bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE APPLICATION OF PUBLIC RADIO TRANSMISSION STANDARDS IN INNOVATIVE RAILWAY AUTOMATION SYSTEMS / WYKORZYSTANIE PUBLICZNYCH STANDARDÓW TRANSMISJI RADIOWEJ W INNOWACYJNYCH SYSTEMACH AUTOMATYKI KOLEJOWEJ
Authors: Lewiński Andrzej , Łukasik Zbigniew , Toruń Andrzej
Published: February 2014

The work deals with the rules of safety communication applied in public, open data transmission systems according to obligatory standard PN-EN 50159-2011. The innovative systems manufactured by chosen manufactures applying such solutions and elaborated concepts of future systems giving new functional possibilities with regard to existing safety standards assigned to railway control and management.
COMPUTER AIDED SAFETY ANALYSIS OF RAILWAY CONTROL SYSTEMS / KOMPUTEROWE WSPOMAGANIE ANALIZY BEZPIECZEŃSTWA W SYSTEMACH STEROWANIA RUCHEM KOLEJOWYM
Authors: Lewiński Andrzej , Perzyński Tomasz , Bester Lucyna
Published: February 2014

The paper deals with computer support of safety analysis of railway control system corresponding to each stage of its life cycle, especially design, testing and maintenance. It is related to the reliability estimation of actually designed, manufactured or exploited from several years railway control systems. But is possible to analyze with computer support the occurrence of critical situations using FTA method, estimation of probability connected with such situations and verification of obtained results using simulation methods. The paper is final report of research works realized in Electronics&Diagnostics Department in Faculty of Transport and Electrical Engineering UTH in Radom.
HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE OF DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM OF WHEELED TRACTORS / HARDWER I SOFTWER SYSTEMU DIAGNOSTYCZNEGO CIĄGNIKÓW KOŁOWYCH
Authors: Arendt Ryszard , Michalski Ryszard
Published: February 2014

The design and construction of a diagnostic device requires the development of a system for the acquisition and processing of measurement data, numerous cable connections and an on-board computer. The key component of a diagnostic system was the Fujitsu FUTRO S100 on-board computer in shock and vibration-proof housing, with passive cooling and a 16 GB Compact Flash memory card. The computer was provided with a NVOX LCD 10” VGA/FVAT touch screen. The following software was used: Windows XP-2000, USB/DeviceNet interface module and a diagnostic program. The computer was connected to the I-7565USB/DeviceNet master device via the USB port. The CAN bus connected the interface module with three slave devices collecting data from sensors installed in various locations of a wheeled tractor.
The Carathéodory topology for multiply connected domains II
Authors: Comerford Mark
Published: February 2014

We continue our exposition concerning the Carathéodory topology for multiply connected domains which we began in [Comerford M., The Carathéodory topology for multiply connected domains I, Cent. Eur. J. Math., 2013, 11(2), 322–340] by introducing the notion of boundedness for a family of pointed domains of the same connectivity. The limit of a convergent sequence of n-connected domains which is bounded in this sense is again n-connected and will satisfy the same bounds. We prove a result which establishes several equivalent conditions for boundedness. This allows us to extend the notions of convergence and equicontinuity to families of functions defined on varying domains.
Boundary vs. interior conditions associated with weighted composition operators
Authors: Izuchi Kei , Izuchi Yuko , Ohno Shûichi
Published: February 2014

Associated with some properties of weighted composition operators on the spaces of bounded harmonic and analytic functions on the open unit disk $$\mathbb{D}$$, we obtain conditions in terms of behavior of weight functions and analytic self-maps on the interior $$\mathbb{D}$$ and on the boundary $$\partial \mathbb{D}$$ respectively. We give direct proofs of the equivalence of these interior and boundary conditions. Furthermore we give another proof of the estimate for the essential norm of the difference of weighted composition operators.
The cone of nonnegative polynomials with nonnegative coefficients and linear operators preserving this cone
Authors: Katkova Olga , Vishnyakova Anna
Published: February 2014

Let be the cone of real univariate polynomials of degree ≤ 2n which are nonnegative on the real axis and have nonnegative coefficients. We describe the extremal rays of this convex cone and the class of linear operators, acting diagonally in the standard monomial basis, preserving this cone.
Time-dependent density functional theory molecular dynamics simulation of doubly charged uracil in gas phase
Authors: López-Tarifa Pablo , Hervé du Penhoat Marie-Anne , Vuilleumier Rodophe , Gaigeot Marie-Pierre , Rothlisberger Ursula , Tavernelli Ivano , Le Padellec Arnaud , Champeaux Jean-Philippe , Alcamí Manuel , Moretto-Capelle Patrick , Martín Fernando , Politis Marie-Françoise
Published: February 2014

We use time-dependent density functional theory and Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics methods to investigate the fragmentation of doubly ionized uracil in gas phase. Different initial electronic excited states of the dication are obtained by removing electrons from different inner-shell orbitals of the neutral species. We show that shape-equivalent orbitals lead to very different fragmentation patterns revealing the importance of the intramolecular chemical environment. The results are in good agreement with ionion coincidence measurements of uracil collision with 100 keV protons.
A Jacobi collocation approximation for nonlinear coupled viscous Burgers’ equation
Authors: Doha Eid , Bhrawy Ali , Abdelkawy Mohamed , Hafez Ramy
Published: February 2014

This article presents a numerical approximation of the initial-boundary nonlinear coupled viscous Burgers’ equation based on spectral methods. A Jacobi-Gauss-Lobatto collocation (J-GL-C) scheme in combination with the implicit Runge-Kutta-Nyström (IRKN) scheme are employed to obtain highly accurate approximations to the mentioned problem. This J-GL-C method, based on Jacobi polynomials and Gauss-Lobatto quadrature integration, reduces solving the nonlinear coupled viscous Burgers’ equation to a system of nonlinear ordinary differential equation which is far easier to solve. The given examples show, by selecting relatively few J-GL-C points, the accuracy of the approximations and the utility of the approach over other analytical or numerical methods. The illustrative examples demonstrate the accuracy, efficiency, and versatility of the proposed algorithm.
Surveillance of Vrancea active seismic region in Romania through time series satellite data
Authors: Zoran Maria , Savastru Roxana , Savastru Dan
Published: February 2014

Cumulative stress energy in active seismic regions caused by tectonic forces creates various earthquake precursors. This energy transformation may result in enhanced transient thermal infrared (TIR) emission, which can be detected through satellites equipped with thermal sensors like MODIS (Terra/Aqua) and AVHRR (NOAA). Satellite time-series data, coupled with ground based observations, where available, can enable scientists to survey pre-earthquake signals in the areas of strong tectonic activity. This paper presents observations made using time series MODIS and NOAA-AVHRR satellite data for derived multi-parameters including land surface temperature (LST), outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR), and mean air temperature (AT) for the moderate, 5.9 magnitude earthquake, which took place on the 27th of October, 2004, inthe seismic region of Vrancea, in Romania. Anomalous thermal infrared signals, reflected by a rise of several degrees celsius (°C) in LSTs, and higher OLR values were seen several days before the earthquake. AT values in the epicentral area also increased almost two days prior to the earthquake and intensified three days after the main shock. Increases in LSTs and OLR disappeared three days after the main shock. The survey and joint analysis of geospatial and in-situ geophysical information on land surface temperatures and outgoing long-wave radiation provides new insights into the field of seismic hazard assessment in Vrancea, a significant area of tectonic activity in Romania and Europe.
ALGEBRAIC PROPERTIES OF WEAK PERRON NUMBERS
Authors: Brunotte Horst
Published: February 2014

We study algebraic properties of real positive algebraic numbers which are not less than the moduli of their conjugates. In particular, we are interested in the relation of these numbers to Perron numbers.
SOME REMARKS ON PERMUTATIONS WHICH PRESERVE THE WEIGHTED DENSITY
Authors: Paštéka Milan , Václavíková Zuzana
Published: February 2014

In this paper we study the conditions (1), (2) and (3) for the permutations which preserve the weighted density. These conditions are motivated by the conditions of Lévy group, originated in [Levy, P.: Problèmes concrets d’Analyse Fonctionelle. Gauthier Villars, Paris, 1951], and studied in [Obata, N.: Density of natural numbers and Lévy group, J. Number Theory 30 (1988), 288-297]. In the second part we prove that under some conditions for the sequence of weights, for instance for the logarithmic density, the first two conditions can be launched
ON BUCK’S UNIFORM DISTRIBUTION IN COMPACT METRIC SPACES
Authors: Paštéka Milan
Published: February 2014

We define uniform distribution in compact metric space with respect to the Buck’s measure density originated in [Buck, R. C.: The measure theoretic approach to density, Amer. J. Math. 68 (1946), 560-580]. Weyl’s criterion is derived. This leads to an existence result.
SIMULTANEOUS DIOPHANTINE APPROXIMATION IN R2 × C × Qp
Authors: Kovalevskaya Ella
Published: February 2014

An analogue of the convergence part of Khintchine’s theorem (1924) for simultaneous approximation of integral polynomials at the points (x1, x2, z,w) ∈ R2 × C × Qp is proved. It is a solution of the more general problem than Sprindźuk's problem (1980) in the ring of adeles. We use a new form of the essential and nonessential domain methods in metric theory of Diophantine approximation
NOTE ON SUMS OF UNITS IN REAL CUBIC FIELDS
Authors: Kostra Juraj , Krčmarský David
Published: February 2014

Let K/Q be a cyclic cubic field with an prime conductor l. In the paper there is given method for verification that K is ω-good and it is applied for conductors up to l = 349.
ROTATIONAL CRYPTANALYSIS OF GOST WITH IDENTICAL S-BOXES
Authors: Zajac Pavol , Ondroš Michal
Published: February 2014

Rotational cryptanalysis was introduced by Khovratovich and Nikoli ´c as a tool to analyse ARX-type cipher designs. GOST 28147-89 is a former Soviet Union cipher standard based on a Feistel construction with 32 rounds. Each round function adds the round key modulo 232, transforms the result with 4-to-4 bit S-boxes, and rotates the output. We apply the rotational cryptanalysis to a version of GOST using eight identical S-boxes, such as GOST-PS. We show the existence of (practical) rotational distinguisher in related key model for full GOST. Furthermore, there is a set of weak keys (rotationally symmetric keys) that enables rotational attacks in single-key model as well. Finally, we show a simple attack on the last round that uses the rotational distinguisher to reduce the complexity of the full GOST to 208 bits.
LOW DATA COMPLEXITY DIFFERENTIAL - ALGEBRAIC ATTACK ON REDUCED ROUND DES
Authors: Gąsecki Arkadiusz
Published: February 2014

At IMA 2007 Courtois and Bard presented low-data complexity attacks 011 up to 6 rounds of DES bv software algebraic attack methods and SAT solvers. With current methods it appears that 8 rounds of DES should be able to resist such attacks [Courtois, N. T. Gawinecki, A. Song, G.: Contradiction immunity and guess-then-determine attacks on GOST, Tatra Mt. Math. Publ. 53 (2012), 65 79|. An explicit challenge with a price was proposed: break 8 rounds of DES in less than a week 011 one PC with maximum 2 gigabytes of RAM and given at most 16 chosen plaintexts. In this paper we propose a new attack which is trying to achieve this objective as much as possible. Presented method combines two, already known techniques, namely differential cryptanalysis and algebraic attacks. More specifically, it shows how to use relations arising from differential chracteristics to speed up and im- prove key-recovery algebraic attacks against reduced block cipher DES.
STEGANOGRAPHIC FILE SYSTEM BASED ON JPEG FILES
Authors: Jókay Matúš , Košdy Martin
Published: February 2014

A steganographic system provides a hidden communication channel in background of a public channel. The existence of the hidden channel must remain secret, i.e. the adversary cannot decide whether the public channel contains any covert information or not. The public channel that is used in construction of a steganographic system can often be embedded in a static file (medium), that is called a carrier (if the steganographic information is present). Most of the current research focuses on a single medium. The most suitable types of media, such as images or music files, contain a lot of redundancy. Small changes in the redundant parts are not easily detected. However, new methods for the detection of this information are developed along with the new algorithms for embedding the hidden information. Our work describes a new steganographic system design, where the hidden information is spread among many static images in a form of a virtual steganographic filesystem. We note that the implementation of the system must also take into account “steganographic side-channels”, i.e., some information channels that are present in the operating system (in our case Linux, and Android) that leak information about the presence of the hidden channel.
A NOTE ON “ON CIPHERTEXT UNDETECTABILITY”
Authors: Das Angsuman , Adhikari Avishek
Published: February 2014

The notion of ciphertext undetectability was introduced in [Gaˇzi, P. - Stanek, M.: On ciphertext undetectability, Tatra Mt. Math. Publ. 41 (2008), 133-151] as a steganographic property of an encryption scheme. While finding the relationship between ciphertext undetectability and indistinguishability of encryptions, authors showed that ciphertext undetectability does not imply indistinguishability. Though the proposition is correct, the proof is not. In this note, we provide a correct proof of the above-mentioned result by a slight modification of the construction used in original paper cited above.
Poza wspólną historią. Historycznoliterackie uwagi na mar ginesieemigracyjnej polonistycznej dydaktyki / BEYOND COMMON HISTORY: THE DIDACTICS OF POLISH STUDIES ABROAD FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF A HISTORIAN OF POLISH LITERATURE
Authors: Karwowska Bożena
Published: February 2014

Teaching Polish literature in translation at the University in Vancouver constitutes for the author a point of departure for deliberations on the cultural history of Polish literature. Teaching students of various cultural backgrounds make the author realize the inadequacy of many notions of posteolonial discourses in reference to Polish culture. Despite entering into incessant dialogues with the culture of the so called West, Polish literature is nevertheless marginalized by the West; as such, imperialistic discourse does not constitute for it an appropriate reference in educational practices aimed at international students. Didactic solutions based on appeals to processes of familiarizing Poles with their own history and literature (and national values transmitted by them) despite the censorship of the Polish People’s Republic provide a guidance to study of (inter)relationships between literature, culture, and politics and their roles in building a national “structures of feelings”.
DIALOG Z HUMANIZMEM RENESANSOWYM W DZIEŁACH PIOTRA SKARGI / PIOTR SKARGA’S DIALOGUE WITH RENAISSANCE HUMANISM
Authors: Nowicka -Jeżowa Alina
Published: February 2014

The article tries to outline the position of Piotr Skarga in the Jesuit debates about the legacy of humanist Renaissance. The author argues that Skarga was fully committed to the adaptation of humanist and even medieval ideas into the revitalized post-Tridentine Catholicism. Skarga’s aim was to reformulate the humanist worldview, its idea of man, system of values and political views so that they would fit the doctrine of the Roman Catholic church. In effect, though, it meant supplanting the pluralist and open humanist culture by a construct as solidly Catholic as possible. He sifted through, verified, and re-interpreted the humanist material: as a result the humanist myth of the City of the Sun was eclipsed by reminders of the transience of all earthly goods and pursuits; elements of the Greek and Roman tradition were reconnected with the authoritative Biblical account of world history; and man was reinscribed into the theocentric perspective. Skarga brought back the dogmas of the original sin and sanctifying grace, reiterated the importance of asceticism and self-discipline, redefined the ideas of human dignity and freedom, and, in consequence, came up with a clear-cut, integrist view of the meaning and goal of the good life as well as the proper mission of the citizen and the nation. The polemical edge of Piotr Skarga’s cultural project was aimed both at Protestantism and the Erasmian tendency within the Catholic church. While strongly coloured by the Ignatian spirituality with its insistence on rigorous discipline, a sense of responsibility for the lives of other people and the culture of the community, and a commitment to the heroic ideal of a miles Christi, taking headon the challenges of the flesh, the world, Satan, and the enemies of the patria and the Church, it also went a long way to adapt the Jesuit model to Poland’s socio-cultural conditions and the mentality of its inhabitants.
PERSPEKTYWIZM W PISARSTWIE STEFANA FLUKOWSKIEGO / STEFAN FLUKOWSKI’S PERSPECTIVISM
Authors: Wojda Dorota
Published: February 2014

The work of Stefan Flukowski can be seen as an embodiment of modern perspectivism, a poetics that has spread across virtually all genres and stylistic forms. Its most characteristic techniques are shifts of the narrative point of view, juxtaposition of opposed views and attitudes, the exposure of the inherent complexity of characters and situations, and the colliding of different languages in order to catch glimpses of a reality beyond language. As plenty of those devices can be found in Flukowski’s dramas, poems and fiction, we may conclude that his literary work, which exhibits a remarkable programmatic consistency, situates him on the blurred borderline between the avantgarde and modernism.
Samuel Zborowski. Rymkiewicz w zwierciadle Słowackiego / SAMUEL ZBOROWSKI: JAROSŁAW MAREK RYMKIEWICZ VERSUS JULIUSZ SŁOWACKI
Authors: Kuziak Michał
Published: February 2014

This article presents a reading of Jarosław Marek Rymkiewicz’s Samuel Zborowski in the context of Juliusz Słowacki’s poetic drama with the same title. The comparison of the two texts is intended to highlight their similarities and differences in their treatment of history and their use of Romantic and our modern episteme. The analysis looks at the following issues: 1/ the subjective perspective which organizes the hermeneutics of the past; 2/ the metaphysical premise which determines the status of the historical reconstruction; 3/ the historical reconstruction itself; and 4/ the nature of the communal project which signposts each writer’s reflection on the course of Polish history. The article argues that Rymkiewicz’s historical essay is an attempt at a reactivation of Romanticism within a postmodern (though with some modernist elements) framework.
Materialographic Examination of Three Different Types of Failed Dental Implants
Authors: Kopp S. , Behrend D. , Specht O. , Trostmann D. , Rosentritt M. , Ottl P. , Geis-Gerstorfer J. , Warkentin M.
Published: February 2014

Focused on tissue interactions and the properties of the materials themselves, the causes of dental implant failure can be analysed successfully using methods developed within materials science. This will be exemplified by three failing implants. The implants represent a broad range of materials (titanium, PEEK, zirconium dioxide) and geometries (screw, cylindrical, disc).

Materials and methods: Following appropriate specimen collection and preparation, EDX, ESEM, light microscopy and ultrasound examinations were performed. Since only the titanium implant exhibited osseointegration, the implant-bone interface of this implant was additionally analysed by FIB-TEM.

Results: The absence of bone tissue residue on the zirconium dioxide and PEEK implants was confirmed by all imaging methods. Complete osseointegration is demonstrable only for a complete fragment of the titanium implant resected from the jaw bone, with a bone-to-metal contact of 82.5 %.

Conclusion: A bioactive interaction with the target tissues was found only for the titanium implant. The loss of the titanium implant examined was due to a material failure. High-frequency ultrasonic microscopy has proven a suitable tool for the assessment of osseointegration. A reduced sample preparation effort and an ability to use ultrasound in situ would suggest that ultrasonic microscopy technology is a suitable technology for failure analysis.
Stereological Analysis of the Microstructural Inhomogeneities in Direct-Chill Cast and Continuous-Cast Aluminium-Magnesium Alloy (AA5754)
Authors: Attallah M. M. , Strangwood M. , Davis C. L.
Published: February 2014

In this study, quantitative microstructural investigations were performed to understand the influence of the processing route on the grain and particle structures in an Al-Mg alloy (AA5754). The microstructures of two different batches of 5754-O sheets of the same composition (one produced by direct-chill casting (DC) and the other by continuous casting (CC)) were investigated using optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Several characteristic microstructural features were linked to the processing route, especially the banding of the Fe-rich constituent particles along the rolling direction (RD) combined with a through-thickness variation in grain size alloys produced by CC, compared to a random particle distribution of relatively coarser sizes and a roughly uniform through-thickness grain size distribution in the alloys produced by DC. The study also assessed the significance of the characteristic microstructural features associated with DC and CC (e. g. particle size banding and grain size variation) on the identification the processing route, highlighting the features that represent inconclusive evidence for a certain route.
Study of Thyroid Hormonal Status in Preeclamptic Patients
Authors: Khanam Mafruha , Ilias Mohammad
Published: February 2014

The physiological changes in the thyroid gland during pregnancy were well understood. Serum TSH levels were significantly increased without changes in free T3 and T4 in preeclamptic patient compared to normal pregnancy. This study tried to find out a possible relationship between preeclampsia and thyroid profile. The present study determines thyroid hormonal levels in cases of preeclampsia in the third trimester of pregnancy. TSH level were significantly higher in preeclamptic group as compared to control. A prospective case control study was conducted in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Chittagong Medical College Hospital, Chittagong. Thyroid hormone, namely Triiodothyronine (Free T3), Thyroxine (Free T4) and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) were evaluated by radioimmunoassay. In this case control study pregnant women with preeclampsia were recruited after the diagnosis were made and compared with equal number of healthy normotensive pregnant women in third trimester. The data were analyzed using unpaired t test and chi-square test. When P value were <0.05, the result were accepted as significant. Increase TSH level were associated with a risk for occurrence of preeclampsia DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/medtoday.v25i2.17922 Medicine Today 2013 Vol.25(2): 63-66
Addiction and Liver Disease
Authors: Ali Md Akmat , Yeasmin Farida , Nag MN
Published: February 2014

Drug induced liver disease is a global problem. The aims of the study are to know the recreational drugs causing harmful effect on liver, epidemiology of addiction; pathophysiology and their consequences. The major findings published to date concerning different agents causing addiction and liver disease, their implications with regard to understanding disease mechanisms and their amplitude or spectrum are described. Addiction not only invites lot of sufferings to the family and the country, but also responsible for different types of liver disease including fatty liver, hepatitis and liver failure; responsible for mortality and morbidity. Among the addiction causing substances alcohol playing the main role for liver disease worldwide. Indirect effects of addiction on liver are hepatitis B, hepatitis C and their complication, mainly due to contamination of sharing needle. Majority of people in Bangladesh are life long abstainer. Excessive alcohol beverages and other substances like heroin, amphetamine are not harmless, rather they can cause serious liver diseases. There are some differences in prevalence of addiction and liver diseases among countries. Intravenous drug users are affected both directly and indirectly due to contaminated needle sharing . DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/medtoday.v25i2.17926 Medicine Today 2013 Vol.25(2): 75-83
Drug Addiction in Bangladesh and its Effect
Authors: Shazzad Md Nahiduzzamane , Abdal Syed Jamil , Majumder Muhammad Shoaib Momen , Sohel Jahangir ul Alam , Ali Syed Mohammad Monowar , Ahmed Shamim
Published: February 2014

Drug addiction and drug abuse, chronic or habitual use of any chemical substance to alter states of body or mind for other than medically warranted purposes. Addiction is more often now defined by the continuing, compulsive nature of the drug use despite physical and/or psychological harm to the user and society and includes both licit and illicit drugs, and the term "substance abuse" is now frequently used because of the broad range of substances (including alcohol and inhalants) that can fit the addictive profile. Psychological dependence is the subjective feeling that the user needs the drug to maintain a feeling of well-being; physical dependence is characterized by tolerance (the need for increasingly larger doses in order to achieve the initial effect) and withdrawal symptoms when the user is abstinent. There are a lot of effects of drug addiction to the economy, society, and family. Drug addiction affects individual's physical and mental health. Drug addicts are burden for a family and society. It is a great challenge for all nations of the world to prevent drug addiction. This article reviews the effects of drug addiction in details. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/medtoday.v25i2.17927 Medicine Today 2013 Vol.25(2): 84-89
Acute Intermittent Porphyria: A Rare Inborn Error of Haem Metabolism
Authors: Ferdous Md , Syeed Abu , Hoque Md Gofranul
Published: February 2014

A 22 year young boy presented with recurrent abdominal pain, generalized weakness & wasting with hypertension in Medicine ward CMCH. Subsequently he was diagnosed as a case of Acute Intermittent Porphyria (AIP). Though not common, any patient with unexplained abdominal crisis specially young with any peripheral or central nervous system dysfunction should raise the clinician's suspicion of being porphyric patient as prompt management can relieve the patient from progressive neurological damage and disability. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/medtoday.v25i2.17929 Medicine Today 2013 Vol.25(2): 93-95
Peripartum Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Khan Md Abdul Mahid , Banoo Hasina , Ahmed Sheikh Salahuddin
Published: February 2014

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is an idiopathic cardiomyopathy that presents with heart failure secondary to left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Onset is from the last trimester of pregnancy to 5 months postpartum. Diagnosis in the last trimester is complicated by the fact that the early symptoms of this disorder may mimic the symptoms of normal pregnancy. However, it is essential for the practitioner dealing with such population to have a high degree of clinical suspicion for early diagnosis and management. Echocardiography is used to diagnose this entity and monitor the therapy. We present a case report of a 40-year-old woman who presented two days post-partum with respiratory distress and early echocardiography helped in diagnosing PPCM. The aim of this report is to make health professionals aware of the possibilities of PPCM in a woman with dyspnoea in the postpartum period. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/medtoday.v25i2.17930 Medicine Today 2013 Vol.25(2): 96-98
Yield Response of Native Warm-Season Forage Grasses to Harvest Intervals and Durations in Mixed Stands
Authors: Temu Vitalis , Rude Brian , Baldwin Brian
Published: February 2014

Tolerance to frequent defoliations is critical for native warm-season grasses managed for forage and wildlife habitat. Yield response of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) to treatments (30-, 40-, 60-, 90- or 120-d harvest intervals) and durations were assessed on early-succession mixed stands. Over three years, phased harvestings were initiated in May, on sets of randomized plots, in five replications to produce one-, two-, and three-year old stands, by the third year. Each plot had marked indiangrass and big bluestem plants which were hand-clipped on harvest-days before whole-plot harvesting. Species yields were greater in first- than second-year plots but not affected by treatments. June–September yields in 2008 were greatest for the 30-d, and more in the first- (8472 kg ha−1) than second-year (7627 kg ha−1) plots. In 2009, yields were also greater in first- than second-year plots but without treatment effects. Recovery yields showed no treatment effect, but were about 67% less for second- compared to first-year plots and much less than plots never harvested before. Data suggest that harvesting similar mixed native warm-season grass stands at 30- to 40-d intervals may provide good hay yields without compromising post-season stand recovery for multiple uses.
Experimental Simulation of the Effects of an Initial Antibiotic Treatment on a Subsequent Treatment after Initial Therapy Failure
Authors: Feng Yanfang , Händel Nadine , De Groot Marnix , Brul Stanley , Schultsz Constance , Ter Kuile Benno
Published: February 2014

Therapy failure of empirical antibiotic treatments prescribed by primary care physicians occurs commonly. The effect of such a treatment on the susceptibility to second line antimicrobial drugs is unknown. Resistance to amoxicillin was rapidly induced or selected in E. coli at concentrations expected in the patient’s body. Strains with reduced susceptibility outcompeted the wild-type whenever antibiotics were present, even in low concentrations that did not affect the growth rates of both strains. Exposure of E. coli to amoxicillin caused moderate resistance to cefotaxime. The combined evidence suggests that initial treatment by amoxicillin has a negative effect on subsequent therapy with beta-lactam antibiotics.
In Vitro Antibiofilm Efficacies of Different Antibiotic Combinations with Zinc Sulfate against Pseudomonas aeruginosa Recovered from Hospitalized Patients with Urinary Tract Infection
Authors: Elkhatib Walid , Noreddin Ayman
Published: February 2014

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are a serious healthcare dilemma influencing millions of patients every year and represent the second most frequent type of body infection. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a multidrug-resistant pathogen causing numerous chronic biofilm-associated infections including urinary tract, nosocomial, and medical devices-related infections. In the present study, the biofilm of P. aeruginosa CCIN34519, recovered from inpatients with UTIs, was established on polystyrene substratum and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and was utilized for visualization of the biofilm. A previously described in vitro system for real-time monitoring of biofilm growth/inhibition was utilized to assess the antimicrobial effects of ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, ertapenem, ceftriaxone, gentamicin, and tobramycin as single antibiotics as well as in combinations with zinc sulfate (2.5 mM) against P. aeruginosa CCIN34519 biofilm. Meanwhile, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) at 24 h and mutant prevention concentrations (MPCs) at 96 h were determined for the aforementioned antibiotics. The real-time monitoring data revealed diverse responses of P. aeruginosa CCIN34519 biofilm to the tested antibiotic-zinc sulfate combinations with potential synergisms in cases of fluoroquinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and norfloxacin) and carbapenem (ertapenem) as demonstrated by reduced MIC and MPC values. Conversely, considerable antagonisms were observed with cephalosporin (ceftriaxone) and aminoglycosides (gentamicin, and tobramycin) as shown by substantially increased MICs and MPCs values. Further deliberate in vivo investigations for the promising synergisms are required to evaluate their therapeutic potentials for treatment of UTIs caused by P. aeruginosa biofilms as well as for developing preventive strategies.
An Exploratory Analysis of Stream Teratogenicity and Human Health Using Zebrafish Whole-Sediment Toxicity Test
Authors: Dellinger Matthew , Carvan Michael , Klingler Rebekah , McGraw Joseph , Ehlinger Timothy
Published: February 2014

This study demonstrates a novel application of effect-based toxicity testing for streams that may provide indications of co-perturbation to ecological and human health. For this study, a sediment contact assay using zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos was adapted to serve as an indicator of teratogenic stress within river sediments. Sediment samples were collected from Lake Michigan tributary watersheds. Sediment contact assay responses were then compared to prevalence of congenital heart disease (CHD) and vital statistic birth indicators aggregated from civil divisions associated with the watersheds. Significant risk relationships were detected between variation in early life-stage (ELS) endpoints of zebrafish embryos 72 h post-fertilization and the birth prevalence of human congenital heart disease, low birthweight and infant mortality. Examination of principal components of ELS endpoints suggests that variance related to embryo heart and circulatory malformations is most closely associated with human CHD prevalence. Though toxicity assays are sometimes used prospectively, this form of investigation can only be conducted retrospectively. These results support the hypothesis that bioassays normally used for ecological screening can be useful as indicators of environmental stress to humans and expand our understanding of environmental–human health linkages.
Statistical Analysis of Distance Estimators with Density Differences and Density Ratios
Authors: Kanamori Takafumi , Sugiyama Masashi
Published: February 2014

Estimating a discrepancy between two probability distributions from samples is an important task in statistics and machine learning. There are mainly two classes of discrepancy measures: distance measures based on the density difference, such as the Lp-distances, and divergence measures based on the density ratio, such as the Φ-divergences. The intersection of these two classes is the L1-distance measure, and thus, it can be estimated either based on the density difference or the density ratio. In this paper, we first show that the Bregman scores, which are widely employed for the estimation of probability densities in statistical data analysis, allows us to estimate the density difference and the density ratio directly without separately estimating each probability distribution. We then theoretically elucidate the robustness of these estimators and present numerical experiments.
Fused Entropy Algorithm in Optical Computed Tomography
Authors: Wan Xiong , Wang Peng , Zhang Zhimin , Zhang Huaming
Published: February 2014

In most applications of optical computed tomography (OpCT), limited-view problems are often encountered, which can be solved to a certain extent with typical OpCT reconstructive algorithms. The concept of entropy first emerged in information theory has been introduced into OpCT algorithms, such as maximum entropy (ME) algorithms and cross entropy (CE) algorithms, which have demonstrated their superiority over traditional OpCT algorithms, yet have their own limitations. A fused entropy (FE) algorithm, which follows an optimized criterion combining self-adaptively ME with CE, is proposed and investigated by comparisons with ME, CE and some traditional OpCT algorithms. Reconstructed results of several physical models show this FE algorithm has a good convergence and can achieve better precision than other algorithms, which verifies the feasibility of FE as an approach of optimizing computation, not only for OpCT, but also for other image processing applications.
A Prospective Cohort Study of Alcohol Exposure in Early and Late Pregnancy within an Urban Population in Ireland
Authors: Murphy Deirdre , Dunney Clare , Mullally Aoife , Adnan Nita , Fahey Tom , Barry Joe
Published: February 2014

Most studies of alcohol consumption in pregnancy have looked at one time point only, often relying on recall. The aim of this longitudinal study was to determine whether alcohol consumption changes in early and late pregnancy and whether this affects perinatal outcomes. We performed a prospective cohort study, conducted from November 2010 to December 2011 at a teaching hospital in the Republic of Ireland. Of the 907 women with a singleton pregnancy who booked for antenatal care and delivered at the hospital, 185 (20%) abstained from alcohol in the first trimester but drank in the third trimester, 105 (12%) consumed alcohol in the first and third trimesters, and the remaining 617 (68%) consumed no alcohol in pregnancy. Factors associated with continuing to drink in pregnancy included older maternal age (30–39 years), Irish nationality, private healthcare, smoking, and a history of illicit drug use. Compared to pre-pregnancy, alcohol consumption in pregnancy was markedly reduced, with the majority of drinkers consuming ≤ 5 units per week (92% in first trimester, 72–75% in third trimester). Perhaps because of this, perinatal outcomes were similar for non-drinkers, women who abstained from alcohol in the first trimester, and women who drank in the first and third trimester of pregnancy. Most women moderate their alcohol consumption in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester, and have perinatal outcomes similar to those who abstain.
Death Row Confinement and the Meaning of Last Words
Authors: Johnson Robert , Kanewske Laura , Barak Maya
Published: February 2014

Life under sentence of death can be a transformative process. One measure of this transformation can be found in last words, which often highlight the humanity of condemned prisoners on the threshold of execution, in sharp contrast to popular conceptions of these prisoners as evil, remorseless, and irredeemable. Our reading of last words suggests that the transformation process can be best understood by examining the dominant contours of the death row experience, the most recent formative experience in the lives of condemned prisoners before they are put to death.
Effect of Sample Elevation in Radio Frequency Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (RF PECVD) Reactor on Optical Properties and Deposition Rate of Silicon Nitride Thin Films
Authors: Śmietana Mateusz , Mroczyński Robert , Kwietniewski Norbert
Published: February 2014

In this paper we investigate influence of radio frequency plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (RF PECVD) process parameters, which include gas flows, pressure and temperature, as well as a way of sample placement in the reactor, on optical properties and deposition rate of silicon nitride (SiNx) thin films. The influence of the process parameters has been determined using Taguchi’s orthogonal tables approach. As a result of elevating samples above the electrode, it has been found that deposition rate strongly increases with distance between sample and the stage electrode, and reaches its maximum 7 mm above the electrode. Moreover, the refractive index of the films follows increase of the thickness. The effect can be observed when the thickness of the film is below 80 nm. It has been also found that when the deposition temperature is reduced down to 200 °C, as required for many temperature-sensitive substrate materials, the influence of the substrate material (Si or oxidized Si) can be neglected from the point of view of the properties of the films. We believe that the obtained results may help in designing novel complex in shape devices, where optical properties and thickness of thin plasma-deposited coatings need to be well defined.
Marketed Marine Natural Products in the Pharmaceutical and Cosmeceutical Industries: Tips for Success
Authors: Martins Ana , Vieira Helena , Gaspar Helena , Santos Susana
Published: February 2014

The marine environment harbors a number of macro and micro organisms that have developed unique metabolic abilities to ensure their survival in diverse and hostile habitats, resulting in the biosynthesis of an array of secondary metabolites with specific activities. Several of these metabolites are high-value commercial products for the pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries. The aim of this review is to outline the paths of marine natural products discovery and development, with a special focus on the compounds that successfully reached the market and particularly looking at the approaches tackled by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic companies that succeeded in marketing those products. The main challenges faced during marine bioactives discovery and development programs were analyzed and grouped in three categories: biodiversity (accessibility to marine resources and efficient screening), supply and technical (sustainable production of the bioactives and knowledge of the mechanism of action) and market (processes, costs, partnerships and marketing). Tips to surpass these challenges are given in order to improve the market entry success rates of highly promising marine bioactives in the current pipelines, highlighting what can be learned from the successful and unsuccessful stories that can be applied to novel and/or ongoing marine natural products discovery and development programs.
The Nagoya Protocol: Fragmentation or Consolidation?
Authors: Richerzhagen Carmen
Published: February 2014

In October, 2010, a protocol on access and benefit-sharing (ABS) of genetic resources was adopted, the so-called Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity. Before the adoption of the Nagoya Protocol, the governance architecture of ABS was already characterized by a multifaceted institutional environment. The use of genetic resources is confronted with many issues (conservation, research and development, intellectual property rights, food security, health issues, climate change) that are governed by different institutions and agreements. The Nagoya Protocol contributes to increased fragmentation. However, the question arises whether this new regulatory framework can help to advance the implementation of the ABS provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This paper attempts to find an answer to that question by following three analytical steps. First, it analyzes the causes of change against the background of theories of institutional change. Second, it aims to assess the typology of the architecture in order to find out if this new set of rules will contribute to a more synergistic, cooperative or conflictive architecture of ABS governance. Third, the paper looks at the problem of “fit” and identifies criteria that can be used to assess the new ABS governance architecture with regard to its effectiveness.
An Optical Fiber-Based Sensor Array for the Monitoring of Zinc and Copper Ions in Aqueous Environments
Authors: Kopitzke Steven , Geissinger Peter
Published: February 2014

Copper and zinc are elements commonly used in industrial applications as aqueous solutions. Before the solutions can be discharged into civil or native waterways, waste treatment processes must be undertaken to ensure compliance with government guidelines restricting the concentration of ions discharged in solution. While currently there are methods of analysis available to monitor these solutions, each method has disadvantages, be it high costs, inaccuracy, and/or being time-consuming. In this work, a new optical fiber-based platform capable of providing fast and accurate results when performing solution analysis for these metals is described. Fluorescent compounds that exhibit a high sensitivity and selectivity for either zinc or copper have been employed for fabricating the sensors. These sensors demonstrated sub-part-per-million detection limits, 30-second response times, and the ability to analyze samples with an average error of under 10%. The inclusion of a fluorescent compound as a reference material to compensate for fluctuations from pulsed excitation sources has further increased the reliability and accuracy of each sensor. Finally, after developing sensors capable of monitoring zinc and copper individually, these sensors are combined to form a single optical fiber sensor array capable of simultaneously monitoring concentration changes in zinc and copper in aqueous environments.
The Evolution of Adenoviral Vectors through Genetic and Chemical Surface Modifications
Authors: Capasso Cristian , Garofalo Mariangela , Hirvinen Mari , Cerullo Vincenzo
Published: February 2014

A long time has passed since the first clinical trial with adenoviral (Ad) vectors. Despite being very promising, Ad vectors soon revealed their limitations in human clinical trials. The pre-existing immunity, the marked liver tropism and the high toxicity of first generation Ad (FG-Ad) vectors have been the main challenges for the development of new approaches. Significant effort toward the development of genetically and chemically modified adenoviral vectors has enabled researchers to create more sophisticated vectors for gene therapy, with an improved safety profile and a higher transduction ability of different tissues. In this review, we will describe the latest findings in the high-speed, evolving field of genetic and chemical modifications of adenoviral vectors, a field in which different disciplines, such as biomaterial research, virology and immunology, co-operate synergistically to create better gene therapy tools for modern challenges.
A new manganese-mediated, cobalt-catalyzed three-component synthesis of (diarylmethyl)sulfonamides
Authors: Pignon Antoine , Le Gall Erwan , Martens Thierry
Published: February 2014

The synthesis of (diarylmethyl)sulfonamides and related compounds by a new manganese-mediated, cobalt-catalyzed three-component reaction between sulfonamides, carbonyl compounds and organic bromides is described. This organometallic Mannich-like process allows the formation of the coupling products within minutes at room temperature. A possible mechanism, emphasizing the crucial role of manganese is proposed.
Delayed diagnosis of adult indolent systemic mastocytosis
Authors: Mikkelsen Carsten Sauer , Nybo Andrew , Arvesen Kristian Bakke , Holk-Poulsen Johan
Published: February 2014

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare, heterogeneous disorder characterized by infiltration and accumulation of mast cells within multiple organs, most commonly the skin. Given the rarity of the disease and the fact that many of its symptoms are shared by more common disorders, a diagnosis may be delayed or hindered. These patients have an elevated risk of developing potentially life-threatening anaphylactoid reactions, thus underscoring the importance of keeping SM in mind as a differential diagnosis when a patient presents with chronic, itchy skin lesions and a history of multiple allergic reactions to bites, drugs, and anesthesia. We present a case illustrating that features of SM common to many disorders may hinder or delay its diagnosis.
The Karoo – the Summerfield House
Authors: Maritz Patricia G.
Published: February 2014

No abstract availabble.