bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flood risk analysis using fuzzy models
Authors: Nandalal H.K. , Ratnayake U.R.
Published: March 2011

Risk is a combination of the factors that determine vulnerability and exposure potential for people to a hazard. The computation of flood extents and the identification of vulnerable elements help to determine high‐risk zones due to floods in advance, which helps to take mitigatory measures effectively and efficiently. This study examines how effectively the risk with respect to floods can be assessed using a fuzzy approach taking the frequently flooding Kalu‐Ganga River basin in Sri Lanka as the study area. Flood extent for a 100‐year return period rainfall was determined using Hydrologic Engineering Center's Hydrologic Modelling System (HEC‐HMS)‐ and HEC‐River Analysis System‐based models. Flood extent and mean flood depth were taken as hazard indicators while population density and dependency ratio were used as vulnerability indicators. Based on these indicators, flood risk was determined for the lowest administrative divisions within the inundated area using conventional risk assessment approaches. A methodology was proposed and applied to assess risk assuming the above indicators as fuzzy variables. Comparison of the results obtained from the two approaches indicates the proposed fuzzy‐based method, which takes uncertainty in the determination of hazard, vulnerability and risk levels into account, as providing more accurate results.
Chirita tiandengensis (Gesneriaceae) sp. nov. from Guangxi, China
Authors: Tang Hui , Wen Fang
Published: March 2011

Chirita tiandengensis Fang Wen & Hui Tang, a new species of Chirita from Guangxi, China, is described and illustrated. The new species is similar to C. napoensis Z. Y. Li, C. lunglinensis W. T. Wang and C. obtusidentata W. T. Wang, but differs by leaf blades ovate‐lanceolate, both surfaces sparsely strigulose; cymes 5‐ or 8‐flowered, bracts narrowly lanceolate, 6–8×1.5–2.0 mm; larger flowers (3.8–4.6 cm long), pink corolla, infundibuliform‐tubular tube; backside of anthers puberulous, filaments straight; staminodes glabrous, fused on the capitate top; stigma bipartite to the base with narrowly lanceolate lobes.
Hematology and clinical chemistry of adult yellow‐headed temple turtles (Hieremys annandalii) in Thailand
Authors: Chansue Nantarika , Sailasuta Achariya , Tangtrongpiros Jirasak , Wangnaitham Supradit , Assawawongkasem Nongnut
Published: March 2011

Background:Yellow‐headed temple turtles (YHT),Hieremys annandalii, native to Thailand, are protected from exploitation under the Wild Animal Reservation and Protection Act, also listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature red list.

Objectives:The objectives of this study were to describe quantitative, morphologic, and cytochemical features of blood cells and plasma biochemical analytes of clinically healthy YHT.

Methods:Blood samples were collected from 40 adult YHT from October 2007 to February 2008. Hematologic and biochemical analyses, cytochemical staining, and ultrastructural evaluation were performed using standard methods.

Results:Hematologic results (mean ± SD) included: RBC count, 0.275 ± .094 × 106 cells/μL; WBC count, 11.7 ± 6.6 × 103 cells/μL; heterophils, 29.4 ± 6.9%; eosinophils, 23.7 ± 5.3%; basophils, 21.2 ± 1.9%; lymphocytes, 14.8 ± 5.9%; and azurophils, 10.7 ± 5.3%. Erythrocytes stained dark red with peroxidase‐staining. Periodic acid‐Schiff stain could not differentiate between thrombocytes and lymphocytes. Thrombocytes contained cytoplasmic vacuoles, similar to mammalian platelets and those of birds and snakes. Heterophils and eosinophils were similar in structure and cytochemical staining characteristics to those of other turtles and reptiles. Structure of basophils was similar to avian basophils. Lymphocytes and azurophils had similar cytochemical staining compared with mammalian lymphocytes and monocytes. Mean MCHC, WBC counts, absolute azurophil counts, and plasma alanine aminotransferase activity were higher in male turtles than in females.

Conclusion:Blood characteristics of YHT are species‐specific, and this study can be served as a reference for future clinical studies and medical care of YHT.
Numerical Analysis of the Effects of Nonuniform Surface Roughness on Compressor Stage Performance
Authors: Morini Mirko , Pinelli Michele , Spina Pier Ruggero , Venturini Mauro
Published: March 2011

Gas turbine performance degradation over time is mainly due to the deterioration of compressor and turbine blades, which, in turn, causes a modification of the compressor and turbine performance maps. Since the detailed information about the actual modification of the compressor and turbine performance maps is usually unavailable, the component performance can be modeled and investigated by the following: scaling the overall performance map, using stage-by-stage models of the compressor and turbine, and scaling each single stage performance map to account for each stage deterioration, or performing 3D numerical simulations, which allow to both highlight the fluid-dynamic phenomena occurring in the faulty component and grasp the effect on the overall performance of each affected component. In this paper, the authors address the most common and experienced source of loss for a gas turbine, i.e., compressor fouling. With respect to the traditional approach, which mainly aims at the identification of the overall effects of fouling, authors investigate a microscale representation of compressor fouling (i.e., blade surface deterioration and flow deviation). This allows (i) a more detailed investigation of the fouling effects (e.g., mechanism, location along blade height, etc.), (ii) a more extensive analysis of the causes of performance deterioration, and (iii) the assessment of the effect of fouling on stage performance coefficients and on stage performance maps. In this paper, the effect of nonuniform surface roughness on both rotor and stator blades of an axial compressor stage is investigated by using a commercial CFD code. The NASA Stage 37 test case is considered as the baseline geometry and a numerical model already validated against experimental data available in literature is used for the simulations. Different nonuniform combinations of surface roughness levels are imposed on rotor and stator blades. This makes it possible to highlight how the localization of fouling on compressor blades affects compressor performance both at an overall and at a fluid-dynamic level.
Centrifugal Compressors During Fast Transients
Authors: Blieske Matthew , Kurz Rainer , Garcia-Hernandez Augusto , Brun Klaus
Published: March 2011

Transient studies for compressor systems allow the prediction of the compressor system behavior during fast transients such as they occur during emergency shutdowns. For the system simulations, the compressor behavior is assumed to be quasi-steady-state. This means in particular that the steady-state compressor flow-head-efficiency-speed map remains valid. During well instrumented emergency shutdown tests conducted on a centrifugal compressor system under realistic operating conditions, data showing the head-flow-speed relationship of the rapidly decelerating compressor were taken. These data are compared with steady-state head-flow relationships taken at a number of speeds. This allows the determination of the relative deviation between the transient and steady-state head-flow-relationships and thus answers the question of the validity of steady-state assumptions during rapid transients. The impact of the fast transients on efficiency and consumed power, which can be derived from the speed decay of the system, as well as the impact of nonstationary heat transfer are also evaluated and reported.
Thermodynamic Analysis and Optimization of IT-SOFC-Based Integrated Coal Gasification Fuel Cell Power Plants
Authors: Romano Matteo C. , Campanari Stefano , Spallina Vincenzo , Lozza Giovanni
Published: March 2011

This work discusses the thermodynamic analysis of integrated gasification fuel cell plants, where a simple cycle gas turbine works in a hybrid cycle with a pressurized intermediate temperature–solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC), integrated with a coal gasification and syngas cleanup island and a bottoming steam cycle (reflecting the arrangement of integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) plants) to optimize heat recovery and maximize efficiency. This work addresses the optimization of the plant layout, discussing the effect of the SOFC fuel utilization factor and the possibility of a fuel bypass to increase the gas turbine total inlet temperature and reduce the plant expected investment costs. Moreover, a discussion of technological issues related to the feasibility of the connection among the plant high temperature components is carried out, presenting the effects of different limitations of the maximum temperatures reached by the plant piping. With the proposed plant configurations, which do not include—apart from the SOFC—any component far from the nowadays best available technologies, a net electric lower heating value efficiency approaching 52–54% was calculated, showing a remarkable increase with respect to state-of-the-art advanced IGCCs.
High Strain Rate Tensile Behavior of Aluminum Alloy 7075 T651 and IS 2062 Mild Steel
Authors: Pothnis Jayaram R. , Perla Yernamma , Arya H. , Naik N. K.
Published: March 2011

Investigations on the effect of strain rate on tensile properties of two materials, namely, aluminum alloy 7075 T651 and IS 2062 mild steel, are presented. Experimental studies were carried out on tensile split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) apparatus in the strain rate range of 54–164/s. Uncertainty analysis for the experimental results is presented. Johnson–Cook material constitutive model was applied to predict the tensile yield strength of the tested materials at different strain rates. It is observed that the tensile yield strength is enhanced compared with that at quasi-static loading. During tensile SHPB testing of the specimens, it was observed that the peak force obtained from the strain gauge mounted on the transmitter bar is lower than the peak force obtained from the strain gauge mounted on the incident bar. An explanation to this is provided based on the increase in dislocation density and necking in the tested specimens during high strain rate loading and the consequent stress wave attenuation as it propagates within the specimen. The fracture behavior and effect of high strain rate testing on microstructure changes are examined. The peak force obtained based on strain gauge mounted on the transmitter bar is lower than the peak force obtained based on strain gauge mounted on the incident bar. There is an increase in tensile yield strength at high strain rate loading compared with that at quasi-static loading for both materials. The enhancement is more for IS 2062 mild steel than that for aluminum alloy 7075 T651. In the range of parameters considered, the strength enhancement factor was up to 1.3 for aluminum alloy 7075 T651 and it was up to 1.8 for IS 2062 mild steel. Generally, there was a good match between the experimental values and the Johnson–Cook model predictions.
Direct Nondestructive Algorithm for Shape Defects Evaluation
Authors: Ossandón Sebastián , Klenner José , Reyes Camilo
Published: March 2011

An efficient numerical method based on a rigorous integral formulation is used to calculate precisely the acoustic eigenvalues of complex shaped objects and their associated eigenvectors. These eigenvalues are obtained and later used in acoustic nondestructive evaluation. This study uses the eigenvalues to implement a simple acoustic shape differentiation algorithm that is the key in our direct nondestructive analysis. Stability and convergence of the Galerkin boundary element method used herein are discussed. Finally, some numerical examples are shown.
Integrity Analysis of Electrically Actuated Resonators With Delayed Feedback Controller
Authors: Alsaleem Fadi , Younis Mohammad I.
Published: March 2011

In this work, we investigate the stability and integrity of parallel-plate microelectromechanical systems resonators using a delayed feedback controller. Two case studies are investigated: a capacitive sensor made of cantilever beams with a proof mass at their tip and a clamped-clamped microbeam. Dover-cliff integrity curves and basin-of-attraction analysis are used for the stability assessment of the frequency response of the resonators for several scenarios of positive and negative gain in the controller. It is found that in the case of a positive gain, a velocity or a displacement feedback controller can be used to effectively enhance the stability of the resonators. This is confirmed by an increase in the area of the basin of attraction of the resonator and in shifting the Dover-cliff curve to higher values. On the other hand, it is shown that a negative gain can significantly weaken the stability and integrity of the resonators. This can be of useful use in MEMS for actuation applications, such as in the case of capacitive switches, to lower the activation voltage of these devices and to ensure their trigger under all initial conditions.
Modified Generalized Predictive Control of Networked Systems With Application to a Hydraulic Position Control System
Authors: Yu Bo , Shi Yang , Huang Ji
Published: March 2011

This paper is concerned with the design of networked control systems using the modified generalized predictive control (M-GPC) method. Both sensor-to-controller (S-C) and controller-to-actuator (C-A) network-induced delays are modeled by two Markov chains. M-GPC uses the available output and prediction control information at the controller node to obtain the future control sequences. Different from the conventional generalized predictive control in which only the first element in control sequences is used, M-GPC employs the whole control sequences to compensate for the time delays in S-C and C-A links. The closed-loop system is further formulated as a special jump linear system. The sufficient and necessary condition to guarantee the stochastic stability is derived. Simulation studies and experimental tests for an experimental hydraulic position control system are presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method.
On the Lapping Mechanism of Optical Fiber End-Surfaces Using Fixed Diamond Abrasive Films
Authors: Duan JiAn , Liu DeFu
Published: March 2011

The purpose of this paper is to reveal material removal mechanisms of optical fiber end-surface in lapping processes. The lapping process experiments are conducted using fixed diamond abrasive lapping films with various particle sizes of 6 μm, 3 μm, 1 μm, and 0.5 μm. The micrographs of the optical fiber end-surfaces are observed using a scanning electron microscope. The experimental results show that there exist three material removal modes in the lapping processes: brittle fracture mode, semibrittle and semiductile mode, and ductile mode. These modes are mainly controlled by abrasive particle size, and there appears a brittle-ductile transition’s critical point when lapping films with a particle size of 3 μm are used to lap optical fiber end-surfaces. An interpretation is proposed for the formation mechanism of the plastic deformed layer on the optical fiber end-surfaces.
Evaluation of the quantitative accuracy of a commercially available positron emission mammography scanner
Authors: Springer Adam , Mawlawi Osama R.
Published: March 2011

Purpose:

The PEM Flex Solo II (Naviscan, Inc., San Diego, CA) is currently the only commercially available positron emission mammography (PEM) scanner. This scanner does not apply corrections for count rate effects, attenuation, or scatter during image reconstruction, potentially affecting the quantitative accuracy of images. The aim of this work is to measure the overall quantitative accuracy of the PEM Flex system and to determine the individual contributions of error from count rate effects, attenuation, and scatter.

Methods:

Gelatin phantoms were designed to simulate breasts of different thicknesses (4–12 cm) with varying uniform background activity concentration (AC), cysts, and lesions (2:1, 5:1, and 10:1 lesion‐to‐background ratios). The overall error was calculated from ROI measurements in the phantoms with a clinically relevant background AC . The error due to count rate effects was determined by comparing the overall error at multiple background AC to the error at a very low background AC where count rate effects are considered negligible. A point source and cold gelatin phantoms of different thicknesses were used to assess the errors due to attenuation and scatter. The maximum pixel values of the point source in gelatin and in air were compared to determine the effect of attenuation, while scatter was evaluated by comparing the sum of all pixel values in gelatin and in air.

Results:

The AC in the uniform background was underestimated in phantoms of all thicknesses, with the exception of the 4‐cm‐thick phantoms in which the measured AC was within ±7% of the true value . The degree of underestimation in the uniform background increased with the phantom thickness, up to in the 12 cm phantoms. The AC in all lesions was underestimated by more than that measured in the background (22% for the 2:1 lesions in the 4 cm phantom) and this underestimation increased with increasing thickness and lesion‐to‐background ratio (85% for the 10:1 lesions in the 12 cm phantoms). The error due to count rate effects reduced the measured AC with respect to its true value. This error increased with increasing background AC ( at to at for the 4 cm phantoms) and decreased with increasing phantom thickness ( for the 4‐cm‐thick phantoms to for the 12‐cm‐thick phantoms at ). Attenuation was a substantial source of error and reduced the measured AC by in the 4–12 cm phantoms, respectively. Scatter increased the total signal measured in images by a relatively constant amount for all thicknesses.

Conclusions:

Applying corrections for count rate effects, attenuation, and scatter will be essential for the PEM Flex Solo II to be able to produce quantitatively accurate images.
Building Botanical Literacy
Authors: Hemingway Claire , Dahl William , Haufler Chris , Stuessy Carol
Published: March 2011

Online mentors inspire interest in science while engaging students in thinking about plant biology.
Global Trends in Wind Speed and Wave Height
Authors: Young I. R. , Zieger S. , Babanin A. V.
Published: March 2011

Wind speeds over the world’s oceans have increased over the past two decades, as have wave heights.
Clr4/Suv39 and RNA Quality Control Factors Cooperate to Trigger RNAi and Suppress Antisense RNA
Authors: Zhang Ke , Fischer Tamas , Porter Rebecca L. , Dhakshnamoorthy Jothy , Zofall Martin , Zhou Ming , Veenstra Timothy , Grewal Shiv I. S.
Published: March 2011

A histone methyltransferase and an RNA export protein team up to clobber aberrant RNAs in fission yeast.
Social and Ecological Synergy: Local Rulemaking, Forest Livelihoods, and Biodiversity Conservation
Authors: Persha Lauren , Agrawal Arun , Chhatre Ashwini
Published: March 2011

Participation in tropical forest governance by local people results in positive outcomes for conservation and subsistence.
Eosinophils Sustain Adipose Alternatively Activated Macrophages Associated with Glucose Homeostasis
Authors: Wu Davina , Molofsky Ari B. , Liang Hong-Erh , Ricardo-Gonzalez Roberto R. , Jouihan Hani A. , Bando Jennifer K. , Chawla Ajay , Locksley Richard M.
Published: March 2011

Regulation of adipose tissue macrophages by eosinophils reveals an unexpected role for eosinophils in metabolic homeostasis.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Regulates Neuronal Polarization by Interfering with PI 3-Kinase Localization
Authors: Amato Stephen , Liu Xiuxin , Zheng Bin , Cantley Lewis , Rakic Pasko , Man Heng-Ye
Published: March 2011

A bioenergy-sensing pathway determines axon initiation and growth in neurons.
Electronic Bonding Revealed by Electron Diffraction
Authors: Midgley Paul A.
Published: March 2011

A new electron diffraction method reveals a tetrahedral bond network in aluminum that can account for the directional nature of its mechanical properties.
An Earlier Acheulian Arrival in South Asia
Authors: Dennell Robin
Published: March 2011

Early stone tools found in India alter our view of how a key technology spread from Africa.
On Dental Occlusion and Saber Teeth
Authors: Fröbisch Jörg
Published: March 2011

An early mammal relative from Brazil offers insight into the early evolution of herbivory.
Selective Insulin Sensitizers
Authors: Kim-Muller Ja Young , Accili Domenico
Published: March 2011

Can the liver's insensitivity to insulin in diabetes be overcome with another hormone?
Combining Targeted Drugs to Stop Resistant Tumors
Authors: Kaiser Jocelyn
Published: March 2011

Even the most successful targeted therapies lose potency with time. Researchers hope to figure out how tumors escape; they aim to turn months of survival into years.
LIFE SCIENCE TECHNOLOGIES: Synthetic Genomics - Building a Better Bacterium
Authors: Perkel Jeffrey M.
Published: March 2011

The May 20, 2010, online edition of Science magazine contained pieces on Brownian motion and gravitational waves, small RNAs and drug delivery--items of interest to narrow slices of the research community. One article, though, generated instant worldwide attention. Entitled "Creation of a bacterial cell controlled by a chemically synthesized genome," the report detailed the world's first "synthetic cell," and it was at once praised and panned. Watchdog groups weighed in, as did U.S. President Barack Obama. Powered by advances in DNA synthesis and genome manipulation, the study was merely a proof-of-principle: Mycoplasma mycoides JCVI-syn1.0 has no practical scientific or commercial value. Yet its cobalt blue colonies represent the living embodiment of an entirely new, and previously unimaginable, branch of biology. Welcome to the age of synthetic genomics.
Simultaneous Detection of Antibodies to Mouse Hepatitis Virus Recombinant Structural Proteins by a Microsphere-Based Multiplex Fluorescence Immunoassay
Authors: Kunita Satoshi , Kato Kanako , Ishida Miyuki , Hagiwara Kozue , Kameda Shuko , Ishida Tomoko , Takakura Akira , Goto Kazuo , Sugiyama Fumihiro , Yagami Ken-ichi
Published: March 2011

We describe a new microsphere-based multiplex fluorescent immunoassay (MFI) using recombinant mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) proteins to detect antibodies to coronaviruses in mouse and rat sera. All the recombinant proteins, including nucleocapsid (N) and 3 subunits of spike protein, S1, S2, and Smid, showed positive reactivity in MFI with mouse antisera to 4 MHV strains (MHV-S, -A59, -JHM, and -Nu67) and rat antiserum to a strain of sialodacryoadenitis virus (SDAV-681). The MFI was evaluated for its diagnostic power, with panels of mouse sera classified as positive or negative for anti-MHV antibodies by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) using MHV virion antigen and indirect fluorescent antibody assay. The reactivities of 236 naturally infected mouse sera were examined; 227 samples were positive by MFI using S2 antigen (96% sensitivity), and 208 samples were positive using N antigen (88% sensitivity). Based on the assessment by MFI using the S2 and N antigens, only 3 serum samples showed double-negative results, indicating a false-negative rate of 1.3%. In 126 uninfected mouse sera, including 34 ELISA false-positive sera, only 7 samples showed false-positive results by MFI using either the S2 or N antigen (94% specificity). Similarly, the S2 and N antigen-based MFI was 98% sensitive and 100% specific in detecting anticoronavirus antibodies in rat sera. Thus, this MFI-based serologic assay using the S2 and N antigens promises to be a reliable diagnostic method, representing a highly sensitive and specific alternative to traditional ELISA for detection of coronavirus infections in laboratory mouse and rat colonies.
Culture Phenotypes of Genomically and Geographically Diverse Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis Isolates from Different Hosts
Authors: Whittington Richard J. , Marsh Ian B. , Saunders Vanessa , Grant Irene R. , Juste Ramon , Sevilla Iker A. , Manning Elizabeth J. B. , Whitlock Robert H.
Published: March 2011

Mycobacterium avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
causes paratuberculosis (Johne's disease) in ruminants in most countries. Historical data suggest substantial differences in culturability of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
isolates from small ruminants and cattle; however, a systematic comparison of culture media and isolates from different countries and hosts has not been undertaken. Here, 35 field isolates from the United States, Spain, Northern Ireland, and Australia were propagated in Bactec 12B medium and Middlebrook 7H10 agar, genomically characterized, and subcultured to Lowenstein-Jensen (LJ), Herrold's egg yolk (HEY), modified Middlebrook 7H10, Middlebrook 7H11, and Watson-Reid (WR) agars, all with and without mycobactin J and some with sodium pyruvate. Fourteen genotypes of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
were represented as determined by BstEII IS
900
and IS
1311
restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. There was no correlation between genotype and overall culturability, although most S strains tended to grow poorly on HEY agar. Pyruvate was inhibitory to some isolates. All strains grew on modified Middlebrook 7H10 agar but more slowly and less prolifically on LJ agar. Mycobactin J was required for growth on all media except 7H11 agar, but growth was improved by the addition of mycobactin J to 7H11 agar. WR agar supported the growth of few isolates. The differences in growth of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
that have historically been reported in diverse settings have been strongly influenced by the type of culture medium used. When an optimal culture medium, such as modified Middlebrook 7H10 agar, is used, very little difference between the growth phenotypes of diverse strains of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
was observed. This optimal medium is recommended to remove bias in the isolation and cultivation of
M. avium
subsp.
paratuberculosis
.
An Early HIV Mutation within an HLA-B*57-Restricted T Cell Epitope Abrogates Binding to the Killer Inhibitory Receptor 3DL1
Authors: Brackenridge Simon , Evans Edward J. , Toebes Mireille , Goonetilleke Nilu , Liu Michael K. P. , di Gleria Kati , Schumacher Ton N. , Davis Simon J. , McMichael Andrew J. , Gillespie Geraldine M.
Published: March 2011

Mutations within MHC class I-restricted epitopes have been studied in relation to T cell-mediated immune escape, but their impact on NK cells via interaction with killer Ig-like receptors (KIRs) during early HIV infection is poorly understood. In two patients acutely infected with HIV-1, we observed the appearance of a mutation within the B*57-restricted TW10 epitope (G9E) that did not facilitate strong escape from T cell recognition. The NK cell receptor KIR3DL1, carried by these patients, is known to recognize HLA-B*5703 and is associated with good control of HIV-1. Therefore, we tested whether the G9E mutation influenced the binding of HLA-B*5703 to soluble KIR3DL1 protein by surface plasmon resonance, and while the wild-type sequence and a second (T3N) variant were recognized, the G9E variant abrogated KIR3DL1 binding. We extended the study to determine the peptide sensitivity of KIR3DL1 interaction with epitopes carrying mutations near the C termini of TW10 and a second HLA-B*57-restricted epitope, IW9. Several amino acid changes interfered with KIR3DL1 binding, the most extreme of which included the G9E mutation commonly selected by HLA-B*57. Our results imply that during HIV-1 infection, some early-emerging variants could affect KIR-HLA interaction, with possible implications for immune recognition.
Inhibition of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus RNA Synthesis by Thiosemicarbazone Derived from 5,6-Dimethoxy-1-Indanone
Authors: Castro Eliana F. , Fabian Lucas E. , Caputto María E. , Gagey Dolores , Finkielsztein Liliana M. , Moltrasio Graciela Y. , Moglioni Albertina G. , Campos Rodolfo H. , Cavallaro Lucía V.
Published: March 2011

In the present work, we described the activity of the thiosemicarbazone derived from 5,6-dimethoxy-1-indanone (TSC), which we previously characterized as a new compound that inhibits bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) infection. We showed that TSC acts at a point of time that coincides with the onset of viral RNA synthesis and that it inhibits the activity of BVDV replication complexes (RCs). Moreover, we have selected five BVDV mutants that turned out to be highly resistant to TSC but still susceptible to ribavirin (RBV). Four of these resistant mutants carried an N264D mutation in the viral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp). The remaining mutant showed an A392E mutation within the same protein. Some of these mutants replicated slower than the wild-type (wt) virus in the absence of TSC, whereas others showed a partial reversion to the wt phenotype over several passages in the absence of the compound. The docking of TSC in the crystal structure of the BVDV RdRp revealed a close contact between the indane ring of the compound and several residues within the fingers domain of the enzyme, some hydrophobic contacts, and hydrogen bonds with the thiosemicarbazone group. Finally, in the mutated RdRp from resistant BVDV, these interactions with TSC could not be achieved. Interestingly, TSC inhibited BVDV replication in cell culture synergistically with RBV. In conclusion, TSC emerges as a new nonnucleoside inhibitor of BVDV RdRp that is synergistic with RBV, a feature that turns it into a potential compound to be evaluated against hepatitis C virus (HCV).
Assessment of the use of temperature‐sensitive microchips to determine core body temperature in goats
Authors: Torrao N. A. , Hetem R. S. , Meyer L. C. R. , Fick L. G.
Published: March 2011

Body temperature was measured at five different body sites (retroperitoneum, groin, semimembranosus muscle, flank and shoulder) using temperature‐sensitive microchips implanted in five female goats, and compared with the core body and rectal temperatures. Body temperature was measured while the goats were kept in different ambient temperatures, with and without radiant heat, as well as during a fever induced experimentally by injection of bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Bland‐Altman limit of agreement analysis was used to compare the temperature measurements at the different body sites during the different interventions. Temperatures measured by the microchip implanted in the retroperitoneum showed the closest agreement (mean 0.2°C lower) with core and rectal temperatures during all interventions, whereas temperatures measured by the microchips implanted in the groin, muscle, flank and shoulder differed from core body temperature by up to 3.5°C during the various interventions.
Antineuroinflammatory constituents from the root extract of Paris verticillata
Authors: Kim Ki Hyun , Lee Kyu Ha , Kim Ho Kyung , Moon Eunjung , Kim Sung-Hoon , Kim Sun Yeou , Kim Kyung Ran , Lee Kang Ro
Published: March 2011

Two new cyclopropanoic fatty acid glycosides, named parisveroside A (1) and parisveroside B (2), were isolated from a MeOH extract of the roots of Paris verticillata (Liliaceae) together with three other known compounds, salicin (3), 3-(β-d-glucopyranosyloxymethyl)-2-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-5-(3-hydroxypropyl)-7-methoxy-(2R,3S)-dihydrobenzofuran (4), and allantoin (5). Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, including 1D and 2D NMR, HR-FAB-MS, and chemical evidence. To investigate the antineuroinflammatory effects of the isolated compounds (1–5), nitric oxide (NO) production was evaluated in the lipopolysaccharide-activated microglia cell line, BV-2. Compounds 2 and 4 significantly inhibited NO production with IC50 values of 74.8 and 60.5 µmol/L, respectively.
Flavanone glucuronides from the leaves of Garcinia prainiana
Authors: Klaiklay Saranyoo , Sukpondma Yaowapa , Rukachaisirikul Vatcharin , Hutadilok-Towatana Nongporn , Chareonrat Kanokphorn
Published: March 2011

Phytochemical investigation of Garcinia prainiana ’s leaves led to the isolation of prainianonide (1), a new flavanone glucuronide, together with six known compounds: (2S)-eriodictyol 7-O-β-d-glucuronide (2), naringenin 7-O-β-d-glucuronide (3), (–)-GB-1a (4), (+)-morelloflavone (5), amenthoflavone (6), and friedelin (7). Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods. The absolute configuration of 1 was determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy. Compounds 4 and 5 showed significant antioxidant activity.
A PEG1000-DAIL[CdCl3]–toluene temperature-dependent biphasic system that regulates homogeneously catalyzed C–O coupling of organic halides with phenols and alcohols under ligand-free conditions
Authors: Hu Yu Lin , Ma Xiao Yun , Lu Ming
Published: March 2011

An efficient, experimentally simple, and convenient procedure for the C–O coupling of organic halides with phenols and alcohols in a PEG1000-DAIL[CdCl3]–toluene temperature-dependent biphasic system has been developed. The product can be easily isolated by a simple decantation, and the catalytic system can be recycled and reused without loss of catalytic activity.
PHASE RESETTING ANALYSIS OF HIGH POTASSIUM EPILEPTIFORM ACTIVITY IN CA3 REGION OF THE RAT HIPPOCAMPUS
Authors: JAHANGIRI ANILA , DURAND DOMINIQUE M.
Published: March 2011

The theory of phase resetting can reveal important information about the dynamic behavior of a periodic system when a single brief stimulus is applied to that system at the appropriate time. Phase resetting studies have revealed the existence in some biological systems of a vulnerable stimulus window generating desynchronization and suppression of the activity. The objective of this study was to test the hypothesis that a "singular" stimulus could annihilate this activity. Perfusion with the high-K solution produced synchronous, quasi-periodic population bursts with inter-burst interval of ~0.8–1.5 seconds. A single 0.1 ms duration anodic pulse of programmable delay and magnitude was applied to the somatic layer of the CA3 pyramidal cells. Three types of phase-resetting behavior were observed: (1) Weak resetting with little or no effect on the timing of the subsequent burst, (2) Strong resetting where the applied current pulse delayed the next event by one time period, (3) Singular behavior where the applied pulse partially or completely suppressed the subsequent bursting. The singular stimulus parameter window, however, was very narrow making it difficult to generate the singular behavior reliably. Nevertheless, the results indicate that singularities exist for high potassium neural activity and that a well timed pulse applied with the right amplitude can suppress this activity. This study suggests that phase resetting of a population of neurons is possible for quasi-periodic interictal activity and similar techniques could be applied to the control of epileptic seizures.
TRANSCUTANEOUS FOCAL ELECTRICAL STIMULATION VIA CONCENTRIC RING ELECTRODES REDUCES SYNCHRONY INDUCED BY PENTYLENETETRAZOLE IN BETA AND GAMMA BANDS IN RATS
Authors: BESIO WALTER G. , LIU XIANG , WANG LILING , MEDVEDEV ANDREI V. , KOKA KANTHAIAH
Published: March 2011

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder that affects approximately one percent of the world population. Anti-epileptic drugs are ineffective in 25~30% of cases. Electrical stimulation to control seizures may be an additive therapy. We applied noninvasive transcutaneous focal electrical stimulation (TFES) via concentric ring electrodes on the scalp of rats after inducing seizures with pentylenetetrazole. We found a significant increase in synchrony within the beta-gamma bands during seizures and that TFES significantly reduced the synchrony of the beta-gamma activity and increased synchrony in the delta band.
ON THE SURFACE AREAS AND AVERAGE DISTANCES OF MESHES AND TORI
Authors: CHENG EDDIE , QIU KE , SHEN ZHIZHANG
Published: March 2011

We present a surface area lemma to characterize the surface area of a product graph in terms of those of its factors via a generating function approach. We then apply this lemma to derive surface area related results for meshes and tori. Moreover, we also provide explicit formulas for the average distances of these networks.
STUDY OF $N\bar{N}$ INTERACTION WITH CHANNEL-COUPLING IN CONSTITUENT QUARK MODELS
Authors: HUANG HONGXIA , PANG HOURONG , PING JIALUN
Published: March 2011

The nucleon–antinucleon interaction is studied by using resonating-group-method in the framework of two constituent quark models: the chiral quark model and the quark delocalization color screening model, which can give a good description of baryon properties and nucleon–nucleon interaction. The experimental data of proton–antiproton S-wave elastic scattering cross-section can be well reproduced by adjusting properly one-gluon annihilation coupling constant. With the fixed model parameters, a dynamical calculation of all possible S-wave nucleon–antinucleon states with channel-coupling is performed. The calculated results show that the effect of channel-coupling is not strong to form a bound state as indicated by a strong enhancement at threshold of [Formula: see text] in J/ψ radiative decay.
THE EIGENVALUES OF TWO MODES COUPLED HARMONIC OSCILLATORS IN NONCOMMUTATIVE PHASE-SPACE
Authors: DIAO XIN-FENG , LONG CHAO-YUN , GUO GUANG-JIE , LONG ZHENG-WEN
Published: March 2011

The Hamiltonian of two modes coupled harmonic oscillators in noncommutative phase-space can be expressed in the standard quadric form by introducing a coordinate transformation. As a result, the coupling items are eliminated and the Hamiltonian can be simplified to the two modes independent harmonic oscillators. Then, the corresponding energy spectrums are obtained with an algebraic method.
APPLICATION OF THE DISCRETE REGULARIZATION METHOD TO THE INVERSE OF THE CHORD VIBRATION EQUATION
Authors: WANG LINJUN , HAN XU , WEI ZHOUCHAO
Published: March 2011

The inverse problem of the initial condition about the boundary value of the chord vibration equation is ill-posed. First, we transform it into a Fredholm integral equation. Second, we discretize it by the trapezoidal formula method, and then obtain a severely ill-conditioned linear equation, which is sensitive to the disturbance of the data. In addition, the tiny error of right data causes the huge concussion of the solution. We cannot obtain good results by the traditional method. In this paper, we solve this problem by the Tikhonov regularization method, and the numerical simulations demonstrate that this method is feasible and effective.
THERMAL STABILITY OF LOW DOSEGa+ION-IRRADIATED MAGNETIC TUNNEL JUNCTIONS
Authors: ZHOU GUANGHONG , WANG YINGANG , HUANG YIZHONG , QI XIANJIN , CHEN JIANKANG
Published: March 2011

The thermal stability of low dose Ga+ion-irradiated IrMn/CoFe/AlOx/ CoFe magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) was investigated using a vibrating sample magnetometer at room temperature and compared with that of the non-irradiated one. The results show that not only does the loop become broad both in the pinned FM layer and in the free FM layer but also there is an obvious larger shift in the pinned FM layer after irradiated at a dose of 1×1013ions/cm2Ga+ions. The training effect becomes more legible after performing a low dose irradiation. In both the non-irradiated and the low dose Ga+irradiated MTJs the thermal activation has been observed and holding the films at negative saturation of the pinned FM layer for up to 28 h results in a decrease of the exchange bias field (Hex). However, the absolute value of Hexof the irradiated MTJ is always larger than that of the non-irradiated one in the experimental period of time, although the Hexof the irradiated MTJ decreases a little faster.
TRAVELOGUE ENRICHING AND SCENIC SPOT OVERVIEW BASED ON TEXTUAL AND VISUAL TOPIC MODELS
Authors: PANG YANWEI , LU XIN , YUAN YUAN , LI XUELONG
Published: March 2011

We consider the problem of enriching the travelogue associated with a small number (even one) of images with more web images. Images associated with the travelogue always consist of the content and the style of textual information. Relying on this assumption, in this paper, we present a framework of travelogue enriching, exploiting both textual and visual information generated by different users. The framework aims to select the most relevant images from automatically collected candidate image set to enrich the given travelogue, and form a comprehensive overview of the scenic spot. To do these, we propose to build two-layer probabilistic models, i.e. a text-layer model and image-layer models, on offline collected travelogues and images. Each topic (e.g. Sea, Mountain, Historical Sites) in the text-layer model is followed by an image-layer model with sub-topics learnt (e.g. the topic of sea is with the sub-topic like beach, tree, sunrise and sunset). Based on the model, we develop strategies to enrich travelogues in the following steps: (1) remove noisy names of scenic spots from travelogues; (2) generate queries to automatically gather candidate image set; (3) select images to enrich the travelogue; and (4) choose images to portray the visual content of a scenic spot. Experimental results on Chinese travelogues demonstrate the potential of the proposed approach on tasks of travelogue enrichment and the corresponding scenic spot illustration.
MEAN AND STANDARD DEVIATION AS FEATURES FOR PALMPRINT RECOGNITION BASED ON GABOR FILTERS
Authors: MU MEIRU , RUAN QIUQI
Published: March 2011

The two-dimensional (2D) Gabor function has been recognized as a very useful tool in feature extraction of image, due to its optimal localization properties in both spatial and frequency domain. This paper presents a novel palmprint feature extraction method based on the statistics of decomposition coefficients of the Gabor wavelet transform. It is experimentally found that the magnitude coefficients of the Gabor wavelet transform within each subband uniformly to approximate the Lognormal distribution. Based on this fact, we create the palmprint representation using two simple statistics (mean and standard deviation) as feature components after applying the logarithmic transformation of Gabor filtered magnitude coefficients for each subband with different orientations and scales. The optimum setting of the number of Gabor filters and orientation of each Gabor filter is experimentally determined. For palmprint recognition, the popularly used Fisher Linear Discriminant (FLD) analysis is further applied on the constructed feature vectors to extract discriminative features and reduce dimensionality. All experiments are both executed over the CCD-based HongKong PolyU Palmprint Database of 7752 images and the scanner-based BJTU_PalmprintDB (V1.0) of 3460 images. The results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed palmprint representation in achieving the improved recognition performance.
WAVELET DECOMPOSITION OF PSEUDO-MOTION IMAGE AND APPLICATION TO FREQUENCY SEGMENTATION
Authors: TANG YUAN YAN , CUI LIMIN , JIN NING
Published: March 2011

In this paper, we propose a novel approach to frequency segmentation using wavelet decomposition of pseudo-motion image. In this way, a fixed image is translated such that a sequence of moving images is produced, which are called the 0 pseudo-motion images. In fact, we can consider the translation of a function to be a motion of eyeshot. When a function is translated, its wavelet coefficients will oscillate. From this property, we can detect the special areas of the image. Some experiments were conducted, which are used to find the position of license plates of vehicles in digital images. The experimental results demonstrate the performance of the method.
RIDED-2D: A RULE-BASED INSTANTANEOUS DENOISING AND EDGE DETECTION METHOD FOR 2D RANGE SCAN LINE
Authors: WANG JIAN , YAO ZHEN-QIANG , AN QUAN-ZHANG , ZHU YAO-JIE , ZHANG XUE-PING , GU WEI-BIN , LIANG XIN-GUANG , MEI LIN , WU JIN , SHEN DONG-QING , XIN YUN-CHANG , LU FANG-FANG
Published: March 2011

Edge detection is often regarded as a basic step in range image processing by virtue of its crucial effect. The majority of existing edge detection methods cannot satisfy the requirement of efficiency in many industrial applications due to huge computational costs. In this paper, a novel instantaneous method, named RIDED-2D is proposed for denoising and edge detection for 2D scan line in range images. In the method, silhouettes of 2D scan line are classified into eight types by defining a few new coefficients. Several discriminant criteria on large noise filtering and edge detection are stipulated based on qualitative feature analysis on each type. Selecting some feature point candidates, a practical parameter learning method is provided to determine the threshold set, along with the implementation of an integrated algorithm by merging calculation steps. Because all the coefficients are established based on distances among the points or their ratio, RIDED-2D is inherently invariant to translation and rotation transformations. Furthermore, a forbidden region approach is proposed to eliminate interference of the mixed pixels. Key performances of RIDED-2D are evaluated in detail by including computational complexity, time expenditure, accuracy and stability. The results indicate that RIDED-2D can detect edge points accurately from several real range images, in which large noises and systematic noises are involved, and the total processing time is less than 0.1 millisecond on an ordinary PC platform using the integrated algorithm. Comparing with other state-of-the-art edge detection methods qualitatively, RIDED-2D exhibits a prominent advantage on computational efficiency. Thus, the proposed method qualifies for real-time processing in stringent industrial applications. Besides, another contribution of this paper is to introduce CPU clock counting technique to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm, and suggest a convenient and objective way to estimate the algorithm's time expenditure in other platforms.
LASER MEASUREMENT KEY TECHNOLOGIES AND APPLICATION IN ROBOT AUTONOMOUS NAVIGATION
Authors: SUI JINXUE , YANG LI , ZHANG XIN , ZHANG XIA
Published: March 2011

The laser ranging has extensive detection range and high measurement accuracy and so it is widely applied in navigation systems of the autonomous robot. But different environmental conditions have different influences on the transmission of the laser, producing errors of various degrees to measurement. The proposed range of influence in research on laser ranging LMS200 which is used in robot navigation under dissimilar conditions, by analyzing the primary factor that affects LMS200 ranging in a room and outside, contributing to the experimental contrast, obtaining experimental effects under environmentally influencing factors, discovering reflectivity, incidence, mixed pixel and visibility and so on that are environmental factors truly affecting practical application, builds the foundation for carrying out the ranging application of robot navigation. Mobile robots need enough sensor information of movements for carrying out autonomous navigation. The information establishment environment model in the completely unknown environment, depends upon itself to provide sensors to the robot that carries out autonomous localization and navigation. This paper also systematically introduces the applied research of laser ranging in mobile robot autonomous navigation, carrying out the scanning of the environment through the two-dimensional range finder sensor, proposed in autonomous navigation of map building and localization that uses two-dimensional scanning to obtain three-dimensional data stream, the experiment confirms that this algorithm allows the robot to obtain a very good three-dimensional visual structure drawing.