bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Organizing for Crisis Management: Building Governance Capacity and Legitimacy
Authors: Christensen Tom , Lægreid Per , Rykkja Lise H.
Published: April 2016

What makes a well‐functioning governmental crisis management system, and how can this be studied using an organization theory–based approach? A core argument is that such a system needs both governance capacity and governance legitimacy. Organizational arrangements as well as the legitimacy of government authorities will affect crisis management performance. A central argument is that both structural features and cultural context matter, as does the nature of the crisis. Is it a transboundary crisis? How unique is it, and how much uncertainty is associated with it? The arguments are substantiated with empirical examples and supported by a literature synthesis, focusing on public administration research. A main conclusion is that there is no optimal formula for harmonizing competing interests and tensions or for overcoming uncertainty and ambiguous government structures. Flexibility and adaptation are key assets, which are constrained by the political, administrative, and situational context. Furthermore, a future research agenda is indicated.
Making Sense of Inequalities: How Do Clinical Commissioning Groups in England Understand their New Role?
Authors: Warwick‐Giles Lynsey , Coleman Anna , Checkland Katherine
Published: April 2016

This research explored how newly forming clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) were beginning to think about their new ‘duty’ to tackle health inequalities (HIs), as outlined in UK health policy. The concept of ‘sensemaking’ (Weick 1995) was used to illustrate the influences on CCGs’ interpretations of the policy. Three CCGs in the North of England were recruited, and qualitative methods, including interviews, observations and document analysis, were used to collect data, over a period from January 2012 to December 2012. The tangibility of central policy objectives is important in providing clear guidance and direction to organizations trying to tackle large scale policy agendas such as HIs. At a local level, both individual and collective organizational histories and wider relationships were influential on the way CCGs understood the problem of HIs and how they decided to try to tackle the issue locally. The research highlights what influences local level relationships and what factors need to be considered when trying to interpret and implement national policy at a local level.
FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING ACTIVITY OF SELECTED SEA CUCUMBER SPECIES FROM MATARAM-LOMBOK, INDONESIA
Authors: Pangestuti Ratih , Murniasih Tutik , Yunovilsa Putra Masteria , Rasyid Abdullah , Tri Wibowo Joko , Ardiansyah Ardi , Untari Febriana
Published: April 2016

Sea cucumber is an important food and remedies in Eastern hemisphere. However, less study have been performed to identify health benefit effects of sea cucumber from tropical region. In this study, radical scavenging activity of sea cucumber from Mataram - Lombok [Holothuria leucospilota, Holothuria atra, Holothuria fuscocinerea, and Holothuria excellens] were studied. Compared to other species at concentration of 0.1 mg mL–1, H. atra extract showed strongest scavenging activity in 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (13.14 ± 2.17) % and absorbance value of β-carotene linoleic acid model at 180 min was (3.32 ± 1,12). H. atra extract were further fractionated, and ethyl acetate fractions (fr. 6) significantly inhibit radical activity at 180 min with the absorbance value of 2.84 ± 0.2. It can be concluded that H. atra is an important sea cucumber from tropical region.
Tribological Study of a Slider Bearing in the Supersonic Regime
Authors: Dupuy Florence , Bou-Saïd Benyebka , Garcia Mathieu , Grau Grégory , Rocchi Jérôme , Crespo Matthieu , Tichy John
Published: April 2016

Aerodynamic slider bearings are currently used in various types of turbomachinery. Many such systems perform at increasingly faster speeds and may operate in the supersonic regime. Although there is extensive research on compressible lubrication extrapolated to high-speeds, very little of it addresses the potential supersonic nature of the flow. It is well known in compressible flow that many of the tendencies of subsonic flow actually reverse themselves as the singularity at Mach one is traversed. Thus, examination of this high-speed regime may yield some unanticipated results. The behavior of a thin film of air in the supersonic regime is studied in the two-dimensional flow case with rigid sliding surfaces. The one-dimensional bearing studied has a dual profile consisting of an inlet region converging wedge of constant slope and an exit region of constant gap. Two approaches are compared: the solution of a modified Reynolds equation, and the solution to a version of Navier–Stokes equations adapted to thin films. The results show that the modified Reynolds equation approach, which is useful to describe the behavior of lubricating fluids at high subsonic speeds may be inadequate in the supersonic regime. The present studies show the absence of shock and expansion wave phenomena for cases in which the film thickness ratio does not exceed 0.01.
Extension of the Concepts of Heat Capacity Rate Ratio and Effectiveness-Number of Transfer Units Model to the Coupled Heat and Moisture Exchange in Liquid-to-Air Membrane Energy Exchangers
Authors: Kamali Houman , Ge Gaoming , Besant Robert W. , Simonson Carey J.
Published: April 2016

The underlying concept of the standard effectiveness-number of transfer units (NTU) model is that the effectiveness of an exchanger can be correlated to two dimensionless parameters, namely, heat capacity ratio (Cr) and NTU. However, a limitation of this model is that it cannot account for the changes in effectiveness due to changes in operating temperature and humidity of simultaneous heat and moisture exchangers, specifically liquid-to-air membrane energy exchangers (LAMEEs). The purpose of this paper is to explain the reason for this limitation and also to explore the extension of the aforementioned concept of the effectiveness-NTU model to LAMEEs. The first contribution of this paper is to demonstrate that the reason for this limitation is that one of the simplifying assumptions of the standard effectiveness-NTU model, i.e., that Cr represents the ratio between the changes in the temperatures of the two fluid streams across an exchanger, is not applicable to LAMEEs. Further analysis in this paper yields two new fundamental dimensionless parameters that are analogous to Cr, termed effective Cr and effective m*, which represent the actual ratios between the changes in the temperatures and humidity ratios of the fluid streams. Then, it is shown that models analogous to the standard effectiveness-NTU model can be used to correlate the dependency of the effectiveness of LAMEEs on the operating temperature and humidity to effective Cr and effective m*.
Static Analysis of a Microscale Cricket Filiform Hair Socket
Authors: Hossain A. , Mian A.
Published: April 2016

Filiform hairs of crickets are of great interest to engineers because of their highly sensitive response to low velocity air currents. In this study, the cercal sensory system of a common house cricket has been analyzed. The sensory system consists of two antennae like appendages called cerci that are situated at the rear of the cricket’s abdomen. Each cercus is covered with 500–750 flow sensitive hairs that are embedded in a complex viscoelastic socket that acts as a spring -dashpot system and guides the movement of the hair. When the hair deflects due to the drag force induced on its length by a moving air-current, the spiking activity of the neuron and the combined spiking activity of all hairs are extracted by the cercal sensory system. The hair has been experimentally studied by few researchers though its characteristics are not fully understood. The socket structure has not been analyzed experimentally or theoretically from a mechanical standpoint. Therefore, this study aims to understand the socket’s behavior and its interaction with the filiform hair by conducting static analysis. First, a 3D Finite Element Analysis (FEA) model, representing hair and hair-socket, has been developed. Then the static analysis is conducted utilizing the appropriate load and boundary conditions based on the physical conditions that an insect experiences. These numerical analyses aid to understand the deformation mechanism the hair and hair-socket system. The operating principles of the hair and hair-socket could be used for the design of highly responsive MEMS devices such as fluid flow sensors or micro-manipulators.
Preliminary Study of a Polymer-Based Microfluidic Device for Detecting Distributed Shear Loads
Authors: Yang Yichao , Shen Jiayue , Levenstein Mark A. , Hao Zhili
Published: April 2016

This paper reports on a polymer-based microfluidic device for detecting distributed shear loads. This device is comprised of a symmetric 3D polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) microstructure, two electrolyte-filled microchannels embedded underneath the microstructure, and a set of electrode pairs distributed along the length of each microchannel. In conjunction with its electrode pairs, one body of electrolyte in each microchannel functions as distributed resistive transducers along the microchannel length. The 3D microstructure is built into a rectangular block with a narrow shear-loading bump on its top. The edges of the bump are aligned right at the width centers of the two microchannels. Thus, distributed shear loads acting on the bump translate to normal loads of opposite directions on the tops of the two microchannels, and consequently opposite geometrical changes in the microchannels, which register as resistance changes by the distributed resistive transducers. Together with a CNC mold, a two-mask photolithographic fabrication process is employed to fabricate a prototype device. The fabricated device is tested using a custom experimental setup. The experimental results validate the design concept of the device and further show that the device exhibits a linear response to shear loads with good repeatability.
Synchronized Heterogeneous Indentation and Stress Relaxation Behavior of Articular Cartilage Upon Macroscopic Compression: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Shen Jiayue , Gu Wenting , Palmer Xavier-lewis , Guo Siqi , Hao Zhili
Published: April 2016

By using a newly-developed experimental technique that is enabled by a polymer-based microfluidic device for detecting distributed normal loads, a preliminary study is presented on the synchronized heterogeneous indentation and stress relaxation behavior of articular cartilage upon macroscopic compression. In a measurement, a rigid cylinder probe is employed to exert macroscopic indentation or step input to a cartilage sample on the device. Consequently, the synchronized heterogeneous viscoelastic behavior of the sample translates to distributed normal loads acting on the device and is captured by the device. While the macroscopic load acting on a sample is recorded by a load cell, the deflections of a sample along its length are captured by the device. Thus, the measured results essentially are the load-deflection relations of a sample along its length. Full-thickness lapine and bovine articular cartilage samples are prepared and measured. A thorough data analysis is implemented on the recorded data for extracting their instant and relaxed indentation modulus, as well as Young’s relaxation modulus.
Methodology for Concurrent Design of Micro-Power Generators
Authors: Solano-Araque Edwin H. , Parra-Raad Jaime A. , Roa-Prada Sebastian
Published: April 2016

The optimal performance of a micro-power piezoelectric generator for power harvesting from ambient vibrations strongly depends on the appropriate coupling among its components such as the piezoelectric element, the electrical circuit interface and the load. This coupling is governed by the different types of physical interaction phenomena occurring between such subsystems. A piezoelectric micro-power generator typically consists of a layer of active material deposited on a substrate that convert the mechanical energy from ambient vibrations into electrical energy, an interfacing circuit that usually rectifies this electrical energy and the electrical load where the harvested energy can be stored for later use or spent directly in an application. So far the research efforts in the literature have focused on the performance optimization of each of these subsystems independently, in many cases in an analytical form. Unfortunately, this approach implies a simplification of the models, ruling out most of the complex effects embedded in the dynamic behavior of the system, which does not guarantee optimal performance for the whole device once all its parts are put together. Performance is reduced in the whole device due to different effects such as dynamic loading and impedance mismatch, among others. In order to study the interaction between the subsystems of a micro-power generator, this research proposes a methodology that, by implementing the model for all components on a common a platform, allows for simultaneous analysis and design. A case study is presented and the results demonstrate the potential of the technique for cross-layer optimization of micro-power generators in connection with their associated electronics circuitry.
Localization Approach of Damage in Welded Joint Based on Acoustic Emission Beamforming
Authors: Xiao Denghong , He Tian , Liu Xiandong , Shan Yingchun
Published: April 2016

A novel approach of locating damage in welded joints is proposed based on acoustic emission (AE) beamforming, which is particularly applicable to complex plate-like structures. First, five AE sensors used to obtain AE signals generated from damage are distributed on the surface of the structure in a uniform line array. Then the beamforming method is adopted to detect the weld joints in the area of interest rather than all the points of the whole structure, and to determine the location and obtain information of AE sources. In order to study the ability of the proposed method more comprehensively, a rectangular steel tube with welded joints is taken for the pencil-lead-broken test. The localization results indicate that the proposed localization approach can effectively localize the failure welded joints. This improvement greatly reduces the cost of computation and also improves the efficiency of localization work compared with the traditional beamforming.
A Complete Parametric Study of Pull-In Voltage by Nonlinear Differential Equation
Authors: Changizi M. Amin , Stiharu Ion
Published: April 2016

Micro-cantilever beams are interested structures in MEMS because of their fabrication is very easy and its versatility. The importance of micro-cantilevers beam in MEMS has driven various investigations like static and dynamic performances under different loading such as potential fields. In this research the non-linear differential equation which models dynamics of a micro-cantilever beams vibration subjected to electrostatic field has been studied. The model which has one degree of freedom is used to calculate the pull-in voltage. This model adopted based on different method of calculating stiffness of micro-cantilever beam. The nonlinear ordinary differential equation which used to model the dynamics of the cantilever subjected to electric field close to snap on is highly stiff. Investigation on solving of nonlinear stiff ordinary equation showed that only Lsode algorithm yield to correct solution to the problem. Lsode is equipped with a robust adaptive time step selection mechanism that enables solutions to very stiff problems, as the one under discussion. The best match in the resonant frequency for equivalent stiffness based on four different models was considered. The stiffness model suitable for the best match in deflection is proved to be different from the model that yields. Pull-in voltage under electric field was studied. Pull-in voltage has been investigated from the analytical and numerical perspective. A complete parametric study of structural damping effect on large deflection of micro-cantilever beam was studied was done numerically in this work. Different kind of impulse voltages were considered and effect of them on pulling voltage numerically was studied. A cumbersome mathematical method, Lie symmetry, was used to drive a closed from of time response to step voltage for undamped system and pull in voltage of such system was calculated. Finally, a closed form driven from the nonlinear ODE for calculating pulling voltage was presented.
Effect of Media Conductivity on High Frequency Dielectrophoretic Response
Authors: Hadady Hanieh , Wong Johnson J. , Hiibel Sage R. , Geiger Emil J.
Published: April 2016

A method was developed for analyzing the high frequency dielectrophoresis (>20 MHz) response of microalgal cells with different lipid content on the basis of media conductivities. At these frequencies, the DEP response is expected to depend primarily on the dielectric properties of the cytoplasm. The medium used to perform DEP experiments has an important influence on their outcome since all properties are measured in relation to the medium, therefore its properties must be tightly controlled. This method is label free and only uses electric fields, and thus it is suitable for many other applications in the medical field.

Chlamydomonas reinhardtii cells were cultured in regular medium and then the same cells were cultured under nitrogen-free conditions to accumulate neutral (non-polar) lipids. To measure the upper crossover frequency, two thin, needle shaped electrodes (100 nm thick) were patterned onto a glass slide using standard micro-technology processes and the motion of the cells was observed as an AC signal was swept from 20–80 MHz at ∼30Vpp (Volt peak to peak). Cells were injected to the microelectrode array in different medium conductivities that were adjusted by sodium chloride.

The upper crossover frequencies of N-free cells in different media conductivities were measured. It was found that when the solution conductivity was between 4 ± 2 μs/cm and 106 ± 1 μS/cm and the operating frequency was between 20 and 80 MHz, the upper crossover frequency of the microalgae increased as the medium conductivity increased. The lipid content was verified via fluorescence microscopy and MATLAB image processing.
Microfluidic MEMS Device in the Cultivation of Microalgae With Positive Dielectrophoretic Cell Trapping for Media Exchange
Authors: Wong Johnson J. , Geiger Emil
Published: April 2016

Through COMSOL modeling and electrode design, positive dielectrophoretic (pDEP) cell trapping for media exchange has been demonstrated on live Chlamydomnas reinhardtii in regular growth medium in a PDMS-glass microfluidic MEMS device. Dielectrophoresis (DEP) is the force applied to dielectric particles in an alternating current (AC) non-uniform electric field. A DEP force toward the increasing electric field gradient is called positive (pDEP). There are several published DEP structures for various applications such as: simple interdigitated structures for particle sorting in flow, DEP tweezers for single cell manipulation, and spiral structures for general cell manipulation. pDEP trapping over large areas (area pDEP) has been demonstrated with the use of low conductivity suspending media, but for higher conductivity suspending media, such as growth media, the pDEP force is reduced, and less likely to trap and hold microalgae against the hydrodynamic forces during media exchange. Multiphysics software, COMSOL, was used to model repeating structures suited for trapping of cells over the bottom area of a microfluidic device, which is useful and necessary for media exchange of a cell culture in a simple microfluidic device. The theoretical model of dielectrophoretic (DEP) force on a homogenous sphere in a homogenous medium in an electric field is a function of the sphere radius and conductivity, medium permittivity, and the gradient of the electric field. By assuming the conductivities, permittivities, and the particle geometry remains constant, the gradient of the electric field is the determining factor for the strength of the pDEP force. Modeling the electric fields and the resulting electric field gradient of various interdigitated electrode configurations allowed for the optimization of an electrode structure’s area of higher electric field gradients. The completed microfluidic device consisted of a single channel and a wide growth chamber overlaid over patterned gold-chrome electrodes. The MEMS device was fabricated using soft lithography and photolithography on the etched chrome-gold glass slides. The pDEP trapping was successful in trapping C. reinhardtii for media exchange. Media exchange allows for nutrient replenishment and waste removal, allowing for control of the growth conditions.
Finite Element Analysis and Fatigue Life Prediction of an Aluminum Alloy Braze for High Temperature Thermoelectric Generator Package Assembly
Authors: Arifeen Shams U. , Wolemiwa Victor , Nwoke Dominic , Barannyk Lyudmyla L. , Potirniche Gabriel P. , Elshabini Aicha , Barlow Fred
Published: April 2016

Thermoelectric generators (TEGs) are solid state devices that convert thermal energy into electrical energy using the Seebeck effect. They can be used for energy harvesting in trucks and passenger vehicles by taking advantage of the temperature difference between the exhaust pipes and ambient environment. The key issue with thermoelectric devices today is the demand for increased operating temperatures while maintaining adequate reliability and low cost. Since, TEGs are subjected to sub-critical thermal cyclic loading, ensuring satisfactory reliability is important for commercially viable products. TEGs used in passenger vehicles should be able to withstand extreme environmental conditions such as high temperature, shock and mechanical vibration [1]. Since the operating temperatures of TEGs can reach temperatures higher than 500 °C, aluminum brazes offer a good high temperature solution for die attach applications. The thermoelectric materials of TEGs are prone to oxidation and sublimation. A solution to minimize these phenomena is to enclose the TEG device in a hermetic package. This paper analyzes the reliability of aluminum alloy braze Al 718 (12% Si, 88% Al) used in TEG packages under fatigue loading. A power cycling temperature fluctuation method was employed to simulate the operating conditions of the TEGs for passenger vehicle. Low cycle fatigue simulations were performed using the direct cyclic approach embedded in the finite element software ABAQUS. Direct cyclic approach uses an extrapolation technique, which allows for efficient and computationally inexpensive simulations. The numerical model was validated using experimental test data. A validated damage model was used to analyze the cyclic damage evolution in the aluminum alloy braze for the hermetic TEG packages.
Strain Monitoring Near Through Silicon Vias Using Metal Piezoresistive Sensors
Authors: Taylor Christine , Liu Xi , Sitaraman Suresh K.
Published: April 2016

With 3D system packaging, more chips will be stacked on top of each other and connected by through silicon vias (TSVs). TSVs enable not only miniaturization, but also high bandwidth, lower power consumption, heterogeneous integration and minimal interconnect latency. Due to the difference in the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of various materials in 3D packaging systems, high thermomechanical stresses develop. Stress measurements near these TSVs and bump pads are important to help understand the evolution of die stresses associated with the packaging process. Depending on the package, the pitch of vias/bumps ranges from a few microns to a few tens of microns. Unlike currently-used piezoresistive doped Si sensors that require high-temperature processing, metal-based sensors use low-temperature standard cleanroom processes such as UV lithography and physical vapor deposition. In this paper, nichrome metallic sensors have been fabricated using standard cleanroom processes, and the gauge factor of the sensing material has been determined through tensile and compressive loadings. In parallel to the experiments, finite-element simulations have been carried out to assess the influence of sensors on local stress fields, and it is found that although the influence is minimal for micro-scale sensors, it is essential to account for such change in stress fields.
Fabrication of Second-Level TriDelta Interconnects Using Negative Dry-Film Photoresist
Authors: Chen Wei , Song Yaqin , Liang Jiaxing , Sitaraman Suresh K.
Published: April 2016

Compliant off-chip interconnects can accommodate the differential displacement between dissimilar materials such as a silicon substrate and an organic board, and can decrease stresses in a microelectronic system. In this paper, we present the fabrication of an area-array of TriDelta compliant interconnects on a 6-inch silicon wafer using sequential processes. The design consists of about 2000 compliant interconnects at a 400-μm pitch on each 18mm × 18mm silicon substrate, and there are 32 substrates on a 6-inch wafer. The three arcuate beams of the compliant interconnects are the main parts that provide both the in-plane and out-of-plane compliance, and thus the arcuate beam width and thickness are the most important factor to be considered. DupontTM Riston® FX920 (thickness = 20/μm) negative dry film photoresist is used in our study and the arcuate beam thickness is uniform throughout the pattern. However, by designing the arcuate beam width to be 10μm, 15μm, and 20μm, different compliance values can be achieved in the same or different substrates. The use of the dry film photoresist makes the fabrication process cost effective compared to the use of liquid film photoresist. The mechanical compliance of such fabricated compliant interconnects, intended as second-level interconnects, is presented in this work.
Band Gaps in Bravais Lattices Inspired Periodic Cellular Materials and the Effect of Relative Density and Strain Fields
Authors: Iyer Sumantu , Alkhader Maen , Venkatesh T. A.
Published: April 2016

Periodic cellular (lattice) materials, by virtue of their periodic structures and associated geometric impedance mismatch, exhibit wave dispersion, frequency dependent transmissibility, and directional characteristics that are inherently dependent on their constituent material and mesoscale microstructural features. These characteristics render lattice materials as potential candidates to perform as low frequency phononic crystals and metamaterials for radar, sonar, wave guiding, wave modulation and isolation applications. Accelerating the wide-spread implementation of lattice materials as phononic crystals hinges on establishing the ability to engineer them to exhibit application-tailored properties and tunable behavior (e.g. to activate/deactivate band gaps). Achieving tunability and application-oriented tailorablity requires, first, establishing an understating of phononic, acoustic, wave dispersion and directional properties of the lattices and how they are affected by lattices’ inherent features. Accordingly, using Bloch’s theorem in conjunction with finite element analysis, this work investigates the relationships between inherent microstructural features (such as lattice symmetry, relative density (i.e. volume fraction) and constituent material) and the acoustic properties (such as wave dispersion, band gaps, and acoustic anisotropy) of architectured lattice materials. The coupling between microstructural features and band gaps is investigated in a hexagonal lattice geometry which is inspired by the two dimensional Bravais family of lattices. Results illustrate that band structure and phononic properties are highly sensitive to relative density and can scale non-uniformly with it as eigenmodes are associated with relative density dependent deformation mechanisms. Moreover, results show that band gaps can potentially be activated and deactivated using macroscopic strain fields. The latter opens horizons for realizing cellular based phononic crystals with tunable properties.
Optimization of computation efficiency in underwater acoustic navigation system
Authors: Lee Hua
Published: April 2016

This paper presents a technique for the estimation of the relative bearing angle between the unmanned underwater vehicle (UUV) and the base station for the homing and docking operations. The key requirement of this project includes computation efficiency and estimation accuracy for direct implementation onto the UUV electronic hardware, subject to the extreme constraints of physical limitation of the hardware due to the size and dimension of the UUV housing, electric power consumption for the requirement of UUV survey duration and range coverage, and heat dissipation of the hardware. Subsequent to the design and development of the algorithm, two phases of experiments were conducted to illustrate the feasibility and capability of this technique. The presentation of this paper includes system modeling, mathematical analysis, and results from laboratory experiments and full-scale sea tests.
Prevascular femoral hernia and its relation with inferior epigastric vessels: a rare presentation of the femoral hernia sac
Authors: Boshnaq Mohamed , Phan Yih Chyn , Akhtar Mansoor , Hamade Ayman
Published: April 2016

A 61-year-old man presented to the emergency department, with a 2-week history of a painful lump on his right groin. A diagnosis of an irreducible right femoral hernia was made. As such, an urgent operation was carried out on the same day, and the patient was found to have a rare prevascular femoral hernia in which the sac was lying over the femoral vessels and split by the inferior epigastric vessels into 2 components resembling 2 trouser limbs. The hernia sac presented in a different and challenging way that necessitated meticulous dissection and full orientation of the anatomy of the femoral triangle. Complete dissection and control of the inferior epigastric vessels, and complete reduction of the sac followed by repair with a prosthetic mesh plug were performed successfully. The patient was discharged home the next day.
A diagnostic dilemma in a case of pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour
Authors: Asciak Rachelle , Gouder Caroline , Bilocca David , Montefort Stephen
Published: April 2016

An 18-year-old man presented to the local hospital in Malta, with dyspnoea, cough, mild haemoptysis, chest pain and night sweats. CT revealed a right hilar mass. Pleural tap, bronchoscopy and open lung biopsy were inconclusive. Biopsies obtained at repeat bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) revealed a likely diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumour (IMT). The patient subsequently underwent right pneumonectomy, and histology revealed the presence of two further nodules apart from the main tumour. Follow-up with positron emission tomography (PET)/CT showed the development of a right basal paracardial lesion due to recurrence and the presence of lymph node, pleural and skeletal disease. Despite radiotherapy to the recurrent nodule and chemotherapy, there was skeletal disease progression. Treatment with an anaplastic lymphoma kinase inhibitor, ceritinib, resulted in very good metabolic response. This case report highlights the importance of keeping IMT in mind when the diagnosis of lung tumours is difficult, as delayed diagnosis may lead to worsened prognosis.
Azathioprine-induced bullous Sweet's syndrome: a rare association
Authors: Biswas Sugata Narayan , Chakraborty Partha Pratim , Gantait Kripasindhu , Bar Chittaranjan
Published: April 2016

A 52-year-old man presented with high-grade fever, headache and painful vesicular skin rash involving the upper trunk and upper extremities, 8 days after initiation of chemotherapy with azathioprine (50 mg/day), which had been prescribed for acral vitiligo. There was neither any history of preceding respiratory or gastrointestinal tract infection, nor was the patient known to have malignancy, drug hypersensitivity, inflammatory bowel disease, vasculitis or other autoimmune disease. Laboratory results revealed leucocytosis with neutrophilia and markedly elevated acute phase reactants. Antinuclear antibody, perinuclear and cytoplasmic antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody were found negative. Punch biopsy from skin of the upper trunk revealed dense neutrophilic infiltration of dermis without signs of vasculitis, suggestive of Sweet's syndrome. In view of the temporal association with azathioprine and absence of an obvious alternative aetiology, provisional diagnosis of drug-induced bullous Sweet's syndrome was made. Azathioprine was discontinued and high-dose oral prednisolone initiated. The response was dramatic with resolution of skin lesions within 72 h without further recurrence at fourth week of follow-up.
The effects of passive stretching plus vibration on strength and activation of the plantar flexors
Authors: Miller Jonathan D. , Herda Trent J. , Trevino Michael A. , Mosier Eric M.
Published: April 2016

This study examined the effects of passive stretching only (PS+CON) and passive stretching with the addition of continuous vibration (VIB) during post-passive stretching tests (PS+VIB) on peak torque (PT), percent voluntary inactivation (%VI), single stimulus twitch torque (TTSINGLE), and doublet stimuli twitch torque (TTDOUBLET) of the plantar flexors at a short (20° plantar flexion (PF)) and long muscle length (15° dorsiflexion (DF)). Fourteen healthy men (age = 22 ± 3 years) performed isometric maximal voluntary contractions at PF and DF, and passive range of motion (PROM) assessments before and after 8 × 30-s passive stretches without (PS+CON) or with VIB (PS+VIB) administered continuously throughout post-passive stretching tests. The passive properties of the muscle tendon unit were assessed pre- and post-passive stretching via PROM, passive torque (PASSTQ), and musculotendinous stiffness (MTS) measurements. PT, TTSINGLE, and TTDOUBLET decreased, whereas, %VI increased following passive stretching at PF and DF (P < 0.05) with no significant differences between PS+CON and PS+VIB. PASSTQ and MTS decreased while PROM increased post-passive stretching during both trials (P < 0.05). The stretching-induced force/torque deficit and increases in %VI were evident following passive stretching at short and long muscle lengths. Although not statistically significant, effect size calculations suggested large and moderate differences in the absolute changes in PT (Cohen’s d = 1.14) and %VI (Cohen’s d = 0.54) from pre- to post-passive stretching between treatments, with PS+VIB having greater decreases of PT and higher %VI than PS+CON. The decrement in PT following passive stretching may be primarily neural in origin.
Short-term remote ischemic preconditioning is not associated with improved blood pressure and exercise capacity in young adults
Authors: Banks Laura , Wells Greg D. , Clarizia Nadia A. , Jean-St-Michel Emilie , McKillop Adam L. , Redington Andrew N. , McCrindle Brian W.
Published: April 2016

We sought to determine whether a 9-day remote ischemic preconditioning (IPC) causes improvements in exercise performance, energetics, and blood pressure. Ten participants (mean age 24 ± 4 years) had no changes in aerobic capacity (preintervention: 38 ± 10 mL/(kg·min)–1 vs. postintervention: 38 ± 10 mL/(kg·min)–1), blood pressure (preintervention: 112 ± 7/66 ± 6 mm Hg vs. postintervention: 112 ± 10/62 ± 5 mm Hg), cardiac phosphocreatinine-to-adenosine–triphosphate ratio (preintervention: 2.1 ± 0.5 vs. postintervention: 2.3 ± 0.4), and postexercise skeletal muscle phosphocreatine recovery (preintervention: 34 ± 11 s vs. postintervention: 31 ± 11 s). Short-term remote IPC may be ineffective in improving these outcomes.
Dietary yeast-based nucleotides as an alternative to in-feed antibiotics in promoting growth performance and nutrient utilization in weaned pigs
Authors: Waititu S.M. , Heo J.M. , Patterson R. , Nyachoti C.M.
Published: April 2016

Effect of dietary nucleotide supplementation without or with in-feed antibiotics on piglet performance and energy and nutrient digestibility was determined. Supplementing antibiotics without or with nucleotides (1000 ppm) increased weight gain (P < 0.05), whereas increasing nucleotide levels in antibiotic-supplemented diets linearly decreased (P < 0.05) energy and nutrient digestibility.
Growth and seed production of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed (Ambrosia trifida L.) in response to water stress
Authors: Kaur Simranpreet , Aulakh Jatinder , Jhala Amit J.
Published: April 2016

The objectives of this study were to determine the effects of degree and duration of water stress on growth and seed production of glyphosate-resistant (GR) giant ragweed. The degree of water stress included giant ragweed response to 100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, and 12.5% of field capacity. The highest growth index (588 cm3) was achieved at 75% of field capacity with plants typically ≥125 cm tall and ≥57 leaves plant−1. Giant ragweed seed production was ≥55, 35, 20, and 5 seeds plant−1 at ≥75%, 50%, 25%, and 12.5% of field capacity, respectively. The study of duration of water stress included the response of giant ragweed to withholding water for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 d following 100% of field capacity. Water stress of 4 d or longer reduced giant ragweed plant height ≥20%, root and shoot biomass ≥66%, number of leaves ≥36%, growth index ≥54%, and seed production by 36% compared with 2 d of water stress. Results from this study indicate that giant ragweed can survive and produce seeds at 12.5% of field capacity or 10 d of water stress.
Theoretical Heterogeneous Catalysis: Scaling Relationships and Computational Catalyst Design
Authors: Greeley Jeffrey
Published: April 2016

Scaling relationships are theoretical constructs that relate the binding energies of a wide variety of catalytic intermediates across a range of catalyst surfaces. Such relationships are ultimately derived from bond order conservation principles that were first introduced several decades ago. Through the growing power of computational surface science and catalysis, these concepts and their applications have recently begun to have a major impact in studies of catalytic reactivity and heterogeneous catalyst design. In this review, the detailed theory behind scaling relationships is discussed, and the existence of these relationships for catalytic materials ranging from pure metal to oxide surfaces, for numerous classes of molecules, and for a variety of catalytic surface structures is described. The use of the relationships to understand and elucidate reactivity trends across wide classes of catalytic surfaces and, in some cases, to predict optimal catalysts for certain chemical reactions, is explored. Finally, the observation that, in spite of the tremendous power of scaling relationships, their very existence places limits on the maximum rates that may be obtained for the catalyst classes in question is discussed, and promising strategies are explored to overcome these limitations to usher in a new era of theory-driven catalyst design.
Effects of Moderate Aerobic Exercise on Cognitive Abilities and Redox State Biomarkers in Older Adults
Authors: Alghadir Ahmad H. , Gabr Sami A. , Al-Eisa Einas S.
Published: April 2016

We used a moderate aerobic exercise program for 24 weeks to measure the positive impact of physical activity on oxidative stress and inflammatory markers and its association with cognitive performance in healthy older adults. A total of 100 healthy subjects (65–95 Yrs) were randomly classified into two groups: control group (n = 50) and exercise group (n = 50). Cognitive functioning, physical activity score, MDA, 8‐OHdG, TAC, and hs‐CRP were assessed using LOTCA battery, prevalidated PA questionnaire, and immunoassay techniques. LOTCA 7‐set scores of cognitive performance showed a significant correlation with physical activity status and the regulation of both oxidative stress free radicals and inflammatory markers in all older subjects following 24 weeks of moderate exercise. Physically active persons showed a higher cognitive performance along with reduction in the levels of MDA, 8‐OHdG, and hs‐CRP and increase in TAC activity compared with sedentary participants. Cognitive performance correlated positively with the increase in TAC activity and physical fitness scores and negatively with MDA, 8‐OHdG, and hs‐CRP, respectively. There was a significant improvement in motor praxis, vasomotor organization, thinking operations, and attention and concentration among older adults. In conclusion, moderate aerobic training for 24 weeks has a positive significant effect in improving cognitive functions via modulating redox and inflammatory status of older adults.
The Effect of Guidance regarding Home Exercise and ADL on Adolescent Females Suffering from Adverse Effects after HPV Vaccination in Japanese Multidisciplinary Pain Centers
Authors: Ushida Takahiro , Shibata Masahiko , Kitahara Masaki , Yabuki Shoji , Sumitani Masahiko , Murakami Takanori , Iseki Masako , Hosoi Masako , Shiokawa Hiroaki , Tetsunaga Tomoko , Nishie Hiroyuki , Fukui Sei , Kawasaki Motohiro , Inoue Sinsuke , Nishihara Makoto , Aono Shuichi , Ikemoto Tatunori , Kawai Takashi , Arai Young-Chang
Published: April 2016

Background. Two prophylactic papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines have been available for primary prevention of cervical cancer. Although serious adverse effects (AE) were rare, more than 230 women have been suffering from severe AEs such as persistent pain and headache in Japan. Our research group started to treat adolescent females suffering from the AEs.Objective. To survey the characteristics of and the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy on adolescent female suffering from the AEs in Japanese multidisciplinary pain centers.Methods. One hundred and forty-five patients suffering from the AEs were reviewed retrospectively and 105 patients of them were provided guidance on home exercise and activities of daily living based partially on a cognitive-behavioral approach. The intensity of pain was rated by the patients using a numerical rating scale (NRS). Furthermore, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) were used.Results. Eighty out of the 105 patients who received the guidance were followed up, 10 displayed a marked improvement, and 43 showed some improvement.Conclusions. Guidance on home exercise and activities of daily living based on a cognitive-behavioral approach alleviated the AEs that women suffered from after HPV vaccination in Japan.
A New Kernel of Support Vector Regression for Forecasting High-Frequency Stock Returns
Authors: Qu Hui , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2016

This paper investigates the value of designing a new kernel of support vector regression for the application of forecasting high-frequency stock returns. Under the assumption that each return is an event that triggers momentum and reversal periodically, we decompose each future return into a collection of decaying cosine waves that are functions of past returns. Under realistic assumptions, we reach an analytical expression of the nonlinear relationship between past and future returns and introduce a new kernel for forecasting future returns accordingly. Using high-frequency prices of Chinese CSI 300 index from January 4, 2010, to March 3, 2014, as empirical data, we have the following observations: (1) the new kernel significantly beats the radial basis function kernel and the sigmoid function kernel out-of-sample in both the prediction mean square error and the directional forecast accuracy rate. (2) Besides, the capital gain of a simple trading strategy based on the out-of-sample predictions with the new kernel is also significantly higher. Therefore, we conclude that it is statistically and economically valuable to design a new kernel of support vector regression for forecasting high-frequency stock returns.
Valproic Acid Prevents Renal Dysfunction and Inflammation in the Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury Model
Authors: Costalonga Elerson C. , Silva Filipe M. O. , Noronha Irene L.
Published: April 2016

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major contributor to acute kidney injury (AKI). At present, there are no effective therapies to prevent AKI. The aim of this study was to analyse whether valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor with anti-inflammatory properties, prevents renal IRI. Male Wistar rats were divided into three groups: SHAM rats were subjected to a SHAM surgery, IRI rats underwent bilateral renal ischemia for 45 min, and IRI + VPA rats were treated with VPA at 300 mg/kg twice daily 2 days before bilateral IRI. Animals were euthanized at 48 hours after IRI. VPA attenuated renal dysfunction after ischemia, which was characterized by a decrease in BUN (mg/dL), serum creatinine (mg/dL), and FENa (%) in the IRI + VPA group (39±11,0.5±0.05, and0.5±0.06, resp.) compared with the IRI group (145±35,2.7±0.05, and4.9±1, resp.;p<0.001). Additionally, significantly lower acute tubular necrosis grade and number of apoptotic cells were found in the IRI + VPA group compared to the IRI group (p<0.001). Furthermore, VPA treatment reduced inflammatory cellular infiltration and expression of proinflammatory cytokines. These data suggest that VPA prevents the renal dysfunction and inflammation that is associated with renal IRI.
Th17 Cell Response inSOD1G93AMice following Motor Nerve Injury
Authors: Ni Allen , Yang Tao , Mesnard-Hoaglin Nichole A. , Gutierrez Rafael , Stubbs Evan B. , McGuire Susan O. , Sanders Virginia M. , Jones Kathryn J. , Foecking Eileen M. , Xin Junping
Published: April 2016

An increased risk of ALS has been reported for veterans, varsity athletes, and professional football players. The mechanism underlying the increased risk in these populations has not been identified; however, it has been proposed that motor nerve injury may trigger immune responses which, in turn, can accelerate the progression of ALS. Accumulating evidence indicates that abnormal immune reactions and inflammation are involved in the pathogenesis of ALS, but the specific immune cells involved have not been clearly defined. To understand how nerve injury and immune responses may contribute to ALS development, we investigated responses of CD4+T cell after facial motor nerve axotomy (FNA) at a presymptomatic stage in a transgenic mouse model of ALS (B6SJLSOD1G93A).SOD1G93Amice, compared with WT mice, displayed an increase in the basal activation state of CD4+T cells and higher frequency of Th17 cells, which were further enhanced by FNA. In conclusion,SOD1G93Amice exhibit abnormal CD4+T cell activation with increased levels of Th17 cells prior to the onset of neurological symptoms. Motor nerve injury exacerbates Th17 cell responses and may contribute to the development of ALS, especially in those who carry genetic susceptibility to this disease.