bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Novel global sensitivity analysis methodology accounting for the crucial role of the distribution of input parameters: application to systems biology models
Authors: Rodriguez‐Fernandez Maria , Banga Julio R. , Doyle Francis J. 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYThe reliability of model predictions is affected by multiple sources of uncertainty; therefore, most of the efforts for modeling biological systems include a sensitivity analysis step aiming to identify the key contributors to uncertainty. This generates insight about the robustness of the model to variations in environmental conditions, kinetic parameters, initial concentration of the species, or any other source of uncertainty. Local sensitivities measure the robustness of the model to small perturbations on the inputs around their nominal value. There are several numerical methods for the calculation of local sensitivities, but the calculated values should be identical within the numerical accuracy of the method used. In contrast, as will be shown in this contribution, the results of different global sensitivity analysis methods can be very different and highly dependent on the distribution considered for the inputs under evaluation. In this work, derivative‐based global sensitivities are extended to be able to consider an accurate probability density function for the parameters based on the likelihood function. This strategy enforces the areas of the parameter space most likely to reproduce the desired behavior, minimizing the importance of parameter sets with low probability of being optimal to dominate the sensitivity ranking. A model of a biochemical pathway with three enzymatic steps is used here to illustrate the performance of several relevant global sensitivity analysis methods considering different probability density functions for the parameters and revealing important hints about which method and distribution to choose for each type of model and purpose of the analysis. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TrustVis: visualizing trust toward attack identification in distributed computing environments
Authors: Peng Dichao , Chen Wei , Peng Qunsheng 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThe establishment of trust relations is recognized as an important approach to initiate cooperation between unfamiliar entities in distributed computing environments. Particularly, trust relations can play a key role to help nodes make decisions on service discoveries in wireless environments. Visualizing trust relations can help us understand and analyze the real‐time threats that the distributed system is facing and consequently identify the attacks in order to deploy corresponding countermeasures. The main challenges to visualize trust in such distributed environments are as follows: (i) visually reorganizing and presenting trust relations to show underlying cooperation between attackers; (ii) mapping attacker behaviors to visual patterns in an ambiguity‐free manner; (iii) properly organizing and encoding other contextual information to analyze how these factors play along with trust. In this paper, we introduce TrustVis, a tool that helps users visually analyze trust relations to identify attacks in a semi‐automatic fashion. In parallel with a running trust evaluation engine that actively monitors trust relations, TrustVis reorganizes and presents trust relations with a matrix to map the cooperative attack schemes to visual patterns. By coordinating the trust matrix and other contextual information into a multi‐faceted view, TrustVis incorporates the intelligence of domain experts to interactively monitor the networked system toward identifying both the attackers' identities and the adopted attack schemes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
On the performance of a rapid synchronization algorithm for IR‐UWB receivers
Authors: Hung Ho‐Lung , Hsu Hsi‐Chou , Shu Shiuan‐Lung , Wen Jyh‐Horng 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTBecause of the very low signal duty cycles, synchronization is the most critical issue in ultra wideband (UWB) impulse radio (IR) systems. Some effective synchronization schemes like a symbol‐differential (SD) IR‐UWB receiver have been proposed to synchronize received signals rapidly. Yet, SD IR‐UWB receiver is unsuitable for operation in multi‐user environment because of multiple access interference (MAI). By taking advantage of frame‐differential IR‐UWB receivers, we propose a parallel frame‐differential (PFD) IR‐UWB receiver to do so. Our proposed PFD IR‐UWB receiver manifests better immunity against message passing interface and MAI than the SD IR‐UWB. Based on this PFD IR‐UWB receiver, uncertain (search) regions are limited to one frame duration without any symbol‐level synchronization process. Performance of PFD and SD receivers are compared by computer simulations, showing that the proposed PFD receiver not only achieves significant bit error rate performance but also better and more robust results than the SD receiver in this literature. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Contrast‐enhanced intraoperative ultrasound for hepatocellular carcinoma: high sensitivity of diagnosis and therapeutic impact
Authors: Mitsunori Yusuke , Tanaka Shinji , Nakamura Noriaki , Ban Daisuke , Irie Takumi , Noguchi Norio , Kudo Atsushi , Iijima Hiroko , Arii Shigeki 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBackgroundPostoperative early recurrence is a crucial issue in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. Some early recurrences seem to occur from minute tumors which were overlooked during both preoperative and intraoperative investigations. Therefore, it is urgently necessary to increase detectability of minute HCCs during operation. If they could be detected and resected during surgery, the prognosis should be improved. The purpose of this study is to investigate the usefulness of contrast‐enhanced intraoperative ultrasound (CEIOUS) for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.MethodsInstitutional ethics committee approval and informed consent were obtained. Fifty‐two patients (mean age 65 years; 38 males and 14 females) who underwent liver resection with either preoperative computed tomography during angiography (CTA) or CEIOUS with Sonazoid (perflubutane microbubble contrast agent) were studied. We determined the presence of HCC on the basis of the histopathological findings of resected specimens.ResultsThe sensitivity of CEIOUS [97.6% (95% CI 91.8—99.4)] was higher than that of CTA [89.4% (95% CI 81.1—94.3)]. The positive predictive values of CEIOUS [91.2% (95% CI 83.6—95.5) and CTA [91.6% (95% CI 83.6—95.9)] were similar. Eight new HCCs from 7 patients, which accounted for 9.4% (8/85) of the total HCCs, were correctly detected and diagnosed by CEIOUS, and we performed an additional partial hepatectomy in 3 of these 7 patients.ConclusionsCEIOUS with Sonazoid provided increased sensitivity of detection of small HCCs compared with preoperative CTA, thereby leading to a more appropriate surgical procedure and contributing to complete tumor removal.
Highly Efficient Adsorption of Anionic Dyes from Aqueous Solutions Using Sawdust Modified by Cationic Surfactant of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide
Authors: Ansari Reza , Seyghali Babak , Mohammad‐khah Ali , Zanjanchi M. Ali 
Published: March 2012

AbstractIn the present study, the adsorption behavior of Congo Red (CR) dye from aqueous systems onto sawdust modified by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CH3(CH2)15N(CH3)3Br (CTAB) was attempted. Adsorption experiments were carried out using both batch and column modes under various operating conditions. The effects of some important parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and contact time were investigated. Treatment of the equilibrium data obtained in batch experiments was carried out using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. Based on the isotherm analysis, it was found that the adsorption of CR dye onto SD fits well to the Langmuir model and the adsorption pattern on CTAB modified sawdust (CTAB/SD) followed the Freundlich isotherm which is indicative of heterogeneity of the adsorption sites on the surfactant‐modified sawdust. The maximum adsorption capacity of SD and CTAB/SD were found to be 5.2 and 9.1 mg g−1, respectively, according to the Langmuir model. However, much higher differences in sorption capacities were observed for CTAB/SD and SD in the column system (66.73 mg g−1). In order to find out the possibility of the exhausted column for frequent use, a regeneration study was also carried out. It was found that the dye uploaded column can be easily regenerated with a high performance using ethanol as the washing solution.
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Acupuncture With Placebo Acupuncture for the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Authors: Yao Elisa , Gerritz Peter K. , Henricson Erik , Abresch Ted , Kim Jorge , Han Jay , Wang Kenten , Zhao Holly 
Published: March 2012

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of acupuncture for the treatment of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).DesignProspective, randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded study.SettingSingle‐center study.ParticipantsForty‐one acupuncture‐naïve adult subjects with mild to moderate CTS enrolled in the study. Thirty‐four subjects completed the study.MethodsClinical diagnosis of CTS was supported by electrodiagnostic findings. Subjects were randomly assigned to either (1) acupuncture (n = 21) or (2) placebo acupuncture (n = 20) with use of Streitberger placebo acupuncture needles. Both groups received weekly sessions of acupuncture for 6 weeks. Wrist braces were provided to both groups to wear at night, and compliance was monitored.Main Outcome MeasurementsThe primary outcome measurement was subject‐reported change in the Carpal Tunnel Self Assessment Questionnaire (CTSAQ) Symptom and Function scales immediately after and at 2 weeks and 3 months after the final treatment. The secondary outcomes included tip and key pinch strength and combined sensory index.ResultsCompared with pretreatment baseline values, subjects in the acupuncture group had 0.58 improvement (P = .03) on the CTSAQ Symptom scale score at 3 months after the last treatment, whereas 0.81 improvement (P = .001) was noted in the placebo acupuncture group. No statistically significant difference was found between the groups treated with acupuncture and placebo acupuncture with respect to improvement in CTS symptoms, function, tip/key pinch, or combined sensory index.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study is the first randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blinded prospective study of traditional acupuncture for CTS. Both the treatment and placebo groups demonstrated improvements from baseline. Acupuncture was not shown to be superior to placebo acupuncture when used in conjunction with bracing for patients with mild to moderate CTS.
Modelling lateral manoeuvres in fish
Authors: Singh K. , Pedley T. J. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractWe propose a method to model manoeuvres in self-propelled flexible-bodied fish by modelling the hydrodynamics coupled to the body inertia. Flexible body motion is prescribed and the equations of motion are solved for the position of the centre of mass and rotation of the body. The governing equations are formulated by applying the conservation of linear and angular momentum. Two independent methods to model the fluid dynamics are pursued: Model 1 is an extension of elongated-body theory, modified for self-propulsion and flexible motion. Model 2 applies a numerical boundary-element formulation with the fish modelled as an infinitely thin rectangular body. The manoeuvring response to an impulsive input is first examined to understand the rigid-body characteristics of the fish. A flexible bend action is included to model C-bends of the type observed during escapes in fish. Models 1 and 2 are used to cross-verify the respective implementations as well as to develop physical insights into manoeuvring. A parameter study shows that fish of intermediate body depths are best adapted to rapid turns whereas the initial dynamic state of the fish is instrumental in affecting the sign as well as the magnitude of the turn angle, for a prescribed bend deflection. Computations for combined swimming and turning show that the initial rigid-body dynamics of the fish is much more effective than the induced effect of the prior shed wake in enhancing the turning response.
Influence of sugar type on the bioavailability of cocoa flavanols
Authors: Rodriguez-Mateos Ana , Jose Oruna-Concha Maria , Kwik-Uribe Catherine , Vidal Alberto , Spencer Jeremy P. E. 
Published: March 2012

The beneficial effects of cocoa on vascular function are mediated by the absorption of monomeric flavanols into the circulation from the small intestine. As such, an understanding of the impact of the food matrix on the delivery of flavanols to the circulation is critical in assessing the potential vascular impact of a food. In the present study, we investigated the impact of carbohydrate type on flavanol absorption and metabolism from chocolate. A randomised, double-blind, three-arm cross-over study was conducted, where fifteen volunteers were randomly assigned to either a high-flavanol (266 mg) chocolate containing maltitol, a high-flavanol (251 mg) chocolate with sucrose or a low-flavanol (48 mg) chocolate with sucrose. Test chocolates were matched for micro- and macronutrients, including the alkaloids theobromine and caffeine, and were similar in taste and appearance. Total flavanol absorption was lower after consumption of the maltitol-containing test chocolate compared with following consumption of its sucrose-containing equivalent (P = 0·002). Although the O-methylation pattern observed for absorbed flavanols was unaffected by sugar type, individual levels of unmethylated ( − )-epicatechin metabolites, 3′-O-methyl-epicatechin and 4′-O-methyl-epicatechin metabolites were lower for the maltitol-containing test chocolate compared with the sucrose-containing equivalent. Despite a reduction in the total plasma pool of flavanols, the maximum time (Tmax) was unaffected. The present data indicate that full assessment of intervention treatments is vital in future intervention trials with flavanols and that carbohydrate content is an important determinant for the optimal delivery of flavanols to the circulation.
The measurement time required for determining total NH3 losses after field application of slurries by trail hoses
Authors: NI K. , PACHOLSKI A. , GERICKE D. , KAGE H. 
Published: March 2012

SUMMARYMonitoring ammonia (NH3) emission is time consuming and requires specialized measurement equipment. The measurement time can be reduced if there is a close relationship between time and subsequent cumulated NH3 emission values. A statistical analysis was employed to study the relationship between cumulative NH3 emissions over varying time intervals and final NH3 loss after 3 days of measurement. A large number of multi-plot field experiments on NH3 loss after the application of animal and biogas slurries by trail hoses to crops in Northern Germany were carried out from 2007 to 2010. Based on data from 2007, measured using a passive sampler method, a linear empirical model was developed to calculate final cumulated NH3 loss from intermediate cumulated losses. Linear model fitting showed that cumulative NH3 losses after 24 h were significantly correlated with final cumulated NH3 losses, explaining more than 0·98 of its variation. The linear coefficient was 1·34, implying that c. 0·73 of final NH3 loss occurred within the first 24 h. Validation by datasets obtained from another year (2008), two additional measurement methods and another agro-region (marsh area, 2009/10) resulted in a close agreement of model predictions with measured data within the range of model uncertainty and data variation. The results underpin the feasibility of calculating final NH3 losses from cumulative losses during first 24 h after slurry application and can be used to simplify NH3 loss measurement after the application of liquid slurries in multi-plot field experiments. The slope of the linear relationship is only valid for liquid slurries and the environmental conditions of the present study, which are typical for many agro-regions in north-western Europe, and will have to be adapted for different climatic conditions. A time-efficient measurement of emissions from solid organic fertilizers might require a different time span.
Dissipative instability under weak beam–plasma coupling
Authors: ROSTOMYAN EDUARD V. 
Published: March 2012

AbstractBeam–plasma interaction is investigated in a model of plasma microwave oscillator: waveguide with spatially separated plasma and beam layers of finite thicknesses. Investigation is carried out in general form without specifying shape of the waveguide in cross section. Approach is based on perturbation theory over wave coupling. Spatial separation implies weak beam–plasma interaction that exhibits many specific features. Developing instability is caused by the growth of the negative energy beam wave. It is shown that upon weak coupling presence, dissipation leads to a new type of dissipative beam instability. Its maximal growth rate is inversely proportional to collision frequency in plasma. The growth rate of this instability is obtained for an arbitrary level of dissipation. Basic parameters of instability show that its properties cannot be neglected upon design of high-power, high-frequency plasma-filled generators/amplifiers based on relativistic e-beams.
First-episode psychosis at the West Bologna Community Mental Health Centre: results of an 8-year prospective study
Authors: Tarricone I. , Mimmi S. , Paparelli A. , Rossi E. , Mori E. , Panigada S. , Carchia G. , Bandieri V. , Michetti R. , Minenna G. , Boydell J. , Morgan C. , Berardi D. 
Published: March 2012

BackgroundResearch mostly conducted in the UK and northern Europe has established that there are high rates of first-episode psychosis (FEP) in large cities and immigrant populations; moreover, psychosis has been found to be associated with cannabis use and early trauma. The present study aimed to evaluate the incidence rate of FEP and the distribution of several risk factors (e.g. age, ethnicity, substance abuse) in Bologna, Italy.MethodThe Bologna FEP (BoFEP) study is an 8-year prospective study. All FEP patients, 18–64 years old, consecutively referred to the West Bologna Community Mental Health Centre (CMHC) from 2002 to 2009 were evaluated. Sociodemographic information, migration history and clinical data were collected through an ad-hoc schedule. Psychiatric diagnoses were recorded using the Schedule for Clinical Assessment of Neuropsychiatry (SCAN).ResultsThe overall incidence rate (IR) in the BoFEP study was 16.4 per 100 000 person-years [95% confidence interval (CI) 13.9–18.9]. The incidence was higher in young people, men and migrants (MI).ConclusionsThe IR of FEP found by the Bologna study is lower than that found by other European studies. However, as in other studies, the incidence was higher in certain groups. This heterogeneity has implications for policy and mental health service development, and for understanding the aetiology of psychosis.
Language abilities of internationally adopted children from China during the early school years: Evidence for early age effects?
Authors: DELCENSERIE AUDREY , GENESEE FRED , GAUTHIER KARINE 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTWe assessed the language, cognitive, and socioemotional abilities of 27 internationally adopted children from China, adopted by French-speaking parents, 12 of whom had been assessed previously by Gauthier and Genesee. The children were on average 7 years, 10 months old and were matched to nonadopted monolingual French-speaking children on age, gender, and socioeconomic status. Although there were no significant differences between the groups with respect to socioemotional and cognitive development, the adoptees scored significantly lower than the controls on measures of receptive grammar, expressive vocabulary, word definitions, and sentence recall, findings that were similar to those reported by Gauthier and Genesee. Analyses of correlations between the adopted children's language test results and their age at adoption, length of exposure to the adoption language, health, and other developmental problems revealed relatively few significant associations. In contrast, analyses of the relationship between their language test scores and their performance on the recalling sentences subtest suggest a link between performance on these two tests. We speculate on the role that performance on sentence recall might play in mediating differences in language outcomes between the two groups of children.
Revisiting the phonological deficit in dyslexia: Are implicit nonorthographic representations impaired?
Authors: DICKIE CATHERINE , OTA MITSUHIKO , CLARK ANN 
Published: March 2012

ABSTRACTThis study investigates whether developmental dyslexia involves an impairment in implicit phonological representations, as distinct from orthographic representations and metaphonological skills. A group of adults with dyslexia was matched with a group with no history of speech/language/literacy impairment. Tasks varied in the demands made on (implicit) phonological representations versus metalinguistic analysis/manipulation, and controlled the contribution of phonological versus orthographic representations by including both a segmental and an equivalent suprasegmental (nonorthographic) version of each task. The findings show a dissociation between metaphonological skills and implicit phonological representations, with the dyslexic group impaired in metaphonological manipulation skills in both segmental and suprasegmental tasks, but not in implicit knowledge of phonological contrasts.
Results of balloon dilatation of stenotic homografts in pulmonary position in children and young adults
Authors: Bertels Robin A. , Dalinghaus Michiel , Witsenburg Maarten , Nijveld Aagje , Bogers Ad J. J. C. , Meijboom Folkert , van Oort Anton , Tanke Ronald 
Published: March 2012

AbstractObjectivesTo evaluate the results of balloon dilatation of stenotic homografts in children, adolescents, and young adults and to identify factors that might influence or predict the effect of the dilatation.BackgroundHomografts are widely used in congenital cardiac surgery; however, the longevity remains a problem mostly because of stenosis in the homograft. The effect of treatment by balloon dilatation is unclear.MethodsIn a retrospective study, the effect of balloon dilatation was determined by the percentage of reduction of the peak systolic pressure gradient over the homograft during catheterisation and the postponement of re-intervention or replacement of the homograft in months. Successful dilatations – defined in this study as a reduction of more than 33% and postponement of more than 18 months – were compared with unsuccessful dilatations in search of factors influencing or predicting the results.ResultsThe mean reduction of the peak systolic pressure gradient was 30% in 40 procedures. Re-intervention or replacement of the homograft was postponed by a mean of 19 months. In all, 14 balloon dilatations (35%) were successful; the mean reduction was 49% and the mean postponement was 34 months. The time since homograft implantation, the presence of calcification, the homograft/balloon ratio, and the pressure applied during dilatation all tended to correlate with outcome, but were not statistically significant.ConclusionsBalloon dilatation is able to reduce the peak systolic pressure gradient over homografts in a subgroup of patients and can be of clinical significance to postpone re-intervention or pulmonary valve replacement.