bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deployable MEMS Devices for Minimally Invasive Monitoring of Cortical Activities
Authors: Zhuang Jinda , Ju Y. Sungtaek
Published: April 2014

Electrocorticography (ECoG) is a powerful tool for brain activity monitoring with higher spatial resolution and efficacy than noninvasive alternatives such as scalp-based EEG electrodes and NIR spectroscopy. Despite its proven clinical and scientific utility, ECoG has seen rather limited usage due to the invasive nature of electrode placement procedures that involve risky craniotomies (Fig.1 left).
High Performance Isolation and Excitation of Vibration for Enhanced Identification of Inertial Sensors
Authors: Spiewak Swavik , Karpachevskyy Taras , Zaiss Curtis
Published: April 2014

Microsystems Technology based inertial sensors offer important advantages in low-invasive measurement of spatial motion with sub-micron accuracy. However, their successful implementation hinges upon achieving very low distortion and noise at the low end of the frequency spectrum. Therefore the investigations that lead to the enhancement of inertial sensors require environments free of the ambient vibrations to the maximum possible extent.

This research focuses on developing a hybrid vibration isolation system. It comprises a custom built pre-isolation stage supporting a small size, high performance commercial vibration isolation platform. Our objective is to reduce the ambient vibrations present in typical research laboratories, usually strongly affected by the “cultural noise”, down to a level of the super quiet sites, i.e., close to the level defined by New Low Noise Model (NLNM). Performance of the developed system is illustrated with experimental results.
Prediction of Elastic Modulus of Glass Short Fiber/Wood Powder/Polypropylene Hybrid Composites
Authors: Yu Ying , Nomura Manabu , Hamada Hiroyuki
Published: April 2014

Recent years, thermoplastics incorporated with particulate fillers have been gained high interests. To improve the mechanical properties of the natural particle reinforced polymer plastics, hybrid structure has been applied on the composite combining natural particle with stronger synthetic fibers. However, the reinforcing mechanism of the hybrid composite is quite complicated. Experiments on it may become time consuming and cost prohibitive. Therefore, researchers are interested in studying variable models to predict the elastic properties of the composites.

In this study, glass short fiber/wood particle/pp hybrid composites were prepared by injection molding process at a fixed reinforcement to matrix ratio of 51:49. 4 kinds of hybrid specimens with glass fiber/wood particle ratios of 41:10, 31:20, 21:30 and 11:40 were fabricated. The effect of hybridization content on the mechanical properties of the composites was evaluated based on tensile test. Theoretically, the elastic modulus of hybrid composites was predicted by using the rule of hybrid mixtures (RoHM) equation and classical lamination theory (CLT) and the accuracy of the two estimation models has been discussed.

Results showed that it can be considered the hybridization of wood powder into glass/PP composite could contribute to a similar high elastic modulus with high green degree. On the other hand, the fiber orientation factor, fiber length distribution factor, powder dispersion factor were very important factors and need to be considered in the prediction model.
Implementing Engineering and Sustainability Curriculum in K-12 Education
Authors: Robinson Stefanie L. , Mangold Jennifer A.
Published: April 2014

Introducing students to engineering concepts in early education is critical, as literature has shown that students’ degree of comfort and acceptance of science and technology is developed very early on in their education. While introducing engineering as a potential profession in K-12 classrooms has its own merits, it has also proven itself to be useful as a teaching tool. Engineering can lend itself to concepts that can engage students in critical thinking, problem solving, as well as the development of math and science skills. In engineering higher education there has been an increased focus on industrial ecology and sustainability in order to help students understand the environmental and social context within today’s society. The authors of this paper discuss the importance of these attributes when introducing engineering to K-12 students. Engineering and sustainability are not two mutually exclusive concepts, but sustainability should be considered throughout the practice of the engineering discipline. The ADEPT (Applied Design Engineering Project Teams) program at the University of California, Berkeley was established to design and deploy a standards-based engineering curriculum for middle schools and high schools (grades 6–12) designed to integrate mathematics and science concepts in applied engineering projects, inspire secondary students, and strengthen the classroom experience of current and future faculty in math, science, and engineering. This paper discusses the importance of introducing engineering and sustainability in K-12 classrooms. Example modules that were developed through the ADEPT program are presented as well as a set of recommendations that were designed as a guideline for educators to incorporate engineering and sustainability in K-12 classrooms. While the module discussed here was designed for middle school students, the curriculum and criteria recommended can be adapted to primary and secondary education programs.
Unsteady Hydromagnetic Radiative Flow of a Dusty Fluid Past a Porous Plate With Ramped Wall Temperature
Authors: Nandkeolyar R. , Sibanda P. , Ansari Md. S.
Published: April 2014

The combined effects of applied magnetic field, thermal radiation and suction on the flow and free convective heat transfer of a viscous, incompressible, electrically conducting dusty fluid past a flat plate with ramped temperature are studied. The governing partial differential equations for momentum and energy transfers, for both the fluid and particle phases, are solved using Laplace transform technique. The inverse Laplace transform is obtained numerically using Matlab. A comparison of Numerical solution and analytical solution for energy transfer is made which shows an excellent agreement. The effects of pertinent flow parameters are analyzed with the help of graphs and tables.
Switching Criteria of Three Stage Air Valves
Authors: Warda H. A. , Adam I. G. , Rashad A. B.
Published: April 2014

The performance of 3 stage air valve has been investigated experimentally. Throughout this work, more understanding of the dynamic behavior of air valves during transient is achieved. A wide range of tests were conducted, the aim of which were to obtain a graphical representation of the differential pressure versus water discharge rate characteristics for different valve float configurations and to determine the exact point at which dynamic closure occurs, whenever it occurs, and to determine the peak pressure induced when a flow of water column reaches and closes the valve.

The test rig for water discharge tests was constructed from a transparent pipe, and also transparent valve was used to allow visual interpretation of the valve behavior during transients using high speed camera. The rig was interfaced with a high pressure air/water supply in order to obtain the necessary pressure difference to vary the water column velocity. The pressure was monitored and recorded at different locations along the pipe and at the valve. Water column velocity was also recorded via an ultrasonic clamp on flow meter. The outputs of the various sensors were monitored by means of a data acquisition device.
Numerical Investigation of Fully Developed Fluid Flow and Heat Transfer in Double-Trapezoidal Microchannels
Authors: Shojaeian Mostafa , Koşar Ali
Published: April 2014

Fully developed fluid flow and heat transfer characteristics of double-trapezoidal microchannels with constant wall temperature are numerically investigated in the slip flow regime. The governing equations are solved together with the appropriate boundary conditions using finite volume method. The effect of rarefaction on Poiseuille number, Po, and Nusselt number, Nu, is studied for Knudsen numbers, Kn, varying from 0 to 0.1. The effects of base angle, B, and aspect ratio, A, on the fluid flow and the heat transfer characteristics are also examined. The results reveal that the rarefaction and the cross-section shapes have prominent effects on these characteristics of double-trapezoidal microchannels. According to the results, the Poiseuille number decreases with increasing Kn, while the values of the Nusselt number completely depend on the impacts of the rarefaction and the fluid-surface interaction. Po and Nu decrease with aspect ratio for A<1, while the effect of aspect ratio on Po and Nu becomes unclear for A>1. Moreover, an increase in the base angle has a positive effect on Po and Nu, however this increasing trend is less pronounced for B > 60 ° and A < 1.67.
Effect of Catalyst Used in the Sol-Gel Process on the Microstructure and Adsorption/Desorption Performance of Silica Aerogels
Authors: Nawaz Kashif , Schmidt Shelly J. , Jacobi Anthony M.
Published: April 2014

Silica aerogels are often deployed as solid desiccants in enthalpy wheels used for dehumidifying ventilation air in air-conditioning systems. These materials have good adsorption and desorption characteristics, but microstructure affects their moisture diffusivity. As the performance of desiccant systems depends on diffusivity, it is important to select a preparation method providing the desired aerogel microstructure for enhanced dehumidification performance. A study is described in which the structure of silica aerogels prepared by the Sol-Gel process is analyzed. The same precipitator (TMOS-Tetra methyl orthosilicate) and solvent (Methanol) are used to prepare all samples. It is found that density and microstructure are highly dependent on the catalyst used in the Sol-Gel process. Dynamic vapor sorption experiments are conducted to determine diffusivity. Microscopic images are analyzed to discern the structure and to relate it to corresponding adsorption or desorption performance parameters.
CFD Modeling of Pressure Coefficients for a Natural Ventilation Study in an Experimental Low Rise Building
Authors: Kiflemariam Robel , Lin Cheng-Xian
Published: April 2014

Mean wind pressure coefficient (Cp) is one of the major input data for natural ventilation study using building energy simulation approach. Due to their importance, they need to be accurately determined. In current engineering practice, tables and analytical Cp models only give mostly averaged results for simpler models and configurations. Considering the limitation of tables and analytical models, Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) could provide a means for an accurate and detailed assessment of Cp. In this paper, we make use of a relatively high resolution, detailed experiments done at Florida Intentional University to validate a CFD modeling of the pressure coefficients Cp. The results show that existing CFD model has a good agreement with experimental results and gives important information of distribution of Cp values over the surface. The local values of the Cp are investigated. In addition, the CFD derived Cp and discharge coefficient (Cd) values are utilized in semi-analytical ventilation models in order to get a more accurate value of ventilation rates.
Human Fall Evaluation Using Motion Capture and Human Modeling
Authors: Wiechel John , Metzler Sandra , Freyder Dawn , Kloppenborg Nick
Published: April 2014

Reconstructing the mechanics and determining the cause of a person falling from a height in the absence of witness observations or a statement from the victim can be quite challenging. Often there is little information available beyond the final resting position of the victim and the injuries they sustained. The mechanics of a fall must follow the physics of falling bodies and this physics provides an additional source of information about how the fall occurred. Computational, physics-based simulations can be utilized to model the free-fall portion of the fall kinematics and to analyze biomechanical injury mechanisms. However, an accurate determination of the overall fall kinematics, including the initial conditions and any specific contributions of the person(s) involved, must include the correct position and posture of the individual prior to the fall. Frequently this phase of the analysis includes voluntary movement on the part of the fall victim, which cannot be modeled with simulations using anthropomorphic test devices (ATDs). One approach that has been utilized in the past to overcome this limitation is to run the simulations utilizing a number of different initial conditions for the fall victim. While fall simulations allow the initial conditions of the fall to be varied, they are unable to include the active movement of the subject, and the resulting interaction with other objects in the environment immediately prior to or during the fall. Furthermore, accurate contact interactions between the fall victim and multiple objects in their environment can be difficult to model within the simulation, as they are dependent on the knowledge of material properties of these objects and the environment such as elasticity and damping. Motion capture technology, however, allows active subject movement and behaviors to be captured in a quantitative, three-dimensional manner. This information can then be utilized within the fall simulation to more accurately model the initial fall conditions.

This paper presents a methodology for reconstructing fall mechanics using a combination of motion capture, human body simulation, and injury biomechanics. This methodology uses as an example a fall situation where interaction between the fall victim and specific objects in the environment, as well as voluntary movements by the fall victim immediately prior to the accident, provided information that could not be otherwise obtained. Motion capture was first used to record the possible motions of a person in the early stages of the fall. The initial position of the fall victim within the physics based simulation of the body in free fall was determined utilizing the individual body segment and joint angles from the motion capture analysis. The methodology is applied to a real world case example and compared with the actual outcome.
Modeling of Solidification and Microstructure Evolution in the Scanning Laser Epitaxy (SLE) Process for Additive Manufacturing With Nickel-Base Superalloy Powders
Authors: Acharya Ranadip , Bansal Rohan , Gambone Justin J. , Das Suman
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates effects of natural and Marangoni convection on the resultant solidification microstructure in the scanning laser epitaxy (SLE) process. SLE is a laser-based additive manufacturing process that is being developed at the Georgia Institute of Technology for the additive manufacturing of nickel-base superalloys components with equiaxed, directionally-solidified or single-crystal microstructures through the laser melting of alloy powders onto superalloy substrates. A combined thermal and fluid flow model of the system simulates a heat source moving over a powder bed and dynamically adjusts the thermophysical property values. The geometrical and thermal parameters of the simulated laser melt pool are used to predict the solidification behavior of the alloy. The effects of natural and Marangoni convection on the resultant microstructure are evaluated through comparison with a pure conduction model. Inclusion of Marangoni effect produces shallower melt pools compared to a pure conduction model. A detailed flow analysis provides insights into the flow characteristics of the powder, the structure of rotational vortices created in the melt pool, and the solidification phenomena in the melt pool. The modeling results are compared with measurements and observation through real-time thermal imaging and video microscopy to understand the flow phenomenon.

In contrast to the single weld-bead approach, the raster scan in SLE allows every position in melt pool to be visited twice by the solid-liquid interface as the scan source progresses. To properly address this situation, time tracking is incorporated into the model to correctly couple the microstructure prediction model. An optimization study is carried out to evaluate the critical values of the transition parameters that govern the columnar-to-equiaxed transition (CET) and the oriented-to-misoriented (OMT) transition. This work is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research through grant N00014-11-1-0670.
Development and Analysis of Hilly Power Chassis With Vari-Ground Clearance and Vari-Wheel Track Mechanism
Authors: Gao Qiaoming , Gao Feng , Xu Guoyan , Ding Nenggen
Published: April 2014

A kind of Hilly Power Chassis with Vari-ground Clearance and Vari-wheel Track Mechanism (VII-HPC) is designed to be adapted to various types of crops grown ridge section and height. It consists of the middle part, balancing system, two driving axles and steering system. These assemblies form an H-type chassis structure where both sides of the driving axle and the middle part are connected for power transmission, ground clearance varying and wheel track adjustable function, which ensures full-time four-wheel drive in a complex road environment and confirms that the middle part is always in the angle bisector of the two driving axles. According to the various agricultural ground clearance and line spacing of different crops in the hilly areas, the ground clearance and the wheel track can be adjusted continuously and smoothly driven by hydraulic system. According to VII-HPC Structural Characteristic without Ackerman Steering Linkage, the hydraulic four wheel steering scheme has been proposed. The related analysis is presented to verify the feasibility of VII-HPC, including the relationship between the ground clearance and parameters like centroid height, and the ride analysis at different speeds on the pulse road. The results and the subsequent experimental results show the design method and the concept of VII-HPC are proved reasonable, feasible and practical.
Gallium Conduction Pump Design and Analysis
Authors: Umans Ari S. , Railey Kristen , Wise David
Published: April 2014

This paper describes the design of an electromagnetic liquid gallium conduction pump for application in a power reactor system for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs). Basic principles of conduction pump operation are described and analytical models are developed. The experimental performance of a prototype pump is compared to analytical and finite-element predictions.
Taika Waititi - Boy Wonder!
Authors: Geary David
Published: April 2014

Taika Waititi - Boy Wonder!
Maori Boys, Michael Jackson Dance Moves, and that 1984 Structure of Feeling
Authors: Henderson April K.
Published: April 2014

Maori Boys, Michael Jackson Dance Moves, and that 1984 Structure of Feeling
An Emerging Lung Cancer Biomarker
Authors: Gerber David E.
Published: April 2014

Molecular profiling of an exceptional response to the multitargeted kinase inhibitor sorafenib may have identified a new druggable oncogene in lung cancer.
Unveiling Neutrophil—T Cell Interactions in HIV Infection
Authors: Serezani Henrique
Published: April 2014

Human HIV infection causes T cell hyporesponsiveness by enhancing PD-L1 expression on neutrophils, promoting its binding to T cell PD-1.
Something to Smile About in Stroke?
Authors: White Nathan
Published: April 2014

Facial nerve stimulation reduces the impact of ischemic stroke in a large animal model.
Symbiotic Adaptation Drives Genome Streamlining of the Cyanobacterial Sponge Symbiont “
Candidatus
Synechococcus spongiarum”
Authors: Gao Zhao-Ming , Wang Yong , Tian Ren-Mao , Wong Yue Him , Batang Zenon B. , Al-Suwailem Abdulaz M. , Bajic Vladimir B. , Qian Pei-Yuan
Published: April 2014

“
Candidatus
Synechococcus spongiarum” is a cyanobacterial symbiont widely distributed in sponges, but its functions at the genome level remain unknown. Here, we obtained the draft genome (1.66 Mbp, 90% estimated genome recovery) of “
Ca.
Synechococcus spongiarum” strain SH4 inhabiting the Red Sea sponge
Carteriospongia foliascens
. Phylogenomic analysis revealed a high dissimilarity between SH4 and free-living cyanobacterial strains. Essential functions, such as photosynthesis, the citric acid cycle, and DNA replication, were detected in SH4. Eukaryoticlike domains that play important roles in sponge-symbiont interactions were identified exclusively in the symbiont. However, SH4 could not biosynthesize methionine and polyamines and had lost partial genes encoding low-molecular-weight peptides of the photosynthesis complex, antioxidant enzymes, DNA repair enzymes, and proteins involved in resistance to environmental toxins and in biosynthesis of capsular and extracellular polysaccharides. These genetic modifications imply that “
Ca.
Synechococcus spongiarum” SH4 represents a low-light-adapted cyanobacterial symbiont and has undergone genome streamlining to adapt to the sponge’s mild intercellular environment.

IMPORTANCE
Although the diversity of sponge-associated microbes has been widely studied, genome-level research on sponge symbionts and their symbiotic mechanisms is rare because they are unculturable. “
Candidatus
Synechococcus spongiarum” is a widely distributed uncultivated cyanobacterial sponge symbiont. The genome of this symbiont will help to characterize its evolutionary relationship and functional dissimilarity to closely related free-living cyanobacterial strains. Knowledge of its adaptive mechanism to the sponge host also depends on the genome-level research. The data presented here provided an alternative strategy to obtain the draft genome of “
Ca.
Synechococcus spongiarum” strain SH4 and provide insight into its evolutionary and functional features.
Metatranscriptomics of the Human Oral Microbiome during Health and Disease
Authors: Jorth Peter , Turner Keith H. , Gumus Pinar , Nizam Nejat , Buduneli Nurcan , Whiteley Marvin
Published: April 2014

The human microbiome plays important roles in health, but when disrupted, these same indigenous microbes can cause disease. The composition of the microbiome changes during the transition from health to disease; however, these changes are often not conserved among patients. Since microbiome-associated diseases like periodontitis cause similar patient symptoms despite interpatient variability in microbial community composition, we hypothesized that human-associated microbial communities undergo conserved changes in metabolism during disease. Here, we used patient-matched healthy and diseased samples to compare gene expression of 160,000 genes in healthy and diseased periodontal communities. We show that health- and disease-associated communities exhibit defined differences in metabolism that are conserved between patients. In contrast, the metabolic gene expression of individual species was highly variable between patients. These results demonstrate that despite high interpatient variability in microbial composition, disease-associated communities display conserved metabolic profiles that are generally accomplished by a patient-specific cohort of microbes.

IMPORTANCE
The human microbiome project has shown that shifts in our microbiota are associated with many diseases, including obesity, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, and periodontitis. While changes in microbial populations are apparent during these diseases, the species associated with each disease can vary from patient to patient. Taking into account this interpatient variability, we hypothesized that specific microbiota-associated diseases would be marked by conserved microbial community behaviors. Here, we use gene expression analyses of patient-matched healthy and diseased human periodontal plaque to show that microbial communities have highly conserved metabolic gene expression profiles, whereas individual species within the community do not. Furthermore, disease-associated communities exhibit conserved changes in metabolic and virulence gene expression.
Regulatory Protein BBD18 of the Lyme Disease Spirochete: Essential Role During Tick Acquisition?
Authors: Hayes Beth M. , Dulebohn Daniel P. , Sarkar Amit , Tilly Kit , Bestor Aaron , Ambroggio Xavier , Rosa Patricia A.
Published: April 2014

The Lyme disease spirochete
Borrelia burgdorferi
senses and responds to environmental cues as it transits between the tick vector and vertebrate host. Failure to properly adapt can block transmission of the spirochete and persistence in either vector or host. We previously identified BBD18, a novel plasmid-encoded protein of
B. burgdorferi
, as a putative repressor of the host-essential factor OspC. In this study, we investigate the
in vivo
role of BBD18 as a regulatory protein, using an experimental mouse-tick model system that closely resembles the natural infectious cycle of
B. burgdorferi
. We show that spirochetes that have been engineered to constitutively produce BBD18 can colonize and persist in ticks but do not infect mice when introduced by either tick bite or needle inoculation. Conversely, spirochetes lacking BBD18 can persistently infect mice but are not acquired by feeding ticks. Through site-directed mutagenesis, we have demonstrated that abrogation of spirochete infection in mice by overexpression of BBD18 occurs only with
bbd18
alleles that can suppress OspC synthesis. Finally, we demonstrate that BBD18-mediated regulation does not utilize a previously described
ospC
operator sequence required by
B. burgdorferi
for persistence in immunocompetent mice. These data lead us to conclude that BBD18 does not represent the putative repressor utilized by
B. burgdorferi
for the specific downregulation of OspC in the mammalian host. Rather, we suggest that BBD18 exhibits features more consistent with those of a global regulatory protein whose critical role occurs during spirochete acquisition by feeding ticks.

IMPORTANCE
Lyme disease, caused by
Borrelia burgdorferi
, is the most common arthropod-borne disease in North America.
B. burgdorferi
is transmitted to humans and other vertebrate hosts by ticks as they take a blood meal. Transmission between vectors and hosts requires the bacterium to sense changes in the environment and adapt. However, the mechanisms involved in this process are not well understood. By determining how
B. burgdorferi
cycles between two very different environments, we can potentially establish novel ways to interfere with transmission and limit infection of this vector-borne pathogen. We are studying a regulatory protein called BBD18 that we recently described. We found that too much BBD18 interferes with the spirochete’s ability to establish infection in mice, whereas too little BBD18 appears to prevent colonization in ticks. Our study provides new insight into key elements of the infectious cycle of the Lyme disease spirochete.
Competitive Fitness in Coronaviruses Is Not Correlated with Size or Number of Double-Membrane Vesicles under Reduced-Temperature Growth Conditions
Authors: Al-Mulla Hawaa M. N. , Turrell Lauren , Smith Nicola M. , Payne Luke , Baliji Surendranath , Züst Roland , Thiel Volker , Baker Susan C. , Siddell Stuart G. , Neuman Benjamin W.
Published: April 2014

Positive-stranded viruses synthesize their RNA in membrane-bound organelles, but it is not clear how this benefits the virus or the host. For coronaviruses, these organelles take the form of double-membrane vesicles (DMVs) interconnected by a convoluted membrane network. We used electron microscopy to identify murine coronaviruses with mutations in nsp3 and nsp14 that replicated normally while producing only half the normal amount of DMVs under low-temperature growth conditions. Viruses with mutations in nsp5 and nsp16 produced small DMVs but also replicated normally. Quantitative reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) confirmed that the most strongly affected of these, the nsp3 mutant, produced more viral RNA than wild-type virus. Competitive growth assays were carried out in both continuous and primary cells to better understand the contribution of DMVs to viral fitness. Surprisingly, several viruses that produced fewer or smaller DMVs showed a higher fitness than wild-type virus at the reduced temperature, suggesting that larger and more numerous DMVs do not necessarily confer a competitive advantage in primary or continuous cell culture. For the first time, this directly demonstrates that replication and organelle formation may be, at least in part, studied separately during infection with positive-stranded RNA virus.

IMPORTANCE
The viruses that cause severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), poliomyelitis, and hepatitis C all replicate in double-membrane vesicles (DMVs). The big question about DMVs is why they exist in the first place. In this study, we looked at thousands of infected cells and identified two coronavirus mutants that made half as many organelles as normal and two others that made typical numbers but smaller organelles. Despite differences in DMV size and number, all four mutants replicated as efficiently as wild-type virus. To better understand the relative importance of replicative organelles, we carried out competitive fitness experiments. None of these viruses was found to be significantly less fit than wild-type, and two were actually fitter in tests in two kinds of cells. This suggests that viruses have evolved to have tremendous plasticity in the ability to form membrane-associated replication complexes and that large and numerous DMVs are not exclusively associated with efficient coronavirus replication.
Primary squamous cell carcinoma of the most distal rectum: a dilemma in origin and management
Authors: Ferreira Alexandre Oliveira , Loureiro Ana Luisa , Marques Vasco , Sousa Helena Tavares
Published: April 2014

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the rectum is a rare malignant entity that has been classically managed with a surgery-based approach, which included abdominoperineal resection for distal lesions. Recently there have been reports on the favourable outcomes achieved with the non-surgical management of these patients. We report a case of a 52-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a stage IIIa SCC located on the distal rectum. The patient was managed conservatively with a chemoradiation regime with mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil. Complete remission was achieved and she is currently alive, asymptomatic and disease-free after 30 months. This case adds to the existing evidence that supports the role of chemoradiation as a first-line curative treatment for the rare rectal SCC.
Complex shoulder injuries in sports
Authors: Figueiredo Eduardo Antônio de , Belangero Paulo Santoro , Ejnisman Benno , Pochini Alberto de Castro
Published: April 2014

A 26-year-old Olympic wrestling athlete presented with a pectoralis major muscle injury, glenohumeral instability and acromioclavicular joint dislocation separately. The patient underwent surgical treatment to repair these injuries. The pectoralis major muscle was reconstructed with a semitendinosus tendon graft using the endobutton technique, as described by Pochiniet al.Treatment of the traumatic anterior instability was performed using the technique described by Bristow-Latarjet, and the acromioclavicular joint dislocation was repaired using the modified technique of Weaver-Dunn with the aid of an anchor. The athlete exhibited a rapid recovery and could return to normal activities 6 months after surgery. At present, 18 months postoperatively, the patient is asymptomatic.
Spatial, temporal and relational patterns in respondent-driven sampling: evidence from a social network study of rural drug users
Authors: Young April M , Rudolph Abby E , Quillen Deane , Havens Jennifer R
Published: April 2014

Background

Respondent-driven sampling (RDS) has become a common tool for recruiting high-risk populations for HIV research. However, few studies have explored the influence of geospatial proximity and relationship-level characteristics on RDS recruitment, particularly among high-risk individuals residing in rural areas of the US.

Methods

In a social network study of 503 drug users in rural Central Appalachia, interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect relationship-level data (eg, duration of relationship, frequency of communication, kinship, social/financial support, trust, drug use and sex) and residential location. Demographic and drug-use similarity were also evaluated. Residential data were geocoded and road distance (km) between participants and (1) their network members and (2) the study site were computed. Seasonal patterns were assessed using node-level analysis, and dyadic analyses were conducted using generalised linear mixed models. Adjusted ORs (AORs) and 95% CIs are reported.

Results

Differences in distance to the study office by season and order of study entry were not observed (F=1.49, p=0.209 and β=0.074, p=0.050, respectively). Participants with transportation lived significantly further from the interview site than their counterparts (p<0.001). Dyadic analyses revealed no association between RDS recruitment likelihood and geographic proximity. However, kinship (AOR 1.62; CI 1.02 to 2.58) and frequency of communication (AOR 1.63; CI 1.25 to 2.13) were significantly associated with RDS recruitment.

Conclusions

In this sample, recruitment from one's network was likely non-random, contradicting a core RDS assumption. These data underscore the importance of formative research to elucidate potential recruitment preferences and of quantifying recruitment preferences for use in analysis.
Unification of plastic compression in a coupled mechanical and water retention model for unsaturated soils
Authors: Lloret-Cabot Martí , Wheeler Simon J. , Sánchez Marcelo
Published: April 2014

In 2003, Wheeler, Sharma, and Buisson presented an elastoplastic constitutive model for unsaturated soils that represents both the mechanical behaviour and water retention behaviour, including the coupling between them. A crucial feature of the model is that the occurrence of plastic compression during all types of stress path is unified as a single process, with plastic compression during loading, plastic compression during wetting (collapse compression), and plastic compression during drying (irreversible shrinkage) all represented by yielding on a single loading–collapse yield curve. This paper explains how the model is able to predict the possible occurrence of plastic compression during each type of stress path and, in each case, links this to a physical explanation of the process involved. A simulation of an experimental test demonstrates the capability of the model to accurately predict the variation of both the void ratio and degree of saturation during successive stages of drying, loading, and wetting, where large magnitudes of compression occurred in all three test stages.
Relationships among three repeated large-scale debris flows at Pubugou Ravine in the Wenchuan earthquake zone
Authors: Zhang S. , Zhang L.M. , Chen H.X.
Published: April 2014

The 12 May 2008 Wenchuan earthquake in China triggered numerous landslides. Loose landslide materials can easily evolve into deadly debris flows during wet seasons. During the period from 2008 to 2011, three separate large-scale debris flows occurred in the Pubugou Ravine near the epicentre of the earthquake that were among the largest repeated debris flows ever reported. Approximately 1.76 × 106 m3 of sediment was deposited during these three events. This paper aims to (i) analyze the movements of solid materials during the repeated debris flows, (ii) discuss the evolution of the initiation mechanisms of these debris flows, and (iii) evaluate the changing depositional morphology of the debris flow fans and examine the particle sizes of the debris flow materials. To achieve the above research objectives, timely field investigations were undertaken in the past 5 years after each of these debris flow events. Satellite images were used to delineate the boundaries of the initiation areas, the transportation channels, and the deposition zones of these debris flows. With the occurrence of the repeated debris flows, the hill slope deposits gradually evolved into channel deposits and the solid materials in the channels moved toward the gully mouth. Hence, channelized flows gradually became dominant. The debris fan materials of the repeated debris flows became coarser and coarser over time. The three debris flows were all characterized by coarse boulder fronts.
PROVABLY SHORTER REGULAR EXPRESSIONS FROM FINITE AUTOMATA
Authors: GRUBER HERMANN , HOLZER MARKUS
Published: April 2014

Based on recent results from extremal graph theory, we prove that every n-state binary deterministic finite automaton can be converted into an equivalent regular expression of size O(1.742n) using state elimination. Furthermore, we give improved upper bounds on the language operations intersection and interleaving on regular expressions.
Sign-indefinite second-order differential operators on finite metric graphs
Authors: Hussein Amru
Published: April 2014

The question of self-adjoint realizations of sign-indefinite second-order differential operators is discussed in terms of a model problem. Operators of the type [Formula: see text] are generalized to finite, not necessarily compact, metric graphs. All self-adjoint realizations are parametrized using methods from extension theory. The spectral and scattering theories of the self-adjoint realizations are studied in detail.
Freely falling observer and black hole radiation
Authors: Kim Wontae , Son Edwin J.
Published: April 2014

We find radiation in an infalling frame and present an explicit analytic evidence of the failure of no drama condition by showing that an infalling observer finds an infinite negative energy density at the event horizon. The negative and positive energy density regions are divided by the newly defined zero-energy curve (ZEC). The evaporating black hole is surrounded by the negative energy which can also be observed in the infalling frame.
HYDROPHOBIC AGGLOMERATION OF MINERAL FINES IN AQUEOUS SUSPENSIONS AND ITS APPLICATION IN FLOTATION: A REVIEW
Authors: YANG BINGQIAO , SONG SHAOXIAN
Published: April 2014

Hydrophobic agglomeration is originated from the hydrophobic attraction between particles, which is essentially different from electrolyte coagulation and polymer flocculation. It is applied to mineral processing in floc-flotation process to improve the recovery of mineral fines. In this paper, the applications of this phenomenon in mineral fines were summarized, including the origin of hydrophobic agglomeration, the main factors affect hydrophobic agglomeration (particle hydrophobicity, shear rate and duration, nonpolar oil and tank geometry), as well as hydrophobic agglomeration based separation processes (carrier flotation and floc-flotation).
Analysis and Simulation of a Low-Leakage Analog Single Gate and FinFET Circuits
Authors: Chauhan Manorama , Kushwah Ravindra Singh , Shrivastava Pavan , Akashe Shyam
Published: April 2014

In the world of Integrated Circuits, complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) has lost its ability during scaling beyond 50 nm. Scaling causes severe short channel effects (SCEs) which are difficult to suppress. FinFET devices undertake to replace usual Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor (MOSFETs) because of their better ability in controlling leakage and diminishing SCEs while delivering a strong drive current. In this paper, we present a relative examination of FinFET with the double gate MOSFET (DGMOSFET) and conventional bulk Si single gate MOSFET (SGMOSFET) by using Cadence Virtuoso simulation tool. Physics-based numerical two-dimensional simulation results for FinFET device, circuit power is presented, and classifying that FinFET technology is an ideal applicant for low power applications. Exclusive FinFET device features resulting from gate–gate coupling are conversed and efficiently exploited for optimal low leakage device design. Design trade-off for FinFET power and performance are suggested for low power and high performance applications. Whole power consumptions of static and dynamic circuits and latches for FinFET device, believing state dependency, show that leakage currents for FinFET circuits are reduced by a factor of over ~ 10X, compared to DGMOSFET and ~ 20X compared with SGMOSFET.
ATOMISTIC SIMULATION OF TORSIONAL VIBRATION AND PLASTIC DEFORMATION OF FIVE-FOLD TWINNED COPPER NANOWIRES
Authors: ZHENG Y. G. , ZHAO Y. T. , YE H. F. , ZHANG H. W. , FU Y. F.
Published: April 2014

In this paper, atomistic simulations have been conducted to investigate the torsional mechanical behaviors of five-fold twinned nanowires (FTNs), including the torsional vibration properties, elasto-plastic deformation behaviors and activation process of the first partial dislocation nucleation. Simulation results show that the fundamental torsional vibration frequency is inversely proportional to the wire length and is independent of the wire radius. Provided that an effective shear modulus of FTNs is used, the classic elastic torsional theory may be applicable to nanoscale. Furthermore, it is found that the plastic deformation of FTNs is dominated by partial dislocation activities. The normalized critical torsional angle corresponding to the onset of plastic deformation increases with the decrease of the wire radius and temperature, while it is almost independent of the wire length and loading rate. In addition, the activation energy of the first partial dislocation nucleation is about several electric voltages and decreases with the increase of the wire radius and applied torsional load.
Phase Separation in Bulk Heterojunctions of Semiconducting Polymers and Fullerenes for Photovoltaics
Authors: Treat Neil D. , Chabinyc Michael L.
Published: April 2014

Thin-film solar cells are an important source of renewable energy. The most efficient thin-film solar cells made with organic materials are blends of semiconducting polymers and fullerenes called the bulk heterojunction (BHJ). Efficient BHJs have a nanoscale phase-separated morphology that is formed during solution casting. This article reviews recent work to understand the nature of the phase-separation process resulting in the formation of the domains in polymer-fullerene BHJs. The BHJ is now viewed as a mixture of polymer-rich, fullerene-rich, and mixed polymer-fullerene domains. The formation of this structure can be understood through fundamental knowledge of polymer physics. The implications of this structure for charge transport and charge generation are given.
Clinical Use of Skull Tap Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials for the Diagnoses of the Cerebellopontine Angle Tumor Patients
Authors: Yavuz Erdem , Lachowska Magdalena , Pierchała Katarzyna , Morawski Krzysztof , Niemczyk Kazimierz , Delgado Rafael E.
Published: April 2014

Objective.To document our experiences using a new skull tapping induced Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (tap VEMPs) technique combined with standard Auditory Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials (AC VEMPs) for advanced clinical assessment of cerebellopontine angle tumor (CPAT) patients.Design and Study Sample.Three patients were selected in order to highlight observations shown in a larger patient population and to show the variability of the findings. Both tap VEMPs and AC VEMPs were acquired from the sternocleidomastoid muscle (SCM) with EMG-based biofeedback and monitoring.Results.The usefulness of VEMPs was demonstrated, indicating the presence of a tumor and contributing additional information as to the involved nerve bundles in two out of the three cases.Conclusion.Due to the sensory organ dependency and related innervations differences, acquiring both AC VEMPs and tap VEMPs is likely to increase the probability of diagnosing CPATs and provide more information on the involved vestibular nerve bundles. This study demonstrates the feasibility of the possible expansion and combination of tap VEMPs and AC VEMPs techniques into a clinical diagnostic battery for advanced assessment of CPAT patients and its contribution as a guideline for the use of tap VEMPs in general.
CSR Impact on Hospital Duopoly with Price and Quality Competition
Authors: Xu Youguang
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on hospital duopoly with price and quality competition. A CSR hospital is defined in this paper that cares about not only the profit but also the patient benefit. We start our analysis by establishing a two-stage Hotelling model with and without CSR. Results indicate that privatization mechanism may not be the best way of improving medical quality. Competition between hospitals with zero-CSR would lower the equilibrium qualities compared to the first-best level. So the coexistence of a public (more accurately, partial public) and a private hospital might be more efficient than a private-private hospital duopoly. During the competition with CSR in price and quality, social welfare level acts in accordance with an inverted U-shaped trajectory as CSR degree increases. The main reason lies in tha fact that optimal degree of CSR is determined by the trade-off between the benefit of quality improvement and the cost of quality investment. Numerical simulation shows that the optimal degree of CSR is less than a third.
Bathtub‐Shaped Failure Rate of Sensors for Distributed Detection and Fusion
Authors: Luo Junhai , Li Tao
Published: April 2014

We study distributed detection and fusion in sensor networks with bathtub‐shaped failure (BSF) rate of the sensors which may or not send data to the Fusion Center (FC). The reliability of semiconductor devices is usually represented by the failure rate curve (called the “bathtub curve”), which can be divided into the three following regions: initial failure period, random failure period, and wear‐out failure period. Considering the possibility of the failed sensors which still work but in a bad situation, it is unreasonable to trust the data from these sensors. Based on the above situation, we bring in new characteristics to failed sensors. Each sensor quantizes its local observation into one bit of information which is sent to the FC for overall fusion because of power, communication, and bandwidth constraints. Under this sensor failure model, the Extension
Log‐likelihood Ratio Test (ELRT) rule is derived. Finally, the ROC curve for this model is presented. The simulation results show that the ELRT rule improves the robust performance of the system, compared with the traditional fusion rule without considering sensor failures.
On Existence and Uniqueness ofg-Best Proximity Points underφ,θ,α,g-Contractivity Conditions and Consequences
Authors: Kumam Poom , Roldán López de Hierro Antonio Francisco
Published: April 2014

We collect, improve, and generalize very recent results due to Mongkolkeha et al. (2014) in three directions: firstly, we studyg-best proximity points; secondly, we employ more general test functions than can be found in that paper, which lets us prove best proximity results using different kinds of control functions; thirdly, we introduce and handle a weak version of theP-property. Our results can also be applied to the study of coincidence points between two mappings as a particular case. As a consequence, the contractive condition we introduce is more general than was used in the mentioned paper.