deletion of an edge by our algorithms is
close
to optimal.