bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Communication and Mass Vaccination Strategies After Pertussis Outbreak in Rural Amish Communities—Illinois, 2009–2010
Authors: Medina‐Marino Andrew , Reynolds Debra , Finley Carol , Hays Susan , Jones Jane , Soyemi Kenneth
Published: March 2013

Purpose

During January 2010, 2 infants from an Amish community in east‐central Illinois were hospitalized with pertussis. The local health department (LDH) intervened to control disease transmission, identify contributing factors, and determine best communications methods to improve vaccination coverage.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted using public health surveillance data to determine the extent of the outbreak; the standard Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists case definition for pertussis was used. The standardized Illinois Department of Public Health pertussis patient interview form was used to collect demographic, symptom, vaccination history, and treatment history information. To control disease transmission, LDH staff worked with the Amish community to promote a vaccination campaign during February 6–April 30, 2010.

Findings

Forty‐seven cases were identified, with onsets during December 2009–March 2010. Median age was 7 (interquartile range 1–12) years. Nineteen (40%) patients were male; 39 (83%) were aged <18 years; 37 (79%) had not received any pertussis‐containing vaccine. Presenting symptoms did not differ substantially between vaccinated and unvaccinated patients. Duration of cough was longer among unvaccinated than vaccinated patients (32 vs 15.5 days, P = .002). Compared with vaccinated patients, proportionately more unvaccinated patients reported secondary household transmission (30% vs 72%; P = .012). Through enhanced vaccination campaigns, 251 (∼10%) Amish community members were administered 254 pertussis‐containing vaccines.

Conclusions

Targeted health communication and outreach resulted in a successful vaccine campaign and long‐running monthly vaccination clinic. Amish do not universally reject vaccines, and their practices regarding vaccination are not static.
A guided feeding intervention for mothers of preterm infants: Two case studies
Authors: Brown Lisa F. , Pickler Rita
Published: March 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine how mothers of preterm infants perceive the feasibility and acceptability of a guided feeding intervention.

Design and Methods

In this multiple case study design, feasibility was assessed by retention of participants through all intervention sessions. Acceptability was assessed with a semi‐structured interview.

Results

Participants found the intervention useful for demonstrating and explaining behaviors that facilitate feeding, and helpful in dispelling previous, erroneous understandings about infant behaviors.

Practice Implications

The results are encouraging. The intervention was found to be both feasible and acceptable. The effectiveness of this intervention needs to be assessed in a randomized controlled trial.
Efficacy of petrolatum jelly for the prevention of diaper rash: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Alonso Carmen , Larburu Isabel , Bon Esther , González Mari Mar , Iglesias María Teresa , Urreta Iratxe , Emparanza Jose I.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To assess the efficacy of petrolatum jelly for the prevention of diaper rash and to evaluate the relationship between the occurrence of diaper rash and certain treatments and type of nutrition.

Design and Methods

A randomized clinical trial was carried out with two parallel groups (n = 213) at the neonatal care unit of Donostia University Hospital in San Sebastián, Guipuzcoa Province, Spain.

Results

There was a lower incidence of diaper rash in the experimental group with petrolatum jelly (17.1%) than the control group (22.2%), but the difference was not statistically significant (p =.39). The use of antibiotics and oral 50% glucose as well as an increased number of stools are associated with a higher incidence of diaper rash, while breastfeeding and phototherapy are protective factors.

Practice Implications

Prevention is strengthened by a better understanding of the risk factors.
Development of an in‐home standardized end‐of‐life treatment program for pediatric patients dying of brain tumors
Authors: Arland Lesley C. , Hendricks‐Ferguson Verna L. , Pearson Joanne , Foreman Nicholas K. , Madden Jennifer R.
Published: March 2013

Purpose

To evaluate an end‐of‐life (EOL) program related to specific outcomes (i.e., number of hospitalizations and place of death) for children with brain tumors.

Design and Methods

From 1990 to 2005, a retrospective chart review was performed related to specified outcomes for 166 children with admission for pediatric brain tumors.

Results

Patients who received the EOL program were hospitalized less often (n = 114; chi‐square = 5.001 with df = 1, p <.05) than patients who did not receive the program.

Practice Implications

An EOL program may improve symptom management and decrease required hospital admissions for children with brain tumors.
A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial of Vincristine versus Human Intravenous Immunoglobulin for Acute Adjunctive Management of Presumptive Primary Immune‐Mediated Thrombocytopenia in Dogs
Authors: Balog K. , Huang A.A. , Sum S.O , Moore G.E. , Thompson C. , Scott‐Moncrieff J.C.
Published: March 2013

Background

Dogs with immune‐mediated thrombocytopenia (ITP) are at risk of hemorrhage when platelet count is <50,000/μL. Treatment with vincristine (VINC) or human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG) decreases platelet recovery time compared with treatment with corticosteroids alone.

Objectives

To compare the effect ofhIVIGversus VINC on platelet recovery in dogs withITP.

Methods

Prospective, randomized study. Twenty dogs with idiopathic ITP (platelet count <16,000/μL) were enrolled. All dogs were treated with corticosteroids. Dogs were randomly assigned to receive a single dose ofhIVIG(0.5 g/kg) or VINC (0.02 mg/kg). Outcome measures were platelet recovery time, duration of hospitalization, and survival to discharge.

Results

There was no significant difference in age, sex, weight, or initial platelet count between dogs treated withhIVIG(n = 10) and dogs treated with VINC (n = 10). Median platelet recovery time for both groups was 2.5 days (P = .51). Median hospitalization time for all dogs that survived to discharge was 4 days and not different between groups (P = .29). Seven of 10 dogs in thehIVIGgroup and 10 of 10 in the VINC group survived to discharge. Survival analysis did not identify any significant difference between the groups at discharge, 6 months, and 1 year after entry into the study. No adverse effects were reported in either group.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Vincristine should be the first‐line adjunctive treatment for the acute management of canine ITP because of lower cost and ease of administration compared with human intravenous immunoglobulin (hIVIG).
The role of transient elastography in the detection of liver disease in patients with chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Frossard Jean Louis , Giostra Emiliano , Rubbia‐Brandt Laura , Hadengue Antoine , Spahr Laurent
Published: March 2013

Background & Aims

Quantification of liver stiffness with transient elastography (TE) is validated for staging hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C infection. The current study was aimed to assess the diagnostic performance of liver stiffness measurement for the determination of fibrosis stage in patients with chronic pancreatitis.

Methods

Thirty consecutive patients with chronic pancreatitis and increased liver enzyme were enrolled over a 2.5‐year period. Eight liver living donor candidates were recruited to serve as internal controls. The TE values were compared with non‐invasive fibrosis scoring systems including aspartate transaminase (AST)/alanine aminotransferase (ALT) ratio, APRI, non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease NAFLD score, FIB‐4 index and to liver histology.

Results

TE was successful in all patients. Stiffness values ranged from 3.1 to 69 kPa (mean 16.9). Liver stiffness was correlated with fibrosis stage (Spearman's correlation 0.73, P < 0.0001). Areas under receiver operator characteristics curves for fibrosis F = 4 were 0.92 for TE, 0.87 for FIB‐4 index, 0.81 for APRI, 0.73 for NAFLD score and 0.71 for AST/ALT ratio. Optimal stiffness cut‐off values for diagnosis fibrosis F = 4 was 10.9 kPa, with 90% sensitivity, 85% specificity and 86% accuracy.

Conclusion

Our study provides for the first time evidence that liver stiffness in patients with chronic pancreatitis and concomitant cholestasis can be measured by TE.
TAM Split Ergativity, Part I
Authors: Coon Jessica
Published: March 2013

This article surveys empirical and theoretical work on Tense‐Aspect‐Mood (‘‘TAM’’) based split ergativity, and offers an account for how it arises. While these splits are typically assumed to represent a unified phenomenon, I demonstrate that non‐ergative portions of split systems exhibit different patterns. I argue that these patterns reflect at least two different triggers of split ergativity: (i) non‐perfective aspects are more likely to be built on complex auxiliary constructions, and (ii) imperfectivity is associated with demoted objects or lower transitivity. Both causes trigger the same result: in the ‘‘split’’ portions of the grammar the transitive subject is not marked with ergative case because it is not a transitive subject. This structural account of split ergativity allows us to avoid positing variable feature inventories on the same functional head (cf. Ura 2006), and also provides a straight‐forward account of the so‐called ‘‘counter‐universal’’ splits (Gildea and de Castro Alves 2010), which cause problems for purely functionalist accounts (e.g. DeLancey 1981). Furthermore, it is shown that the factors which trigger these splits are not limited to ergative languages, but are present cross‐linguistically—they are not visible in nominative‐accusative systems because (by definition) there is no visible difference between transitive and intransitive subjects. The prevalence of splits in ergative systems is thus not taken to reflect any deep instability of ergativity.
Input to Language: The Phonetics and Perception of Infant‐Directed Speech
Authors: Cristia Alejandrina
Published: March 2013

Over the first year of life, infant perception changes radically as the child learns the phonology of the ambient language from the speech she is exposed to. Since infant‐directed speech attracts the child's attention more than other registers, it is necessary to describe that input in order to understand language development, and to address questions of learnability. In this review, evidence from corpora analyses, experimental studies, and observational paradigms is brought together to outline the first comprehensive empirical picture of infant‐directed speech and its effects on language acquisition. The ensuing landscape suggests that infant‐directed speech provides an emotionally and linguistically rich input to language acquisition.
A pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) metacaspase 9 (Camc9) plays a role in pathogen‐induced cell death in plants
Authors: Kim Su‐Min , Bae Chungyun , Oh Sang‐Keun , Choi Doil
Published: March 2013

Metacaspases, which belong to the cysteine‐typeC14 protease family, are most structurally similar to mammalian caspases than any other caspase‐like protease in plants.Atmc9 (Arabidopsis thalianametacaspase 9) has a unique domain structure, and distinct biochemical characteristics, such asCa2+binding,pH, redox status,S‐nitrosylation and specific protease inhibitors. However, the biological roles ofAtmc9in plant–pathogen interactions remain largely unknown. In this study, a metacaspase gene present as a single copy in the pepper genome, and sharing 54% amino acid sequence identity withAtmc9, was isolated and namedCapsicum annuummetacaspase 9 (Camc9).Camc9 encodes a 318‐amino‐acid polypeptide with an estimated molecular weight of 34.6 kDa, and shares approximately 40% amino acid sequence identity with known typeIImetacaspases in plants. Quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction analyses revealed that the expression ofCamc9was induced by infections ofXanthomonas campestrispv.vesicatoriarace 1 and race 3 and treatment with methyl jasmonate. Suppression ofCamc9expression using virus‐induced gene silencing enhanced disease resistance and suppressed cell death symptom development following infection with virulent bacterial pathogens. By contrast, overexpression ofCamc9by transient or stable transformation enhanced disease susceptibility and pathogen‐induced cell death by regulation of reactive oxygen species production and defence‐related gene expression. These results suggest thatCamc9is a possible member of the metacaspase gene family and plays a role as a positive regulator of pathogen‐induced cell death in the plant kingdom.
Atrial fibrillation and warfarin use in haemodialysis patients: An individualized holistic approach is important in stroke prevention
Authors: Thet Zaw , Vilayur Eswari
Published: March 2013

Incidence and prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) is higher in haemodialysis (HD) population than general population. AF is associated with higher morbidity and mortality than sinus rhythm in this population. The purpose of this review is to summarize all available evidence regarding use of warfarin in HD patients with AF for stroke prevention. The enormous heterogeneity of available studies does not allow pooling of the data in the form of meta‐analysis or systematic review. Current evidence regarding use of warfarin for AF in terms of risk benefit ratio in this population is limited and conflicting. Randomized control trials evaluating the safety and efficacy of anticoagulation in this population by means of risk/benefit assessment tools are urgently needed. However, suitable HD patients with AF should be counselled on their likelihood of reduction of stroke risk and experiencing side‐effects before initiating anticoagulant therapy. It is particularly important to incorporate the patient's preferences and willingness to trade off benefit and risk in stroke prevention. An individualized holistic approach optimizing all potential risk factors of bleeding and ischemic stroke in HD patients with AF is recommended.
Parental factors associated with obesity in children with disability: a systematic review
Authors: McGillivray J. , McVilly K. , Skouteris H. , Boganin C.
Published: March 2013

The current literature on obesity in typically developing children shows that the family context, and specifically the way parents parent their children are major determinants of childhood obesity. The influence of these factors on obesity in children with disability, however, remains unclear. A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to identify the parental and parenting risk factors associated with obesity in children and adolescents with disability. Articles were identified through Medline, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, ProQuest, ISI, CINAHL, Cochrane and Scopus databases. There was no restriction on publication dates. The inclusion criteria were empirical papers that tested associations between parental and parenting risk factors and obesity in children and adolescents with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. Only 11 studies met the selection criteria and subsequently included in this review. Results suggest that obesity in children and adolescents with disability may be associated with socioeconomic status; parents' body mass index, perception and attitude towards their children's weight and physical activity; and levels of activity in both parents and children. Firm conclusions about these associations cannot be reached, however, due to mixed findings and methodological limitations of the studies. Recommendations for future research are provided.
Molecular markers for late blight resistance breeding of potato: an update
Authors: Tiwari Jagesh K. , Siddappa Sundaresha , Singh Bir Pal , Kaushik Surinder K. , Chakrabarti Swarup K. , Bhardwaj Vinay , Chandel Poonam
Published: March 2013

Late blight is the most devastating disease of the potato crop that can be effectively managed by growing resistant cultivars. Introgression of resistance (R) genes/quantitative trait loci (QTLs) from the Solanum germplasm into common potato is one of the plausible approaches to breed resistant cultivars. Although the conventional method of breeding will continue to play a primary role in potato improvement, molecular marker technology is becoming one of its integral components. To achieve rapid success, from the past to recent years, several R genes/QTLs that originated from wild/cultivated Solanum species were mapped on the potato genome and a few genes were cloned using molecular approaches. As a result, molecular markers closely linked to resistance genes or QTLs offer a quicker potato breeding option through marker‐assisted selection (MAS). However, limited progress has been achieved so far through MAS in potato breeding. In near future, new resistance genes/QTLs are expected to be discovered from wild Solanum gene pools and linked molecular markers would be available for MAS. This article presents an update on the development of molecular markers linked to late blight resistance genes or QTLs by utilization of Solanum species for MAS in potato.
Vague Value
Authors: Dougherty Tom
Published: March 2013

You are morally permitted to save your friend at the expense of a few strangers, but not at the expense of very many. However, there seems no number of strangers that marks a precise upper bound here. Consequently, there are borderline cases of groups at the expense of which you are permitted to save your friend. This essay discusses the question of what explains ethical vagueness like this, arguing that there are interesting metaethical consequences of various explanations.
Nutrient discharge from aquaculture operations in function of system design and production environment
Authors: Verdegem Marc C. J.
Published: March 2013

In aquaculture, nutrient loading is defined as the difference between nutrients supplied with fertilizers and feed and nutrients harvested in the form of finfish, crustaceans, molluscs and seaweeds. On average, the production of finfish and crustaceans results in a net nutrient loading, while for the production of molluscs and seaweeds the nutrient loading is negative. In marine and brackish water aquaculture, on a global scale, more nutrients are extracted than added to the environment. However, in freshwater, more nutrients are loaded than extracted. In 2008, the global aquaculture production of finfish and crustaceans resulted in an environmental loading of 1.7 million metric tonnes of nitrogen (N) and 0.46 million metric tonnes of phosphorus (P). This nitrogen loading represents 0.9% of the human input to the N‐cycle and 0.4% of the global N‐cycle. For phosphorus, the loading from finfish and crustacean aquaculture represents 2.3% of the global annual fertilizer supply. With cage aquaculture, nutrients are directly discharged to the environment. Mitigation measures should be shared equally between all polluters involved. For land‐based aquaculture, the development of water re‐use systems is still in its infancy. Although still a minor contributor to global aquaculture production, recirculation technology shows that control and mitigation of pollution from aquaculture is possible. A 15–20 year goal should be to have all inland aquaculture operations applying water re‐use and purification technology and generating useful (waste) outputs in addition to standard aquaculture products.
Southward expansion of the Chilean salmon industry in the Patagonian Fjords: main environmental challenges
Authors: Niklitschek Edwin J. , Soto Doris , Lafon Alejandra , Molinet Carlos , Toledo Pamela
Published: March 2013

Chile is the second largest producer of farmed salmon in the world. After reaching a peak harvest of 631 000 tonnes in 2008, a severe sanitary and production crisis triggered a major legal and operational reorganization, and an imminent expansion of the industry into the Aysén Fjords System (AFS). This expansion has caused increasing national and international concern about its potential negative impact upon this pristine area, which holds a mosaic of unique ecosystems and three World Biosphere Reserves. This paper reviews and provides some upper bounds to potential impacts under two feasible production scenarios. It is concluded that severe but highly localized mid‐term damage to the sea‐floor bottom may affect up to 6200 ha. Although this surface area represents only 0.5% of the AFS, the high heterogeneity and limited scientific knowledge of local ecosystems increase the risks of damaging sensitive habitats, communities or populations. While additional inputs of up to 60 000 t of nitrogen and 8000 t of phosphorus can be predicted, the estimation of carrying capacities is a pendant and urgent task to be accomplished in this area. If current escape rates are not reduced, the average number of escaped salmon may exceed 4.4 million individuals each year, able to consume up to 6600 t of pelagic prey from local ecosystems. We recommend following a strict precautionary approach, not granting new farming leases until sufficient information about the risk and magnitude of these impacts is obtained and transformed into effective management actions.
Non‐invasive biomarkers in exacerbations of obstructive lung disease
Authors: Warwick Geoffrey , Thomas Paul S , Yates Deborah H
Published: March 2013

Background and objective

Current methods of diagnosing exacerbations of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) shed little light on their aetiology or pathophysiology. This study aimed to define the inflammatory biomarker profile of subjects with obstructive lung disease and to compare these with control subjects also with respiratory infections, using exhaled breath condensate (EBC) and induced sputum biomarker analysis.

Methods

EBC, induced sputum and C‐reactive protein were collected from subjects with exacerbations of asthma (n = 28), exacerbations of COPD (n = 29) and otherwise healthy controls with symptoms of respiratory tract infection (n = 28). Subjects were tested again after recovery. EBC and induced sputum were analysed for protein, hydrogen peroxide, interferon gamma inducible protein‐10 (IP‐10), neopterin, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, leukotriene B4 and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α. Sputum cell counts and EBC pH were also analysed.

Results

EBC pH was significantly lower in exacerbation compared with recovery (5.54 0.07 vs 6.04 ± 0.08; P < 0.001). The novel markers IP‐10 and neopterin were significantly increased in induced sputum supernatant (pooled groups pre and post exacerbation: IP‐10: 188.6 ± 102.1 vs 5.40 ± 1.28 pg/mL, P = 0.006; neopterin: 15.81 ± 2.50 vs 5.38 ± 0.45 nmol/L, P < 0.0001), as was TNF‐α (137.8 ± 49.64 vs 71.56 ± 45.03 pg/mL, P = 0.018). Few other biomarkers proved significantly different in exacerbation, although C‐reactive protein was raised.

Conclusions

Non‐invasive biomarker assessment may provide useful information in exacerbation of obstructive lung diseases, particularly sputum IP‐10 and neopterin and EBC pH.
MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING FEATURES OF INTRACRANIAL GRANULAR CELL TUMORS IN SIX DOGS
Authors: Anwer Cona C. , Vernau Karen M. , Higgins Robert J. , Dickinson Peter J. , Sturges Beverly K. , LeCouteur Richard A. , Bentley R. Timothy , Wisner Erik R.
Published: March 2013

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging characteristics of intracranial granular cell tumors (GCTs) have been previously reported in three dogs. The goal of this retrospective study was to examine a larger number of dogs and determine whether distinctive MR characteristics of intracranial GCTs could be identified. Six dogs with histologically confirmed intracranial GCTs and MR imaging were included. Tumor location, size, mass effect, T1‐ and T2‐weighted signal intensity, and peritumoral edema MR characteristics were recorded. In all dogs, GCTs appeared as well‐defined, extra‐axial masses with a plaque‐form, sessile distribution involving the meninges. All tumors were located along the convexity of the cerebrum, the falx cerebri, or the ventral floor of the cranial vault. All tumors were mildly hyperintense on T1‐weighted images, and iso‐ to hyperintense on T2‐weighted images. A moderate‐to‐severe degree of peritumoral edema and mass effect were evident in all dogs. Findings indicated that, while several MR imaging characteristics were consistently identified in canine cerebral GCTs, none of these characteristics were unique or distinctive for this tumor type alone.
Crack Formation in Membrane Electrode Assembly Under Static and Cyclic Loadings
Authors: Kai Yusuke , Kitayama Yuki , Omiya Masaki , Uchiyama Tomoaki , Kato Manabu
Published: March 2013

The mechanical reliability of membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is a major concern for fuel cell vehicles. Hygrothermal cyclic conditions induce mechanical stress in MEAs and cracks form under operating conditions. This paper investigates the failure mechanism of MEAs under several mechanical and environmental conditions with the aim of designing durable PEFCs. We performed static tensile tests and low-cycle fatigue tests on MEAs. During the tensile tests, the temperature and humidity of the test chamber were controlled and surface crack formation of MEAs was observed in situ by a video microscope. Low-cycle fatigue tests were performed at ambient conditions and the number of cycles to crack formation was measured. The results reveal that the temperature and the humidity affect the mechanical properties of MEA. Observations of MEAs during tensile tests reveal that cracks form on the surface of catalyst layers immediately after the MEAs yield. These results indicate that reducing the deformation mismatch between the catalyst layer and the proton exchange membrane is important for suppressing crack formation in MEAs. The results of low-cycle fatigue tests reveal that the fatigue strength of a MEA follows the Coffin–Manson law so that fatigue design of MEAs based on the Coffin–Manson law is possible. This result is valuable for designing durable PEFCs.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with lower hepatic and erythrocyte ratios of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylethanolamine
Authors: Arendt Bianca M. , Ma David W.L. , Simons Brigitte , Noureldin Seham A. , Therapondos George , Guindi Maha , Sherman Morris , Allard Johane P.
Published: March 2013

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with altered hepatic lipid composition. Animal studies suggest that the hepatic ratio of phosphatidylcholine (PC) to phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) contributes to steatogenesis and inflammation. This ratio may be influenced by dysregulation of the PE N-methyltransferase (PEMT) pathway or by a low-choline diet. Alterations in the liver may also influence lipid composition in circulation such as in erythrocytes, which therefore may have utility as a biomarker of hepatic disease. Currently, no study has assessed both liver and erythrocyte PC/PE ratios in NAFLD. The aim of this study was to compare the PC/PE ratio in the liver and erythrocytes of patients with simple steatosis (SS) or nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) with that of healthy controls. PC and PE were measured by mass spectrometry in 28 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD (14 SS, 14 NASH) and 9 healthy living liver donors as controls. The hepatic PC/PE ratio was lower in SS patients (median [range]) (1.23 [0.27–3.40]) and NASH patients (1.29 [0.77–3.22]) compared with controls (3.14 [2.20–3.73]); both p < 0.001) but it was not different between SS and NASH. PC was lower and PE higher in the liver of SS patients compared with controls, whereas in NASH patients only PE was higher. The PC/PE ratio in erythrocytes was also lower in SS and NASH patients compared with controls because of lower PC in both patient groups. PE in erythrocytes was not different among the groups. In conclusion, NAFLD patients have a lower PC/PE ratio in the liver and erythrocytes than do healthy controls, which may play a role in the pathogenesis. The underlying mechanisms require further investigation.
Study on size effect of fibre reinforced polymer retrofitted reinforced concrete beam–column connections under cyclic loading
Authors: Choudhury A.M. , Deb S.K. , Dutta A.
Published: March 2013

Studies related to size effect are crucial for reliable assessment of behaviour of structural components subjected to dynamic loadings. The available theories of material behaviour that predict size effects are receiving increasing attention in the technical literature nowadays. This paper presents a study on size effect of fibre reinforced polymer retrofitted reinforced concrete beam–column connections based on experimental investigation under displacement controlled cyclic loading. Three different sizes of geometrically similar specimens have been considered to explore the possible existence of size effect. It was observed that the experimental results corroborate closely the size effect law proposed by Bazănt in all the cases studied. A parameter, energy dissipation of specimens per unit volume was introduced and its correlations with different drift angles for different sizes of the specimen exhibit the existence of size effect. Comparisons were also made among the tests results of control and retrofitted specimens in terms of gain in ultimate load carrying capacity and existence of size effect was distinctly observed.
Damage to engineered structures during the 12 January 2010, Haiti (Léogâne) earthquake
Authors: Paultre Patrick , Calais Éric , Proulx Jean , Prépetit Claude , Ambroise Steeve
Published: March 2013

The purpose of this paper is to first provide relevant information about the historic seismicity of the island of Haiti, the tectonic setting and the identification of the unmapped Léogâne fault which is now believed to have been the main cause of the 12 January 2010 Haiti earthquake. The paper then focuses on the state of construction in Haiti, with particular emphasis given to engineered buildings. The lack of a building code and standards for the design of structures, as well as the fact that seismic forces were not considered in the design of most buildings explains the failure of so many engineered structures. Several examples are given and arranged according to building function. Since the earthquake has occurred, interim measures have been implemented to control construction of new buildings. Some recommendations are given to improve construction practice in Haiti for the reconstruction.
Effect of temperature on the fluorescence emission of ENCTTTC in different nonpolar solvents
Authors: Patil N.R. , Melavanki R.M. , Thipperudrappa J. , Afi Ushie Onumashi
Published: March 2013

The effect of temperature (20–60 °C) on the fluorescence emission of (E)-N-(3-chlorophenyl)-2-(3,4,5-trimethoxybenzylideneamino)-4,5,6,7-tetrahydrobenzo [b]thiophene-3carboxamide (ENCTTTC) is studied in different solvents. It is found that there is no shift in the position of fluorescence maxima, but the intensity decreases with increasing temperature, which depends on the polarity of the solvent. A mechanism of fluorescence quenching with rise in temperature is discussed in terms of the relative location of lowest (ππ*) (nπ*) states and the energy difference between them. The change in temperature brings about a change in the probabilities of radiative and nonradiative transition. The nonradiative deactivation of excited states in the absence of a quencher is temperature dependent and its thermal activation energy has been determined.
Reproductive strategies in hermaphroditic gastropods: conceptual and empirical approaches
Authors: Nakadera Yumi , Koene Joris M.
Published: March 2013

An individual optimizes its reproductive success by adopting a particular reproductive strategy. Studying the details of a reproductive strategy leads to an understanding of how sexual selection acts, as the former is the process via which the individual reproduces successfully. Hermaphroditic gastropods display a bewildering diversity of reproductive strategies, which may be due to their mode of gender expression, when compared with well-studied separate-sexed species. Extensive theoretical, observational, and experimental research has been conducted on this topic. However, despite our knowledge about the reproductive system of hermaphroditic gastropods, we still need to fill the gap between pre- and post-copulatory processes and reproductive success. Here, we review and propose conceptual and empirical approaches aimed at understanding reproductive strategies of hermaphroditic gastropods. In sum, our suggestions are (i) to focus on sex-biased traits, (ii) to take biologically reliable measurements at both the pre- and post-copulatory level that relate to reproductive success, and (iii) to examine the fitness consequences of biased sex allocation.
CHERN–SIMONS THEORY AND THE QUANTUM RACAH FORMULA
Authors: DE HARO SEBASTIAN , HAHN ATLE
Published: March 2013

We generalize several results on Chern–Simons models on Σ × S1in the so-called "torus gauge" which were obtained in [A. Hahn, An analytic approach to Turaev's shadow invariant, J. Knot Theory Ramifications17(11) (2008) 1327–1385] (= arXiv:math-ph/0507040) to the case of general (simply-connected simple compact) structure groups and general link colorings. In particular, we give a non-perturbative evaluation of the Wilson loop observables corresponding to a special class of simple but non-trivial links and show that their values are given by Turaev's shadow invariant. As a byproduct, we obtain a heuristic path integral derivation of the quantum Racah formula.
APPLICATION OF HIGHER ORDER CUMULANT FEATURES FOR CARDIAC HEALTH DIAGNOSIS USING ECG SIGNALS
Authors: MARTIS ROSHAN JOY , ACHARYA U. RAJENDRA , LIM CHOO MIN , MANDANA K. M. , RAY A. K. , CHAKRABORTY CHANDAN
Published: March 2013

Electrocardiogram (ECG) is the electrical activity of the heart indicated by P, Q-R-S and T wave. The minute changes in the amplitude and duration of ECG depicts a particular type of cardiac abnormality. It is very difficult to decipher the hidden information present in this nonlinear and nonstationary signal. An automatic diagnostic system that characterizes cardiac activities in ECG signals would provide more insight into these phenomena thereby revealing important clinical information. Various methods have been proposed to detect cardiac abnormalities in ECG recordings. Application of higher order spectra (HOS) features is a seemingly promising approach because it can capture the nonlinear and dynamic nature of the ECG signals. In this paper, we have automatically classified five types of beats using HOS features (higher order cumulants) using two different approaches. The five types of ECG beats are normal (N), right bundle branch block (RBBB), left bundle branch block (LBBB), atrial premature contraction (APC) and ventricular premature contraction (VPC). In the first approach, cumulant features of segmented ECG signal were used for classification; whereas in the second approach cumulants of discrete wavelet transform (DWT) coefficients were used as features for classifiers. In both approaches, the cumulant features were subjected to data reduction using principal component analysis (PCA) and classified using three layer feed-forward neural network (NN) and least square — support vector machine (LS-SVM) classifiers. In this study, we obtained the highest average accuracy of 94.52%, sensitivity of 98.61% and specificity of 98.41% using first approach with NN classifier. The developed system is ready clinically to run on large datasets.
×R-BIALGEBRAS ASSOCIATED WITH ITERATIVE q-DIFFERENCE RINGS
Authors: MASUOKA AKIRA , YANAGAWA MAKOTO
Published: March 2013

Realizing the possibility suggested by Hardouin [Iterative q-difference Galois theory, J. Reine Angew. Math.644 (2010) 101–144], we show that her own Picard–Vessiot (PV) theory for iterative q-difference rings is covered by the (consequently, more general) framework, settled by Amano and Masuoka [Picard–Vessiot extensions of artinian simple module algebras, J. Algebra285 (2005) 743–767], of artinian simple module algebras over a cocommutative pointed Hopf algebra. An essential point is to represent iterative q-difference modules over an iterative q-difference ring R, by modules over a certain cocommutative ×R-bialgebra. Recall that the notion of ×R-bialgebras was defined by Sweedler [Groups of simple algebras, Publ. Math. Inst. Hautes Études Sci.44 (1974) 79–189], as a generalization of bialgebras.
OVERCOMING THE PIGOU–DOWNS PARADOX USING ADVANCED TRAFFIC SIGNAL CONTROL
Authors: FOWDUR S. C. , RUGHOOPUTH S. D. D. V.
Published: March 2013

Expansion of a road network has often been observed to cause more congestion and has led researchers to the formulation of traffic paradoxes such as the Pigou–Downs and the Braess paradoxes. In this paper, we present an application of advanced traffic signal control (ATSC) to overcome the Pigou–Downs paradox. Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius is used to investigate the effect of using a harbor bridge to by-pass the city center. Using traffic cellular automata (TCA) simulations it has been shown how, if traffic is only gradually deviated along the by-pass, an overall longer travel time and decreased flux would result. By making use of ATSC, which involves traffic lights that sense the number of vehicles accumulated in the queue, better travel times and fluxes are achieved.
THE CHIRAL COLOR SYMMETRY OF QUARKS AND G′-BOSON CONTRIBUTIONS TO CHARGE ASYMMETRY IN $t \bar t$-PRODUCTION AT THE LHC AND TEVATRON
Authors: FROLOV I. V. , MARTYNOV M. V. , SMIRNOV A. D.
Published: March 2013

The contributions of G′-boson predicted by the chiral color symmetry of quarks to the charge asymmetry [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]-production at the LHC and to the forward–backward asymmetry [Formula: see text] in [Formula: see text]-production at the Tevatron are calculated and analyzed in dependence on two free parameters of the model, the G′ mass mG′ and mixing angle θG. The mG′ - θG regions of 1 σ consistency with the CMS data on the cross-section [Formula: see text] and on the charge asymmetry [Formula: see text] are found and compared with those resulted from the CDF data on the cross-section [Formula: see text] and on the forward–backward asymmetry [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text]-production at the Tevatron with account of the current SM predictions for [Formula: see text].
THE TRANSVERSE MOMENTUM DEPENDENT STATISTICAL PARTON DISTRIBUTIONS REVISITED
Authors: BOURRELY CLAUDE , BUCCELLA FRANCO , SOFFER JACQUES
Published: March 2013

The extension of the statistical parton distributions to include their transverse momentum dependence (TMD) is revisited by considering that the proton target has a finite longitudinal momentum. The TMD will be generated by means of a transverse energy sum rule. The new results are mainly relevant for electron–proton inelastic collisions in the low Q2 region. We take into account the effects of the Melosh–Wigner rotation for the helicity distributions.
REVIEW OF SOME PROMISING FRACTIONAL PHYSICAL MODELS
Authors: TARASOV VASILY E.
Published: March 2013

Fractional dynamics is a field of study in physics and mechanics investigating the behavior of objects and systems that are characterized by power-law nonlocality, power-law long-term memory or fractal properties by using integrations and differentiation of non-integer orders, i.e., by methods in the fractional calculus. This paper is a review of physical models that look very promising for future development of fractional dynamics. We suggest a short introduction to fractional calculus as a theory of integration and differentiation of noninteger order. Some applications of integro-differentiations of fractional orders in physics are discussed. Models of discrete systems with memory, lattice with long-range inter-particle interaction, dynamics of fractal media are presented. Quantum analogs of fractional derivatives and model of open nano-system systems with memory are also discussed.
QUANTUM SIZE EFFECT ON THE BINDING ENERGIES OF GROUND-STATE AND EXCITED-STATE EXCITONS IN A WURTZITE ZnO NANOWIRE
Authors: ZHANG LI
Published: March 2013

Taking into account the anisotropic confined situations of quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) nanowires (NWs) in axial and radial directions and the anisotropic wurtzite ZnO crystal, a two-parameter variational approach is brought forward and applied to investigate luminous properties of excitonic states in wurtzite ZnO NW systems. The quantum size effects on the excitonic binding energies of the ground state and the first excited excitons as well as the emission spectra are analyzed in detail. Numerical calculations on a freestanding ZnO NW are performed. The calculated excitonic binding energies in the wurtzite ZnO NWs are far larger than those in cubic GaAs -based quantum wires and NWs with the same radius. This is ascribed to the large effective masses of electron and hole and relatively small dielectric constants in ZnO semiconductor. The excitons emission wavelengths calculated here qualitatively agree with recent experimental results of exciton spectra in Q1D ZnO NWs. This confirmed the reasonability and reliability of the present theoretical scheme and numerical results. The numerical results also show that the two-parameter variational approach is reasonable and necessary for the description of excitonic states in Q1D wurtzite ZnO NWs.
ADVANCEMENTS IN SOLAR NEUTRINO PHYSICS
Authors: MIRAMONTI LINO , ANTONELLI VITO
Published: March 2013

We review the results of solar neutrino physics, with particular attention to the data obtained and the analyses performed in the last decades, which were determinant to solve the solar neutrino problem (SNP), proving that neutrinos are massive and oscillating particles and contributing to refine the solar models. We also discuss the perspectives of the presently running experiments in this sector and of the ones planned for the near future and the impact they can have on elementary particle physics and astrophysics.
ANALYSIS OF A CONTACT PROBLEM WITH NORMAL COMPLIANCE, FINITE PENETRATION AND NONMONOTONE SLIP DEPENDENT FRICTION
Authors: BARBOTEU MIKÄEL , BARTOSZ KRZYSZTOF , KALITA PIOTR , RAMADAN AHMAD
Published: March 2013

We consider a mathematical model which describes the frictional contact between a linearly elastic body and an obstacle, the so-called foundation. The process is static and the contact is modeled with normal compliance condition of such a type that the penetration is restricted with unilateral constraint. The friction is modeled with a nonmonotone law in which the friction bound depends both on the tangential displacement and on the value of the penetration. In order to approximate the contact conditions, we consider a regularized problem wherein the contact is modeled by a standard normal compliance condition without finite penetrations. For each problem, we derive a variational formulation and an existence result of the weak solutions of regularized problems is obtained. Next, we prove the convergence of the weak solutions of regularized problems to the weak solution of the initial nonregularized problem. Finally, we provide a numerical validation of this convergence result. To this end we introduce a discrete scheme for the numerical approximation of the frictional contact problems. The solution of the resulting nonsmooth and nonconvex frictional contact problems is found, basing on approximation by a sequence of nonsmooth convex programming problems. Some numerical simulation results are presented in the study of an academic two-dimensional example.
VARIATIONAL FORMULATION OF THE FOKKER–PLANCK EQUATION WITH DECAY: A PARTICLE APPROACH
Authors: PELETIER MARK A. , RENGER D. R. MICHIEL , VENERONI MARCO
Published: March 2013

We introduce a stochastic particle system that corresponds to the Fokker–Planck equation with decay in the many-particle limit, and study its large deviations. We show that the large-deviation rate functional corresponds to an energy-dissipation functional in a Mosco-convergence sense. Moreover, we prove that the resulting functional, which involves entropic terms and the Wasserstein metric, is again a variational formulation for the Fokker–Planck equation with decay.
3D MESH OBJECT RETRIEVAL BY DISCRETE AND CONTINUOUS HIDDEN MARKOV MODELS
Authors: MAHJOUB MOHAMED ALI , ABBASSI MALEK
Published: March 2013

Research in databases of three-dimensional (3D) objects is a special area of research in our community. This paper is in this context and more generally in information retrieval by content. In this context, the authors are particularly interested in the indexing of 3D objects, which aims to characterize the shape of objects, to allow comparison between models. The 3D shape descriptor is presented and, based on the distribution of cords. To make the descriptor invariant to geometric transformations of space, a normalization step is applied to the object, as a preprocessing step. The work is, therefore, to develop a system for indexing and searching databases of 3D objects. The hidden Markov models are well suited to for this indexing system. Using these tools, a system for learning and recognizing of 3D objects is built.
SENSE OF HOME PLACE IN PARTICIPATORY POST-DISASTER RECONSTRUCTION
Authors: KAMANI-FARD ASAL , AHMAD MOHD HAMDAN , OSSEN DILSHAN REMAZ
Published: March 2013

This paper investigates the participatory reconstruction approach as a means of home loss mitigation strategy for coping with disaster among survivors of the 2003 Bam earthquake. It addresses the housing issue using the sense of place measures to understand households' feelings about their lost and new homes. On the basis of a fieldwork survey, the probability method of stratified sampling is applied to select the target group of 186 households. Findings show a significant correlation between expressions of positive feelings about new homes and the degree of participation in reconstruction. By encompassing demographic characteristics with the above terms, the results have been interpreted to identify the deeper aspects of home for those living in a newly built one that differs a lot from the lost one.
USING SPATIAL REGRESSION TO ESTIMATE PROPERTY TAX DISCOUNTS FROM PROXIMITY TO BROWNFIELDS: A TOOL FOR LOCAL POLICY-MAKING
Authors: MIHAESCU OANA , VOM HOFE RAINER
Published: March 2013

This paper assesses the discount in property values due to proximity to brownfields using a spatial hedonic price model. Using two Bayesian hedonic pricing models, namely the spatial lag of X (SLX) model and the spatial Durbin error model (SDEM), this study identifies a significant decrease in property values for properties located within 2,000 feet of a brownfield. The loss in property value and the subsequent decrease in tax revenue for the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, are then calculated based on these results. Using logarithmic transformations of the property value and the distance to the nearest brownfield variables, we calculate that a 1% increase in the average distance to the closest brownfield leads to a 0.0893% increase in market value. This translates into a $2,262,569 total annual revenue loss for the City of Cincinnati that could presumably be recovered following brownfield cleanup. In addition to accounting for the phenomenon of spatial dependence, this study contributes to the urban planning and environmental policy literature by providing a method for local policy-makers to identify and estimate the negative effects of brownfield sites on local tax revenue.