bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Oseltamivir Carboxylate Consumption on Emergence of Drug-Resistant H5N2 Avian Influenza Virus in Mallard Ducks
Authors: Achenbach Jenna E. , Bowen Richard A.
Published: March 2013

Oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) has been detected in environmental waters at various levels during recent influenza seasons in humans, reflecting levels of usage and stability of this drug. In consideration of the role of waterfowl as hosts for influenza viruses that may contribute to human infections, we evaluated the effect of consumption of low doses of OC on development of oseltamivir-resistant influenza virus mutants in mallard ducks (
Anas platyrhynchos
) infected with two different low-pathogenic (LP) H5N2 avian influenza viruses (AIV). We detected development of virus variants carrying a known molecular marker of oseltamivir resistance (neuraminidase E119V) in 4 out of 6 mallards infected with A/Mallard/Minnesota/182742/1998 (H5N2) and exposed to 1,000 ng/liter OC. The mutation first appeared as a minor population on days 5 to 6 and was the dominant genotype on days 6 to 8. Oseltamivir-resistant mutations were not detected in virus from ducks not exposed to the drug or in ducks infected with a second strain of virus and similarly exposed to OC. Virus isolates carrying the E119V mutation displayed
in vitro
replication kinetics similar to those of the wild-type virus, but
in vivo
, the E119V virus rapidly reverted back to wild type in the absence of OC, and only the wild-type parental strain was transmitted to contact ducks. These results indicate that consumption by wild waterfowl of OC in drinking water may promote selection of the E119V resistance mutation in some strains of H5N2 AIV that could contribute to viruses infecting human populations.
Pharmacokinetics of Phase I Nevirapine Metabolites following a Single Dose and at Steady State
Authors: Fan-Havard Patty , Liu Zhongfa , Chou Monidarin , Ling Yonghua , Barrail-Tran Aurélie , Haas David W. , Taburet Anne-Marie ,   the ANRS12154 Study Group
Published: March 2013

Nevirapine is one of the most extensively prescribed antiretrovirals worldwide. The present analyses used data and specimens from two prior studies to characterize and compare plasma nevirapine phase I metabolite profiles following a single 200-mg oral dose of nevirapine in 10 HIV-negative African Americans and a steady-state 200-mg twice-daily dose in 10 HIV-infected Cambodians. Nevirapine was assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The 2-, 3-, 8- and 12-hydroxy and 4-carboxy metabolites of nevirapine were assayed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by noncompartmental analysis. The metabolic index for each metabolite was defined as the ratio of the metabolite area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) to the nevirapine AUC. Every metabolite concentration was much less than the corresponding nevirapine concentration. The predominant metabolite after single dose and at steady state was 12-hydroxynevirapine. From single dose to steady state, the metabolic index increased for 3-hydroxynevirapine (
P
< 0.01) but decreased for 2-hydroxynevirapine (
P
< 0.001). The 3-hydroxynevirapine metabolic index was correlated with nevirapine apparent clearance (
P
< 0.001). These findings are consistent with induction of CYP2B6 (3-hydroxy metabolite) and a possible inhibition of CYP3A (2-hydroxy metabolite), although these are preliminary data. There were no such changes in metabolic indexes for 12-hydroxynevirapine or 4-carboxynevirapine. Two subjects with the CYP2B6 *6*6 genetic polymorphism had metabolic indexes in the same range as other subjects. These results suggest that nevirapine metabolite profiles change over time under the influence of enzyme induction, enzyme inhibition, and host genetics. Further work is warranted to elucidate nevirapine biotransformation pathways and implications for drug efficacy and toxicity.
Structure-Based Discovery of the Novel Antiviral Properties of Naproxen against the Nucleoprotein of Influenza A Virus
Authors: Lejal Nathalie , Tarus Bogdan , Bouguyon Edwige , Chenavas Sylvie , Bertho Nicolas , Delmas Bernard , Ruigrok Rob W. H. , Di Primo Carmelo , Slama-Schwok Anny
Published: March 2013

The nucleoprotein (NP) binds the viral RNA genome and associates with the polymerase in a ribonucleoprotein complex (RNP) required for transcription and replication of influenza A virus. NP has no cellular counterpart, and the NP sequence is highly conserved, which led to considering NP a hot target in the search for antivirals. We report here that monomeric nucleoprotein can be inhibited by a small molecule binding in its RNA binding groove, resulting in a novel antiviral against influenza A virus. We identified naproxen, an anti-inflammatory drug that targeted the nucleoprotein to inhibit NP-RNA association required for NP function, by virtual screening. Further docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations identified in the RNA groove two NP-naproxen complexes of similar levels of interaction energy. The predicted naproxen binding sites were tested using the Y148A, R152A, R355A, and R361A proteins carrying single-point mutations. Surface plasmon resonance, fluorescence, and otherin vitroexperiments supported the notion that naproxen binds at a site identified by MD simulations and showed that naproxen competed with RNA binding to wild-type (WT) NP and protected active monomers of the nucleoprotein against proteolytic cleavage. Naproxen protected Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells against viral challenges with the H1N1 and H3N2 viral strains and was much more effective than other cyclooxygenase inhibitors in decreasing viral titers of MDCK cells. In a mouse model of intranasal infection, naproxen treatment decreased the viral titers in mice lungs. In conclusion, naproxen is a promising lead compound for novel antivirals against influenza A virus that targets the nucleoprotein in its RNA binding groove.
Comparative
In Vitro
Activities of GSK2251052, a Novel Boron-Containing Leucyl-tRNA Synthetase Inhibitor, against 916 Anaerobic Organisms
Authors: Goldstein Ellie J. C. , Citron Diane M. , Tyrrell Kerin L. , Merriam C. Vreni
Published: March 2013

We studied the comparative
in vitro
activity of GSK2251052, a novel boron leucyl-tRNA synthetase inhibitor, against 916 clinical anaerobic isolates using CLSI methods. The GSK MIC
50
/MIC
90
for all isolates tested were 2 and 4 μg/ml, and the MIC
90
s against 302
Bacteroides fragilis
and
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
strains were 4 and 8 μg/ml, respectively. All
Clostridium perfringens
strains had GSK2251052 MICs of >32 μg/ml. There was no relationship between increased MICs for any other antibiotics and that of GSK2251052.
Gain-of-Function Mutations in
PDR1
, a Regulator of Antifungal Drug Resistance in Candida glabrata, Control Adherence to Host Cells
Authors: Vale-Silva Luís , Ischer Françoise , Leibundgut-Landmann Salomé , Sanglard Dominique
Published: March 2013

Candida glabrata
is an emerging opportunistic pathogen that is known to develop resistance to azole drugs due to increased drug efflux. The mechanism consists of
CgPDR1
-mediated upregulation of ATP-binding cassette transporters. A range of gain-of-function (GOF) mutations in
CgPDR1
have been found to lead not only to azole resistance but also to enhanced virulence. This implicates
CgPDR1
in the regulation of the interaction of
C. glabrata
with the host. To identify specific
CgPDR1
-regulated steps of the host-pathogen interaction, we investigated in this work the interaction of selected
CgPDR1
GOF mutants with murine bone marrow-derived macrophages and human acute monocytic leukemia cell line (THP-1)-derived macrophages, as well as different epithelial cell lines. GOF mutations in
CgPDR1
did not influence survival and replication within macrophages following phagocytosis but led to decreased adherence to and uptake by macrophages. This may allow evasion from the host's innate cellular immune response. The interaction with epithelial cells revealed an opposite trend, suggesting that GOF mutations in
CgPDR1
may favor epithelial colonization of the host by
C. glabrata
through increased adherence to epithelial cell layers. These data reveal that GOF mutations in
CgPDR1
modulate the interaction with host cells in ways that may contribute to increased virulence.
Nanogel-Based PspA Intranasal Vaccine Prevents Invasive Disease and Nasal Colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Kong Il Gyu , Sato Ayuko , Yuki Yoshikazu , Nochi Tomonori , Takahashi Haruko , Sawada Shinichi , Mejima Mio , Kurokawa Shiho , Okada Kazunari , Sato Shintaro , Briles David E. , Kunisawa Jun , Inoue Yusuke , Yamamoto Masafumi , Akiyoshi Kazunari , Kiyono Hiroshi
Published: March 2013

To establish a safer and more effective vaccine against pneumococcal respiratory infections, current knowledge regarding the antigens common among pneumococcal strains and improvements to the system for delivering these antigens across the mucosal barrier must be integrated. We developed a pneumococcal vaccine that combines the advantages of pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) with a nontoxic intranasal vaccine delivery system based on a nanometer-sized hydrogel (nanogel) consisting of a cationic cholesteryl group-bearing pullulan (cCHP). The efficacy of the nanogel-based PspA nasal vaccine (cCHP-PspA) was tested in murine pneumococcal airway infection models. Intranasal vaccination with cCHP-PspA provided protective immunity against lethal challenge withStreptococcus pneumoniaeXen10, reduced colonization and invasion by bacteria in the upper and lower respiratory tracts, and induced systemic and nasal mucosal Th17 responses, high levels of PspA-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), and nasal and bronchial IgA antibody responses. Moreover, there was no sign of PspA delivery by nanogel to either the olfactory bulbs or the central nervous system after intranasal administration. These results demonstrate the effectiveness and safety of the nanogel-based PspA nasal vaccine system as a universal mucosal vaccine against pneumococcal respiratory infection.
The Plasmodium vivax Merozoite Surface Protein 1 Paralog Is a Novel Erythrocyte-Binding Ligand of P. vivax
Authors: Cheng Yang , Wang Yue , Ito Daisuke , Kong Deok-Hoon , Ha Kwon-Soo , Chen Jun-Hu , Lu Feng , Li Jian , Wang Bo , Takashima Eizo , Sattabongkot Jetsumon , Tsuboi Takafumi , Han Eun-Taek
Published: March 2013

Merozoite surface protein 1 of
Plasmodium vivax
(PvMSP1), a glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored protein (GPI-AP), is a malaria vaccine candidate for
P. vivax
. The paralog of PvMSP1, named
P. vivax
merozoite surface protein 1 paralog (PvMSP1P; PlasmoDB PVX_099975), was recently identified and predicted as a GPI-AP. The similarities in genetic structural characteristics between PvMSP1 and PvMSP1P (e.g., size of open reading frames, two epidermal growth factor-like domains, and GPI anchor motif in the C terminus) led us to study this protein. In the present study, different regions of the PvMSP1P protein, demarcated based on the processed forms of PvMSP1, were expressed successfully as recombinant proteins [i.e., 83 (A, B, and C), 30, 38, 42, 33, and 19 fragments]. We studied the naturally acquired immune response against each fragment of recombinant PvMSP1P and the potential ability of each fragment to bind erythrocytes. The N-terminal fragment (83A) and two C-terminal fragments (33 and 19) reacted strongly with sera from
P. vivax
-infected patients, with 50 to 68% sensitivity and 95 to 96% specificity, respectively. Due to colocalization of PvMSP1P with PvMSP1, we supposed that PvMSP1P plays a similar role as PvMSP1 during erythrocyte invasion. An
in vitro
cytoadherence assay showed that PvMSP1P, especially the 19-kDa C-terminal region, could bind to erythrocytes. We also found that human sera from populations naturally exposed to vivax malaria and antisera obtained by immunization using the recombinant molecule PvMSP1P-19 inhibited
in vitro
binding of human erythrocytes to PvMSP1P-19. These results provide further evidence that the PvMSP1P might be an essential parasite adhesion molecule in the
P. vivax
merozoite and is a potential vaccine candidate against
P. vivax
.
Blood gases, electrolytes and interpretation 2. Electrolytes
Authors: McGrotty Yvonne , Bilbrough Graham
Published: March 2013

Obtaining and interpreting blood gases and electrolytes is fundamental to the management of many critically ill veterinary patients. Metabolic and electrolyte alterations are common, and can lead to profound clinical signs affecting many organs (including the heart, skeletal muscle, intestines and the lungs); when severe, death can ensue. This is the second of two articles describing the interpretation of blood gases and electrolytes, focusing on the electrolyte parameters measured by the widely available in‐clinic blood gas analysers. The first article, published in the January issue of In Practice, focused on acid‐base and oxygen status.
Enzymatic polymerization of sodium lignosulfonates: effect of catalysts, initial molecular weight, and mediators
Authors: Madad Nidal , Chebil Latifa , Charbonnel Celine , Ioannou Irina , Ghoul Mohamed
Published: March 2013

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of different parameters on the enzymatic polymerization of sodium lignosulfonates (SLS) by laccase, compared with the chemical treatment by manganese III. Different initial molecular weights of SLS (commercial SLS (17 800 Da), F1 (4300 Da), F2 (2500 Da), and F3 (2300 Da)) were tested. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC-UV), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and phenolic group determination showed that SLS molecular weight increases depending on the laccase origin, the enzyme, and the substrate concentrations and the initial molecular weight of the SLS fractions. The highest molecular weight (Mw) was obtained by fungal laccases, specifically when using laccase from Trametes versicolor, while no reactivity was observed by plant laccase (laccase from Rhus vernicifera). The largest increase of Mw (108 600 Da) is reached when using SLS (17 800 Da) at 50 g/L and 30 U/mL of laccase from Trametes versicolor. The laccase polymerization of SLS can be improved by the use of a mediator. In this study, 5 mediators were studied for F1 polymerization by laccase from Trametes versicolor: acetosyringone (ASG), violuric acid (VLA), 1-hydroxy-benzotriazole (HBT), acetovanillone (ACV) and 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS). Results of F1 polymerization with mediators showed that only ASG and VLA lead to a higher molecular weight (7500 Da) compared with reactions carried without a mediator (6600 Da).
Tree species and earthworm effects on soil nutrient distribution and turnover in a northeastern United States common garden
Authors: Melvin April M. , Goodale Christine L.
Published: March 2013

Differences in soil nutrients beneath different tree species are often attributed to the impacts of species-level patterns of nutrient uptake and litter chemistry. However, in naturally established forests it is difficult to isolate tree species' influence on soil development from differences in underlying soil properties that can affect tree species establishment. To discern the impacts of tree species on soil properties, we investigated how Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) H. Karst.), red oak (Quercus rubra L.), and sugar maple (Acer saccharum Marshall) influence the distribution of carbon, nitrogen, and calcium in a 67-year-old common garden. We expected these species would produce foliar litter with contrasting chemistry, resulting in corresponding variation in organic matter (OM) turnover and nutrient accumulation in soils. Instead, we found that forest floor mean residence time correlated negatively with earthworm density and did not correlate with any measurement of litter chemistry. Red oak exhibited the fastest OM turnover and highest earthworm densities and Norway spruce showed the greatest OM accumulation and fewest earthworms. These findings suggest that future changes in earthworm invasion and forest tree species composition may have strong implications for ecosystem nutrient cycling and retention.
Comparisons of macrofungi in plantations of Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) in its native range (British Columbia, Canada) versus non-native range (Ireland and Britain) show similar richness but different species composition
Authors: O'Hanlon Richard , Harrington Thomas J. , Berch Shannon M. , Outerbridge Renata A.
Published: March 2013

In the absence of native forests, non-native plantation forests have been identified as having an important function in conserving native biodiversity world-wide, including fungal biodiversity. The non-native tree species Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carrière) is now the most abundant tree species in forests in Ireland and Britain, and these forests have been the focus of recent research into their ability to conserve native biodiversity. We conducted an analysis using data from macrofungal surveys from Sitka spruce forests in its native (Vancouver Island, Canada) and non-native (Ireland and Britain) range. Also included in all analyses were data for macrofungal diversity from other native tree species forests in each of the three regions. A total of 630 macrofungal species from seven forest types were analyzed, including 122, 247, and 70 species from Irish, British, and Vancouver Island Sitka spruce forests, respectively. In all three regions, notwithstanding differences in the ages of the sites surveyed in each region, the Sitka spruce forests were found to have species richness similar to that of the other forests types investigated. The communities of the Sitka spruce forests were clearly different in each of the regions, with only 17 species shared among Sitka spruce forests in all three regions. Overall, we found that Sitka spruce plantations in Ireland and Britain could provide a complementary ecosystem for native macrofungi, acting as a suitable forest type for many macrofungi in the absence of native forests. By encouraging the development of old-growth conditions in some plantations, along with the conservation of already existing seminatural forests in Britain and Ireland, we believe the best situation for macrofungal conservation can be achieved.
ABOUT THE PROPAGATION OF THE GRAVITATIONAL WAVES IN AN ASYMPTOTICALLY DE SITTER SPACE: COMPARING TWO POINTS OF VIEW
Authors: ARRAUT IVAN
Published: March 2013

We analyze the propagation of gravitational waves (GWs) in an asymptotically de Sitter space by expanding the perturbation around Minkowski and introducing the effects of the Cosmological Constant (Λ), first as an additional source (de-Donder gauge) and after as a gauge effect (Λ-gauge). In both cases the inclusion of the Cosmological Constant Λ, impedes the detection of a gravitational wave at a distance larger than [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text] and f and [Formula: see text] are the frequency and strain of the wave, respectively. We demonstrate that L c is just a confirmation of the cosmic no hair conjecture (CNC) already explained in the literature.
HORSESHOES IN A CHAOTIC SYSTEM WITH ONLY ONE STABLE EQUILIBRIUM
Authors: HUAN SONGMEI , LI QINGDU , YANG XIAO-SONG
Published: March 2013

To confirm the numerically demonstrated chaotic behavior in a chaotic system with only one stable equilibrium reported by Wang and Chen, we resort to Poincaré map technique and present a rigorous computer-assisted verification of horseshoe chaos by virtue of topological horseshoes theory.
CONTINUOUSLY CONTROLLED OPTIONS: DERIVATIVES WITH ADDED FLEXIBILITY
Authors: DOKUCHAEV NIKOLAI
Published: March 2013

The paper introduces special options such that the holder selects dynamically a continuous time process controlling the distribution of the payments (benefits) over time. For instance, the holder can select dynamically the quantity of a commodity purchased or sold by a fixed price given constraints on the cumulative quantity. In a modification of the Asian option, the control process can represent the averaging kernel describing the distribution of the purchases. The pricing of these options requires to solve special stochastic control problems with constraints for the cumulative control similar to a knapsack problem. Some existence results and pricing rules are obtained via modifications of parabolic Bellman equations.
FINITE p-GROUPS ALL OF WHOSE NON-NORMAL ABELIAN SUBGROUPS ARE CYCLIC
Authors: ZHANG LIHUA , ZHANG JUNQIANG
Published: March 2013

In this paper, finite p-groups all of whose non-normal abelian subgroups are cyclic are classified up to isomorphism.
Volcanic hotspots of the central and southern Andes as seen from space by ASTER and MODVOLC between the years 2000 and 2010
Authors: Jay J. A. , Welch M. , Pritchard M. E. , Mares P. J. , Mnich M. E. , Melkonian A. K. , Aguilera F. , Naranjo J. A. , Sunagua M. , Clavero J.
Published: March 2013

We examine 150 volcanoes and geothermal areas in the central, southern and austral Andes for thermal anomalies between the years 2000 and 2010 from two different spaceborne sensors: (1) those automatically detected by the MODVOLC algorithm from MODIS; and (2) manually identified hotspots in night-time images from ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer). Based on previous work, we expected to find eight volcanoes displaying thermal anomalies (Ubinas, Villarrica, Copahue, Láscar, Llaima, Chaitén, Lonquimay and Chiliques). We document 35 volcanic areas with pixel-integrated temperatures of 4 up to more than 100 K above background in at least two images, and another 16 areas that have questionable hotspots with either smaller anomalies or a hotspot identified in only one image. Most of the thermal anomalies are related to known activity (i.e. lava and pyroclastic flows, growing lava domes, fumaroles, and lakes) while others are of unknown origin or reflect activity at volcanoes that were not thought to have surface activity. A handful of volcanoes exhibit temporal variations in the magnitude and location of their temperature anomalies that can be related to both documented and undocumented pulses of activity. Our survey reveals that low-amplitude volcanic hotspots detectable from space are more common than expected, based on lower spatial resolution data, and that these features could be more widely used to monitor changes in the activity of remote volcanoes. We find no evidence from ASTER or MODVOLC that the thermal anomalies were affected by six earthquakes with
M
w
above 7 in our study area from 2000 to 2010, although the observations may not have been optimal to detect such anomalies.

Supplementary material:

Supplementary tables of data and figures for the volcanoes studied are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18581
.
Magma pathway and its structural controls of Asama Volcano, Japan
Authors: Aoki Yosuke , Takeo Minoru , Ohminato Takao , Nagaoka Yutaka , Nishida Kiwamu
Published: March 2013

Asama Volcano, Japan, is one of the most active volcanoes in the Japanese islands. Recent development of geophysical monitoring in Asama Volcano allows us to infer the magma pathway and its structural controls beneath the volcano. Combining geodetic data and precise earthquake locations during recent eruptions suggests that the magma intrudes several kilometres to the west of the summit to a depth of about 1 km below sea level as a nearly east–west-trending dyke. The vertically intruded magma then moves horizontally by several kilometres to beneath the summit before it ascends vertically to make the surface. Combining the P-wave velocity and the resistivity structure shows that the intrusions are under structural controls. Frozen and fractureless magma associated with volcanic activity until 24 000 years ago impedes the ascent of rising magma on its way to the surface. The S-wave velocity structure inferred from ambient noise tomography reveals a low-velocity body beneath the modelled dyke. From independent information, we have inferred that this low-velocity body is likely to be a magma chamber.
Generating stereoscopic HDR images using HDR-LDR image pairs
Authors: Selmanović Elmedin , Debattista Kurt , Bashford-Rogers Thomas , Chalmers Alan
Published: March 2013

A number of novel imaging technologies have been gaining popularity over the past few years. Foremost among these are stereoscopy and high dynamic range (HDR) Imaging. While a large body of research has looked into each of these imaging technologies independently, very little work has attempted to combine them. This is mostly due to the current limitations in capture and display. In this article, we mitigate problems of capturing Stereoscopic HDR (SHDR) that would potentially require two HDR cameras, by capturing an HDR and LDR pair and using it to generate 3D stereoscopic HDR content. We ran a detailed user study to compare four different methods of generating SHDR content. The methods investigated were the following: two based on expanding the luminance of the LDR image, and two utilizing stereo correspondence methods, which were adapted for our purposes. Results demonstrate that one of the stereo correspondence methods may be considered perceptually indistinguishable from the ground truth (image pair captured using two HDR cameras), while the other methods are all significantly distinct from the ground truth.
Area-efficient convolutional deinterleaver for mobile TV receiver
Authors: Kang Hyeong-Ju , Seo Heesuk , Kwak Jin
Published: March 2013

In this article, a single-pointer structure is proposed for the convolutional deinterleavers of mobile TV receivers. To enhance the burst-error correcting capability, the convolutional interleaving and deinterleaving scheme is widely used in mobile TV receivers. However, a convolutional deinterleaver requires many pointer registers. This article introduces a single-pointer structure that reduces the number of pointer registers. Experimental results show that the single-pointer structure reduces the area of the convolutional deinterleaver by 70% in a mobile TV receiver.
Dependable management system for ubiquitous camera array service in an elder-care center
Authors: Bharanitharan K. , Ding Jiun-Ren , Paul Anand , Lee Kuen-Ming , Hou Ting-Wei
Published: March 2013

The concept of smart homes (SH) has been extensively popularized, and there are a lot of technologies that need to be continuously utilized and integrated in such a concept. In this article, some applied problems of camera array (CA) in the SH are discussed and solved. Determining how to build an effective management method for CA in order to ensure that user privacy is not encroached upon is an important issue. In SH, the applications of CA are very diversified. We suggest that a satisfactory management method of CA should be based on the open service gateway initiative (OSGi) that includes resource management and monitoring (RMM) and UPnP security for the problems of resources and privacy, respectively. Finally, an applied example of CA is addressed in an elder-care center (EC). Simulation results show that the management strategy and application of CA based on an OSGi is satisfactory.
Mobile query services in a participatory embedded sensing environment
Authors: Waluyo Agustinus Borgy , Taniar David , Srinivasan Bala , Rahayu Wenny
Published: March 2013

A participatory mobile sensing system is designed to enable clients to voluntarily collect environmental data using embedded sensors and a mobile device while going about their daily activities. Due to the spatio-temporal nature of the data, and the significant benefits of the data to the general public, it is necessary to employ an efficient and effective query processing model for the mobile clients to access the data that can be visualized via an interactive multimedia interface. This article introduces a unified on-demand and data broadcast model to serve queries in the context of a mobile sensing system. The contributions of this article include the following: (i) it presents a novel data structure and indexing method to support the system; (ii) it provides flexibility for the client to issue query using on-demand or broadcast channel according to the server load and broadcast schedule; (iii) it enables new data access and processing for the mobile client; and (iv) it is designed for a multiple channels/receivers environment in a 4G wireless network. The proposed model uses a holistic query processing approach for the mobile sensing system that offers substantial efficiency and autonomy for mobile clients when retrieving data. The results of the experiments undertaken affirm the effectiveness of its performance.
Modeling and verifying hierarchical real-time systems using stateful timed CSP
Authors: Sun Jun , Liu Yang , Dong Jin Song , Liu Yan , Shi Ling , André Étienne
Published: March 2013

Modeling and verifying complex real-time systems are challenging research problems. The
de facto
approach is based on Timed Automata, which are finite state automata equipped with clock variables. Timed Automata are deficient in modeling hierarchical complex systems. In this work, we propose a language called
Stateful Timed CSP
and an automated approach for verifying Stateful Timed CSP models. Stateful Timed CSP is based on Timed CSP and is capable of specifying hierarchical real-time systems. Through dynamic zone abstraction,
finite-state
zone graphs can be generated automatically from Stateful Timed CSP models, which are subject to model checking. Like Timed Automata, Stateful Timed CSP models suffer from Zeno runs, that is, system runs that take infinitely many steps within finite time. Unlike Timed Automata, model checking with non-Zenoness in Stateful Timed CSP can be achieved based on the zone graphs. We extend the PAT model checker to support system modeling and verification using Stateful Timed CSP and show its usability/scalability via verification of real-world systems.
Facilitating the transition from use case models to analysis models
Authors: Yue Tao , Briand Lionel C. , Labiche Yvan
Published: March 2013

Use case modeling, including use case diagrams and use case specifications (UCSs), is commonly applied to structure and document requirements. UCSs are usually structured but unrestricted textual documents complying with a certain use case template. However, because Use Case Models (UCMods) remain essentially textual, ambiguity is inevitably introduced. In this article, we propose a use case modeling approach, called Restricted Use Case Modeling (RUCM), which is composed of a set of well-defined restriction rules and a modified use case template. The goal is two-fold: (1) restrict the way users can document UCSs in order to reduce ambiguity and (2) facilitate the manual derivation of initial analysis models which, when using the Unified Modeling Language (UML), are typically composed of class diagrams, sequence diagrams, and possibly other types of diagrams.

Though the proposed restriction rules and template are based on a clear rationale, two main questions need to be investigated. First, do users find them too restrictive or impractical in certain situations? In other words, can users express the same requirements with RUCM as with unrestricted use cases? Second, do the rules and template have a positive, significant impact on the quality of the constructed analysis models? To investigate these questions, we performed and report on two controlled experiments, which evaluate the restriction rules and use case template in terms of (1) whether they are easy to apply while developing UCMods and facilitate the understanding of UCSs, and (2) whether they help users manually derive higher quality analysis models than what can be generated when they are not used, in terms of correctness, completeness, and redundancy. This article reports on the first controlled experiments that evaluate the applicability of restriction rules on use case modeling and their impact on the quality of analysis models. The measures we have defined to characterize restriction rules and the quality of analysis class and sequence diagrams can be reused to perform similar experiments in the future, either with RUCM or other approaches.

Results show that the restriction rules are overall easy to apply and that RUCM results into significant improvements over traditional approaches (i.e., with standard templates, without restrictions) in terms of class correctness and class diagram completeness, message correctness and sequence diagram completeness, and understandability of UCSs.
Synthesizing nonanomalous event-based controllers for liveness goals
Authors: D'ippolito Nicolás , Braberman Victor , Piterman Nir , Uchitel Sebastián
Published: March 2013

We present SGR(1), a novel synthesis technique and methodological guidelines for automatically constructing event-based behavior models. Our approach works for an expressive subset of liveness properties, distinguishes between controlled and monitored actions, and differentiates system goals from environment assumptions. We show that assumptions must be modeled carefully in order to avoid synthesizing anomalous behavior models. We characterize nonanomalous models and propose assumption compatibility, a sufficient condition, as a methodological guideline.
Strategy Iteration Is Strongly Polynomial for 2-Player Turn-Based Stochastic Games with a Constant Discount Factor
Authors: Hansen Thomas Dueholm , Miltersen Peter Bro , Zwick Uri
Published: March 2013

Ye [2011] showed recently that the simplex method with Dantzig’s pivoting rule, as well as Howard’s
policy iteration
algorithm, solve discounted Markov decision processes (MDPs), with a constant discount factor, in strongly polynomial time. More precisely, Ye showed that both algorithms terminate after at most
O
(
mn
1−
γ
log
n
1−
γ
) iterations, where
n
is the number of states,
m
is the total number of actions in the MDP, and 0 <
γ
< 1 is the discount factor. We improve Ye’s analysis in two respects. First, we improve the bound given by Ye and show that Howard’s policy iteration algorithm actually terminates after at most
O
(
m
1−
γ
log
n
1−
γ
) iterations. Second, and more importantly, we show that the same bound applies to the number of iterations performed by the
strategy iteration
(or
strategy improvement
) algorithm, a generalization of Howard’s policy iteration algorithm used for solving 2-player turn-based
stochastic games
with discounted zero-sum rewards. This provides the first strongly polynomial algorithm for solving these games, solving a long standing open problem. Combined with other recent results, this provides a complete characterization of the complexity the standard strategy iteration algorithm for 2-player turn-based stochastic games; it is strongly polynomial for a fixed discount factor, and exponential otherwise.
Testing Closeness of Discrete Distributions
Authors: Batu Tuğkan , Fortnow Lance , Rubinfeld Ronitt , Smith Warren D. , White Patrick
Published: March 2013

Given samples from two distributions over an
n
-element set, we wish to test whether these distributions are statistically close. We present an algorithm which uses sublinear in
n
, specifically,
O
(
n
2/3
ε
−8/3
log
n
), independent samples from each distribution, runs in time linear in the sample size, makes no assumptions about the structure of the distributions, and distinguishes the cases when the distance between the distributions is small (less than {
ε
4/3
n
−1/3
/32,
εn
−1/2
/4}) or large (more than
ε
) in ℓ
1
distance. This result can be compared to the lower bound of
Ω
(
n
2/3
ε
−2/3
) for this problem given by Valiant [2008].

Our algorithm has applications to the problem of testing whether a given Markov process is rapidly mixing. We present sublinear algorithms for several variants of this problem as well.
Steiner Tree Approximation via Iterative Randomized Rounding
Authors: Byrka Jarosław , Grandoni Fabrizio , Rothvoss Thomas , Sanità Laura
Published: March 2013

The Steiner tree problem is one of the most fundamental
NP
-hard problems: given a weighted undirected graph and a subset of terminal nodes, find a minimum-cost tree spanning the terminals. In a sequence of papers, the approximation ratio for this problem was improved from 2 to 1.55 [Robins and Zelikovsky 2005]. All these algorithms are purely combinatorial. A long-standing open problem is whether there is an LP relaxation of Steiner tree with integrality gap smaller than 2 [Rajagopalan and Vazirani 1999].

In this article we present an LP-based approximation algorithm for Steiner tree with an improved approximation factor. Our algorithm is based on a, seemingly novel, iterative randomized rounding technique. We consider an LP relaxation of the problem, which is based on the notion of directed components. We sample one component with probability proportional to the value of the associated variable in a fractional solution: the sampled component is contracted and the LP is updated consequently. We iterate this process until all terminals are connected. Our algorithm delivers a solution of cost at most ln(4) +
ε
< 1.39 times the cost of an optimal Steiner tree. The algorithm can be derandomized using the method of limited independence.

As a by-product of our analysis, we show that the integrality gap of our LP is at most 1.55, hence answering the mentioned open question.
Enabling spatial reading using multimodal system for individuals with blindness
Authors: El-Glaly Yasmine N.
Published: March 2013

In this research, we investigate technology that gives multimodal access to enable
Individuals with Blindness or Severe Visual Impairments
(IBSVI) to read text documents by fusing audio, spatial, and haptic information. We use the iPad as an exemplar of modern slate devices that combine computation, touch sensing, and audio capabilities as the platform for our research. The preliminary results of our experiments show the functionality of our system, however interaction problems need to be addressed.
Designing a digital reminiscing system for older adults
Authors: Thiry Elizabeth
Published: March 2013

There has recently been interest within the HCI community concerning both current practices and digital tools for reminiscing. Several systems have been developed to trigger and/or capture reminiscence content; however very little is known about the overall process of reminiscing and few design efforts have been directed to the needs of the elderly. For my dissertation I have investigated when and how older individuals reminisce and am currently designing and evaluating prototype systems that can enhance and maintain records of their reminiscing.
Towards human-centered optimization of mobile sign language video communication
Authors: Tran Jessica J.
Published: March 2013

The mainstream adoption of mobile video communication, especially among deaf and hard-of-hearing people, is heavily reliant on cellular network capacity. Video compression lowers the rate at which video content is transmitted; however, intelligibility may be sacrificed. Currently, there is not a standard method to evaluate video intelligibility, or a good communication model on which to base evaluation. I am developing a better theoretical model, the
Human Signal Intelligibility (HSI)
, to evaluate intelligibility of lowered video quality for the purpose of reducing bandwidth consumption and extending cell phone battery duration. The goal of my dissertation is to advance mobile sign language video communication so it does not rely on higher cellular network bandwidth capacities. I will conduct this work by (1) identifying the components in the HSI model that make up
intelligibility
of a communication signal and separating those from the
comprehensibility
of a communication signal; and (2) using this model to identify how low video quality can get before the intelligibility of video content is sacrificed. Thus far, I have evaluated the use of mobile video communication among deaf and hard-of-hearing teenagers; developed two new power-saving algorithms; and quantified battery savings and evaluated user perception when those algorithms are applied.
Pharmacokinetics of Caffeine following a Single Administration of Coffee Enema versus Oral Coffee Consumption in Healthy Male Subjects
Authors: Teekachunhatean Supanimit , Tosri Nisanuch , Rojanasthien Noppamas , Srichairatanakool Somdet , Sangdee Chaichan
Published: March 2013

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetics of caffeine after single administration of a coffee enema versus coffee consumed orally in healthy male subjects. The study design was an open-label, randomized two-phase crossover study. Eleven healthy subjects were randomly assigned either to receive 500 mL of coffee enema for 10 minutes or to consume 180 mL of ready-to-drink coffee beverage. After a washout period of at least 10 days, all the subjects were switched to receive the alternate coffee procedure. Blood samples were collected immediately before and at specific time points until 12 hours after coffee administration in each phase. The mean caffeine content in both the coffee solution prepared for the coffee enema and the ready-to-drink coffee beverage was not statistically different. The Cmax and AUC of caffeine obtained from the coffee enema were about 3.5 times significantly less than those of the coffee consumed orally, despite having slightly but statistically faster Tmax. The t1/2 of caffeine obtained following both coffee procedures did not statistically differ. In summary, the relative bioavailability of caffeine obtained from the coffee enema was about 3.5 times significantly less than those of the coffee consumed orally.
Biofilm Formation by Filamentous Fungi Recovered from a Water System
Authors: Siqueira Virgínia M. , Lima Nelson
Published: March 2013

Filamentous fungi have been constantly recovered from diverse aquatic environments including drinking water distribution systems. Although most of the works are focused on the study of planktonic form, recent researches have shown that fungi develop biofilm within these systems. In this study, Aspergillus sp. (section Nigri), Aspergillus sp. (section Flavi), Alternaria sp., Botrytis sp., Cladosporium sp., and Penicillium sp. recovered from water biofilms were used to evaluate their capability to grow as biofilms under laboratorial conditions. Morphological and physiological characteristics were analysed using image analysis and biomass and cell activity estimation. All six isolates were able to form biofilm, though different patterns of development were observed. Only Alternaria sp. formed biofilm in water over 24 h of analysis. MEB was shown to be the best culture media for biofilm formation. A direct correlation between biomass and cell activity was not observed, but biomass values and morphological parameters, that is, monolayer and EPS production, were directly correlated. Thus, the results present here highlight the capability of fungi to form biofilms and the emergent necessity to standardize methods for further research in this area.
Towards Safety from Toxic Gases in Underground Mines Using Wireless Sensor Networks and Ambient Intelligence
Authors: Osunmakinde Isaac O.
Published: March 2013

The growing number of fatalities among miners caused by toxic gases puts pressure on the mining industry; innovative approaches are required to improve underground miners' health. Toxic gases are very often released in underground mines and cannot easily be detected by human senses. This paper investigates the presence of the inherent types of toxic fumes in critical regions and their suspension and trends in the air and intends to generate knowledge that will assist in preventing miners from contracting diseases. The development of intelligent decision support systems is still in its infancy. Knowledge of how to make them profitable in improving miners' safety is largely lacking. An autonomous remote monitoring framework of wireless sensor networks, which integrates mobile sensing and Ohm's law, coupled with ambient intelligence governing decision-making for miners, is developed. The framework has been investigated in indoor scenarios and successfully deployed for real-life application in an aeronautic engine test cell environment, such as those typically found in underground mines. Useful demonstrations of the system were carried out to provide similar knowledge to safeguard engineers from the inhalation of toxic gases. This provides early warning for safety agents. The system has proven to be suitable for deployment in underground mines.
Empyema in a Woman with Cystic Fibrosis: A Cautionary Tale
Authors: Coates Anne , Schaefer Oren , Uy Karl , O'Sullivan Brian P.
Published: March 2013

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a disease which predisposes individuals to recurrent infective exacerbations of suppurative lung disease; however, empyema is a rare complication in these patients. Empyemas secondary toStaphylococcus aureusandBurkholderia cepaciahave been described in patients with CF. We report the case of pleural empyema with mixedS. aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosainfection in a 34-year-old woman with CF, which was managed with ultrasound-guided pigtail catheter insertion, fibrinolysis, and antibiotic therapy. Physicians should be aware of this unusual complication in CF patients, especially those receiving an immunosuppressive therapy.
Controller Design for a Second-Order Plant with Uncertain Parameters and Disturbance: Application to a DC Motor
Authors: Rincón Alejandro , Hoyos Fredy E. , Angulo Fabiola
Published: March 2013

This paper shows the controller design for a second-order plant with unknown varying behavior in the parameters and in the disturbance. The state adaptive backstepping technique is used as control framework, but important modifications are introduced. The controller design achieves mainly the following two benefits: upper or lower bounds of the time-varying parameters of the model are not required, and the formulation of the control and update laws and stability analysis are simpler than closely related works that use the Nussbaum gain method. The controller has been developed and tested for a DC motor speed control and it has been implemented in a Rapid Control Prototyping system based on Digital Signal Processing for dSPACE platform. The motor speed converges to a predefined desired output signal.
Pathogen-Driven Selection in the Human Genome
Authors: Cagliani Rachele , Sironi Manuela
Published: March 2013

Infectious diseases and epidemics have always accompanied and characterized human history, representing one of the main causes of death. Even today, despite progress in sanitation and medical research, infections are estimated to account for about 15% of deaths. The hypothesis whereby infectious diseases have been acting as a powerful selective pressure was formulated long ago, but it was not until the availability of large-scale genetic data and the development of novel methods to study molecular evolution that we could assess how pervasively infectious agents have shaped human genetic diversity. Indeed, recent evidences indicated that among the diverse environmental factors that acted as selective pressures during the evolution of our species, pathogen load had the strongest influence. Beside the textbook example of the major histocompatibility complex, selection signatures left by pathogen-exerted pressure can be identified at several human loci, including genes not directly involved in immune response. In the future, high-throughput technologies and the availability of genetic data from different populations are likely to provide novel insights into the evolutionary relationships between the human host and its pathogens. Hopefully, this will help identify the genetic determinants modulating the susceptibility to infectious diseases and will translate into new treatment strategies.