bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
AppIm
Authors: Di Renzo Francesco , Calabrese Claudio , Pellacini Fabio
Published: November 2014

Editing spatially-varying appearance is commonplace in most graphics applications. In this paper, we focus on materials whose appearance is described by BRDFs or BSSRDFs, with parameters specified by textures, and with local frame perturbations, namely bump, normal and tangent maps. Editing these materials amounts to editing the textures that encode the spatial variation. To perform these edits, artists commonly adopt imaging softwares since they have rich toolsets and well-understood user interfaces. But editing material parameters as images does not produce consistent results since the parameters' behaviours in their relative spaces are not taken in account. Our goal is to address this issue with a solution that is practical, in that we do not want to change material representation or editing workflow to ensure adoption. We observe that most image editing operations can be written as linear combination of colors. We thus define
editing spaces
for material parameters such that linear operations in these spaces respect their inherent meaning of the parameters. Transformations to and from editing spaces are non-linear to capture the non-linear behaviour of the parameters. Since GPUs are particularly efficient when executing linear operations, they can be used well with editing spaces. We demonstrate the use of editing spaces to edit microfacet BRDFs and SubEdit BSSRDFs by performing various imaging operations such as layering, linear and non-linear filtering, local and global contrast enhancements, and hardware-accelerated painting.
Appearance-from-motion
Authors: Dong Yue , Chen Guojun , Peers Pieter , Zhang Jiawan , Tong Xin
Published: November 2014

We present "appearance-from-motion", a novel method for recovering the spatially varying isotropic surface reflectance from a video of a rotating subject, with known geometry, under unknown natural illumination. We formulate the appearance recovery as an iterative process that alternates between estimating surface reflectance and estimating incident lighting. We characterize the surface reflectance by a data-driven microfacet model, and recover the microfacet normal distribution for each surface point separately from temporal changes in the observed radiance. To regularize the recovery of the incident lighting, we rely on the observation that natural lighting is sparse in the gradient domain. Furthermore, we exploit the sparsity of strong edges in the incident lighting to improve the robustness of the surface reflectance estimation. We demonstrate robust recovery of spatially varying isotropic reflectance from captured video as well as an internet video sequence for a wide variety of materials and natural lighting conditions.
Automatic Detection of Social Behavior of Museum Visitor Pairs
Authors: Dim Eyal , Kuflik Tsvi
Published: November 2014

In many cases, visitors come to a museum in small groups. In such cases, the visitors’ social context has an impact on their museum visit experience. Knowing the social context may allow a system to provide socially aware services to the visitors. Evidence of the social context can be gained from observing/monitoring the visitors’ social behavior. However, automatic identification of a social context requires, on the one hand, identifying typical social behavior patterns and, on the other, using relevant sensors that measure various signals and reason about them to detect the visitors’ social behavior. We present such typical social behavior patterns of visitor pairs, identified by observations, and then the instrumentation, detection process, reasoning, and analysis of measured signals that enable us to detect the visitors’ social behavior. Simple sensors’ data, such as proximity to other visitors, proximity to museum points of interest, and visitor orientation are used to detect social synchronization, attention to the social companion, and interest in museum exhibits. The presented approach may allow future research to offer adaptive services to museum visitors based on their social context to support their group visit experience better.
USMART
Authors: Ye Juan , Stevenson Graeme , Dobson Simon
Published: November 2014

Recognising high-level human activities from low-level sensor data is a crucial driver for pervasive systems that wish to provide seamless and distraction-free support for users engaged in normal activities. Research in this area has grown alongside advances in sensing and communications, and experiments have yielded sensor traces coupled with ground truth annotations about the underlying environmental conditions and user actions. Traditional machine learning has had some success in recognising human activities; but the need for large volumes of annotated data and the danger of overfitting to specific conditions represent challenges in connection with the building of models applicable to a wide range of users, activities, and environments. We present USMART, a novel unsupervised technique that combines data- and knowledge-driven techniques. USMART uses a general ontology model to represent domain knowledge that can be reused across different environments and users, and we augment a range of learning techniques with ontological semantics to facilitate the unsupervised discovery of patterns in how each user performs daily activities. We evaluate our approach against four real-world third-party datasets featuring different user populations and sensor configurations, and we find that USMART achieves up to 97.5% accuracy in recognising daily activities.
Accurate Leakage/Delay Estimation for FinFET Standard Cells under PVT Variations using the Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Chaudhuri Sourindra M. , Mishra Prateek , Jha Niraj K.
Published: November 2014

Among different multi-gate transistors, FinFETs and Trigate FETs have set themselves apart as the most promising candidates for the upcoming 22nm technology node and beyond owing to their superior device performance, lower leakage power consumption, and cost-effective fabrication process. Innovative circuit design and optimization techniques will be required to harness the power of multi-gate transistors, which in turn will depend on accurate leakage and timing characterization of these devices under spatial and environmental variations. Hence, in order to aid circuit designers, we present accurate analytical models using central composite rotatable design (CCRD) based on response surface methodology (RSM) to estimate the leakage current and delay of FinFET standard cells under the effect of variations in gate length (
L

G

), fin thickness (
T

SI

), gate-oxide thickness (T

OX

), gate-workfunction (Φ

G

), supply voltage (
V

DD

), and temperature (
T
). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first such attempt to develop analytical models for leakage/delay estimation of FinFET logic gates. To derive these models, we employ TCAD device simulations of adjusted 2D device cross sections that have been shown to track TCAD device simulations of 3D device behavior within a 1--3% error range. This drastically reduces the CPU time of our modeling technique (by several orders of magnitude) without much loss in accuracy. We present analytical leakage and delay models for different sizes and logic styles (e.g., shorted-gate (SG) and independent-gate (IG) FinFETs at the 22nm technology node). Both leakage and delay estimates derived from the analytical models are in close agreement with quasi-Monte Carlo (QMC) simulation results (QMC simulations track the accuracy of Monte Carlo simulations, but are several orders of magnitude faster) obtained for different adjusted-2D logic gates with a root mean square error (RMSE) in the 0.23%--5.87% range.
Balanced and Approximate Zero-Variance Recursive Estimators for the Network Reliability Problem
Authors: Cancela Hector , Khadiri Mohamed El , Rubino Gerardo , Tuffin Bruno
Published: November 2014

Exact evaluation of static network reliability parameters belongs to the NP-hard family, and Monte Carlo simulation is therefore a relevant tool to provide their estimations. The first goal of this work is to review a Recursive Variance Reduction (RVR) estimator, which approaches the unreliability by recursively reducing the graph from the random choice of the first working link on selected cuts. We show that the method does not verify the bounded relative error (BRE) property as reliability of individual links goes to one—that is, that the estimator is not robust in general to high reliability of links. We then propose to use the decomposition ideas of the RVR estimator in conjunction with the importance sampling technique. Two new estimators are presented: the first one—the Balanced Recursive Decomposition estimator—chooses the first working link on cuts uniformly, whereas the second—the Zero-Variance Approximation Recursive Decomposition estimator—tries to mimic the estimator with variance zero for this technique. We show that in both cases the BRE property is verified and, moreover, that a vanishing relative error (VRE) property can be obtained for the Zero-Variance Approximation RVR under specific sufficient conditions. A numerical illustration of the power of the methods is provided on several benchmark networks.
REDD2 expression in rat skeletal muscle correlates with nutrient-induced activation of mTORC1: responses to aging, immobilization, and remobilization
Authors: Kelleher Andrew R. , Pereira Suzette L. , Jefferson Leonard S. , Kimball Scot R.
Published: November 2014

In a previous study (Kelleher AR, Kimball SR, Dennis MD, Schilder RJ, and Jefferson LS. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab 304: E229–236, 2013.), we observed a rapid (i.e., 1–3 days) immobilization-induced repression of mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling in hindlimb skeletal muscle of young (2-mo-old) rats that was associated with elevated expression of regulated in development and DNA-damage response (REDD) 1 and REDD2. The present study extends that observation to include an assessment of those parameters in soleus muscle of the immobilized hindlimb of various-aged rats as well as in response to remobilization. Male Sprague-Dawley rats aged 2, 9, and 18 mo were subjected to unilateral hindlimb immobilization for 7 days, whereas one group of the 9-mo-old animals underwent 7 days of remobilization. Soleus muscle mass-to-body mass ratio declined with age, with the loss of muscle mass following hindlimb immobilization being inversely proportional to age. Compared with 2-mo-old rats, the older rats exhibited reduced mTORC1 signaling in the nonimmobilized limb in association with elevated REDD2, but not REDD1, mRNA expression. In the 2-mo-old rats, 7 days of hindlimb immobilization attenuated mTORC1 signaling and induced REDD2, but not REDD1, mRNA expression. In contrast, hindlimb immobilization did not further attenuate the age-related reduction in mTORC1 signaling nor further enhance the age-related induction of REDD2 mRNA expression in 9- and 18-mo-old rats. Across ages, REDD1 mRNA was not impacted by immobilization. Finally, remobilization elevated mTORC1 signaling and lowered REDD2 mRNA expression, with no impact on REDD1 gene expression. In conclusion, changes in mTORC1 signaling associated with aging, immobilization, and remobilization were inversely proportional to alterations in REDD2 mRNA expression.
Somatostatin and insulin mediate glucose-inhibited glucagon secretion in the pancreatic α-cell by lowering cAMP
Authors: Elliott Amicia D. , Ustione Alessandro , Piston David W.
Published: November 2014

The dysregulation of glucose-inhibited glucagon secretion from the pancreatic islet α-cell is a critical component of diabetes pathology and metabolic disease. We show a previously uncharacterized [Ca2+]i-independent mechanism of glucagon suppression in human and murine pancreatic islets whereby cAMP and PKA signaling are decreased. This decrease is driven by the combination of somatostatin, which inhibits adenylyl cyclase production of cAMP via the Gαisubunit of the SSTR2, and insulin, which acts via its receptor to activate phosphodiesterase 3B and degrade cytosolic cAMP. Our data indicate that both somatostatin and insulin signaling are required to suppress cAMP/PKA and glucagon secretion from both human and murine α-cells, and the combination of these two signaling mechanisms is sufficient to reduce glucagon secretion from isolated α-cells as well as islets. Thus, we conclude that somatostatin and insulin together are critical paracrine mediators of glucose-inhibited glucagon secretion and function by lowering cAMP/PKA signaling with increasing glucose.
Renal Sinus Fat Invasion and Tumoral Thrombosis of the Inferior Vena Cava-Renal Vein: Only Confined to Renal Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Acar Turker , Harman Mustafa , Guneyli Serkan , Sen Sait , Elmas Nevra
Published: November 2014

Epithelioid angiomyolipoma (E-AML), accounting for 8% of renal angiomyolipoma, is usually associated with tuberous sclerosis (TS) and demonstrates aggressive behavior. E-AML is macroscopically seen as a large infiltrative necrotic tumor with occasional extension into renal vein and/or inferior vena cava. However, without history of TS, renal sinus and venous invasion E-AML would be a challenging diagnosis, which may lead radiologists to misinterpret it as a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). In this case presentation, we aimed to report cross-sectional imaging findings of two cases diagnosed as E-AML and pathological correlation of these aforementioned masses mimicking RCC.
Aspect Ratio Model for Radiation-Tolerant Dummy Gate-Assisted n-MOSFET Layout
Authors: Lee Min Su , Lee Hee Chul
Published: November 2014

In order to acquire radiation-tolerant characteristics in integrated circuits, a dummy gate-assisted n-type metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (DGA n-MOSFET) layout was adopted. The DGA n-MOSFET has a different channel shape compared with the standard n-MOSFET. The standard n-MOSFET has a rectangular channel shape, whereas the DGA n-MOSFET has an extended rectangular shape at the edge of the source and drain, which affects its aspect ratio. In order to increase its practical use, a new aspect ratio model is proposed for the DGA n-MOSFET and this model is evaluated through three-dimensional simulations and measurements of the fabricated devices. The proposed aspect ratio model for the DGA n-MOSFET exhibits good agreement with the simulation and measurement results.
Antihemolytic Activities of Green Tea, Safflower, and Mulberry Extracts duringPlasmodium bergheiInfection in Mice
Authors: Audomkasok Suthin , Singpha Waraporn , Chachiyo Sukanya , Somsak Voravuth
Published: November 2014

Malaria-associated hemolysis is associated with mortality in adult patients. It has been speculated that oxidative stress and inflammation induced by malaria parasite are involved in its pathophysiology. Hence, we aimed to investigate the antihemolytic effect of green tea, safflower, and mulberry extracts againstPlasmodium bergheiinfection. Aqueous crude extracts of these plants were prepared using hot water method and used for oral treatment in mice. Groups of ICR mice were infected with 6 × 106infected red blood cells ofP. bergheiANKA by intraperitoneal injection and given the extracts (500, 1500, and 3000 mg/kg) twice a day for 4 consecutive days. To assess hemolysis, hematocrit levels were then evaluated. Malaria infection resulted in hemolysis. However, antihemolytic effects were observed in infected mice treated with these extracts at dose-dependent manners. In conclusion, aqueous crude extracts of green tea, safflower, and mulberry exerted antihemolysis induced by malaria infection. These plants may work as potential source in the development of variety of herbal formulations for malarial treatment.
Antibiotic Use in Children with Acute Respiratory or Ear Infections: Prospective Observational Comparison of Anthroposophic and Conventional Treatment under Routine Primary Care Conditions
Authors: Hamre Harald J. , Glockmann Anja , Schwarz Reinhard , Riley David S. , Baars Erik W. , Kiene Helmut , Kienle Gunver S.
Published: November 2014

Children with acute respiratory or ear infections (RTI/OM) are often unnecessarily prescribed antibiotics. Antibiotic resistance is a major public health problem and antibiotic prescription for RTI/OM should be reduced. Anthroposophic treatment of RTI/OM includes anthroposophic medications, nonmedication therapy and if necessary also antibiotics. This secondary analysis from an observational study comprised 529 children <18 years from Europe (AT, DE, NL, and UK) or USA, whose caregivers had chosen to consult physicians offering anthroposophic (A‐) or conventional (C‐) treatment for RTI/OM. During the 28‐day follow‐up antibiotics were prescribed to 5.5% of A‐patients and 25.6% of C‐patients (P < 0.001); unadjusted odds ratio for nonprescription in A‐ versus C‐patients 6.58 (95%‐CI 3.45–12.56); after adjustment for demographics and morbidity 6.33 (3.17–12.64). Antibiotic prescription rates in recent observational studies with similar patients in similar settings, ranged from 31.0% to 84.1%. Compared to C‐patients, A‐patients also had much lower use of analgesics, somewhat quicker symptom resolution, and higher caregiver satisfaction. Adverse drug reactions were infrequent (2.3% in both groups) and not serious. Limitation was that results apply to children of caregivers who consult A‐physicians. One cannot infer to what extent antibiotics might be avoided in children who usually receive C‐treatment, if they were offered A‐treatment.
Chylous Ascites in a Patient with HIV/AIDS: A Late Complication ofMycobacterium aviumComplex-Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome
Authors: Shaik Imam H. , Gonzalez-Ibarra Fernando , Khan Rumana , Shah Saira , Syed Amer K. , Lintz David
Published: November 2014

Chylous ascites is very rare in HIV/AIDS and its association withMycobacterium aviumcomplex-immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (MAC-IRIS) has been rarely reported. Here, we report a case of a young African-American male who developed chylous ascites as a late sequela to immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome while on treatment for MAC. Antiretroviral drug-naive patients who start HAART in close proximity to the diagnosis of an opportunistic infection and have a rapid decline in HIV RNA level should be monitored for development of IRIS. Although the long term prognosis is poor, early diagnosis and treatment help to improve quality of life.
Late Isolated Central Nervous System Relapse from Ovarian Serous Adenocarcinoma: A Case Report and Literature Review
Authors: de Castria Tiago Biachi , Rodrigues Sylvia Regina Quintanilha , Diz Maria del Pilar Estevez
Published: November 2014

Central nervous system involvement by ovarian serous adenocarcinoma is rare. We report a case of a 60-year-old woman that developed brain metastasis as isolated site of relapse 4.5 years after a complete resection and adjuvant chemotherapy for a stage Ic disease. She proceeded to a craniotomy with resection of the lesion and, subsequently, to a whole brain radiotherapy. Nineteen months later, she developed carcinomatous meningitis as isolated site of recurrence. Patient was submitted to intrathecal chemotherapy with methotrexate; however, she died from progressive neurologic involvement disease few weeks later.
Successful Rehabilitation of Partial Edentulous Maxilla and Mandible with New Type of Implants: Molecular Precision Implants
Authors: Danza Matteo , Lauritano Dorina , Carinci Francesco
Published: November 2014

The extraction of teeth results in rapid bone resorption both vertically and horizontally in the first month. The loss of alveolar ridge reduces the chance of implant rehabilitation. Atraumatic extraction, implant placement in extraction socket, and an immediate prosthesis have been proposed as alternative therapies to maintain the volume and contours tissue and reduce time and cost of treatment. The immediate load of implants is a universally practiced procedure; nevertheless a successful procedure requires expertise in both the clinical and the reconstructive stages using a solid implant system. Excellent primary stability and high bone-implant contact are only minimal requirements for any type of implant procedure. In this paper we present a case report using a new type of implants. The new type of implants, due to its sophisticated control system of production, provides to the implantologist a safe and reliable implant, with a macromorphology designed to ensure a close contact with the surrounding bone.
Covariations between Shell-Growth Parameters and the Control of the Ranges of Variation of Functionally Relevant Shell-Shape Parameters in Bivalves: A Theoretical Approach
Authors: Béguinot Jean
Published: November 2014

Major traits of shell shape in bivalves may alternatively be described in terms of (i) functionally relevant parameters, assumed to play a significant role in the adaptation of bivalves molluscs to their environments (such as the shell-outline elongation E, ventral convexity K, and dissymmetry D), or (ii) growth-based parameters, directly controlled by the animal. Due to the geometrical linkage between functionally-relevant and growth-based parameters, adaptive constraints that may either widen or narrow the respective ranges of variations of the functional parameters lead to the onset of specific covariations (either positive or negative) between the growth-based parameters. This has practical interest since adaptive constraints are often difficult to identify directly, while they can be conveniently inferred indirectly via the easily recorded patterns of covariances between growth-based parameters. Hereafter, I provide the theoretical background of this tool, including (1) establishing the geometrical relationships between growth-based and functionally relevant parameters and (2) then specifying the correspondences between the different patterns of adaptive constraints, widening or narrowing the variations of the functional parameters and the corresponding patterns of covariations between the growth-based parameters. Illustrative examples of the practical use of this tool are provided, considering both interspecific and intraspecific variations within marine and fresh-water clams.
Assessing Child Maltreatment in Children Born to Mothers Who Used Methamphetamine during Pregnancy at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand: A Pilot Study
Authors: Patcharoros Nontima , Chulakadabba Sudsabuy , Na Manorom Nattawadee , Boon-yasidhi Vitharon
Published: November 2014

Studies on maltreatment of children born to methamphetamine abusing mothers are lacking. This cross-sectional study examined child maltreatment among children born at Siriraj Hospital, Bangkok, Thailand, to mothers who used methamphetamines during pregnancy. During the study period between July 2011 and January 2012, 34 caretakers of these children were interviewed using the ISPCAN Child Abuse Screening Tool-Parent Version (ICAST-P) to assess their disciplinary actions. The associations between child’s and caretaker’s characteristics and child maltreatment behaviors were analyzed. More than 90% of caretakers were female with age ranging from 18 to 35 years and about 60% were biological mothers. The children’s age ranged from 1 to 9 years. Disciplinary acts and child rearing practices that were considered to be child maltreatment behaviors were reported as follows: psychological discipline 82.4%, physical discipline 79.4%, and neglect 29.4%. No associations between the child’s or the caretaker’s characteristics and child maltreatment behaviors were found. In conclusion, child maltreatment behaviors were frequent in caretakers of children born to mothers who used methamphetamine during pregnancy. Supervision on child rearing and careful monitoring are needed for this population.
Zone Specific Fractal Dimension of Retinal Images as Predictor of Stroke Incidence
Authors: Aliahmad Behzad , Kumar Dinesh Kant , Hao Hao , Unnikrishnan Premith , Che Azemin Mohd Zulfaezal , Kawasaki Ryo , Mitchell Paul
Published: November 2014

Fractal dimensions (FDs) are frequently used for summarizing the complexity of retinal vascular. However, previous techniques on this topic were not zone specific. A new methodology to measure FD of a specific zone in retinal images has been developed and tested as a marker for stroke prediction. Higuchi’s fractal dimension was measured in circumferential direction (FDC) with respect to optic disk (OD), in three concentric regions between OD boundary and 1.5 OD diameter from its margin. The significance of its association with future episode of stroke event was tested using the Blue Mountain Eye Study (BMES) database and compared against spectrum fractal dimension (SFD) and box-counting (BC) dimension. Kruskal-Wallis analysis revealed FDC as a better predictor of stroke (H=5.80,P=0.016,α=0.05) compared with SFD (H=0.51,P=0.475,α=0.05) and BC (H=0.41,P=0.520,α=0.05) with overall lower median value for the cases compared to the control group. This work has shown that there is a significant association between zone specific FDC of eye fundus images with future episode of stroke while this difference is not significant when other FD methods are employed.
Time Delay Estimation in Two‐Phase Flow Investigation Using the γ‐Ray Attenuation Technique
Authors: Hanus Robert , Zych Marcin , Petryka Leszek , Świsulski Dariusz
Published: November 2014

Time delay estimation is an important research question having many applications in a range of technologies. Measurement of a two‐phase flow in a pipeline or an open channel using radioisotopes is an example of such application. For instance, the determination of velocity of dispersed phase in that case is based on estimation of the time delay between two stochastic signals provided by scintillation probes. The proper analysis of such signals, usually in presence of noise, requires the use of advanced statistical signal processing. In this paper, the simulation studies of time delay estimation were carried out with the use of the following differential methods: average magnitude difference function, and average square difference function and proposed combined methods comprising the above‐mentioned differential and cross‐correlation functions are presented. Attached simulations have been carried out for models of stochastic signals corresponding to the signals obtained in gamma‐ray absorption measurements of gas‐liquid flow in a horizontal pipeline. The standard uncertainties of time delay estimations have been determined for each of the methods. Improved metrological properties have been stated in the combined methods in comparison with the classical cross‐correlation procedure.
Median Preoptic Nucleus Mediates the Cardiovascular Recovery Induced by Hypertonic Saline in Hemorrhagic Shock
Authors: Amaral Nathalia Oda , Naves Lara Marques , Ferreira-Neto Marcos Luiz , Freiria-Oliveira André Henrique , Colombari Eduardo , Rosa Daniel Alves , Reis Angela Adamski da Silva , Ianzer Danielle , Xavier Carlos Henrique , Pedrino Gustavo Rodrigues
Published: November 2014

Changes in plasma osmolarity, through central and peripheral osmoreceptors, activate the median preoptic nucleus (MnPO) that modulates autonomic and neuroendocrine adjustments. The present study sought to determine the participation of MnPO in the cardiovascular recovery induced by hypertonic saline infusion (HSI) in rats submitted to hemorrhagic shock. The recordings of mean arterial pressure (MAP) and renal vascular conductance (RVC) were carried out on male Wistar rats (250–300 g). Hemorrhagic shock was induced by blood withdrawal over 20 min until the MAP values of approximately 60 mmHg were attained. The nanoinjection (100 nL) ofGABAAagonist (Muscimol 4 mM; experimental group (EXP)) or isotonic saline (NaCl 150 mM; control (CONT)) into MnPO was performed 2 min prior to intravenous overload of sodium through HSI (3 M NaCl, 1.8 mL/kg, b.wt.). Hemorrhagic shock reduced the MAP in control (62±1.1 mmHg) and EXP (61±0.4 mmHg) equipotently. The inhibition of MnPO impaired MAP (CONT:104±4.2versus EXP:60±6.2 mmHg) and RVC (CONT:6.4±11.4versus EXP:-53.5±10.0) recovery 10 min after HSI. The overall results in this study demonstrated, for the first time, that the MnPO plays an essential role in the HSI induced resuscitation during hypovolemic hemorrhagic shock.
Parabolic Equations of Infinite Order withL1Data
Authors: Abdou Mohammed Housseine , Chrif Moussa , El Manouni Said
Published: November 2014

We prove an existence result of a nonlinear parabolic equation under Dirichlet null boundary conditions in Sobolev spaces of infinite order, where the second member belongs toL1QT.
Low-Cost Fault Tolerant Methodology for Real Time MPSoC Based Embedded System
Authors: Amin Mohsin , Shakir Muhammad , Javed Aqib , Hassan Muhammad , Raza Syed Ali
Published: November 2014

We are proposing a design methodology for a fault tolerant homogeneous MPSoC having additional design objectives that include low hardware overhead and performance. We have implemented three different FT methodologies on MPSoCs and compared them against the defined constraints. The comparison of these FT methodologies is carried out by modelling their architectures in VHDL-RTL, on Spartan 3 FPGA. The results obtained through simulations helped us to identify the most relevant scheme in terms of the given design constraints.
Application of Molecular Approaches for Understanding Foodborne Salmonella Establishment in Poultry Production
Authors: Ricke Steven C.
Published: November 2014

Salmonellosis in the United States is one of the most costly foodborne diseases. Given that Salmonella can originate from a wide variety of environments, reduction of this organism at all stages of poultry production is critical. Salmonella species can encounter various environmental stress conditions which can dramatically influence their survival and colonization. Current knowledge of Salmonella species metabolism and physiology in relation to colonization is traditionally based on studies conducted primarily with tissue culture and animal infection models. Consequently, while there is some information about environmental signals that control Salmonella growth and colonization, much still remains unknown. Genetic tools for comprehensive functional genomic analysis of Salmonella offer new opportunities for not only achieving a better understanding of Salmonella pathogens but also designing more effective intervention strategies. Now the function(s) of each single gene in the Salmonella genome can be directly assessed and previously unknown genetic factors that are required for Salmonella growth and survival in the poultry production cycle can be elucidated. In particular, delineating the host-pathogen relationships involving Salmonella is becoming very helpful for identifying optimal targeted gene mutagenesis strategies to generate improved vaccine strains. This represents an opportunity for development of novel vaccine approaches for limiting Salmonella establishment in early phases of poultry production. In this review, an overview of Salmonella issues in poultry, a general description of functional genomic technologies, and their specific application to poultry vaccine developments are discussed.
Diffuse Cutaneous Mucinosis in Dermatomyositis: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Perel-Winkler Alexandra Caitlin , Derk Chris T.
Published: November 2014

We present the case of a patient with dermatomyositis and diffuse cutaneous mucinosis and give an up-to-date detailed review of all the published cases in the English literature describing the demographics, clinical picture, pathology management, and outcomes of this unique group of patients.
Mild Dermatoglyphic Deviations in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Average Intellectual Abilities as Compared to Typically Developing Boys
Authors: de Bruin Esther I. , Graham John H. , Louwerse Anneke , Huizink Anja C.
Published: November 2014

Dermatoglyphics, ridge constellations on the hands and feet, are permanently formed by the second trimester of pregnancy. Consequently, they are considered “fossilized” evidence of a specific prenatal period. A high frequency of dermatoglyphic anomalies, or a high rate of dermatoglyphic asymmetry (discordance), is an indication of developmental instability (prenatal disturbances) prior to 24-week gestation. Most dermatoglyphic studies in psychiatry focus on adult schizophrenia. Studies on dermatoglyphic deviances and autism are sparse, include severely disturbed and intellectually retarded patients with autism, and are carried out mainly in non-Western European populations. In this study, finger print patterns, atd-angles, and palmar flexion crease patterns (PFCs) are compared between Western European adolescent teenage males, of average intellect, with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD;n=46) and typically developing adolescent teenage males (TD;n=49). Boys with ASD had a higher rate of discordance in their finger print patterns than TD boys. Thus, the hypothesized prenatal disturbances that play a role in the etiology of schizophrenia and severe autism might not be specific to these severe psychiatric disorders but might also be involved in the etiology of varying degrees of ASD.
Genetic Disruption of Lactate/H+ Symporters (MCTs) and Their Subunit CD147/BASIGIN Sensitizes Glycolytic Tumor Cells to Phenformin
Authors: Marchiq Ibtissam , Le Floch Renaud , Roux Danièle , Simon Marie-Pierre , Pouyssegur Jacques
Published: November 2014

Rapidly growing glycolytic tumors require energy and intracellular pH (pHi) homeostasis through the activity of two major monocarboxylate transporters, MCT1 and the hypoxia-inducible MCT4, in intimate association with the glycoprotein CD147/BASIGIN (BSG). To further explore and validate the blockade of lactic acid export as an anticancer strategy, we disrupted, via zinc finger nucleases, MCT4 and BASIGIN genes in colon adenocarcinoma (LS174T) and glioblastoma (U87) human cell lines. First, we showed that homozygous loss of MCT4 dramatically sensitized cells to the MCT1 inhibitor AZD3965. Second, we demonstrated that knockout of BSG leads to a decrease in lactate transport activity of MCT1 and MCT4 by 10- and 6-fold, respectively. Consequently, cells accumulated an intracellular pool of lactic and pyruvic acids, magnified by the MCT1 inhibitor decreasing further pHi and glycolysis. As a result, we found that these glycolytic/MCT-deficient cells resumed growth by redirecting their metabolism toward OXPHOS. Third, we showed that in contrast with parental cells, BSG-null cells became highly sensitive to phenformin, an inhibitor of mitochondrial complex I. Phenformin addition to these MCT-disrupted cells in normoxic and hypoxic conditions induced a rapid drop in cellular ATP-inducing cell death by “metabolic catastrophe.” Finally, xenograft analysis confirmed the deleterious tumor growth effect of MCT1/MCT4 ablation, an action enhanced by phenformin treatment. Collectively, these findings highlight that inhibition of the MCT/BSG complexes alone or in combination with phenformin provides an acute anticancer strategy to target highly glycolytic tumors. This genetic approach validates the anticancer potential of the MCT1 and MCT4 inhibitors in current development. Cancer Res; 75(1); 171–80. ©2014 AACR.
Beta-Endorphin Cell Therapy for Cancer Prevention
Authors: Zhang Changqing , Murugan Sengottuvelan , Boyadjieva Nadka , Jabbar Shaima , Shrivastava Pallavi , Sarkar Dipak K.
Published: November 2014

β-Endorphin (BEP)–producing neuron in the hypothalamus plays a key role in bringing the stress axis to a state of homeostasis and maintaining body immune defense system. Long-term delivery of BEP to obtain beneficial effect on chemoprevention is challenging, as the peptides rapidly develop tolerance. Using rats as animal models, we show here that transplantation of BEP neurons into the hypothalamus suppressed carcinogens- and hormone-induced cancers in various tissues and prevented growth and metastasis of established tumors via activation of innate immune functions. In addition, we show that intracerebroventricular administration of nanosphere-attached dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dbcAMP) increased the number of BEP neurons in the hypothalamus, reduced the stress response, enhanced the innate immune function, and prevented tumor cell growth, progression, and metastasis. BEP neuronal supplementation did not produce any deleterious effects on general health but was beneficial in suppressing age-induced alterations in physical activity, metabolic, and immune functions. We conclude that the neuroimmune system has significant control over cancer growth and progression, and that activation of the neuroimmune system via BEP neuronal supplementation/induction may have therapeutic value for cancer prevention and improvement of general health. Cancer Prev Res; 8(1); 56–67. ©2014 AACR.
A Possible Strategy for Developing a Model to Account for Attrition Bias in a Longitudinal Cohort to Investigate Associations between Exclusive Breastfeeding and Overweight and Obesity at 20 Years
Authors: Oddy Wendy H. , Smith Grant J. , Jacoby Peter
Published: November 2014

Our objective was to develop a method that could be applied in a longitudinal cohort study to account for attrition bias in an investigation of exclusive breastfeeding and prevalence of overweight and obesity at 20 years. Participants were compared to non-participants to identify a priori good candidates to predict missing-ness. A logistic regression missing-ness model was developed where probabilities were calculated to generate a pseudo-population of survivors with similar distribution to the original cohort. Final analysis comprised a weighted logistic regression model for cessation of breastfeeding as predicted by overweight and obesity, adjusting for confounding factors, that incorporated generalised estimating equations as final predictive models. Following weighting and scaling in the generalised estimating equation model, the cessation of exclusive breastfeeding before 6 months, compared to 6 months or later was associated with an increased prevalence of overweight and obesity at 20 years (odds ratio 1.47; 95% confidence interval: 1.12-1.93; p = 0.005). Inverse probability weighting offers a possible solution when attrition threatens to bias the results of a study.
Is It Necessary to Classify Developmental Trajectories over Time A Critical Note
Authors: Twisk Jos
Published: November 2014

This paper is a critical note regarding the classification of developmental trajectories. Although the results should be interpreted with caution, it seems that this classification can be interesting for descriptive purposes. For answering additional research questions relating to the prediction and/or the consequences of a different development over time, the classification of developmental trajectories does not seem to be necessary. However, it should be realized that the present analysis employs a relatively simple classification method and that there are some new promising developments within the field of classification methods, which can be of interest.
Alcohol Use Disorders in Opioid Maintenance Therapy: Prevalence, Clinical Correlates and Treatment
Authors: Soyka Michael
Published: November 2014

Maintenance therapy with methadone or buprenorphine is an established and first-line treatment for opioid dependence. Clinical studies indicate that about a third of patients in opioid maintenance therapy show increased alcohol consumption and alcohol use disorders. Comorbid alcohol use disorders have been identified as a risk factor for clinical outcome and can cause poor physical and mental health, including liver disorders, noncompliance, social deterioration and increased mortality risk. The effects of opioid maintenance therapy on alcohol consumption are controversial and no clear pattern has emerged. Most studies have not found a change in alcohol use after initiation of maintenance therapy. Methadone and buprenorphine appear to carry little risk of liver toxicity, but further research on this topic is required. Recent data indicate that brief intervention strategies may help reduce alcohol intake, but the existing evidence is still limited. This review discusses further clinical implications of alcohol use disorders in opioid dependence.
Stroke Unit Management and Revascularisation in Acute Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Jung Simon , Stapf Christian , Arnold Marcel
Published: November 2014

Background: Stroke affects one in six people throughout their lifetimes and is the most frequent cause of disability in adults. Several recanalization therapies have emerged and the management of patients in stroke units has improved over the last decades. Summary: This article examines the current treatment options for stroke patients, summarizing the key clinical evidence, as well as listing the complications and practical issues related to each of these main treatment options. Key Messages: Recent advances in the treatment of acute stroke include developments in intravenous thrombolysis (IVT), intra-arterial treatment and bridging therapies. Clinical Implications: Treatment within a stroke unit reduces mortality and disability regardless of age, sex and stroke severity. IVT is widely available and reduces disability when initiated within 4.5 h after the onset of symptoms. The major limitations of IVT are the low recanalization rates and the narrow time frame. Intra-arterial treatment, especially when using newly developed stent-retrievers, achieves very high recanalization rates. It is restricted by its limited availability and by the longer time span required to initiate therapy. Bridging both therapies is a promising approach that combines the advantages of both therapies, but the superiority of this approach remains to be proven. Future strategies to reduce the burden of acute stroke in Europe should focus on immediate access to acute stroke care and dedicated stroke units for all patients.  i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Smoking and Dietary Factors Associated with Moderate-to-Severe Acne in French Adolescents and Young Adults: Results of a Survey Using a Representative Sample
Authors: Wolkenstein Pierre , Misery Laurent , Amici Jean-Michel , Maghia Rémi , Branchoux Sébastien , Cazeau Christine , Voisard Jean-Jacques , Taïeb Charles
Published: November 2014

Background: Dietary factors and smoking play a role in acne. Methods: CSA Santé conducted a survey in France in 2012. Each individual answered a questionnaire to report acne, with associated epidemiological variables. Data on subjects between 15 and 24 years of age were extracted. The characteristics of subjects reporting acne were compared to subjects reporting no acne, using univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: The daily consumption of chocolate and sweets was independently and highly associated with acne, with an odds ratio of 2.38 (95% CI: 1.31-4.31). Smoking more than 10 cigarettes a day was highly associated with no acne, with an odds ratio of 0.44 (95% CI: 0.30-0.66). The regular use of cannabis was associated with acne, with an odds ratio of 2.88 (95% CI: 1.55-5.37). Conclusion: Chocolate, sweets and cannabis smoking are associated with acne. We found tobacco to be protective. We failed to investigate the respective roles of sugar, lipids and milk.
Repigmentation of Extensive Inflammatory Vitiligo with Raised Borders Using Early and Aggressive Treatment
Authors: Gunasekera Nicole , Murphy George F. , Sheth Vaneeta M.
Published: November 2014

Inflammatory vitiligo with raised borders (IVRB) is a rare subtype of vitiligo described as having a rim of raised erythema at the periphery of the depigmented patches. The etiology is poorly understood, and there are few reports of successful treatment of the condition in the literature. We report a 38-year-old South Asian male who presented with diffuse depigmented macules and patches surrounded by blue-gray rims involving a large body surface area. Light microscopy revealed inflammatory vitiligo. He was treated with 2 courses of oral prednisone and whole-body narrow-band ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy, which resulted in cessation of disease spread as well as substantial repigmentation. Our observation suggests that early and aggressive treatment can lead to significant and rapid improvement in patients with IVRB.
Aristolochic Acid Induced Suicidal Erythrocyte Death
Authors: Malik Abaid , Bissinger Rosi , Calabrò Salvatrice , Faggio Caterina , Jilani Kashif , Lang Florian
Published: November 2014

Background/Aims: Aristolochic Acid, a component of Aristolochia plants, has been shown to cause acute kidney injury, renal aristolochic acid nephropathy, Balkan endemic nephropathy, and urothelial carcinoma. Aristolochic acid nephropathy may be associated with severe anemia. The anemia could theoretically be due to stimulation of eryptosis, the suicidal death of erythrocytes characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling with translocation of phosphatidylserine to the erythrocyte cell membrane surface. Signalling involved in the stimulation of eryptosis include increase of cytosolic Ca2+-activity ([Ca2+]i) and formation of ceramide. Methods: Cell volume was estimated from forward scatter, phosphatidylserine-exposure from annexin V binding, [Ca2+]i from Fluo3 fluorescence, and ceramide abundance from binding of fluorescent antibodies in flow cytometry. Results: A 48 hours exposure to Aristolochic Acid (≥ 75 g/ml) was followed by a significant decrease of forward scatter and increase of annexin-V-binding. The effects were paralleled by a significant increase of [Ca2+]i and significantly blunted, but not abrogated by removal of extracellular Ca2+. Aristolochic Acid further significantly increased ceramide abundance. Conclusions: Aristolochic Acid triggers eryptosis, an effect at least in part due to entry of extracellular Ca2+ and ceramide formation. i 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel
Non-Random Occurrence of Robertsonian Translocations in the House Mouse (Mus musculus domesticus): Is It Related to Quantitative Variation in the Minor Satellite?
Authors: Cazaux Benoîte , Catalan Josette , Claude Julien , Britton-Davidian Janice
Published: November 2014

The house mouse, Mus musculus domesticus, shows extraordinary chromosomal diversity driven by fixation of Robertsonian (Rb) translocations. The high frequency of this rearrangement, which involves the centromeric regions, has been ascribed to the architecture of the satellite sequence (high quantity and homogeneity). This promotes centromere-related translocations through unequal recombination and gene conversion. A characteristic feature of Rb variation in this subspecies is the non-random contribution of different chromosomes to the translocation frequency, which, in turn, depends on the chromosome size. Here, the association between satellite quantity and Rb frequency was tested by PRINS of the minor satellite which is the sequence involved in the translocation breakpoints. Five chromosomes with different translocation frequencies were selected and analyzed among wild house mice from 8 European localities. Using a relative quantitative measurement per chromosome, the analysis detected a large variability in signal size most of which was observed between individuals and/or localities. The chromosomes differed significantly in the quantity of the minor satellite, but these differences were not correlated with their translocation frequency. However, the data uncovered a marginally significant correlation between the quantity of the minor satellite and chromosome size. The implications of these results on the evolution of the chromosomal architecture in the house mouse are discussed.