bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Vorbix Burner: A New Approach to Gas Turbine Combustors
Authors: Markowski S. J. , Lohmann R. P. , Reilly R. S.
Published: April 2015

The vorbix burner (acronym for Vortex Burning and Mixing) represents a new approach to a practical gas turbine combustor design. The concept exploits the Rayleigh instability of swirling flows to enhance the mixing and combustion rates. The combination of a two-stage fuel system with a piloted combustor leads to a unique high rate technique for fuel prevaporization within the combustor proper. This paper presents the fundamental concepts in the definition of the vorbix combustor and the results of exploratory tests conducted on can (tubular) and annular vorbix combustors. The results indicate that this type of combustor has unique performance characteristics that include excellent stability and high combustion efficiency over wide excursions in operating fuel air ratios in addition to substantially reduced emission levels during high power operation.
Review of a Combined Steam and Gas Turbine Cycle for Pipeline Service
Authors: Heard T. C.
Published: April 2015

The combined steam and gas turbine cycle provides the highest efficiency turbine system available today. In view of the rapidly escalating value of fuel the combined cycle therefore merits a review for pipeline applications. Such a review reveals the combined cycle has a number of advantages. First, the combined cycle efficiency is significantly higher than the efficiency of a standard regenerative cycle gas turbine. Second, and contrary to the characteristics of a standard gas turbine, the efficiency at a given load improves significantly as the ambient temperature increases, so that the combined cycle would be applicable in hot climates. Third, the adjustable speed capability of the combined cycle meets the usual pipeline service requirements. This paper briefly presents the results of a preliminary study of a combined cycle single drive system as it might be utilized in a gas pipeline station.
Transient Response Analysis of Damped Rotor Systems by the Normal Mode Method
Authors: Dennis A. J. , Eriksson R. H. , Seitelman L. H.
Published: April 2015

A method to determine the transient response of damped single or multi-shaft rotor systems is presented. The rotor systems are idealized as rotating concentrated masses connected by massless beams, discrete springs, and dampers. The springs may have piecewise constant springs rates to simulate the stiffening effect of parts coming in contact after displacement through an initial offset. Arbitrary forcing functions are allowed. The method employs an incremental formulation in which damping gyroscopic and nonlinear terms are treated as external loads which are lagged in time. The equations of motion are uncoupled by performing a normal mode expansion of the response solution in terms of the non-rotating, undamped eigenvectors and their associated eigenvalues; modes and natural frequencies are obtained from a standard Prohl analysis. An analytical solution is used for each step of the incremental analysis. This technique has been used to study the response of a number of rotor systems to the sudden application of a rotating imbalance load. The systems studied include a dual shaft model of a rig, a single-shaft case from the written literature and a large multi-line (multi-shaft) system. The transient analysis was run out to steady-state and close agreement obtained with results from an independent steady-state forced response analysis. Orthogonality relations between the mode shapes were observed to be critical to the quality of the results. It was observed that transient analysis of multi-line systems can be accurately predicted only if the higher frequency modes which are participating in the response are included in the normal mode solution.
Unsteady Boundary Layers Over Rotating Blades
Authors: Gorla R. S. R.
Published: April 2015

Rotating blades provide some of the most challenging problems of fluid mechanics. The presence of secondary effects in the boundary layers over rotating blades results in the flow and heat transfer characteristics that are different from the classical two-dimensional boundary layer theory. In this paper, the unsteady velocity and thermal boundary layers have been solved for constant temperature boundary condition. By the use of small crossflow approximation, a perturbation analysis is developed to predict heat transfer characteristics. Numerical results for the universal functions proportional to primary flow and crossflow are presented. For the thermal problem, universal functions are presented for Pr = 0.70 and 1.0. Expressions for the skin friction coefficient as well as the Nusselt number have been derived.
Effects of Equivalence Ratio and Dwell Time on Exhaust Emissions From an Experimental Premixing Prevaporizing Burner
Authors: Anderson David
Published: April 2015

A flame-tube study was performed to determine the effects of equivalence ratio and residence time on exhaust emissions with premixed, prevaporized propane fuel. Nitrogen oxides emissions as low as 0.3 g NO2/kg fuel were measured with greater than 99 percent combustion efficiency at 800 K inlet temperature and an equivalence ratio of 0.4. For a constant combustion efficiency, lower nitrogen oxides emissions were obtained by burning very lean with relatively long residence times than by using somewhat higher equivalence ratios with shorter times.
Experience in the Manufacture of Gas Turbine Vanes of Hot Pressed Silicon Nitride and Silicon Carbide
Authors: Bart R. K. , Hauck E. W. , Torti M. L.
Published: April 2015

The introduction of ceramic vanes into gas turbines has required simultaneous materials and manufacturing development programs. A review of the materials development programs is presented to show that hot pressed silicon nitride and silicon carbide are consistent engineering materials. A discussion of general machining parameters including diamond wheel specifications is presented to provide guidance in the preparation of turbine components from hot pressed silicon nitride and silicon carbide.
Anti-CD20 single chain variable antibody fragment–apolipoprotein A-I chimera containing nanodisks promote targeted bioactive agent delivery to CD20-positive lymphomas
Authors: Crosby Natasha M. , Ghosh Mistuni , Su Betty , Beckstead Jennifer A. , Kamei Ayako , Simonsen Jens B. , Luo Bing , Gordon Leo I. , Forte Trudy M. , Ryan Robert O.
Published: April 2015

A fusion protein comprising an α-CD20 single chain variable fragment (scFv) antibody, a spacer peptide, and human apolipoprotein (apo) A-I was constructed and expressed in Escherichia coli. The lipid interaction properties intrinsic to apoA-I as well as the antigen recognition properties of the scFv were retained by the chimera. scFv•apoA-I was formulated into nanoscale reconstituted high-density lipoprotein particles (termed nanodisks; ND) and incubated with cultured cells. α-CD20 scFv•apoA-I ND bound to CD20-positive non-Hodgkins lymphoma (NHL) cells (Ramos and Granta) but not to CD20-negative T lymphocytes (i.e., Jurkat). Binding to NHL cells was partially inhibited by pre-incubation with rituximab, a monoclonal antibody directed against CD20. Confocal fluorescence microscopy analysis of Granta cells following incubation with α-CD20 scFv•apoA-I ND formulated with the intrinsically fluorescent hydrophobic polyphenol, curcumin, revealed α-CD20 scFv•apoA-I localizes to the cell surface, while curcumin off-loads and gains entry to the cell. Compared to control incubations, viability of cultured NHL cells was decreased upon incubation with α-CD20 scFv•apoA-I ND harboring curcumin. Thus, formulation of curcumin ND with α-CD20 scFv•apoA-I as the scaffold component confers cell targeting and enhanced bioactive agent delivery, providing a strategy to minimize toxicity associated with chemotherapeutic agents.
Combining satellite lidar, airborne lidar, and ground plots to estimate the amount and distribution of aboveground biomass in the boreal forest of North America
Authors: Margolis Hank A. , Nelson Ross F. , Montesano Paul M. , Beaudoin André , Sun Guoqing , Andersen Hans-Erik , Wulder Michael A.
Published: April 2015

We report estimates of the amount, distribution, and uncertainty of aboveground biomass (AGB) of the different ecoregions and forest land cover classes within the North American boreal forest, analyze the factors driving the error estimates, and compare our estimates with other reported values. A three-phase sampling strategy was used (i) to tie ground plot AGB to airborne profiling lidar metrics and (ii) to link the airborne estimates of AGB to ICESat-GLAS lidar measurements such that (iii) GLAS could be used as a regional sampling tool. We estimated the AGB of the North American boreal forest at 21.8 Pg, with relative error of 1.9% based on 256 GLAS orbits (229 086 pulses). The distribution of AGB was 46.6% for western Canada, 43.7% for eastern Canada, and 9.7% for Alaska. With a single exception, relative errors were under 4% for the three regions and for the major cover types and under 10% at the ecoregion level. The uncertainties of the estimates were calculated using a variance estimator that accounted for only sampling error, i.e., the variability among GLAS orbital estimates, and airborne to spaceborne regression error, i.e., the uncertainty of the model coefficients. Work is ongoing to develop robust statistical techniques for integrating other sources of error such as ground to air regression error and allometric error. Small ecoregions with limited east–west extents tended to have fewer GLAS orbits and a greater percent sampling error. AGB densities derived from GLAS agreed closely with the estimates derived from both forest inventories (<17%) and a MODIS-based interpolation technique (<26%) for more southern, well-inventoried ecoregions, whereas differences were much greater for unmanaged northern and (or) mountainous ecoregions.
Quercetin ameliorates liver injury induced with Tripterygium glycosides by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation
Authors: Wang Junming , Miao Mingsan , Zhang Yueyue , Liu Ruixin , Li Xaobing , Cui Ying , Qu Lingbo
Published: April 2015

Quercetin (Que) is one of main compounds in Lysimachia christinae Hance (Christina loosestrife), and has both medicinal and nutritional value. Glycosides from Tripterygium wilfordii Hook.f. (léi gōng téng [the thunder duke vine]; TG) have diverse and broad bioactivities but with a high incidence of liver injury. Our previous study reported on the hepatoprotective properties of an ethanol extract from L. christinae against TG-induced liver injury in mice. This research is designed to observe, for the first time, the possible protective properties of the compound Que against TG-induced liver injury, and the underlying mechanisms that are involved in oxidative stress and anti-inflammation. The results indicated that TG caused excessive elevation in serum levels of alanine/aspartate transaminase (ALT/AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), gamma glutamyl transferase (γ-GT), and pro-inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), as well as hepatic lipid peroxidation (all P < 0.01). On the other hand, following TG exposure, we observed significantly reduced levels of biomarkers, including hepatic glutathione (GSH), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10, as well as the enzyme activity and mRNA expression of copper- and zinc-containing superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) and catalase (CAT) (all P < 0.01). Nevertheless, all of these alterations were reversed by the pre-administration of Que or the drug bifendate (positive control) for 7 consecutive days. Therefore, this study suggests that Que ameliorates TG-induced acute liver injury, probably through its ability to reduce oxidative stress and its anti-inflammatory properties.
Use of dirichlet distributions and orthogonal projection techniques for the fluctuation analysis of steady-state multivariate birth–death systems
Authors: Palombi Filippo , Toti Simona
Published: April 2015

Approximate weak solutions of the Fokker–Planck equation represent a useful tool to analyze the equilibrium fluctuations of birth–death systems, as they provide a quantitative knowledge lying in between numerical simulations and exact analytic arguments. In this paper, we adapt the general mathematical formalism known as the Ritz–Galerkin method for partial differential equations to the Fokker–Planck equation with time-independent polynomial drift and diffusion coefficients on the simplex. Then, we show how the method works in two examples, namely the binary and multi-state voter models with zealots.
The pop-switch planar algebra and the Jones–Wenzl idempotents
Authors: Grano Ellie , Bigelow Stephen
Published: April 2015

The Jones–Wenzl idempotents are elements of the Temperley–Lieb (TL) planar algebra that are important, but complicated to write down. We will present a new planar algebra, the pop-switch planar algebra (PSPA), which contains the TL planar algebra. It is motivated by Jones' idea of the graph planar algebra (GPA) of type An. In the tensor category of idempotents of the PSPA, the nth Jones–Wenzl idempotent is isomorphic to a direct sum of n + 1 diagrams consisting of only vertical strands.
EFFECT OF ANNEALING TEMPERATURE ON STRUCTURAL AND OPTICAL PARAMETERS OF SOL–GEL ROUTED MOLYBDENUM OXIDE THIN FILM
Authors: ARASU P. ADAL , WILLIAMS R. VICTOR
Published: April 2015

The influence of annealing temperature on structural and optical properties of sol–gel routed spin-coated molybdenum tri oxide ( MoO 3) thin films are studied. The higher annealing temperatures improve the crystalline nature of the film. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) study reveals the formation of α-orthorhombic phase at higher annealing temperature and amorphous nature at lower annealing temperature. The optical bandgap of molybdenum tri oxide ( MoO 3) film is found to be 3.3–3.8 eV, and the refractive index of the film is found to be 2.2–2.9. The dispersion curve of the refractive index shows that an abnormal dispersion in the absorption region and normal dispersion in the transparent region are observed. The optical polarizability, optical conductivity, dielectric constant, volume and surface energy loss parameters are evaluated.
Broad-Band Noise Mitigation in Vibrating Annular Plates by Dynamic Absorbers
Authors: Shakeri Rezgar , Younesian Davood
Published: April 2015

Steady-state and transient acoustic radiation characteristics of clamped-free annular plate with tuned mass damper (TMD) device is studied. Galerkin’s procedure is employed to obtain the transverse vibration of the annular disk. Based on the Rayleigh integral approach, acoustic pressure radiation is obtained and subsequently the modal sound power and modal radiation efficiency are obtained. A new formulation for the transient acoustic pressure in Laplace domain is presented for the first time in this paper. Durbin’s numerical Laplace transform inversion scheme is employed to obtain the response spectrum. The optimum parameters of vibration absorbers are proposed for suppressing the dynamic vibration and acoustic pressure. A parametric study is carried out and the effects of vibration absorber characteristics are investigated using the analytical procedure. Limiting cases are considered and good agreements with the finite element solution, as well as with those available in the literature, are achieved.
Speed of convergence to an extreme value distribution for non-uniformly hyperbolic dynamical systems
Authors: Holland Mark , Nicol Matthew
Published: April 2015

Suppose (f, 𝒳, ν) is a dynamical system and ϕ : 𝒳 → ℝ is an observation with a unique maximum at a (generic) point in 𝒳. We consider the time series of successive maxima Mn(x) := max {ϕ(x),…,ϕ ◦ fn-1(x)}. Recent works have focused on the distributional convergence of such maxima (under suitable normalization) to an extreme value distribution. In this paper, for certain dynamical systems, we establish convergence rates to the limiting distribution. In contrast to the case of i.i.d. random variables, the convergence rates depend on the rate of mixing and the recurrence time statistics. For a range of applications, including uniformly expanding maps, quadratic maps, and intermittent maps, we establish corresponding convergence rates. We also establish convergence rates for certain hyperbolic systems such as Anosov systems, and discuss convergence rates for non-uniformly hyperbolic systems, such as Hénon maps.
EFFICIENT MARKETS AND BEHAVIORAL FINANCE: A COMPREHENSIVE MULTIFRACTIONAL MODEL
Authors: BIANCHI SERGIO , PANTANELLA ALEXANDRE , PIANESE AUGUSTO
Published: April 2015

Real-world financial dynamics daily do challenge the credibility of the Efficient Market Hypothesis, the pillar of the whole martingale-based modern financial theory stating that at any time asset prices discount all past information. As a matter of fact, the empirical evidence accumulated so far indicates that current models cannot explain the complexity of financial market movements, to the extent that a strand of skeptical thought, the Behavioral Finance, has been booming. The question whether a model exists which is able to make consistent the two paradigms is a living matter that financial markets demand to address. The paper deals with a parsimonious stochastic model able to include as special cases both market efficiency and "psychological" phenomena such as the underreaction and the overreaction, peculiar features of the behavioral finance. The great readability of the model, its capability to agree the controversial results provided by literature on efficient markets and the simplicity of the financial intuition it offers are discussed.
Arithmetic properties of Andrews' singular overpartitions
Authors: Chen Shi-Chao , Hirschhorn Michael D. , Sellers James A.
Published: April 2015

In a very recent work, G. E. Andrews defined the combinatorial objects which he called singular overpartitions with the goal of presenting a general theorem for overpartitions which is analogous to theorems of Rogers–Ramanujan type for ordinary partitions with restricted successive ranks. As a small part of his work, Andrews noted two congruences modulo 3 which followed from elementary generating function manipulations. In this work, we show that Andrews' results modulo 3 are two examples of an infinite family of congruences modulo 3 which hold for that particular function. We also expand the consideration of such arithmetic properties to other functions which are part of Andrews' framework for singular overpartitions.
Dissections of a "strange" function
Authors: Ahlgren Scott , Kim Byungchan
Published: April 2015

The "strange" function of Kontsevich and Zagier is defined by [Formula: see text]

This series is defined only when q is a root of unity, and provides an example of what Zagier has called a "quantum modular form". In their recent work on congruences for the Fishburn numbers ξ(n) (whose generating function is F(1 - q)), Andrews and Sellers recorded a speculation about the polynomials which appear in the dissections of the partial sums of F(q). We prove that a more general form of their speculation is true. The congruences of Andrews–Sellers were generalized by Garvan in the case of prime modulus, and by Straub in the case of prime power modulus. As a corollary of our theorem, we reprove the known congruences for ξ(n) modulo prime powers.
An Adaptive PHD Filter for Multitarget Tracking with Multispectral Data Fusion
Authors: Zhang Guoliang , Yang Chunling , Zhang Yan
Published: April 2015

In order to improve the detection and tracking performance of multiple targets from IR multispectral image sequences, the approach based on spectral fusion algorithm and adaptive probability hypothesis density (PHD) filter is proposed. Firstly, the nonstationary adaptive suppression method is proposed to remove the background clutter. Based on the multispectral image sequence, the spectral fusion method is used to detect the abnormal targets. Spectral fusion produces the appropriate binary detection model and the computational probability of detection. Secondly, the particle filtering-based adaptive PHD algorithm is developed to detect and track multiple targets. This algorithm can deal with the nonlinear measurement on target state. In addition, the calculated probability of detection substitutes the fixed detection probability in PHD filter. Finally, the synthetic data sets based on various actual background images were utilized to validate the effectiveness of the detection approach. The results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms the conventional sequential PHD filtering in terms of detection and tracking performances.
Effect of Data Assimilation Using WRF-3DVAR for Heavy Rain Prediction on the Northeastern Edge of the Tibetan Plateau
Authors: Yang Junhua , Duan Keqin , Wu Jinkui , Qin Xiang , Shi Peihong , Liu Huancai , Xie Xiaolong , Zhang Xiao , Sun Jianyong
Published: April 2015

The numerical weather prediction (NWP) is gaining more attention in providing high-resolution rainfall forecasts in the arid and semiarid region. However, the modeling accuracy is negatively affected by errors in the initial conditions. Here we investigate the potential of data assimilation in improving the NWP rainfall forecasts in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau. Three of three-dimensional variational (3DVar) data assimilation experiments were designed on running the advanced research weather research forecast (WRF) model. Two heavy rain events selected with different rainfall distribution in space and time are utilized to examine the improvement for rainfall forecast after data assimilation. For the spatial distribution, the improvement of rainfall accumulation and area is obvious for the both two events. But for the temporal variation, the improvement is more obvious for the event with even rainfall distribution in time, while the effect of data assimilation is not ideal for the rainfall event with uneven distribution in space and time. It is noteworthy that, for both the spatial and temporal distribution of rainfall, satellite radiances have greater effect on rainfall forecasts than surface and upper-air meteorological observations in this high-altitude region. Moreover, the data assimilation experiments provide more detail information to the initial fields.
Mannheim Curves in Nonflat 3-Dimensional Space Forms
Authors: Zhao Wenjing , Pei Donghe , Cao Xinyu
Published: April 2015

We consider the Mannheim curves in nonflat 3-dimensional space forms (Riemannian or Lorentzian) and we give the concept of Mannheim curves. In addition, we investigate the properties of nonnull Mannheim curves and their partner curves. We come to the conclusion that a necessary and sufficient condition is that a linear relationship with constant coefficients will exist between the curvature and the torsion of the given original curves. In the case of null curve, we reveal that there are no null Mannheim curves in the 3-dimensional de Sitter space.
Characterization of Future Caribbean Rainfall and Temperature Extremes across Rainfall Zones
Authors: McLean Natalie Melissa , Stephenson Tannecia Sydia , Taylor Michael Alexander , Campbell Jayaka Danaco
Published: April 2015

End-of-century changes in Caribbean climate extremes are derived from the Providing Regional Climate for Impact Studies (PRECIS) regional climate model (RCM) under the A2 and B2 emission scenarios across five rainfall zones. Trends in rainfall, maximum temperature, and minimum temperature extremes from the RCM are validated against meteorological stations over 1979–1989. The model displays greater skill at representing trends in consecutive wet days (CWD) and extreme rainfall (R95P) than consecutive dry days (CDD), wet days (R10), and maximum 5-day precipitation (RX5). Trends in warm nights, cool days, and warm days were generally well reproduced. Projections for 2071–2099 relative to 1961–1989 are obtained from the ECHAM5 driven RCM. Northern and eastern zones are projected to experience more intense rainfall under A2 and B2. There is less consensus across scenarios with respect to changes in the dry and wet spell lengths. However, there is indication that a drying trend may be manifest over zone 5 (Trinidad and northern Guyana). Changes in the extreme temperature indices generally suggest a warmer Caribbean towards the end of century across both scenarios with the strongest changes over zone 4 (eastern Caribbean).
Using Artificial Intelligence to Retrieve the Optimal Parameters and Structures of Adaptive Network-Based Fuzzy Inference System for Typhoon Precipitation Forecast Modeling
Authors: Huang Chien-Lin , Hsu Nien-Sheng , Wei Chih-Chiang , Lo Chun-Wen
Published: April 2015

This study aims to construct a typhoon precipitation forecast model providing forecasts one to six hours in advance using optimal model parameters and structures retrieved from a combination of the adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) and artificial intelligence. To enhance the accuracy of the precipitation forecast, two structures were then used to establish the precipitation forecast model for a specific lead-time: a single-model structure and a dual-model hybrid structure where the forecast models of higher and lower precipitation were integrated. In order to rapidly, automatically, and accurately retrieve the optimal parameters and structures of the ANFIS-based precipitation forecast model, a tabu search was applied to identify the adjacent radius in subtractive clustering when constructing the ANFIS structure. The coupled structure was also employed to establish a precipitation forecast model across short and long lead-times in order to improve the accuracy of long-term precipitation forecasts. The study area is the Shimen Reservoir, and the analyzed period is from 2001 to 2009. Results showed that the optimal initial ANFIS parameters selected by the tabu search, combined with the dual-model hybrid method and the coupled structure, provided the favors in computation efficiency and high-reliability predictions in typhoon precipitation forecasts regarding short to long lead-time forecasting horizons.
Research and Application of Improved AGP Algorithm for Structural Optimization Based on Feedforward Neural Networks
Authors: Wang Ruliang , Sun Huanlong , Zha Benbo , Wang Lei
Published: April 2015

The adaptive growing and pruning algorithm (AGP) has been improved, and the network pruning is based on the sigmoidal activation value of the node and all the weights of its outgoing connections. The nodes are pruned directly, but those nodes that have internal relation are not removed. The network growing is based on the idea of variance. We directly copy those nodes with high correlation. An improved AGP algorithm (IAGP) is proposed. And it improves the network performance and efficiency. The simulation results show that, compared with the AGP algorithm, the improved method (IAGP) can quickly and accurately predict traffic capacity.
Complications following Tension-Free Vaginal Tapes: Accurate Diagnosis and Complications Management
Authors: Kociszewski J. , Kolben S. , Barski D. , Viereck V. , Barcz E.
Published: April 2015

The sling procedures are the gold standard for SUI treatment. They are highly effective but not free from complications. The most common adverse effect for the surgery with the implant insertion is: overactive bladder occurring de novo after the surgery, voiding dysfunctions, urine retention, and unsatisfactory treatment outcome. The most important question that arises after 20 years of sling procedures is how to manage the complications and what can be offered to complicated patients. The above review summarises the ultrasound findings in complicated cases and shows the scheme of management of the clinical problems concerning the tape location in suburethral region.
Updating Experimental Models of Diabetic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Fuentes-Antrás J. , Picatoste B. , Gómez-Hernández A. , Egido J. , Tuñón J. , Lorenzo Ó.
Published: April 2015

Diabetic cardiomyopathy entails a serious cardiac dysfunction induced by alterations in structure and contractility of the myocardium. This pathology is initiated by changes in energy substrates and occurs in the absence of atherothrombosis, hypertension, or other cardiomyopathies. Inflammation, hypertrophy, fibrosis, steatosis, and apoptosis in the myocardium have been studied in numerous diabetic experimental models in animals, mostly rodents. Type I and type II diabetes were induced by genetic manipulation, pancreatic toxins, and fat and sweet diets, and animals recapitulate the main features of human diabetes and related cardiomyopathy. In this review we update and discuss the main experimental models of diabetic cardiomyopathy, analysing the associated metabolic, structural, and functional abnormalities, and including current tools for detection of these responses. Also, novel experimental models based on genetic modifications of specific related genes have been discussed. The study of specific pathways or factors responsible for cardiac failures may be useful to design new pharmacological strategies for diabetic patients.
First-Trimester Uterine Artery Doppler Analysis in the Prediction of Later Pregnancy Complications
Authors: Khong Su Lynn , Kane Stefan C. , Brennecke Shaun P. , da Silva Costa Fabrício
Published: April 2015

Uterine artery Doppler waveform analysis has been extensively studied in the second trimester of pregnancy as a predictive marker for the later development of preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. The use of Doppler interrogation of this vessel in the first trimester has gained momentum in recent years. Various measurement techniques and impedance indices have been used to evaluate the relationship between uterine artery Doppler velocimetry and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Overall, first-trimester Doppler interrogation of the uterine artery performs better in the prediction of early-onset than late-onset preeclampsia. As an isolated marker of future disease, its sensitivity in predicting preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction in low risk pregnant women is moderate, at 40–70%. Multiparametric predictive models, combining first-trimester uterine artery pulsatility index with maternal characteristics and biochemical markers, can achieve a detection rate for early-onset preeclampsia of over 90%. The ideal combination of these tests and validation of them in various patient populations will be the focus of future research.
Joint Optimization Approach of Maintenance and Production Planning for a Multiple-Product Manufacturing System
Authors: Mifdal Lahcen , Hajej Zied , Dellagi Sofiene
Published: April 2015

This paper deals with the problem of maintenance and production planning for randomly failing multiple-product manufacturing system. The latter consists of one machine which produces several types of products in order to satisfy random demands corresponding to every type of product. At any given time, the machine can only produce one type of product and then switches to another one. The purpose of this study is to establish sequentially an economical production plan and an optimal maintenance strategy, taking into account the influence of the production rate on the system’s degradation. Analytical models are developed in order to find the production plan and the preventive maintenance strategy which minimizes sequentially the total production/inventory cost and then the total maintenance cost. Finally, a numerical example is presented to illustrate the usefulness of the proposed approach.
Inhibins Tune the Thymocyte Selection Process by Regulating Thymic Stromal Cell Differentiation
Authors: Carbajal-Franco Ebzadrel , de la Fuente-Granada Marisol , Alemán-Muench Germán R. , García-Zepeda Eduardo A. , Soldevila Gloria
Published: April 2015

Inhibins and Activins are members of the TGF-βsuperfamily that regulate the differentiation of several cell types. These ligands were initially identified as hormones that regulate the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis; however, increasing evidence has demonstrated that they are key regulators in the immune system. We have previously demonstrated that Inhibins are the main Activin ligands expressed in the murine thymus and that they regulate thymocyte differentiation, promoting the DN3-DN4 transition and the selection of SP thymocytes. As Inhibins are mainly produced by thymic stromal cells, which also express Activin receptors and Smad proteins, we hypothesized that Inhibins might play a role in stromal cell differentiation and function. Here, we demonstrate that, in the absence of Inhibins, thymic conventional dendritic cells display reduced levels of MHC Class II (MHCII) and CD86. In addition, the ratio between cTECs and mTECs was affected, indicating that mTEC differentiation was favoured and cTEC diminished in the absence of Inhibins. These changes appeared to impact thymocyte selection leading to a decreased selection of CD4SP thymocytes and increased generation of natural regulatory T cells. These findings demonstrate that Inhibins tune the T cell selection process by regulating both thymocyte and stromal cell differentiation.
Acute Osteomyelitis of the Symphysis Pubis after Inguinal Hernia Surgery
Authors: Tekin Recep , Ceylan Tekin Rojbin , Ceylan Cevik Figen , Cevik Remzi
Published: April 2015

Osteomyelitis of pubic symphysis is infectious inflammatory condition of the symphysis pubis and rare complication of surgery around inguinal and groin region. It should be kept in mind in the differential diagnosis of lower pelvic pain and should be sought in cases of pelvic insufficiency fractures. Herein, we present a case of a 55-year-old man with osteomyelitis of the symphysis pubis following inguinal hernia surgery for diagnosis and management of this rare condition.
Assessment of Physicochemical Properties of Rituximab Related to Its Immunomodulatory Activity
Authors: Miranda-Hernández Mariana P. , López-Morales Carlos A. , Ramírez-Ibáñez Nancy D. , Piña-Lara Nelly , Pérez Nestor O. , Molina-Pérez Aarón , Revilla-Beltri Jorge , Flores-Ortiz Luis F. , Medina-Rivero Emilio
Published: April 2015

Rituximab is a chimeric monoclonal antibody employed for the treatment of CD20-positive B-cell non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, rheumatoid arthritis, granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis. It binds specifically to the CD20 antigen expressed on pre-B and consequently on mature B-lymphocytes of both normal and malignant cells, inhibiting their proliferation through apoptosis, CDC, and ADCC mechanisms. The immunomodulatory activity of rituximab is closely related to critical quality attributes that characterize its chemical composition and spatial configuration, which determine the recognition of CD20 and the binding to receptors or factors involved in its effector functions, while regulating the potential immunogenic response. Herein, we present a physicochemical and biological characterization followed by a pharmacodynamics and immunogenicity study to demonstrate comparability between two products containing rituximab. The physicochemical and biological characterization revealed that both products fit within the same response intervals exhibiting the same degree of variability. With regard to clinical response, both products depleted CD20+ B-cells until posttreatment recovery and no meaningful differences were found in their pharmacodynamic profiles. The evaluation of anti-chimeric antibodies did not show differential immunogenicity among products. Overall, these data confirm that similarity of critical quality attributes results in a comparable immunomodulatory activity.
A Newborn with Teratogenic Effect of Imatinib Mesylate: A Very Rare Case Report
Authors: Jain Namita , Sharma Deepak , Agrawal Renu , Jain Adeesh
Published: April 2015

Objective: To report a case of teratogenic effect of imatinib mesylate (IM) in a newborn, whose mother was suffering from chronic myelogenous leukemia and was treated with IM for 4 years, including during her pregnancy. Case Presentation and Intervention: The newborn was diagnosed with microtia of the right ear, preauricular tag on the left side, absence of right depressor angular oris muscle, and imperforate anus. Infantogram showed dextrocardia, hemivertebrae in the thoracic region and cervical spina bifida occulta. The newborn was operated on for the imperforate anus and was discharged in good condition. Conclusion: This case revealed that IM is not safe for the fetus and leads to teratogenicity. Hence, we recommend that pregnant women should not be treated with IM.
Quisarctus yasumurai gen. et sp. nov. (Arthrotardigrada: Halechiniscidae) from a submarine cave, off Iejima, Ryukyu Islands, Japan
Authors: FUJIMOTO SHINTA
Published: April 2015

Quisarctus yasumurai gen. et sp. nov. (Arthrotardigrada: Halechiniscidae) is described from the submarine cave ‘Daidokutsu’, off Iejima, Okinawa Islands, Ryukyu Islands, Japan. It is characterised by a cylindrical body, long primary clava and shorter lateral cirrus inserted on a common cirrophore, and simple digits of unequal lengths (without folds, peduncles, proximal pads, pretarsi, or wrinkles) that terminate in a sheathed, small, crescent-shaped claw with a minute calcar. Quisarctinae subfam. nov. is erected for this unique new genus.
Taxonomy of the water beetle genus Limnebius Leach in southern Africa (Coleoptera: Hydraenidae)
Authors: PERKINS PHILIP D.
Published: April 2015

The southern African species of the water beetle genus Limnebius Leach, 1815, are revised. Eleven new species are described, based on the examination and databasing of 6,201 specimens from 96 localities/events. Male genitalia are illustrated, and high resolution habitus images of the holotypes are provided. Distribution maps are provided for the eleven species now known from southern Africa, including Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and the extreme southern part of Angola. New species of Limnebius are: L. capensis (South Africa: Western Cape Province, W. Cape, Hawequas); L. convexus (South Africa: Western Cape Province, Little Karroo, Raubenheimer Dam); L. endroedyi (Namibia: C. Namib desert, Numis Wasser); L. kavango (Namibia: Kavango: Mahango Game Reserve); L. masculinus (South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Hluhluwe Game Reserve); L. probus (South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Zululand, Dukuduku Forest Station); L. quantillus (South Africa: Limpopo Province, N. Transvaal, Mmabolela estate); L. retiolus (South Africa: Northern Cape Province, Cape Farm Ezelsfontein); L. speculus (South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Hluhluwe Game Reserve); L. suaviculus (South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Tugela River near Olivershoek road); L. transversus (South Africa: KwaZulu-Natal Province, Mtubatuba).
Catalogue of Dictyoptera from Syria and neighbouring countries (Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Jordan)
Authors: CAESAR MARAM , ROY ROGER , LEGENDRE FREDERIC , GRANDCOLAS PHILIPPE , PELLENS ROSELI
Published: April 2015

This study is a catalogue of Dictyoptera (Mantodea, Isoptera and Blattaria) from five Eastern Mediterranean countries (Syria, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Jordan). There are 75 species of Dictyoptera known to occur in these countries. These species belong to 15 families (eight of Mantodea, four of Isoptera and three of Blattaria). Mantodea is by far the dictyopteran group with the highest richness with 43 species occurring in this region, followed by Blattaria, with 21, and Isoptera with 11. Turkey is the place with the highest number of Dictyoptera (34%), followed by Iraq (23%) then Syria (22%), Jordan (15%) and Lebanon (7%). An analysis of accumulated number of species along time shows that most of this biodiversity was described during the 20th century, and that Mantodea is the group with the highest number of species described more recently. If this curve is taken as an estimator of the increase of diversity with new prospections, this indicates that the number of Mantodea in this region would be much higher than presently known. Conversely, the local richness of Blattaria and Isoptera are likely to be close to the present numbers, as the curves remain steady for about 100 years. An accumulation curve of species described with occurrence restricted to these five countries shows that most of them were described at the beginning of the 20th century. An analysis of the number of references dealing with each of these species along time reveals that Mantodea is the dictyopteran group most studied in all periods except the second half of the 20th century, when Isoptera was more cited. The types of these species are distributed in 29 institutions, but are mainly concentrated in four major European collections.
Description of immatures associated with adults of two species of Macrogynoplax Enderlein and one species of Enderleina Jewett (Plecoptera: Perlidae) of the Brazilian Amazon
Authors: RIBEIRO JOSÉ MOACIR FERREIRA , GORAYEB INOCÊNCIO DE SOUSA
Published: April 2015

Nymphs of Macrogynoplax delicata Ribeiro-Ferreira & Froehlich, 1999, M. pulchra Ribeiro-Ferreira & Froehlich, 1999, and E. froehlichi Ribeiro-Ferreira, 1996 were associated with adults by rearing and described for the first time. The known distribution of each species has been increased.
From the Airfield to the High Street: The Met Office’s Role in the Emergence of Commercial Weather Services
Authors: Hall Alexander
Published: April 2015

This paper explores the role of the United Kingdom’s National Meteorological Service, the Met Office (MO), in the early development (1945–65) of applied, and subsequently commercial, weather and climatological services in the United Kingdom. Through examination of archival records it shows how theoretical and technological developments led to the postwar expansion of services for the general public and new user groups, resulting in funding pressure on the organization and the proactive seeking of nongovernment funding sources. The paper then explores the influence of these early developments on the subsequent large-scale expansion of applied and commercial services at the MO, which were to be enshrined in the organization’s mandate when it became an executive agency under Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher’s efficiency review in 1990.

It is shown that the history of the Met Office’s role in applied weather services is important for understanding the organization’s position today as a civil agency that acts commercially, the broader process of “agentification” of the scientific civil service, and the United Kingdom’s prominence internationally in the private weather services market. By considering developments in the context of other National Meteorological Services and the international forum provided by the World Meteorological Organization, the development of weather services at the Met Office is shown to have been influenced by international best practice while remaining distinct in its approach to delivering a broad range of both public and commercial services.
The Editor’s Note
Authors: Richardson Joan
Published: April 2015

Bill Bushaw is leaving PDK after 11 years at the helm. He leaves it a smaller organization but one well on the way to adjusting to the new demands of the 21st century on education and organizations.
Numerical Odds and Evens in Beethoven's Nine Symphonies
Authors: Simonton Dean Keith
Published: April 2015

The odd-numbered symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven have long been said to differ qualitatively from his even-numbered symphonies. Yet, no quantitative study has determined whether this common assertion has any empirical justification. In the current investigation, his nine symphonies were assessed on 10 potential correlates: prominence, popularity, aesthetics, accessibility, length, the number of themes, and four computer content analytical measures associated with melodic originality (mean, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum). The odd-numbered symphonies were distinguishable from the even-numbered symphonies in prominence as well as three out of the four content analytical measures. Moreover, the prominence of his symphonies was strongly correlated with the three melodic originality indicators. Given that the computer analyses cannot have been contaminated by subjective biases, the odd versus even distinction has been empirically confirmed. The article closes with a discussion of what the empirical results may imply about Beethoven's creative process.
Between Representation and Eternity: The Archaeology of Praying in Late Medieval and Post-Medieval times
Authors: Atzbach Rainer
Published: April 2015

This paper seeks to explore how prayer and praying practice are reflected in archaeological sources. Apart from objects directly involved in the personal act of praying, such as rosaries and praying books, churches and religious foundations played a major role in the medieval system of intercession. At death, an individual's corpse and burial primarily reflect the social act of representation during the funeral. The position of the arms, which have incorrectly been used as a chronological tool in Scandinavia, may indicate an evolution from a more collective act of prayer up to the eleventh century AD to a more individual way of praying in the late and post-medieval periods.
Three-dimensional characterisation of the microstructure of an high entropy alloy using STEM/HAADF tomography
Authors: Sosa J. M. , Jensen J. K. , Huber D. E. , Viswanathan G. B. , Gibson M. A. , Fraser H. L.
Published: April 2015

The microstructure of a high entropy alloy with composition of Mo0.5Al1Nb1Ta0.5Ti1Zr1 (the digits refer to molar volumes) has been characterised directly in three dimensions using TEM dark field (DF) imaging and by recording tilt pair micrographs using STEM high angle annular DF (HAADF) imaging. The microstructure contains disordered bcc precipitates that appeared as orthogonal stacks of plate-like features. A tapered needle sample was prepared in a focused ion beam/SEM and was used to acquire a 180° tomographic dataset of STEM/HAADF images in 2° increments. The tilt series images were registered, and the algebraic reconstruction technique was used to reconstruct the three-dimensional microstructure. The bcc precipitates were segmented using a combinative approach involving two threshold techniques. The precipitates were then visualised using commercial software, which revealed surprisingly the existence of both cuboidal and plate-like morphologies. Colouring each precipitate according to its morphology (determined using the omega-2 moment invariant) revealed a precipitate arrangement where plate-like features appeared parallel to each cuboid face.
Controllable synthesis porous Ag2CO3 nanorods for efficient photocatalysis
Authors: Guo Shenghui , Bao Jianxing , Hu Tu , Zhang Libo , Yang Li , Peng Jinhui , Jiang Caiyi
Published: April 2015

The novel porous Ag2CO3 nanorods were facilely synthesized via a one-pot aqueous solution reaction at room temperature. The crystalline phase and size distribution of the nanorods were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), respectively. In addition, the porous feature of nanorods was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption. The morphology and size of the Ag2CO3 crystal can be regulated via the choice of dispersing agents and adding approaches of reactants. Photocatalytic results show that the porous Ag2CO3 nanorods exhibit excellent photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under visible-light irradiation, particularly the photoactivity performance and stability can be further improved in the presence of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). It is indicated that NaHCO3 can prevent effectively the photocorrosion and promote the probability of electron-hole separation.