bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Automated HW/SW Co-Verification of SystemC Designs Using Timed Automata
Authors: Herber Paula 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
SystemC has become the de facto standard for modeling and simulation in hwsw co-design. However, existing verification techniques for SystemC are mostly ad hoc and non-systematic. To overcome this problem, we present a systematic, comprehensive, and formally founded framework for hwsw co-verification of SystemC designs. The framework is based on a formal definition of the semantics of SystemC and uses a combination of model checking and conformance testing. With that, it facilitates automated verification and validation throughout the whole design process. We demonstrate the performance of our approach with two case studies, namely a packet switch and an anti-slip regulation and anti-lock braking system.}.
Intravenous Cyclophosphamide and Plasmapheresis in Dialysis-Dependent ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Authors: Pepper Ruth J. , Chanouzas Dimitrios , Tarzi Ruth , Little Mark A. , Casian Alina , Walsh Michael , Pusey Charles D. , Harper Lorraine , Salama Alan D. 
Published: November 2012

Summary

Background and objectives
Induction therapy with oral cyclophosphamide (CYP) has been a mainstay of treatment in patients with severe renal failure secondary to ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV). Recent evidence proposes using pulsed intravenous CYP in less severe disease to minimize adverse events. It is unclear if this can be translated to those with dialysis-dependent renal insufficiency.

Design, setting, participants, & methods
All AAV patients presenting between 2005 and 2010 requiring dialysis at presentation were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were treated with plasma exchange, corticosteroids, and intravenous CYP. Rate of dialysis independence at 3 and 12 months and adverse effects were assessed and compared with the outcome of the plasmapheresis, prednisolone, and oral CYP arm of the randomized MEPEX (methylprednisolone versus plasma exchange) trial.

Results
Forty-one patients were included. At 3 months, 3 (7.3%) patients had died on dialysis, 12 (29.3%) remained dialysis dependent, and 26 (63.4%) were dialysis independent (creatinine, 2.5 mg/dl; GFR, 26 ml/min per 1.73 m2). Four patients subsequently reached ESRD at a median time of 83 days. Thirty-seven (90%) patients reached 1 year follow-up, 13 (35%) remained dialysis dependent, and 24 (65%) had independent renal function. Eleven patients (27%) had episodes of leukopenia (white cell count <4×109/L) during CYP therapy and 17 (41%) experienced infectious complications. This compares favorably with the dialysis-dependent cohort treated with plasmapheresis in the MEPEX study in which 51% were alive with independent renal function at 1 year.

Conclusions
Intravenous CYP used with corticosteroids and plasmapheresis may be an effective alternative to oral CYP in patients with dialysis-dependent AAV.
Sequential + separable vs sequentially separable and another variation on selective separability
Authors: Bella Angelo , Bonanzinga Maddalena , Matveev Mikhail 
Published: November 2012

AbstractA space X is sequentially separable if there is a countable D ⊂ X such that every point of X is the limit of a sequence of points from D. Neither “sequential + separable” nor “sequentially separable” implies the other. Some examples of this are presented and some conditions under which one of the two implies the other are discussed. A selective version of sequential separability is also considered.
On some properties of Hamel bases and their applications to Marczewski measurable functions
Authors: Dorais François , Filipów Rafał , Natkaniec Tomasz 
Published: November 2012

AbstractWe introduce new properties of Hamel bases. We show that it is consistent with ZFC that such Hamel bases exist. Under the assumption that there exists a Hamel basis with one of these properties we construct a discontinuous and additive function that is Marczewski measurable. Moreover, we show that such a function can additionally have the intermediate value property (and even be an extendable function). Finally, we examine sums and limits of such functions.
An unusual cause of gastric extraluminal compression: fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Dilettoso Salvatore , Uccello Mario , Dilettoso Alessandra , Gelardi Salvatore , Dilettoso Benedetto 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Fibrolamellar hepatocellular carcinoma (FLH) is a rare variant of hepatocellular carcinoma that typically occurs in adolescents or young subjects in an otherwise normal liver. Correct recognition of FLH is extremely important, because a complete resection of the tumor can confer an excellent prognosis. FLHs can become large, exerting mass effects on adjacent organs before diagnosis. Unfortunately, there are very few imaging reports describing external compression of the stomach caused by a FLH. We report the case of a young female suffering from dyspepsia and abdominal pain caused by stomach compression resulting from a large FLH.
Involvement of oxidative stress in liver injury after subchronic intoxication with low doses of chlorpyrifos — study on rats
Authors: Lukaszewicz-Hussain Anna 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Organophosphate compounds are nowadays the most frequently used pesticides. For these insecticides, the primary target is acetylcholinesterase and for this reason the main clinical effect of acute intoxication with organophosphate insecticides involves an irreversible inhibition of the activity of this enzyme. However, in the chronic or subchronic exposition oxidative stress has been reported as the main mechanism of its toxicity. The present study investigated the effect of three low doses (0.2, 2, 5 mg/kg bw) of chlorpyrifos for 14 or 28 days on serum liver enzymes and on oxidative stress parameters in the liver of rats. Chlorpyrifos treatment resulted in aminotransferases and alkaline phosphatase increase after 14 days (higher doses) and 28 days (all doses) treatment together with changes of antioxidative enzymes activities and reduced glutathione and malonyldialdehyde level in the liver. The enhancement of lipid peroxidation is temporary, reaching a peak after 14 days and decreasing after 28 days of treatment. Based on the experimental findings of this study the temporary liver injury caused by oxidative stress has been shown. The disturbances in the liver antioxidative status and increased liver membrane permeability may appear in case of doses near to the accepted human daily intake.
Common variants of the mineralocorticoid and glucocorticoid receptor genes may contribute to pregnancy-related anxiety: a pilot study
Authors: Chistiakova Natalia , Sergienko Elena , Savost’ianov Kirill 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis overactivity is thought to contribute to increased vulnerability to maternal stress. We hypothesize that functionally relevant polymorphic variants of the glucocorticoid (NR3C1) and mineralocorticoid (NR3C2) receptor genes mediating biological effects of cortisol, a major stress hormone, could also modulate the capacity to cope with pregnancy-related anxiety. Genomic DNA from the blood of 42 women with pregnancy-related anxiety and 42 age-matched women with normal pregnancy (5–6th months of gestation) were genotyped for markers rs6195 and rs10482605 of NR3C1 and two NR3C2 polymorphisms (rs5522 and rs2070951) using a Taqman allele discrimination assay. Serum total cortisol was measured using an ELISA technique. The allele Ser363 of rs6195 (the N363S polymorphism of NR3C1) was found to be associated with a higher risk of maternal stress (odds ratio (OR)=5.27; P=0.001). For NR3C2, the allele Val180 of rs5522 (I180V) also showed association with increased risk of neonatal stress (OR=1.97; P=0.038). Both predisposing gene variants were also associated with significantly elevated levels of cortisol in normally pregnant women and females with pregnancy-related anxiety. Our results suggest that pregnancy-related anxiety can be modulated by variants of NR3C1 and NR3C2 associated with increased basal cortisol levels. Thus, our findings provide evidence in support of the suggestion that elevated cortisol levels and HPA axis hyperactivity are implicated in pregnancy-related anxiety.
Performance analysis of first iteration koch curve fractal log periodic antenna of varying flare angles
Authors: Singh Ashutosh , Kabeer Reneez , Ali Z. , Singh V. , Shukla M. 
Published: November 2012

Abstract
Miniaturization has always been a crucial challenge in the field of antenna engineering. In the recent past a number of researchers have shown that fractal geometry have potential to design smaller, broad band and multi band antennas. In this proposed work performances of log periodic fractal antennas of different flare angles have been investigated. Simulation results show that fractal log periodic antenna gives better performance in terms of gain, return loss and directivity. Performance of log periodic fractal antenna has also been investigated for flare angles 30°, 45°, 60°, 70° and 80°. In this proposed work fractal antenna gives best performance with 60° flare angle.
Sleep Deprivation Has No Effect on Dynamic Visual Acuity in Military Service Members Who Are Healthy
Authors: Scherer Matthew R. , Claro Pedro J. , Heaton Kristin J. 
Published: November 2012

BackgroundThe risk of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and comorbid posttraumatic dizziness is elevated in military operational environments. Sleep deprivation is known to affect a service member's performance while deployed, although little is known about its effects on vestibular function. Recent findings suggest that moderate acceleration step rotational stimuli may elicit a heightened angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR) response relative to low-frequency sinusoidal stimuli after 26 hours of sleep deprivation. There is concern that a sleep deprivation–mediated elevation in aVOR function could confound detection of comorbid vestibular pathology in service members with TBI. The term “dynamic visual acuity” (DVA) refers to an individual's ability to see clearly during head movement and is a behavioral measure of aVOR function. The Dynamic Visual Acuity Test (DVAT) assesses gaze instability by measuring the difference between head-stationary and head-moving visual acuity.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 26 hours of sleep deprivation on DVA as a surrogate for aVOR function.DesignThis observational study utilized a repeated-measures design.MethodsTwenty soldiers with no history of vestibular insult or head trauma were assessed by means of the DVAT at angular head velocities of 120 to 180°/s. Active and passive yaw and pitch impulses were obtained before and after sleep deprivation.ResultsYaw DVA remained unchanged as the result of sleep deprivation. Active pitch DVA diminished by −0.005 LogMAR (down) and −0.055 LogMAR (up); passive pitch DVA was degraded by −0.06 LogMAR (down) and −0.045 LogMAR (up).LimitationsSample homogeneity largely confounded accurate assessment of test-retest reliability in this study, resulting in intraclass correlation coefficients lower than those previously reported.ConclusionsDynamic visual acuity testing in soldiers who are healthy revealed no change in gaze stability after rapid yaw impulses and subclinical changes in pitch DVA after sleep deprivation. Findings suggest that DVA is not affected by short-term sleep deprivation under clinical conditions.
Differentiating minimum clinically important difference for primary and revision lumbar fusion surgeries
Authors: Carreon Leah Y. , Bratcher Kelly R. , Canan Chelsea E. , Burke Lauren O. , Djurasovic Mladen , Glassman Steven D. 
Published: November 2012

Object
Previous studies have reported on the minimum clinically important difference (MCID), a threshold of improvement that is clinically relevant for lumbar degenerative disorders. Recent studies have shown that pre- and postoperative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) measures vary among patients with different diagnostic etiologies. There is also concern that a patient's previous care experience may affect his or her perception of clinical improvement. This study determined if MCID values for the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), and back and leg pain are different between patients undergoing primary or revision lumbar fusion.

Methods
Prospectively collected preoperative and 1-year postoperative patient-reported HRQOLs, including the ODI, SF-36 physical component summary (PCS), and numeric rating scales (0–10) for back and leg pain, in patients undergoing lumbar spine fusion were analyzed. Patients were grouped into either the primary surgery or revision group. As the most widely accepted MCID values were calculated from the minimum detectable change, this method was used to determine the MCID.

Results
A total of 722 patients underwent primary procedures and 333 patients underwent revisions. There was no statistically significant difference in demographics between the groups. Each group had a statistically significant improvement at 1 year postoperatively compared with baseline. The minimum detectable change–derived MCID values for the primary group were 1.16 for back pain, 1.36 for leg pain, 12.40 for ODI, and 5.21 for SF-36 PCS. The MCID values for the revision group were 1.21 for back pain, 1.28 for leg pain, 11.79 for ODI, and 4.90 for SF-36 PCS. These values are very similar to those previously reported in the literature.

Conclusions
The MCID values were similar for the revision and primary lumbar fusion groups, even when subgroup analysis was done for different diagnostic etiologies, simplifying interpretation of clinical improvement. The results of this study further validate the use of patient-reported HRQOLs to measure clinical effectiveness, as a patient's previous experience with care does not seem to substantially alter an individual's perception of clinical improvement.
The effect of locked screw angulation on the biomechanical properties of the S.P.S. Free-Block plate
Authors: Merino M. K. A. , Ribeiro C. R. , Padovani C. R. , Rahal S. C. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryObjectives: Among the locked internal fixators is one denominated S.P.S. (Synthesis Pengo System) Free-Block, which was designed with a locking ring that allows the screw to be locked and positioned obliquely. Due to the paucity of biomechanical studies on this system, the present work aimed to evaluate the influence of locked screw angulation on the resistance of the S.P.S. Free-Block plate.Methods: Forty synthetic bone cylinders with 10 mm fracture gap were used. Forty seven-hole 3.5 mm stainless steel plates (two AO-like dynamic compression holes and five locked holes) were assembled according to the orientation of the locked screws: monocortical screws were positioned at 90° to the long axis of the cylinder (Group 1), and monocortical screws were positioned at 70° to its cylinder long axis (Group 2). In both groups, AO-like dynamic compression hole screws were positioned bicortically and neutrally. For each group, six specimens were tested until failure, three in bending and three in compression, to determine the loads for fatigue testing. Subsequently, for each group, 14 specimens were tested for failure - seven by bending and seven in compression.Results: No significant failure differences were observed between Groups 1 and 2 under static-loading or fatigue test.Clinical significance: In a fracture gap model the orientation of the locked monocortical screws did not show any influence on the mechanical performance of the S.P.S. Free-Block to tests of axial compression and four-point bending.
Synovial osteochondromatosis and sclerosing osteosarcoma in a cat
Authors: De Cock H. , Lemmens P. , Pool R. R. , Tas O. 
Published: November 2012

SummaryThe clinical, radiographic and histological features of synovial osteochondromatosis in multiple joints and an unrelated sclerosing osteosarcoma of the left tibia in a cat are reported. Radiographic evaluation showed signs of several nodular radiopacities in both stifles and both shoulders. Pathologic transverse fractures of the left tibia and fibula were also present. A midfemoral amputation of the left hindlimb was performed and treatment consisted of lifelong administration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Histological evaluation confirmed synovial osteochondromatosis of the left stifle and sclerosing osteosarcoma of the left tibia. This is the first report of a feline patient with bilateral synovial osteochondromatosis that describes the clinical, radiographic and histological aspects of this disease.
Ready to Face the Future: Brain Mechanisms for Cognitive Flexibility and Exploration
Authors: Charron Sylvain , Collette Sven 
Published: November 2012

Résumé Dans un environnement incertain et changeant, il est fondamental pour un organisme vivant de résoudre le compromis exploration/exploitation. Cette revue d’articles décrit comment une série d’études en neurosciences cognitives a associé le comportement exploratoire à certaines structures du cortex préfrontal humain, puis a identifié les mécanismes cérébraux impliqués dans l’adaptation du comportement par rapport aux altérations des récompenses et enfin a mis en évidence des limites fondamentales dans le traitement des informations au niveau préfrontal. Les expériences et les résultats que nous présentons peuvent particulièrement intéresser les économistes qui souhaitent comprendre comment les neurosciences cognitives identifient des processus clés à l’ œuvre dans le cerveau humain et façonnent notre compréhension de la prise de décision. Classification JEL : D87, D81, D83, C91.
Carabidae (Coleoptera) in Nova Scotia, Canada wild blueberry fields: prospects for biological control
Authors: Cutler G.C. , Renkema J.M. , Majka C.G. , Sproule J.M. 
Published: November 2012

AbstractThe Carabidae (Coleoptera) are a diverse family of beetles with almost 300 species identified in Nova Scotia, Canada. Carabid beetle communities have been studied in several agricultural systems, but not wild blueberries, an important crop in eastern Canada. In the interest of potentially developing conservation biological control programs in wild blueberry, we collected Carabidae in crop (fruit-bearing) and sprout (vegetative) blueberry fields in Nova Scotia in order to assess species diversity and abundance over space and time. Over 3200 specimens were collected, representing 51 species. A large portion of collected specimens (39%) were nonnative, and the most abundant species were generally predacious and synanthropic. Species diversity tended to be higher near forest edges than further into fields, but not for all abundant species. Several of the most prominent predators showed significant differences in preference of crop versus sprout fields, distribution throughout fields, and seasonable abundance. These findings have implications for conservation biological control efforts with carabid beetles against several insect pests in wild blueberry.
Facing global markets – usage changes in Western Amazonian plants: the example of Euterpe precatoria Mart. and E. oleracea Mart.
Authors: Bussmann Rainer W. , Paniagua Zambrana Narel Y. 
Published: November 2012

Palms (Arecaceae) are one of the most important families of useful plants, and indigenous societies have developed very distinct ways of utilizing this resource. The clonal <em>Euterpe oleracea </em>Mart. has long been used for the preparation of frothy beverages in the eastern Amazon, in particular by colonists and caboclos, but to a much lesser extent by the indigenous population. <em>Euterpe precatoria </em>Mart., which grows in the western Amazon, is traditionally reported as resource for construction and thatch, but not as important species in alimentation. Our recent work indicates that the use of both species has dramatically shifted in the recent past. Prices for <em>Euterpe </em>products have increased dramatically due to the global commodization first of palm hearts and “Açaí berry juice” as nutritional supplement. This is especially evident in western Amazonia: In Bolivia and Peru, where older indigenous informants mostly reported thatch and houseposts as regular use for <em>E. precatoria </em>and did not know <em>E. oleracea</em>. Younger informants most commonly reported to a large extent on <em>E. precatoria </em>being used for the production of palm hearts, but less for other, while the youngest informants in many cases only knew <em>E. precatoria </em>fruits as source of beverages, as commercial fruit, and as source for handicrafts, and indicated that <em>E. oleracea </em>was being introduced because the species yielded higher harvests. In addition, many mid-age and younger informants reported <em>Euterpe </em>sp. as medicinal species, a less frequently mentioned by older informants. The local mestizo population in contrast had a broader distributed knowledge with regard to “food” uses of <em>Euterpe </em>sp., and mentioned the species as source of construction material less frequently.
Association of partial adherence (PA) to antiretroviral therapy with hospitalizations and healthcare costs in an HIV population
Authors: Cohen C , Davis K , Meyers J 
Published: November 2012

PurposeOne intrinsic feature of once daily single tablet regimens (STR) in HIV treatment is to prevent missing part of a multi‐drug regimen (i.e., partial adherence [PA]). We explored the frequency of PA among HIV patients (pts) treated with multi‐pill protease inhibitor (PI), raltegravir (RAL), and non‐nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI) regimens and associations with hospitalizations and costs.MethodsWe analyzed healthcare claims from a US Medicaid population. Patients with an HIV diagnosis from 1/09 to 12/11 receiving complete ART (2 NRTIs plus a NNRTI, PI, or RAL) for ≥90 days as a STR or 2+ tablets daily were selected. Adherence and costs were observed from initiation until discontinuation of the entire regimen, switching third component classes, or database end. Adherence was reported as the percent of days (from pharmacy refill data) having a complete regimen, PA, or no medication. A logistic model assessed predictors of hospitalizations and a generalized linear model assessed healthcare costs with covariates for PA and complete non‐adherence (CNA), third component, demographics, and prior ART use.ResultsN=1,878 STR, 729 RAL, 3,556 PI, and 775 NNRTI pts. CNA was similar across cohorts: 14.3% (46.4 days[d]) for STR, 14.0% (40.8 d) for RAL, 15.5% (53.0 d) for PI, and 13.5% (51.7 d) for multi pill NNRTI regimens. PA was seen in 12.1% (39.7 d) for RAL, 6.9% (31.7 d) for NNRTI, and 6.6% (26.7 d) for PI regimens. Thus, pts on STR had the highest percent of days (85.7%) with complete adherence to their regimen, vs. pts on multi pill RAL (73.9%), PI (77.9%), and NNRTI (79.6%) regimens. Likelihood of hospitalization significantly increased with both PA and CNA. Compared to <10 days of PA, the risk of hospitalization significantly increased (all p<0.05) with degree of incomplete adherence. For 20–30 days, the odds ratio [OR] was 1.34 for PA, and 1.45 for CNA. The OR was 1.74 for PA and 2.00 for >50 days CNA. Adjusted monthly healthcare costs were significantly greater for patients who were partially adherent for >5% of days (mean [SD] $5,108 [$1,315]) vs. ≤5% of days ($3,602[$894]).ConclusionsPatients on multi pill PI, RAL, and NNRTI regimens had significantly lower complete adherence vs. STR users, mainly due to PA to a multi‐pill regimens. PA and CNA to multi‐pill PI, RAL, and NNRTI regimens are independently associated with a significant increase in hospitalizations and healthcare cost.