bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Downlink interference minimization in cooperative cognitive LTE-femtocell networks
Authors: Tao Xin , Zhao Zhifeng , Li Rongpeng , Palicot Jacques , Zhang Honggang 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Femtocell is considered to be one of the most promising solutions for future indoor wireless communication. Due to the scarcity of spectrum resources, femtocells need to share the spectrum with other networks, which will inevitably bring in severe interference. Therefore, minimizing the cross-tier and co-tier interference while maintaining high system throughput or spectrum efficiency is one of main challenges before largely deploying femtocell networks. In order to effectively mitigate the interference, cognitive radio-enabled techniques can play a key role by providing more secondary spectrum access opportunities, especially in dense femtocells deployment scenarios. Supported by cognitive radio functionality, femtocell users can access and share these licensed spectra including the frequency bands of both macrocells and other licensed systems (e.g., TV white spaces) as long as not causing harmful interference to the coexisting licensed systems. In this paper, based on cognitive sensing, we propose a joint channel assignment and power allocation scheme, aiming to minimize the aggregate interference from multiple femtocells to the licensed users while satisfying the constraints of each femtocell’s capacity and power budget. It is believed that the cooperation among multiple femtocells is quite helpful in mitigating the interference considering the mobility of the licensed users. Specifically, Hungarian algorithm is involved in our scheme to address the co-tier femtocell interference issue. In order to illustrate our scheme more explicitly, we come up with the concepts of Physical Cluster and Virtual Cluster and synthetically apply the related algorithms to reduce the interference step by step. Finally, the performances of employed algorithms are evaluated and analyzed. Numerical results have validated that the proposed scheme is viable and effective in managing the femtocell interference.
Intraperitoneal Administration of AAV9-shRNA Inhibits Target Gene Expression in the Dorsal Root Ganglia of Neonatal Mice
Authors: Machida Akira , Kuwahara Hiroya , Mayra Azat , Kubodera Takayuki , Hirai Takashi , Sunaga Fumiko , Tajiri Mio , Hirai Yukihiko , Shimada Takashi , Mizusawa Hidehiro , Yokota Takanori 
Published: July 2013

Background There is considerable interest in inducing RNA interference (RNAi) in neurons to study gene function and identify new targets for disease intervention. Although short interfering RNAs (siRNAs) have been used to silence genes in neurons, in vivo delivery of RNAi remains a major challenge, especially by systemic administration. We have developed a highly efficient method for in vivo gene silencing in dorsal root ganglia (DRG) by using short hairpin RNA-expressing single-stranded adeno-associated virus 9 (ssAAV9-shRNA). Results Intraperitoneal administration of ssAAV9-shRNA to neonatal mice resulted in highly effective and specific silencing of a target gene in DRG. We observed an approximately 80% reduction in target mRNA in the DRG, and 74.7% suppression of the protein was confirmed by Western blot analysis. There were no major side effects, and the suppression effect lasted for more than three months after the injection of ssAAV9-shRNA. Conclusions Although we previously showed substantial inhibition of target gene expression in DRG via intrathecal ssAAV9-shRNA administration, here we succeeded in inhibiting target gene expression in DRG neurons via intraperitoneal injection of ssAAV9-shRNA. AAV9-mediated delivery of shRNA will pave the way for creating animal models for investigating the molecular biology of the mechanisms of pain and sensory ganglionopathies.
Electroacupuncture to treat painful diabetic neuropathy: study protocol for a three-armed, randomized, controlled pilot trial
Authors: Lee Seunghoon , Kim Joo-Hee , Shin Kyung-Min , Kim Jung-Eun , Kim Tae-Hun , Kang Kyung-Won , Lee Minhee , Jung So-Young , Shin Mi-Suk , Kim Ae-Ran , Park Hyo-Ju , Hong Kwon-Eui , Choi Sun-Mi 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
The purpose of this study is to conduct a basic analysis of the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture in the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy (PDN) as compared to placebo and usual care and to evaluate the feasibility of large-scale clinical research.

Methods/design
This study is a protocol for a three-armed, randomized, patient-assessor-blinded (to the type of treatment), controlled pilot trial. Forty-five participants with a ≥ six month history of PDN and a mean weekly pain score of ≥ 4 on the 11-point Pain Intensity Numerical Rating Scale (PI-NRS) will be assigned to the electroacupuncture group (n = 15), sham group (n = 15) or usual care group (n = 15). The participants assigned to the electroacupuncture group will receive electroacupuncture (remaining for 30 minutes with a mixed current of 2 Hz/120 Hz and 80% of the bearable intensity) at 12 standard acupuncture points (bilateral ST36, GB39, SP9, SP6, LR3 and GB41) twice per week for eight weeks (a total of 16 sessions) as well as the usual care. The participants in the sham group will receive sham electroacupuncture (no electrical current will be passed to the needle, but the light will be seen, and the sound of the pulse generator will be heard by the participants) at non-acupuncture points as well as the usual care. The participants in the usual care group will not receive electroacupuncture treatment during the study period and will receive only the usual care. The follow-up will be in the 5th, 9th and 17th weeks after random allocation. The PI-NRS score assessed at the ninth week will be the primary outcome measurement used in this study. The Short-Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SF-MPQ), a sleep disturbance score (11-point Likert scale), the Short-Form 36v2 Health Survey (SF-36), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Patient Global Impression of Change (PGIC) will be used as outcome variables to evaluate the effectiveness of the acupuncture. Safety will be assessed at every visit.

Discussion
The result of this trial will provide a basis for the effectiveness and safety of electroacupuncture for PDN.

Trial registration
Clinical Research information Service. Unique identifier:KCT0000466.
Phenotypic and genotypic identification of streptococci and related bacteria isolated from bovine intramammary infections
Authors: Raemy Andreas , Meylan Mireille , Casati Simona , Gaia Valeria , Berchtold Beat , Boss Renate , Wyder Anja , Graber Hans U 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background

Streptococcus spp. and other Gram-positive, catalase-negative cocci (PNC) form a large group of microorganisms which can be found in the milk of cows with intramammary infection. The most frequently observed PNC mastitis pathogens (major pathogens) are Streptococcus uberis, Strep. dysgalactiae, and Strep. agalactiae. The remaining PNC include a few minor pathogens and a large nonpathogenic group. Improved methods are needed for the accurate identification and differentiation of PNC.
A total of 151 PNC were collected from cows with intramammary infection and conclusively identified by 16S rRNA sequencing as reference method. Nine phenotypic microbiological tests (alpha-hemolysis, CAMP reaction, esculin hydrolysis, growth on kanamycin esculin azide agar and on sodium chloride agar, inulin fermentation, hippurate hydrolysis, leucine aminopeptidase and pyrrolidonyl peptidase activity), multiplex PCR for the three major pathogens (target genes for Strep. uberis, Strep. dysgalactiae and Strep. agalactiae: pauA, 16S rRNA, and sklA3, respectively), and mass spectroscopy using the matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF MS) were evaluated for the diagnosis and discrimination of the three clinically most relevant PNC.

Results
The probability that a strain of Strep. uberis, Strep. dysgalactiae and Strep. agalactiae was correctly identified by combining the results of the 9 phenotypic tests was 92%, 90%, and 100%, respectively. Applying the multiplex PCR, all strains of the three major pathogens were correctly identified and no false positive results occurred. Correct identification was observed for all strains of Strep. uberis and Strep. agalactiae using MALDI-TOF MS. In the case of Strep. dysgalactiae, some variability was observed at the subspecies level, but all strains were allocated to one single cluster.

Conclusions
The results of the present study show that reliable identification of the clinically most relevant PNC (Strep. uberis, Strep. agalactiae and Strep. dysgalactiae) can be obtained by use of a combination of colony morphology, hemolysis type and catalase reaction, and a multiplex PCR with specific primers restricted to these 3 pathogens. The MALDI-TOF MS is a fast method that shows promising results, although identification of Strep. dysgalactiae at the subspecies level is not yet satisfactory.
Effectiveness of green tea mouthwash in postoperative pain control following surgical removal of impacted third molars: double blind randomized clinical trial
Authors: Eshghpour Majid , Mortazavi Hamed , Mohammadzadeh Rezaei Naser , Nejat AmirHossein 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
Pain following surgical removal of impacted molars has remained an important concern among practitioners. Various protocols have been proposed to reduce postoperative pain. However, each one has special side effects and limitations. As green tea possesses anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the effectiveness of green tea mouthwash in controlling postoperative pain.

Materials and methods
In a study with split-mouth and double blind design, 44 patients in need of bilateral removal of impacted third molars underwent randomized surgical extraction; following one surgery patients rinsed with a green tea mouthwash from the first to seventh postoperative day and after other extraction rinsed with placebo mouthwash in the same duration. Both patients and surgeon were blinded to the type of mouthwash. The predictor variable was type of mouthwash and primary outcome variable was postoperative pain measured by visual analogue scale (VAS) during first week after surgery. In addition, number of analgesics patients used after surgery recorded. To measure the effect of green tea mouthwash, repeated measures test with confidence interval of 95% was performed.

Results
Total of 43 patients with mean age of 24 years underwent total of 86 surgeries. VAS value had no statistically difference prior rinsing among groups (P-value > 0.05). However, the mean value of VAS following rinsing with green tea was statistically lower than placebo in postoperative days of 3–7 (P-value < 0.05). In addition, while rinsing with green tea, patients took significantly lower number of analgesics after surgery (P-value < 0.05). No side effects reported.

Conclusion
Green tea mouthwash could be an appropriate and safe choice to control postoperative pain after third molar surgery.
Health education interventions to raise awareness of rheumatic fever: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Ramsey Laura Susan , Watkins Lauren , Engel Mark Emmanuel 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Background
There is a significant global health burden associated with acute rheumatic fever (ARF) and rheumatic heart disease (RHD), especially in developing countries. ARF and RHD most often strike children and young adults living in impoverished settings, where unhygienic conditions and lack of awareness and knowledge of streptococcal infection progression are common. Secondary prophylactic measures have been recommended in the past, but primary prevention measures have been gaining more attention from researchers frustrated by the perpetual prevalence of ARF and RHD in developing countries. Health education aims to empower people to take responsibility for their own well-being by gaining control over the underlying factors that influence health. We therefore conducted a review of the current best evidence for the use of health education interventions to increase awareness and knowledge of streptococcal pharyngitis and ARF.

Methods and design
This article describes the protocol for a systematic review of the effectiveness of health education interventions aimed at increasing awareness and knowledge of the symptoms, causes and consequences of streptococcal pharyngitis, rheumatic fever and/or rheumatic heart disease. Studies will be selected in which the effect of an intervention is compared with either a pre-intervention or a control, targeting all possible audience types. Primary and secondary outcomes of interest are pre-specified. Randomized controlled trials, quasi-randomized trials, controlled before–after studies and controlled clinical trials will be considered. We will search several bibliographic databases (for example, PubMed, EMBASE, World Health Organization Library databases, Google Scholar) and search sources for gray literature. We will meta-analyze included studies. We will conduct subgroup analyses according to intervention subtypes: printed versus audiovisual and mass media versus training workshops.

Discussion
This review will provide evidence for the effectiveness of educational components in health promotion interventions in raising public awareness in regard to the symptoms, causes and consequences of streptococcal pharyngitis, ARF and/or RHD. Our results may provide guidance in the development of future intervention studies and programs.
Treatment of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus experimental Osteomyelitis with bone-targeted Vancomycin
Authors: Karau Melissa J , Schmidt-Malan Suzannah M , Greenwood-Quaintance Kerryl E , Mandrekar Jayawant , Cai Jian , Pierce William M , Merten Kevyn , Patel Robin 
Published: July 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) is a common cause of bone and joint infection. BT2-peg2-vancomycin is an investigational bone-targeted formulation of vancomycin which we hypothesized would have increased antimicrobial activity compared to conventional vancomycin in a chronic experimental MRSA osteomyelitis model.

Methods
We tested bone affinity using an hydroxyapatite (HA) binding assay, assessed the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of 30 MRSA isolates, and compared vancomycin and BT2-peg2-vancomycin in a rat experimental osteomyelitis model.

Results
Vancomycin did not bind to hydroxyapatite (HA binding index = 0), whereas BT2-peg2-vancomycin showed appreciable binding (HA binding index = 57). The MIC50 was 1 μg/ml and the MIC90 was 2 μg/ml for both vancomycin and BT2-peg2-vancomycin. The MBC90 was 16 and 4 μg/ml for vancomycin and BT2-peg2-vancomycin, respectively. Treatment with 50 mg/kg of vancomycin every 12 hours (median, 4.73 log10 cfu/g), 63.85 mg/kg (equivalent to 50 mg/kg vancomycin) of BT2-peg2-vancomycin every 12 hours (median, 3.93 log10 cfu/g) or 63.85 mg/kg of BT2-peg2-vancomycin once per week (median, 5.00 log10 cfu/g) was more active than no treatment (median, 5.22 log10 cfu/g) (P =0.0481). Treatment with 63.85 mg/kg of BT2-peg2-vancomycin every 12 hours was more active than all other treatment regimens evaluated (P≤0.0150), but was associated with high plasma BT2-peg2-vancomycin levels, decreased animal weight, increased kidney size, creatinine and BUN, and leukocytosis with tubulointerstitial nephritis.

Conclusion
With optimization of pharmacokinetic parameters to prevent toxicity, BT2-peg2-vancomycin may be useful in the treatment of MRSA osteomyelitis.
A compact, in vivo screen of all 6-mers reveals drivers of tissue-specific expression and guides synthetic regulatory element design
Authors: Smith Robin P , Riesenfeld Samantha J , Holloway Alisha K , Li Qiang , Murphy Karl K , Feliciano Natalie M , Orecchia Lorenzo , Oksenberg Nir , Pollard Katherine S , Ahituv Nadav 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Background
Large-scale annotation efforts have improved our ability to coarsely predict regulatory elements throughout vertebrate genomes. However, it is unclear how complex spatiotemporal patterns of gene expression driven by these elements emerge from the activity of short, transcription factor binding sequences.

Results
We describe a comprehensive promoter extension assay in which the regulatory potential of all 6 base-pair (bp) sequences was tested in the context of a minimal promoter. To enable this large-scale screen, we developed algorithms that use a reverse-complement aware decomposition of the de Bruijn graph to design a library of DNA oligomers incorporating every 6-bp sequence exactly once. Our library multiplexes all 4,096 unique 6-mers into 184 double-stranded 15-bp oligomers, which is sufficiently compact for in vivo testing. We injected each multiplexed construct into zebrafish embryos and scored GFP expression in 15 tissues at two developmental time points. Twenty-seven constructs produced consistent expression patterns, with the majority doing so in only one tissue. Functional sequences are enriched near biologically relevant genes, match motifs for developmental transcription factors, and are required for enhancer activity. By concatenating tissue-specific functional sequences, we generated completely synthetic enhancers for the notochord, epidermis, spinal cord, forebrain and otic lateral line, and show that short regulatory sequences do not always function modularly.

Conclusions
This work introduces a unique in vivo catalog of short, functional regulatory sequences and demonstrates several important principles of regulatory element organization. Furthermore, we provide resources for designing compact, reverse-complement aware k-mer libraries.
Reading the Past on the Mountainsides of Colombia: Mid-Nineteenth-Century Patriotic Geology, Archaeology, and Historiography
Authors: Appelbaum Nancy P. 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The mid-nineteenth-century Colombian Chorographic Commission drew on geology, archaeology, and history to project a patriotic past onto the Andean landscape of the young republic then known as New Granada. This geographic expedition, led initially by Agustín Codazzi and Manuel Ancízar, explored and mapped the country from 1850 to 1859. For the commissioners and their associates among the creole elite, the history of past epochs was “written” on the mountainsides for scientific travelers such as themselves to “read.” They portrayed disparate historical and prehistoric events as overlapping and interrelated. The commission’s texts and images linked a catastrophic interpretation of geologic origins to historia patria (patriotic history). The commissioners merged the wars of conquest and independence into a two-act drama enacted on a singular territorial stage. Their reading of geologic, archaeological, and historical evidence endowed the impoverished young Republic of New Granada with a grandiose territory, a great precursor civilization, and a legacy of patriotic resistance to imperialism. Their interpretations, however, would prove controversial. During the second half of the nineteenth century, debates over geology, archaeology, and history reflected conflicting Liberal and Conservative political projects. Moreover, the midcentury intellectuals failed to incorporate contemporaneous indigenous and poor citizens into an imagined national community based on the ideal of a shared historical memory embedded on a readable landscape.
Huarpe Archives in the Argentine Desert: Indigenous Claims and State Construction in Nineteenth-Century Mendoza
Authors: Escolar Diego 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The narrative of indigenous extinction and the construction of a “white” Argentina entailed an ethnogeographic imaginary by which the territories of the former Spanish colonies were inhabited since the nineteenth century by gauchos or eventually peasants. The population classified as indigenous, in this view, was projected outside the central areas controlled by the nation-state, beyond the frontiers of the Pampas, Patagonia, and the Chaco. Historical writing accepted and contributed to the formation of this image by characterizing the political mobilization of gauchos or peasants (especially in their bellicosity as montoneras — irregular militia units) as a natural reflection of the projects of elites, factions, patrons, or parties. That historiography dismissed as irrelevant any demands stemming from the gauchos and peasantry themselves, such as those based on the long historical experience of indigenous peoples.
Based on documents preserved by inhabitants of the travesía, or the desert, of Guanacache, in the central Cuyo region, the descendants of the Huarpe Indians who were considered extinct in the seventeenth century, this analysis stresses the continuity of indigenous claims and the political strategies of the communities of the countryside during the nineteenth century. While recognizing that other factors were involved in political mobilization, this analysis shows the primary importance of indigenous claims in an area of traditional montonero rebellion and civil conflict, and the active participation of the region in the construction of the state beginning in the 1820s. Indigenous leaders who also served as government officials pressed for institutionalized recognition of indigenous rights. That pressure eventually led to the acceptance of their claims and the maintenance of relative political autonomy until the 1870s.
Behavior of Formate Adsorbed on Cu(110) When Exposed to Hydrogen Gas
Authors: Inoue Kenichiro , Wakabayashi Fumitaka , Domen Kazunari 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
The behavior of formate adsorbed on Cu(110) surface exposed to hydrogen gas was investigated at 300–330 K. Although an exchange reaction from D–COO(a) to H–COO(a) was observed after exposing a DCOO(a)-covered Ni(110) surface to H2 in a previous report, this did not occur with Cu(110). The preadsorbed DCOO(a) desorbed as DCOOH after accepting a hydrogen atom from a gaseous H2 molecule.
Solution-phase Synthesis of Stannite-type Ag2ZnSnS4 Nanoparticles for Application to Photoelectrode Materials
Authors: Sasamura Tetsuya , Osaki Takaaki , Kameyama Tatsuya , Shibayama Tamaki , Kudo Akihiko , Kuwabata Susumu , Torimoto Tsukasa 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
Ag2ZnSnS4 (AZTS) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized at relatively low temperature via thermal reaction of corresponding metal acetates and a sulfur source in a hot oleylamine solution, the purity of the particles being dependent on the amount of metal acetates and the reaction temperature. The obtained pure AZTS particles with size of ca. 15 nm exhibited photoresponse with visible light irradiation similar to that of n-type semiconductors.
An Improved Synthesis of Methyl Protodioscin. II. A Direct E-ring Opening by BF3–Et2O/Ac2O from Dioscin Ester
Authors: Wang Bo , Liu Yang , Liu Xin , Cheng Mao-sheng 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
A direct E-ring opening of dioscin ester by BF3–Et2O/Ac2O was studied, and methyl protodioscin was synthesized from dioscin ester in three steps with a total yield of 44%. The details of the E-ring opening reaction was discussed, and a prominent stability of C16–OAc was obversed.
Synthesis, Structure, and Catalytic Activity of Palladium Complexes Bearing a Tridentate PXP-Pincer Ligand of Heavier Group 14 Element (X = Ge, Sn)
Authors: Takaya Jun , Nakamura Shuhei , Iwasawa Nobuharu 
Published: July 2013

Abstract
An efficient method for the synthesis of tridentate PGeP– and PSnP–palladium complexes is developed. Structural analysis revealed that PSiP-ligand exerts the strongest trans influence and electron donation and that PGeP- and PSnP-ligands provide wider coordination sphere around the palladium. Preliminary studies demonstrated that both PGeP– and PSnP–palladium complexes work as an efficient catalyst for reductive aldol-type reaction, indicating promising utility in synthetic organic chemistry.