bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Patients’ values and preferences of the expected efficacy of hip arthroscopy for osteoarthritis: a protocol for a multinational structured interview-based study combined with a randomised survey on the optimal amount of information to elicit preferences
Authors: Zhang Yuqing , Tikkinen Kari A O , Agoritsas Thomas , Ayeni Olufemi R , Alexander Paul , Imam Maha , Yoo Daniel , Tsalatsanis Athanasios , Djulbegovic Benjamin , Thabane Lehana , Schünemann Holger , Guyatt Gordon H
Published: October 2014

Introduction

Symptomatic hip osteoarthritis (OA) is a disabling condition with up to a 25% cumulative lifetime risk. Total hip arthroplasty (THA) is effective in relieving patients’ symptoms and improving function. It is, however, associated with substantial risk of complications, pain and major functional limitation before patients can return to full function. In contrast, hip arthroscopy (HA) is less invasive and can postpone THA. However, there is no evidence regarding the delay in the need for THA that patients would find acceptable to undergoing HA. Knowing patients’ values and preferences (VP) on this expected delay is critical when making recommendations regarding the advisability of HA. Furthermore, little is known on the optimal amount of information regarding interventions and outcomes needed to present in order to optimally elicit patients’ VP.

Methods and analysis

We will perform a multinational, structured interview-based survey of preference in delay time for THA among patients with non-advanced OA who failed to respond to conservative therapy. We will combine these interviews with a randomised trial addressing the optimal amount of information regarding the interventions and outcomes required to elicit preferences. Eligible patients will be randomly assigned (1 : 1) to either a short or a long format of health scenarios of THA and HA. We will determine each patient's VP using a trade-off and anticipated regret exercises. Our primary outcomes for the combined surveys will be: (1) the minimal delay time in the need for THA surgery that patients would find acceptable to undertaking HA, (2) patients’ satisfaction with the amount of information provided in the health scenarios used to elicit their VPs.

Ethics and dissemination

The protocol has been approved by the Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Board (HIREB13-506). We will disseminate our study findings through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations, and make them available to guideline makers issuing recommendations addressing HA and THA.
Outcomes after endovascular treatment for anterior circulation stroke presenting as wake-up strokes are not different than those with witnessed onset beyond 8 hours
Authors: Aghaebrahim Amin , Leiva-Salinas Carlos , Jadhav Ashutosh P , Jankowitz Brian , Zaidi Syed , Jumaa Mouhammad , Urra Xabi , Amorim Edilberto , Zhu Guangming , Giurgiutiu Dan-Victor , Horev Anat , Reddy Vivek , Hammer Maxim , Wechsler Lawrence , Wintermark Max , Jovin Tudor
Published: October 2014

Objective

Previous studies have suggested that patients with wake-up stroke (WUS) may have superior outcomes compared with patients with a witnessed late time of onset after revascularization. We sought to test this hypothesis in patients with anterior circulation large vessel occlusion stroke (ACLVOS) treated with endovascular therapy beyond 8 h from time last seen well (TLSW).

Methods

A single center retrospective review of a prospectively acquired database of consecutive patients was performed to identify patients presenting beyond 8 h of TLSW with radiographic evidence of ACLVOS, small core, and large penumbra who subsequently underwent endovascular treatment.

Results

We identified 206 patients. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) patients with WUS (38%, n=78) and (2) patients with witnessed onset beyond 8 h (62%, n=128). The groups were similar in age, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score, TLSW to reperfusion, baseline infarct volume, and rate of successful recanalization. Rates of good outcome (modified Rankin Scale score of 0–2 at 90 days, 43% vs 50%, p=0.3), parenchymal hematoma (9% vs 5.5%, p=0.3), and final infarct volume (75.2 vs 61.4 mL, p=0.6) were comparable. Multivariate analysis identified age (OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.99, p<0.042), successful recanalization (OR 6.0, 95% CI 1.5 to 23.5, p=0.009), and final infarct volume (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.97 to 0.99, p<0.001) but not mode of presentation as predictors of favorable outcomes.

Conclusions

Rates of good outcomes, parenchymal hematoma, and final infarct volumes following endovascular treatment may not be different in patients with WUS compared with patients with witnessed onset of symptoms beyond 8 h.
Defining the identity of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Montelatici Elisa , Baluce Barbara , Ragni Enrico , Lavazza Cristiana , Parazzi Valentina , Mazzola Riccardo , Cantarella Giovanna , Brambilla Massimiliano , Giordano Rosaria , Lazzari Lorenza
Published: October 2014

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) are an ideal population for regenerative medical application. Both the isolation procedure and the culturing conditions are crucial steps, since low yield can limit further cell therapies, especially when minimal adipose tissue harvests are available for cell expansion. To date, a standardized procedure encompassing both isolation sites and expansion methods is missing, thus making the choice of the most appropriate conditions for the preparation of ADMSCs controversial, especially in view of the different applications needed. In this study, we compared the effects of three different commercial media (DMEM, aMEM, and EGM2), routinely used for ADMSCs expansion, and two supplements, FBS and human platelet lysate, recently proven to be an effective alternative to prevent xenogeneic antibody transfer and immune alloresponse in the host. Notably, all the conditions resulted in being safe for ADMSCs isolation and expansion with platelet lysate supplementation giving the highest isolation and proliferation rates, together with a commitment for osteogenic lineage. Then, we proved that the high ADMSC hematopoietic supportive potential is performed through a constant and abundant secretion of both GCSF and SCF. In conclusion, this study further expands the knowledge on ADMSCs, defining their identity definition and offers potential options for in vitro protocols for clinical production, especially related to HSC expansion without use of exogenous cytokines or genetic modifications.
Pinosylvin at a high concentration induces AMPK-mediated autophagy for preventing necrosis in bovine aortic endothelial cells
Authors: Park Jinsun , Pyee Jaeho , Park Heonyong
Published: October 2014

Pinosylvin is a known functional compound of the Pinus species. Pinosylvin at low concentrations (∼pmol/L) was reported to promote cell proliferation in endothelial cells. However, this study found that pinosylvin at a high concentration (100 μmol/L) induces cell death in bovine aortic endothelial cells. Therefore, we examined how pinosylvin was associated with apoptosis, autophagy, and necrosis. Pinosylvin at a high concentration appeared to promote caspase-3 activation, nuclear condensation, and the “flip-flop” of phosphatidylserine, indicating that pinosylvin induces apoptosis. However, based on flow cytometry data obtained from double-staining with annexin V and propidium iodide, pinosylvin was shown to inhibit necrosis, a postapoptotic process. Pinosylvin induced LC3 conversion from LC3-I to LC3-II and p62 degradation, which are important indicators of autophagy. In addition, AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) appeared to be activated by pinosylvin, and an AMPK inhibitor was markedly shown to reduce the LC3 conversion. The inhibitory effect of an AMPK inhibitor was reversed by pinosylvin. These results suggest that pinosylvin induces autophagy via AMPK activation. Further, necrosis was found to be promoted by an autophagy inhibitor and then restored by pinosylvin, while the caspase-3 inhibitor had no effect on necrosis. These findings indicate that pinosylvin-induced autophagy blocks necrotic progress in endothelial cells.
Abundance, biomass production, nutrient content, and the possible role of terrestrial salamanders in Missouri Ozark forest ecosystems
Authors: Semlitsch R.D. , O’Donnell K.M. , Thompson F.R.
Published: October 2014

The transfer of energy and nutrients largely depends on the role of animals in the movement of biomass between trophic levels and ecosystems. Despite the historical recognition that amphibians could play an important role in the movement of biomass and nutrients, very few studies have provided reliable estimates of abundance and density of amphibians to reveal their true importance. Here, we provide robust estimates of abundance and density of a dominant species, the Southern Redback Salamander (Plethodon serratus Grobman, 1944), in the oak forest ecosystem of the Ozark Highlands in Missouri. We then use the abundance and density estimates to calculate biomass and nutrient content of salamanders at our study sites in the Ozark forests. Salamanders at the Sinkin Experimental Forest comprise a large amount of protein, energy, and nutrients that greatly exceed estimates derived some 35 years ago in the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, New Hampshire. Our estimates (7 300 – 12 900 salamanders·ha−1) are 2–4 times greater than the values reported by Burton and Likens (1975a, Ecology, 56: 1068–1080; 1975b, Copeia, 1975: 541–546). Furthermore, we show that density estimates of other small plethodontid species reported in the literature are nearly an order of magnitude greater than that reported by Burton and Likens. We believe this indicates that previous results have underestimated the importance of salamander biomass, nutrient, and energy flux, and their functional role in regulating invertebrates and carbon retention in forest ecosystems.
Stochastic resonance of charge carrier diffusion in a nonhomogeneous medium in the presence of an harmonic external potential
Authors: Aragie Berhanu
Published: October 2014

The dynamics of charge carriers (electrons) hopping through a nonhomogeneous medium in semiconductor layer is investigated by changing a thermal noise of strength D and an external harmonic potential V(x). The nonhomogeneous medium exhibits denser trap distribution around the center, which biases the electrons to therein concentrate. Applying also a monostable potential at the center further enhances the accumulation of electrons. However, by applying a nonhomogeneous hot temperature in the vicinity of the potential minimum forced the electrons to diffuse away from the center and redistribute around two points. Thermally activated rate of hopping and diffusion of electrons in a nonhomogeneous medium, as a function of model parameters, is also considered in the high barrier limit. Using two states approximation, I have also studied the stochastic resonance (SR) of the electrons dynamics in the presence of a time-varying signal. I found a strong spectral amplification η and lower temperature occurrence of its peak as compared to previous works [M. Asfaw, B. Aragie and M. Bekele, Eur. Phys. J. B 79, 371 (2011); B. Aragie, Y. B. Tateka and M. Bekele, Eur. Phys. J. B 87, 101 (2014)].
Structural determination and physical properties of 4d transitional metal diborides by first-principles calculations
Authors: Ying Chun , Zhao Erjun , Lin Lin , Hou Qingyu
Published: October 2014

The structural determination, thermodynamic, mechanical, dynamic and electronic properties of 4d transitional metal diborides MB2( M = Y – Ag ) are systematically investigated by first-principles within the density functional theory (DFT). For each diboride, five structures are considered, i.e. AlB2-, ReB2-, OsB2-, MoB2- and WB2-type structures. The calculated lattice parameters are in good agreement with the previously theoretical and experimental studies. The formation enthalpy increases from YB2to AgB2in AlB2-type structure (similar to MoB2- and WB2-type). While the formation enthalpy decreases from YB2to MoB2, reached minimum value to TcB2, and then increases gradually in ReB2-type structure (similar to OsB2-type), which is consistent with the results of the calculated density of states. The structural stability of these materials relates mainly on electronegative of metals, boron structure and bond characters. Among the considered structures, TcB2– ReB2( TcB2– ReB2represents TcB2in ReB2-type structure, the same hereinafter) has the largest shear modulus (248 GPa), and is the hardest compound. The number of electrons transferred from metals to boron atoms and the calculated densities of states (DOS) indicate that each diboride is a complex mixture of metallic, ionic and covalent characteristics. Trends are discussed.
Upconversion emission properties of CeO2: Tm3+, Yb3+ inverse opal photonic crystals
Authors: Cheng Gong , Wu Hangjun , Yang Zhengwen , Liao Jiayan , Lai Shenfeng , Qiu Jianbei , Song Zhiguo
Published: October 2014

The ordered and disordered templates were assembled by vertical deposition of polystyrene microspheres. The CeO 2: Tm 3+, Yb 3+ precursor solution was used to infiltrate into the voids of the ordered and disordered templates, respectively. Then the ordered and disordered templates were calcined at 950°C in an air furnace, and the CeO 2: Tm 3+, Yb 3+ inverse opals were obtained. The upconversion emissions from CeO 2: Tm 3+, Yb 3+ inverse opals were suppressed due to the photon trapping caused by Bragg reflection of lattice planes when the upconversion emission band was in the range of the photonic band gaps in the inverse opals.
Learning Planning Domain Descriptions in RDDL
Authors: Rao Dongning , Jiang Zhihua
Published: October 2014

Recently, there is increasing interest in action model learning. However, most previous studies focused on learning effect-based action models. On the other hand, a rule-based planning domain description language was proposed in the latest planning competition. That is the Relational Dynamic Influence Diagram Language (RDDL). It uses rules to describe transitions instead of action models. In this paper, we build a system to learn planning domain descriptions in the RDDL. There are three major parts of an RDDL domain description: constraints, transitions and rewards. We first take advantage of the finite state machine analysis to identify constraints. Then, we employ the inductive learning technique to learn transitions. At last, we use regression to fix rewards. The evaluation was performed on benchmarks from planning competitions. It showed that our system can learn domain descriptions in the RDDL with low error rates. Moreover, our system is developed based on classical approaches. It implicates that the RDDL roots in previous planning languages. Therefore, more classical approaches could be useful in the RDDL domains.
Semi-Supervised Outlier Detection with Only Positive and Unlabeled Data Based on Fuzzy Clustering
Authors: Daneshpazhouh Armin , Sami Ashkan
Published: October 2014

The task of semi-supervised outlier detection is to find the instances that are exceptional from other data, using some labeled examples. In many applications such as fraud detection and intrusion detection, this issue becomes more important. Most existing techniques are unsupervised. On the other hand, semi-supervised approaches use both negative and positive instances to detect outliers. However, in many real world applications, very few positive labeled examples are available. This paper proposes an innovative approach to address this problem. The proposed method works as follows. First, some reliable negative instances are extracted by a kNN-based algorithm. Afterwards, fuzzy clustering using both negative and positive examples is utilized to detect outliers. Experimental results on real data sets demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the previous unsupervised state-of-the-art methods in detecting outliers.
On a conjecture by Griffiths and Harris concerning certain Noether–Lefschetz loci
Authors: Dan Ananyo
Published: October 2014

For any integer d ≥ 5, the Noether–Lefschetz locus, denoted NL d, parametrizes smooth degree d surfaces in ℙ3 with Picard number at least 2. It is well-known (due to works of Voisin, Green and others) that the largest irreducible component of NL d is of codimension (in the space of all smooth surfaces in ℙ3 of degree d) equal to d-3 and parametrizes surfaces containing a line. In this article we study for an integer 3 ≤ r < d, the sub-locus of NL d, denoted NL r,d, parametrizing surfaces with Picard number at least r. A conjecture of Griffiths and Harris states the largest component of NL r,d is of codimension [Formula: see text] and the irreducible component of NL r,d parametrizing the surfaces containing r - 1 coplanar lines is of this codimension. We prove this statement in the case r ≪ d.
Groundstates of nonlinear Choquard equations: Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev critical exponent
Authors: Moroz Vitaly , Van Schaftingen Jean
Published: October 2014

We consider nonlinear Choquard equation [Formula: see text] where N ≥ 3, V ∈ L∞(ℝN) is an external potential and Iα(x) is the Riesz potential of order α ∈ (0, N). The power [Formula: see text] in the nonlocal part of the equation is critical with respect to the Hardy–Littlewood–Sobolev inequality. As a consequence, in the associated minimization problem a loss of compactness may occur. We prove that if [Formula: see text] then the equation has a nontrivial solution. We also discuss some necessary conditions for the existence of a solution. Our considerations are based on a concentration compactness argument and a nonlocal version of Brezis–Lieb lemma.
Outdoor Noise Pollution Mapping Case Study: A District of Tehran
Authors: Monazzam Mohammad Reza , Karimi Elham , Nassiri Parvin , Taghavi Lobat , Karbalaei Samaneh
Published: October 2014

The main objective of this study was to investigate the noise levels at different land uses of District 14 in Tehran. For this purpose, a total number of 91 sampling stations were selected. Afterwards, the equivalent sound pressure level in each station was measured at three occasions of morning (7–9 am), noon (12–3 pm), and evening (5–8 pm). Based on the conformability requirement of each land uses, noise levels was divided in three zones wherein the land uses are exposed to different noise levels was estimated. The obtained results indicated that 8.79% of 78 land uses (residential, recreational and medical) in the Zone 1 were exposed to acceptable range of sound pressure level while the rest suffers from unacceptable noise levels. Among 10 land uses of Zone 2 (commercial–residential), 2.19% were within the acceptable range and 8.78% were in unacceptable range. None of the three land uses in Zone 3 were within the acceptable range. Accordingly, the Zone 3 was recognized to be in a critical condition. In other words, about 88.99% of the total and uses in the Zone 3 is exposed to unaccepted able noise level. Comparing with the standard equivalent sound pressure level of 55 dB(A) presented, the residential land use with the equivalent sound pressure level of 19.27 dB(A) accounted for the highest standard deviation. This is due to proximity of most of the residential areas to the crowded highways and streets.
A remark on bigness of the tangent bundle of a smooth projective variety and D-simplicity of its section rings
Authors: Hsiao Jen-Chieh
Published: October 2014

We point out a connection between bigness of the tangent bundle of a smooth projective variety X over ℂ and simplicity of the section rings of X as modules over their rings of differential operators. As a consequence, we see that the tangent bundle of a smooth projective toric variety or a (partial) flag variety is big. Some other applications and related questions are discussed.
Artinian graded generalized local cohomology
Authors: Zamani Naser , Khojali Ahmad
Published: October 2014

Let R = ⨁j≥0 Rj be a homogeneous Noetherian ring with irrelevant ideal R+ = ⨁j≥1 Rj. Let M, N be two finitely generated graded R-modules. Several results on the Artinianness, tameness and asymptotic property of the graded R-modules [Formula: see text] will be investigated.
Co-2-absorbing preradicals and submodules
Authors: Darani Ahmad Yousefian , Mostafanasab Hojjat
Published: October 2014

In this paper, we define the concept of "co-2-absorbing" for preradicals and submodules. Also, we investigate the relationship between co-2-absorbing preradicals and co-2-absorbing submodules.
Appropriation Instruments and Innovation Activities: Evidence from Tunisian Firms
Authors: Kammoun Olfa , Rahmouni Mohieddine
Published: October 2014

This paper documents the relationship between appropriation instruments and the innovation activity in Tunisia. It focuses on the factors that determine the appropriation of innovation activities like the value of sales of the firms, networking, science–industry linkage, competitive pressure and demand pull. To this end, we suggest an econometric analysis of 586 Tunisian firms using simple and bivariate logit regressions. We find significant interaction effects between appropriability and R&D activity. The results confirm that patenting is primarily driven by firm-level factors, not by industry affiliation. Access to external knowledge and firm's specific characteristics are the most linked factors to the innovation protection. Firms that use appropriation instruments have a higher probability of investing in R&D than others. Indeed, the capacity to integrate external knowledge and performing R&D (networking, science–industry linkage, cooperation with other firms, belonging to a group) is related to the use of appropriation instruments. We find that appropriation instruments have a significant effect on product innovation. The effect on process innovation is not significant for Tunisian firms.
UNCERTAINTY ANALYSIS OF A ONE-DIMENSIONAL CONSTITUTIVE MODEL FOR SHAPE MEMORY ALLOY THERMOMECHANICAL DESCRIPTION
Authors: OLIVEIRA SERGIO A. , SAVI MARCELO A. , SANTOS ILMAR F.
Published: October 2014

The use of shape memory alloys (SMAs) in engineering applications has increased the interest of the accuracy analysis of their thermomechanical description. This work presents an uncertainty analysis related to experimental tensile tests conducted with shape memory alloy wires. Experimental data are compared with numerical simulations obtained from a constitutive model with internal constraints employed to describe the thermomechanical behavior of SMAs. The idea is to evaluate if the numerical simulations are within the uncertainty range of the experimental data. Parametric analysis is also developed showing the most sensitive constitutive parameters that contribute to the uncertainty. This analysis provides the contribution of each parameter establishing the accuracy of the constitutive equations.
CRACK ANALYSIS IN ORTHOTROPIC MEDIA USING COMBINATION OF ISOGEOMETRIC ANALYSIS AND EXTENDED FINITE ELEMENT
Authors: SHOJAEE S. , ASGHARZADEH M. , HAERI A.
Published: October 2014

The main contribution of this paper is to propose an IGA formulation to model stationary cracks within orthotropic media by combination of XFEM enrichment functions and level set functions. For modeling cracks in solution field crack face and crack tips are considered separately and the control points that are related to each part are enriched with different approaches. The control points related with the crack face are enriched using the Heaviside enrichment functions. Level set functions are used to distinguish the control points correspond to crack tips and crack face. Stress intensity factors are employed to compare the results of XIGA with other methods. Several numerical examples considering crack inclination angle and material orientation axis are solved to verify the XIGA formulation. The results fairly conform to available methods, however less DOFs are used in XIGA.
SPONTANEOUS NONEQUILIBRIUM CONDENSATION IN SUPERSONIC JETS IMPINGING ON CAVITY
Authors: ALAM M. M. A. , SETOGUCHI T. , KIM H. D.
Published: October 2014

Spontaneous condensation of moist air in supersonic jets is of considerable interest in a variety of natural and industrial processes. During impingement of supersonic moist air jets, the nonequilibrium homogeneous condensation can be experienced at the region between downstream of nozzle exit and an obstacle. The subsequent release of latent heat thus results in a deceleration of the flow and a rise in pressure, known traditionally as the condensation shock; likely have strong effect on the flow features. The present paper reported of the effect of spontaneous nonequilibrium homogeneous condensation of moist air on the aerodynamic and oscillatory flow features of supersonic jets impinging on cavity. A total variation diminishing (TVD) scheme was used to solve the time dependent Favre averaged Navier–Stokes equations, and the droplet growth equation of liquid phase production for simulating the condensing jets. Both qualitative and quantitative validations of the numerical model were accomplished, and the results showed a good agreement between the computed results and experimental data. Predicted flow and oscillatory features of jets were presented.
KINETICS OF SWELLABLE PACKERS UNDER DOWNHOLE CONDITIONS
Authors: LOU YUCUN , CHESTER SHAWN
Published: October 2014

Swellable packers have been widely employed in various oil-field applications. Examples include zonal-isolation, water shut-off, and multi-stage fracturing. Key factors required for these applications are how fast the packer can seal the borehole as well as how fast a certain amount of contact pressure can build up. These factors, which are generally measured from full-scale packer tests, can be estimated through numerical simulations together with lab-scale experiments. In this work, we have developed a three-dimensional continuum level model and simulation capability to study the behavior of swellable packers affected by various downhole conditions. Such conditions include the borehole type, i.e., permeable or non-permeable borehole, and downhole uncertainties, i.e., variations of borehole size and borehole temperature, which are studied systematically through numerical simulations.
DYNAMIC INSTABILITY OF COMPOSITE SKEW PLATES USING BOUNDARY CHARACTERISTIC ORTHOGONAL POLYNOMIALS
Authors: KUMAR ABHINAV , PANDA S. K. , KUMAR RAJESH
Published: October 2014

Dynamic instability analysis of laminated composite skew plate for different skew angles subjected to different type of linearly varying in-plane loadings is investigated. The analysis also includes the instability of skew plate under uniform bi-axial in-plane loading. The skew plate structural model is based on higher order shear deformation theory (HSDT), which accurately predicts the numerical results for thick skew plate. The total energy functional is derived for the skew plates from total potential energy and kinetic energy of the plate. The strain energy which is the part of total potential energy contains membrane energy, bending energy, additional bending energy due to additional change in curvature and shear energy due to shear deformation, respectively. The total energy functional is mapped into a square plate over which a set of orthonormal polynomials satisfying the essential boundary conditions is generated by Gram–Schmidt orthogonalization process. Different boundary conditions of skew plate have been correctly incorporated by using Rayleigh–Ritz method in conjunction with Boundary Characteristics Orthonormal Polynomials (BCOPs). The boundaries of dynamic instability regions are traced by the periodic solution of governing differential equations (Mathieu type equations) with period T and 2T. The width of instability region for uniform loading is higher than various types of linearly varying loadings (keeping the same peak intensity). Effect of various parameters like skew angle, aspect ratio, span-to-thickness ratio, boundary conditions and static load factor on dynamic instability has been investigated.
AN INNOVATIVE SOLUTION IN CLOSED FORM AND NUMERICAL ANALYSIS FOR DISSIMILAR ELLIPTICAL INCLUSION IN PLANE ELASTICITY
Authors: CHEN Y. Z.
Published: October 2014

This paper provides a closed form solution for dissimilar elliptical inclusion in plane elasticity. A dissimilar elliptical inclusion is embedded in the infinite matrix with different elastic properties. The infinite matrix is applied by the constant remote loading. Complex variable method is used and two sets of the complex potentials are assumed in the analysis. One set is used for the matrix portion, and other for the inclusion portion. Catching the idea from the eigenstrain problem, we can assume the stresses in the inclusion to be constant. From the continuity conditions for stresses and displacements along the interface, we can get the two sets of the complex potentials in a closed form. In the analysis, an adequate form of the complex potential defined in the elliptical inclusion portion is analyzed in detail.
Turing instability in a diffusive SIS epidemiological model
Authors: Aly Shaban , Khenous Houari B. , Hussien Fatma
Published: October 2014

Modeling and simulation of infectious diseases help to predict the likely outcome of an epidemic. In this paper, a spatial susceptible-infective-susceptible (SIS) type of epidemiological disease model with self- and cross-diffusion are investigated. We study the effect of diffusion on the stability of the endemic equilibrium with disease-induced mortality and nonlinear incidence rate. In the absence of diffusion the stationary solution stays stable but becomes unstable with respect to diffusion and that Turing instability takes place. We show that a standard (self-diffusion) system may be either stable or unstable, cross-diffusion response can stabilize an unstable standard system or decrease a Turing space (the space which the emergence of spatial patterns is holding) compared to the Turing space with self-diffusion, i.e. the cross-diffusion response is an important factor that should not be ignored when pattern emerges. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate and extend the theoretical results.
The source of Proterozoic anorthosite and rapakivi granite magmatism: evidence from combined
in situ
Hf–O isotopes of zircon in the Ahvenisto complex, southeastern Finland
Authors: Heinonen Aku , Andersen Tom , Rämö O. Tapani , Whitehouse Martin
Published: October 2014

The isotope compositions of massif-type anorthosites in Proterozoic anorthosite–mangerite–charnockite–granite (AMCG) complexes are commonly dominated by crustal values. Olivine-bearing anorthositic rocks in several AMCG suites have, however, been shown to display juvenile character, suggesting that variably depleted mantle reservoirs were involved in their genesis. A coupled
in situ
zircon Hf–O isotope dataset from the 1.64 Ga Ahvenisto AMCG complex in the 1.54–1.65 Ga Fennoscandian rapakivi granite–massif-type anorthosite province reveals correlated juvenile isotope signals (δ
18
O
zrn
= 5.4–6.6‰; initial ϵ
Hf
= −1.1 to +3.4) in the most primitive gabbroic rock type of the suite suggesting a depleted mantle origin for the anorthositic rocks. This signal is not as prominent in the more evolved co-magmatic anorthositic rocks (δ
18
O
zrn
= 6.3–7.8‰; initial ϵ
Hf
= −0.8 to +2.0), most probably owing to contamination of the mantle-derived primary magma by crustal material. A rapakivi granite associated with the anorthositic rocks has different isotope composition (δ
18
O
zrn
= 7.4–8.6‰; initial ϵ
Hf
= −2.1 to +0.5) that points to a crustal source.

Supplementary material:

Full analytical results and details and SEM images of the analysed grains with spatial information on both methods are available at:
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18780
.
The First Direct Observation of Double-Beta Decay
Authors: Moe Michael
Published: October 2014

The possibility of double-beta (ββ) decay was recognized in the mid 1930s, and by 1939 something of its potential to reveal fundamental properties of the neutrino was known as well. But experimental observation of the phenomenon was out of reach. Despite numerous attempts over the next 30 years, and strong suggestions of its existence from geochemical experiments, ββ decay had not been observed to occur in the laboratory. Our group at UC Irvine took up the search in the early 1970s, first with a cloud chamber and then with a time-projection chamber. The following narrative traces a discovery process that unfolded over the ensuing 15 years—a sequence of setbacks and false starts punctuated by occasional victories and, ultimately, by a definitive laboratory observation of two-neutrino ββ decay, in August 1987.
Hadron Polarizabilities
Authors: Holstein Barry R. , Scherer Stefan
Published: October 2014

Electromagnetic polarizabilities describe the response of a system to the application of an external quasi-static electric or magnetic field. In this article, we examine experimental and theoretical work addressing the polarizabilities of the light hadrons.
Regulation of translation by upstream translation initiation codons of surfactant protein A1 splice variants
Authors: Tsotakos Nikolaos , Silveyra Patricia , Lin Zhenwu , Thomas Neal , Vaid Mudit , Floros Joanna
Published: October 2014

Surfactant protein A (SP-A), a molecule with roles in lung innate immunity and surfactant-related functions, is encoded by two genes in humans: SFTPA1 (SP-A1) and SFTPA2 (SP-A2). The mRNAs from these genes differ in their 5′-untranslated regions (5′-UTR) due to differential splicing. The 5′-UTR variant ACD′ is exclusively found in transcripts of SP-A1, but not in those of SP-A2. Its unique exon C contains two upstream AUG codons (uAUGs) that may affect SP-A1 translation efficiency. The first uAUG (u1) is in frame with the primary start codon (p), but the second one (u2) is not. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of uAUGs on SP-A1 expression. We employed RT-qPCR to determine the presence of exon C-containing SP-A1 transcripts in human RNA samples. We also used in vitro techniques including mutagenesis, reporter assays, and toeprinting analysis, as well as in silico analyses to determine the role of uAUGs. Exon C-containing mRNA is present in most human lung tissue samples and its expression can, under certain conditions, be regulated by factors such as dexamethasone or endotoxin. Mutating uAUGs resulted in increased luciferase activity. The mature protein size was not affected by the uAUGs, as shown by a combination of toeprint and in silico analysis for Kozak sequence, secondary structure, and signal peptide and in vitro translation in the presence of microsomes. In conclusion, alternative splicing may introduce uAUGs in SP-A1 transcripts, which in turn negatively affect SP-A1 translation, possibly affecting SP-A1/SP-A2 ratio, with potential for clinical implication.
BAY 61-3606, CDKi, and Sodium Butyrate Treatments Modulate p53 Protein Level and Its Site-Specific Phosphorylation in Human Vestibular Schwannomas In Vitro
Authors: Mitra Rohan , Keshava Rohini , Jothi Mathivanan , Vazhayil Vikas , Bhagavatula Indira Devi , Gope Rajalakshmi
Published: October 2014

This study is done to evaluate the effect of spleen tyrosine kinase inhibitor (BAY 61-3606), cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor (CDKi), and sodium butyrate (Na-Bu) on the level and phosphorylation of p53 protein and its binding to murine double minute 2 (MDM2) homologue in human vestibular schwannomas (VS). Primary cultures of the tumor tissues were treated individually with optimum concentrations of these small molecules in vitro. The results indicate modulation of p53 protein status and its binding ability to MDM2 in treated samples as compared to the untreated control. The three individual treatments reduced the level of total p53 protein. These treatments also decreased Ser392 and Ser15 phosphorylated p53 in tumor samples of young patients and Ser315 phosphorylated p53 in old patients. Basal level of Thr55 phosphorylated p53 protein was present in all VS samples and it remained unchanged after treatments. The p53 protein from untreated VS samples showed reduced affinity to MDM2 binding in vitro and it increased significantly after treatments. The MDM2/p53 ratio increased approximately 3-fold in the treated VS tumor samples as compared to the control. The differential p53 protein phosphorylation status perhaps could play an important role in VS tumor cell death due to these treatments that we reported previously.
Pattern of Blood Stream Infections within Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Suez Canal University Hospital, Ismailia, Egypt
Authors: Kishk Rania Mohammed , Mandour Mohamed Fouad , Farghaly Rasha Mohamed , Ibrahim Ahmed , Nemr Nader Attia
Published: October 2014

Introduction.Blood stream infection (BSI) is a common problem of newborn in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Monitoring neonatal infections is increasingly regarded as an important contributor to safe and high-quality healthcare. It results in high mortality rate and serious complications. So, our aim was to determine the incidence and the pattern of BSIs in the NICU of Suez Canal University Hospital, Egypt, and to determine its impact on hospitalization, mortality, and morbidity.Methods.This study was a prospective one in which all neonates admitted to the NICUs in Suez Canal University hospital between January, 2013 and June 2013 were enrolled. Blood stream infections were monitored prospectively. The health care associated infection rate, mortality rate, causative organism, and risk factors were studied.Results.A total of 317 neonates were admitted to the NICU with a mortality rate of 36.0%. During this study period, 115/317 (36.3%) developed clinical signs of sepsis and were confirmed as BSIs by blood culture in only 90 neonates with 97 isolates. The total mean length of stay was significantly longer among infected than noninfected neonates (34.5 ± 18.3 and 10.8 ± 9.9 days, resp.,Pvalue < 0.001). The overall mortality rates among infected and noninfected neonates were 38.9% and 34.8%, respectively, with a significant difference.Klebsiellaspp. were the most common pathogen (27.8%) followed byPseudomonas(21.6%) andStaphylococcus aureus(15.4%).Conclusion.The rate of BSIs in NICU at Suez Canal University Hospital was relatively high with high mortality rate (36.0%).
Multiscale Probability Transformation of Basic Probability Assignment
Authors: Li Meizhu , Lu Xi , Zhang Qi , Deng Yong
Published: October 2014

Decision making is still an open issue in the application of Dempster‐Shafer evidence theory. A lot of works have been presented for it. In the transferable belief model (TBM), pignistic probabilities based on the basic probability assignments are used for decision making. In this paper, multiscale probability transformation of basic probability assignment based on the belief function and the plausibility function is proposed, which is a generalization of the pignistic probability transformation. In the multiscale probability function, a factor q based on the Tsallis entropy is used to make the multiscale probabilities diversified. An example showing that the multiscale probability transformation is more reasonable in the decision making is given.
Rapid Urban Expansion and Its Implications on Geomorphology: A Remote Sensing and GIS Based Study
Authors: Mohapatra S. N. , Pani Padmini , Sharma Monika
Published: October 2014

Topography, vegetation, climate, water table, and even the anthropogenic activities all are affected by urban growth through diverse mechanisms. The present study focuses on the implications of urban expansion on geomorphology in the historical city of Gwalior in central India. The expansion of urban area has been quantified by deriving data for four decades (1972–2013) from the Landsat images. The results show that the urban built-up area has increased by 08.48 sq. km during the first eighteen years (1972–1990) which has increased to 16.28 sq. km during the next sixteen years (1990–2006). The built-up area has gone up to 23.19 sq. km in the next seven years (2006–2013). Overall during the last 40 years the growth of the urban built-up is nearly three times of the built-up areas in 1972. The average decadal growth rate of population is 27.28 percent while that of built-up land is 36.29 percent. The construction activities have affected important geomorphic features such pediplain, buried pediplain, residual hills, and denudational hills. It was concluded that, instead of shortsighted urban development, proper measures should be taken in accordance with scientific planning for the urban expansion of the city in the future.
Structural Conformational Study of Eugenol Derivatives Using Semiempirical Methods
Authors: Mahboub Radia
Published: October 2014

We investigated the conformational structure of eugenol and eugenyl acetate under torsional angle effect by performing semiempirical calculations using AM1 and PM3 methods. From these calculations, we have evaluated the strain energy of conformational interconversion. To provide a better estimate of stable conformations, we have plotted the strain energy versus dihedral angle. So, we have determined five geometries of eugenol (three energy minima and two transition states) and three geometries of eugenyl acetate (two energy minima and one transition state). From the molecular orbital calculations, we deduce that the optimized trans form by AM1 method is more reactive than under PM3 method. We can conclude that both methods are efficient. The AM1 method allows us to determine the reactivity and PM3 method to verify the stability.
Prenatal Diagnosis of a Fetus with Ring Chromosomal 15 by Two- and Three-Dimensional Ultrasonography
Authors: Britto Ingrid Schwach Werneck , Regina Silva Herbest Sandra , Tedesco Giselle Darahem , Drummond Carolina Leite , Bussamra Luiz Claudio Silva , Araujo Júnior Edward , Ruano Rodrigo , Ruano Simone Hernandez , Aldrighi José Mendes
Published: October 2014

We report on a prenatal diagnosis of ring chromosome 15 in a fetus with left congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) and severe intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR). A 31-year-old woman, gravida 2 para 1, was referred because of increased nuchal translucency at gestational age of 13 weeks. Comprehensive fetal ultrasound examination was performed at 19 weeks revealing an early onset IUGR, left CDH with liver herniation, and hypoplastic nasal bone. Three-dimensional ultrasound (rendering mode) showed low set ears and depressed nasal bridge. Amniocentesis was performed with a result of a 46,XX,r(15) fetus after a cytogenetic study. A 1,430 g infant (less than third percentile) was born at 36 weeks. The infant presented with respiratory failure and died at 2 h of life. Postnatal karyotype from the umbilical cord confirmed the diagnosis of 15-ring chromosome. We described the main prenatal 2D- and 3D-ultrasound findings associated with ring chromosome 15. The interest in reporting the present case is that CDH can be associated with the diagnosis of 15-ring chromosome because the critical location of the normal diaphragm development is at chromosome 15q26.1-q26.2.
The Relationship between Alexithymia, Anxiety, Depression, and Internet Addiction Severity in a Sample of Italian High School Students
Authors: Scimeca Giuseppe , Bruno Antonio , Cava Lucia , Pandolfo Gianluca , Muscatello Maria Rosaria Anna , Zoccali Rocco
Published: October 2014

We aimed to assess whether Internet addiction (IA) severity was related to alexithymia scores among high school students, taking into account the role of gender differences and the possible effect of anxiety, depression, and age. Participants in the study were 600 students (ages ranging from 13 to 22; 48.16% girls) recruited from three high schools in two cities from Southern Italy. Participants completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Internet Addiction Test, the Hamilton Anxiety Scale, and the Hamilton Depression Scale. The findings of the study showed that IA scores were associated with alexithymia scores, over and above the effect of negative emotions and age. Students with pathological levels of alexithymia reported higher scores on IA severity. In particular, results showed that difficulty in identifying feelings was significantly associated with higher scores on IA severity. No effect of gender was found. Implications for clinicians were discussed.
Rotating Dilaton Black Strings Coupled to Exponential Nonlinear Electrodynamics
Authors: Sheykhi Ahmad
Published: October 2014

We construct a new class of charged rotating black string solutions coupled to dilaton and exponential nonlinear electrodynamic fields with cylindrical or toroidal horizons in the presence of a Liouville-type potential for the dilaton field. Due to the presence of the dilaton field, the asymptotic behaviors of these solutions are neither flat nor (A)dS. We analyze the physical properties of the solutions in detail. We compute the conserved and thermodynamic quantities of the solutions and verify the first law of thermodynamics on the black string horizon. When the nonlinear parameterβ2goes to infinity, our results reduce to those of black string solutions in Einstein-Maxwell-dilaton gravity.
Synthesis of Phase-Only Reconfigurable Linear Arrays Using Multiobjective Invasive Weed Optimization Based on Decomposition
Authors: Liu Yan , Jiao Yong-Chang , Zhang Ya-Ming , Tan Yan-Yan
Published: October 2014

Synthesis of phase-only reconfigurable array aims at finding a common amplitude distribution and different phase distributions for the array to form different patterns. In this paper, the synthesis problem is formulated as a multiobjective optimization problem and solved by a new proposed algorithm MOEA/D-IWO. First, novel strategies are introduced in invasive weed optimization (IWO) to make original IWO fit for solving multiobjective optimization problems; then, the modified IWO is integrated into the framework of the recently well proved competitive multiobjective optimization algorithm MOEA/D to form a new competitive MOEA/D-IWO algorithm. At last, two sets of experiments are carried out to illustrate the effectiveness of MOEA/D-IWO. In addition, MOEA/D-IWO is compared with MOEA/D-DE, a new version of MOEA/D. The comparing results show the superiority of MOEA/D-IWO and indicate its potential for solving the antenna array synthesis problems.
An Integrated Denoising Method for Sensor Mixed Noises Based on Wavelet Packet Transform and Energy-Correlation Analysis
Authors: Tan Chao , Wang Yanping , Zhou Xin , Wang Zhongbin , Zhang Lin , Liu Xinhua
Published: October 2014

In order to solve the problem of industrial sensor signal denoising, an integrated denoising method for sensor mixed noises based on wavelet packet transform and energy-correlation analysis is proposed. The architecture of proposed method is designed and the key technologies, such as wavelet packet transformation, energy-correlation analysis, and processing method of wavelet packet coefficients based on energy-correlation analysis, are presented. Finally, a simulation example for a specific signal and an application of shearer cutting current signal, which mainly contain white Gaussian noise and impact noise, are carried out, and the simulation and application results show that the proposed method is effective and is outperforming others.