bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic groups and endosymbiotic microbiota of the Bemisia tabaci species complex in Japanese agricultural sites
Authors: Fujiwara A. , Maekawa K. , Tsuchida T.
Published: September 2014

The whitefly Bemisia tabaci is a cryptic species complex of at least 24 genetically distinct species. Thus far, one obligate and seven facultative symbiotic bacteria have been reported from the B. tabaci species complex. Both genetic groups and infected symbionts are extremely important to estimate the pest status of B. tabaci. In this study, we collected 340 whiteflies from 39 agricultural sites, covering an entire region of the B. tabaci habitat in Japan, and examined the genotypes and symbiont community composition at subspecies level. Use of the cleaved amplified polymorphic sequence technique and mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit I gene sequencing detected five genetic groups: indigenous species JpL and Asia II 6, invasive species Middle East‐Asia Minor 1 (MEAM1) and Mediterranean Subclade Q1 (MED Q1), and a genetic group previously undetected in Asia, Mediterranean Subclade Q2 (MED Q2). The genetic groups exhibited characteristic infection statuses with regard to their facultative symbionts, as observed in other countries. The endosymbiotic microbiota of the Japanese MED Q1 was different from that in neighbouring countries, but similar to that in the French or Uruguayan MED Q1. These results may indicate that Japanese MED Q1 species have not invaded from neighbouring countries, but from distant countries by international transportation. All Japanese MED Q2 species were infected with Rickettsia, some of which are regarded as conferring a female‐biased sex ratio and fitness benefit on B. tabaci. The results suggest that MED Q2 may be prevalent in Japan and neighbouring countries.
Recovery‐Oriented Care in Older‐Adult Acute Inpatient Mental Health Settings in Australia: An Exploratory Study
Authors: McKenna Brian , Furness Trentham , Dhital Deepa , Ireland Susan
Published: September 2014

Recovery‐oriented care acknowledges the unique journey that consumers lead with the aim of regaining control of their lives in order to live a good life. Recovery has become a dominant policy‐directed model of many mental health care organizations, but in older‐adult acute mental health inpatient settings, nurses do not have a clear description of how to be recovery‐oriented. The aims of this study were to determine the extent to which elements of existing nursing practice resemble the domains of recovery‐oriented care and provide a baseline understanding of practice in preparation for transformation to recovery‐oriented mental health care provision. An exploratory, qualitative research design was used to meet the research aims. A purposive sample of mental health nurses (N = 12) participated in focus groups in three older‐adult inpatient settings in Australia. A general inductive approach was used to analyze the qualitative data. The mental health nurses in this study readily discussed aspects of their current practice within the recovery domains. They described pragmatic ways to promote a culture of hope, collaborative partnerships, meaningful engagement, autonomy and self‐determination, and community participation and citizenship. Nurses also discussed challenges and barriers to recovery‐oriented care in older‐adult acute mental health settings. This study identified a reasonable baseline understanding of practice in preparation for transformation to recovery‐oriented older‐adult mental healthcare provision. A concerted drive focused on recovery education is required to effectively embed a recovery‐orientated paradigm into older‐adult mental health settings.
The Development of a Reliable Change Index and Cutoff for the Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale
Authors: Anderson Shayne R. , Tambling Rachel B. , Huff Scott C. , Heafner Joy , Johnson Lee N. , Ketring Scott A.
Published: September 2014

The Revised Dyadic Adjustment Scale (RDAS; Busby, Crane, Larson, & Christensen, 1995) is a measure of couple relationship adjustment that is often used to differentiate between distressed and non‐distressed couples. While the measure currently allows for a determination of whether group mean scores change significantly across administrations, it lacks the ability to determine whether an individual's change in dyadic adjustment is clinically significant. This study addresses this limitation by establishing a cutoff of 47.31 and reliable change index of 11.58 for the RDAS by pooling data across multiple community and clinical samples. An individual whose score on the RDAS moves across the cutoff changes by 12 or more points can be classified as experiencing clinically significant change.
Multilocus nuclear DNA markers reveal population structure and demography of Anopheles minimus
Authors: Dixit Jyotsana , Arunyawat Uraiwan , Huong Ngo Thi , Das Aparup
Published: September 2014

Utilization of multiple putatively neutral DNA markers for inferring evolutionary history of species population is considered to be the most robust approach. Molecular population genetic studies have been conducted in many species of Anopheles genus, but studies based on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are still very scarce. Anopheles minimus is one of the principal malaria vectors of Southeast (SE) Asia including the Northeastern (NE) India. Although population genetic studies with mitochondrial genetic variation data have been utilized to infer phylogeography of the SE Asian populations of this species, limited information on the population structure and demography of Indian An. minimus is available. We herewith have developed multilocus nuclear genetic approach with SNP markers located in X chromosome of An. minimus in eight Indian and two SE Asian population samples (121 individual mosquitoes in total) to infer population history and test several hypotheses on the phylogeography of this species. While the Thai population sample of An. minimus presented the highest nucleotide diversity, majority of the Indian samples were also fairly diverse. In general, An. minimus populations were moderately substructured in the distribution range covering SE Asia and NE India, largely falling under three distinct genetic clusters. Moreover, demographic expansion events could be detected in the majority of the presently studied populations of An. minimus. Additional DNA sequencing of the mitochondrial COII region in a subset of the samples (40 individual mosquitoes) corroborated the existing hypothesis of Indian An. minimus falling under the earlier reported mitochondrial lineage B.
Water‐use advantage for lianas over trees in tropical seasonal forests
Authors: Chen Ya‐Jun , Cao Kun‐Fang , Schnitzer Stefan A. , Fan Ze‐Xin , Zhang Jiao‐Lin , Bongers Frans
Published: September 2014

Lianas exhibit peak abundance in tropical forests with strong seasonal droughts, the eco‐physiological mechanisms associated with lianas coping with water deficits are poorly understood.

We examined soil water partitioning, sap flow, and canopy eco‐physiological properties for 99 individuals of 15 liana and 34 co‐occurring tree species in three tropical forests that differed in soil water availability.

In the dry season, lianas used a higher proportion of deep soil water in the karst forest (KF; an area with severe seasonal soil water deficit (SSWD)) and in the tropical seasonal forest (TSF, moderate SSWD), permitting them to maintain a comparable leaf water status than trees in the TSF or a better status than trees in the KF. Lianas exhibited strong stomatal control to maximize carbon fixation while minimizing dry season water loss. During the dry period, lianas significantly decreased water consumption in the TSF and the KF. Additionally, lianas had a much higher maximum photosynthetic rates and sap flux density in the wet season and a lower proportional decline in photosynthesis in the dry season compared with those of trees.

Our results indicated that access to deep soil water and strong physiological adjustments in the dry season together with active wet‐season photosynthesis may explain the high abundance of lianas in seasonally dry forests.
Photoreceptor‐mediated kin recognition in plants
Authors: Crepy María A. , Casal Jorge J.
Published: September 2014

Although cooperative interactions among kin have been established in a variety of biological systems, their occurrence in plants remains controversial.

Plants ofArabidopsis thalianawere grown in rows of either a single or multiple accessions.

Plants recognized kin neighbours and horizontally reoriented leaf growth, a response not observed when plants were grown with nonkin. Plant kin recognition involved the perception of the vertical red/far‐red light and blue light profiles. Disruption of the light profiles, mutations at thePHYTOCHROME B,CRYPTOCHROME1 or 2,orPHOTOTROPIN1or 2 photoreceptor genes or mutations at theTRYPTOPHAN AMINOTRANSFERASE OF ARABIDOPSIS1gene required for auxin (growth hormone) synthesis impaired the response. The leaf‐position response increases plant self‐shading, decreases mutual shading between neighbours and increases fitness.

Light signals from neighbours are known to shape a more competitive plant body. Here we show that photosensory receptors mediate cooperative rather than competitive interactions among kin neighbours by reducing the competition for local pools of resources.
Evolution of selenium hyperaccumulation in Stanleya (Brassicaceae) as inferred from phylogeny, physiology and X‐ray microprobe analysis
Authors: Cappa Jennifer J. , Yetter Crystal , Fakra Sirine , Cappa Patrick J. , DeTar Rachael , Landes Corbett , Pilon‐Smits Elizabeth A. H. , Simmons Mark P.
Published: September 2014

Past studies have identified herbivory as a likely selection pressure for the evolution of hyperaccumulation, but few have tested the origin(s) of hyperaccumulation in a phylogenetic context. We focused on the evolutionary history of selenium (Se) hyperaccumulation in Stanleya (Brassicaceae).

Multiple accessions were collected for all Stanleya taxa and two outgroup species. We sequenced four nuclear gene regions and performed a phylogenetic analysis. Ancestral reconstruction was used to predict the states for Se‐related traits in a parsimony framework. Furthermore, we tested the taxa for Se localization and speciation using X‐ray microprobe analyses.

True hyperaccumulation was found in three taxa within the S. pinnata/bipinnata clade. Tolerance to hyperaccumulator Se concentrations was found in several taxa across the phylogeny, including the hyperaccumulators. X‐ray analysis revealed two distinct patterns of leaf Se localization across the genus: marginal and vascular. All taxa accumulated predominantly (65–96%) organic Se with the C–Se–C configuration.

These results give insight into the evolution of Se hyperaccumulation in Stanleya and suggest that Se tolerance and the capacity to produce organic Se are likely prerequisites for Se hyperaccumulation in Stanleya.
Esophageal stenting in cancer therapy
Authors: Goenka Mahesh Kumar , White Russell E.
Published: September 2014

The following, from the 12th OESO World Conference: Cancers of the Esophagus, includes commentaries on nutritional support during chemoradiation, esophageal stents before surgery, and stenting the cervical esophagus.
Diet and esophageal disease
Authors: Dawsey Sanford M. , Fagundes Renato B. , Jacobson Brian C. , Kresty Laura A. , Mallery Susan R. , Paski Shirley , van den Brandt Piet A.
Published: September 2014

The following, from the 12th OESO World Conference: Cancers of the Esophagus, includes commentaries on macronutrients, dietary patterns, and risk of adenocarcinoma in Barrett's esophagus; micronutrients, trace elements, and risk of Barrett's esophagus and esophageal adenocarcinoma; the role of mate consumption in the development of squamous cell carcinoma; the relationship between energy excess and development of esophageal adenocarcinoma; and the nutritional management of the esophageal cancer patient.
Interdisciplinary perspectives on the flow of time
Authors: Rickles Dean , Kon Maria
Published: September 2014

Where does the study of the flow of time belong: physics, the cognitive sciences, philosophy, or somewhere else? Physicists and philosophers have set themselves up into two camps: those who believe there is genuine flow or becoming in the world and those who believe there is just a block of events. What had not been considered is whether the subjective feeling of flow of time is the same the world over, whether it could be tampered with by brain injury, or whether it is present at all developmental stages. We lay out the problem, explain terms, and provide synopses of relevant ideas.
An in vitro study into the efficacy of complex tooth alignment with conventional and self‐ligating brackets
Authors: Montasser M. A. , Keilig L. , Bourauel C.
Published: September 2014

Structured Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of tooth alignment achieved by various small cross‐section archwire/bracket combinations using the orthodontic measurement and simulation system.

Materials and Methods

The study comprised three types of orthodontic brackets 1) conventional ligating (Victory Series and Mini‐Taurus), 2) self‐ligating (SmartClip a passive self‐ligating bracket and Time3 an active self‐ligating bracket), and 3) a conventional low‐friction bracket (Synergy). All brackets had a nominal 0.022″ slot size. Brackets were combined with 1) 0.012″ stainless steel, 2) 0.012″ Orthonol, 3) 0.012″ Thermalloy, and 4) 0.0155″ coaxial archwires. Archwires were tied to the conventional brackets with stainless steel ligatures and elastomeric rings. The malocclusion simulated represented a central upper incisor displaced 2 mm gingivally (x‐axis) and 2 mm labially (z‐axis).

Results

The inciso‐gingival correction achieved by the different archwire/bracket combinations ranged from 15 to 95%, while the labio‐lingual correction ranged from 10 to 95%. The smallest correction was achieved by coaxial, Orthonol, and thermally archwires when ligated with the elastomeric rings to conventional brackets. Stainless steel archwires achieved from 65 to 90% of inciso‐gingival correction and from 60 to 90% of labio‐lingual correction.

Conclusion

The resultant tooth alignment was the product of interaction between the archwire type, bracket type, and bracket design including ligature type. Small cross‐sectional archwires might produce up to 95% correction if combined properly with the bracket system. Elastomeric rings when used with conventional brackets limit the efficacy of malalignment correction.
Energy Expenditure during Functional Daily Life Performances in Patients with Fibromyalgia
Authors: Huijnen Ivan P. J. , Verbunt Jeanine A. , Meeus Mira , Smeets Rob J. E. M.
Published: September 2014

Objective

The objective of this study was to evaluate whether patients with fibromyalgia FM need more oxygen and more time to complete a walking and stair‐climbing task than healthy volunteers and perceive the performance of these tasks as more strenuous. Furthermore, it was evaluated whether a less efficient performance is more pronounced in patients reporting a higher level of fear of movement.

Methods

Thirty patients with FM and 30 matched healthy volunteers completed a 500‐meter walking and a stair‐climbing task (60 steps) while wearing a mobile gas analyzing unit. Mean and total oxygen consumption and time needed to complete each task were recorded. After both tasks, a Borg score was used to measure perceived exertion. Fear of movement was measured with the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia.

Results

Patients with FM needed more time to complete the walking and stair‐climbing task and reported higher levels of exertion compared to healthy volunteers. However, the total oxygen consumption for performing both tasks was not different. In patients with FM, a higher level of fear of movement was associated with a higher perceived exertion after the walking task. Interestingly, a higher somatic focus is related to a lower mean oxygen consumption needed to perform the stair‐climbing task.

Conclusion

In conclusion, patients with FM perceive a walking and stair‐climbing task as more strenuous than healthy controls, even though they walked slower and no differences in total O2 consumption during completion of both tasks were found.
The Maximum Throughput on a Golf Course
Authors: Whitt Ward
Published: September 2014

We develop stochastic models to help manage the pace of play on a conventional 18‐hole golf course. These models are for group play on each of the standard hole types: par‐3, par‐4, and par‐5. These models include the realistic feature that k−2 groups can be playing at the same time on a par‐ k hole, but with precedence constraints. We also consider par‐3 holes with a “wave‐up” rule, which allows two groups to be playing simultaneously. We mathematically determine the maximum possible throughput on each hole under natural conditions. To do so, we analyze the associated fully loaded holes, in which new groups are always available to start when the opportunity arises. We characterize the stationary interval between the times successive groups clear the green on a fully loaded hole, showing how it depends on the stage playing times. The structure of that stationary interval evidently can be exploited to help manage the pace of play. The mean of that stationary interval is the reciprocal of the capacity. The bottleneck holes are the holes with the least capacity. The bottleneck capacity is then the capacity of the golf course as a whole.
Replenishment Policies for Multi‐Product Stochastic Inventory Systems with Correlated Demand and Joint‐Replenishment Costs
Authors: Feng Haolin , Wu Qi , Muthuraman Kumar , Deshpande Vinayak
Published: September 2014

This study analyzes optimal replenishment policies that minimize expected discounted cost of multi‐product stochastic inventory systems. The distinguishing feature of the multi‐product inventory system that we analyze is the existence of correlated demand and joint‐replenishment costs across multiple products. Our objective is to understand the structure of the optimal policy and use this structure to construct a heuristic method that can solve problems set in real‐world sizes/dimensions. Using an MDP formulation we first compute the optimal policy. The optimal policy can only be computed for problems with a small number of product types due to the curse of dimensionality. Hence, using the insight gained from the optimal policy, we propose a class of policies that captures the impact of demand correlation on the structure of the optimal policy. We call this class ( s,  c,  d,  S)‐policies, and also develop an algorithm to compute good policies in this class, for large multi‐product problems. Finally using an exhaustive set of computational examples we show that policies in this class very closely approximate the optimal policy and can outperform policies analyzed in prior literature which assume independent demand. We have also included examples that illustrate performance under the average cost objective.
Efficiency or Competition? A Structural Econometric Analysis of Canada's AWS Auction and the Set‐Aside Provision
Authors: Hyndman Kyle , Parmeter Christopher F.
Published: September 2014

In 2008, Industry Canada auctioned 105 MHz of spectrum to a group of bidders that included incumbents and potential new entrants into the Canadian mobile phone market, raising $4.25 billion. In an effort to promote new entry, 40 MHz of spectrum was set‐aside for new entrants. In order to estimate the implicit cost of the set‐aside provision, we estimate the parameters of the bidders' profit function via a maximum match estimator based on the notion of pairwise stability in matches. We find that all telecommunications firms valued both geographic complementarities across auction licenses as well as absolute spectrum. Under a reasonable alternative scenario, our results indicate that the set‐aside led to a total profit loss of approximately 10%.
Revenue Management vs. Newsvendor Decisions: Does Behavioral Response Mirror Normative Equivalence?
Authors: Kocabiyikoglu Ayse , Gogus Celile Itir , Gonul M. Sinan
Published: September 2014

We study and compare decision‐making behavior under the newsvendor and the two‐class revenue management models, in an experimental setting. We observe that, under both problems, decision makers deviate significantly from normative benchmarks. Furthermore, revenue management decisions are consistently higher compared to the newsvendor order quantities. In the face of increasing demand variability, revenue managers increase allocations; this behavior is consistent with normative patterns when the ratio of the selling prices of the two customer segments is less than 1/2, but is its exact opposite when this ratio is greater than 1/2. Newsvendors' behavior with respect to changing demand variability, on the other hand, is consistent with normative trends. We also observe that losses due to leftovers weigh more in newsvendor decisions compared to the revenue management model; we argue that overage cost is more salient in the newsvendor problem because it is perceived as a direct loss, and propose this as the driver of the differences in behavior observed under the two problems.
Immigrant Health Care Access and the Affordable Care Act
Authors: Pandey Sanjay K. , Cantor Joel C. , Lloyd Kristen
Published: September 2014

In spite of major coverage expansions under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), a large proportion of immigrants will continue to remain outside the scope of coverage. Because various provisions of the ACA seek to enhance access, advancing knowledge about immigrant access to health care is necessary. The authors apply the well‐known Andersen model on health care access to two measures—one focusing on perceptions of unmet health care needs and the other on physician visits during the last year. Using data from the New Jersey Family Health Survey, the authors find that prior to implementation of the ACA coverage expansions, immigrants in New Jersey reported lower levels of unmet health care needs despite poorer self‐rated health compared with U.S.‐born residents. The article concludes with a discussion of the use of Andersen model for studying immigrant health care access and the broader implications of the findings.
A Prospective Examination of the Interpersonal‐Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior Among Psychiatric Adolescent Inpatients
Authors: Czyz Ewa K. , Berona Johnny , King Cheryl A.
Published: September 2014

The challenge of identifying suicide risk in adolescents, and particularly among high‐risk subgroups such as adolescent inpatients, calls for further study of models of suicidal behavior that could meaningfully aid in the prediction of risk. This study examined how well the Interpersonal‐Psychological Theory of Suicidal Behavior (IPTS)—with its constructs of thwarted belongingness (TB), perceived burdensomeness (PB), and an acquired capability (AC) for lethal self‐injury—predicts suicide attempts among adolescents (N = 376) 3 and 12 months after hospitalization. The three‐way interaction between PB, TB, and AC, defined as a history of multiple suicide attempts, was not significant. However, there were significant 2‐way interaction effects, which varied by sex: girls with low AC and increasing TB, and boys with high AC and increasing PB, were more likely to attempt suicide at 3 months. Only high AC predicted 12‐month attempts. Results suggest gender‐specific associations between theory components and attempts. The time‐limited effects of these associations point to TB and PB being dynamic and modifiable in high‐risk populations, whereas the effects of AC are more lasting. The study also fills an important gap in existing research by examining IPTS prospectively.
Do sweep rowers symmetrically activate their low back muscles during indoor rowing?
Authors: Readi N. G. , Rosso V. , Rainoldi A. , Vieira T. M. M.
Published: September 2014

This study investigates whether sweep rowers activate their low back muscles asymmetrically when exercising on a rowing ergometer. Given that indoor rowing imposes equal loading demands to left and right back muscles, any side differences in activation are expected to reflect asymmetric adaptations resulting from sweep rowing. In addition to trunk kinematics, surface electromyograms (EMGs) were sampled from multiple skin locations along the lumbar spine of six elite, sweep rowers. The distribution of EMG amplitude along the spine was averaged across strokes and compared between sides. Key results indicate a significant effect of trunk side on EMG amplitude and on the low back region where EMG amplitude was greatest. Such side differences were unlikely because of trunk lateral inclination and rotation, which were smaller than 5° for all rowers tested. Moreover, asymmetries manifested differently between participants; there was not a clear predominance of greater EMG amplitude toward the right/left side in portside/starboard rowers. These results suggest that (a) even during indoor rowing, sweep rowers activate asymmetrically their low back muscles; (b) factors other than rowing side might be associated with low back asymmetries; (c) spatial distribution of surface EMG amplitude is sensitive to bilateral changes in back muscles' activation.
Progenitor cell mobilization after exercise is related to systemic levels of G‐CSF and muscle damage
Authors: Krüger K. , Pilat C. , Schild M. , Lindner N. , Frech T. , Muders K. , Mooren F. C.
Published: September 2014

Different types of exercise are characterized by the ability to induce specific physiological stimuli that might be able to induce the mobilization of progenitor cells. The aim of the current study was to investigate the mobilization of hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) and endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in response to endurance, resistance, and eccentric endurance exercise and their relation to markers of muscle damage and inflammation. Healthy male subjects performed acute bouts of either endurance exercise, resistance exercise, or eccentric endurance exercise. Numbers of progenitor cells and several markers of muscle damage and inflammation were determined. Although the endurance exercise was followed by an immediate and short increase of both HPCs and EPCs, the eccentric exercise evoked a long lasting increase up to 24 h for HPCs and 48 h for EPCs (P < 0.05). After resistance exercise, an increase of HPCs was only found 3 h after exercise (P < 0.05). A correlation was found between mobilized progenitor cells and systemic levels of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) levels (r = 0.54 and r = 0.51, P < 0.05) as well as for HPCs and creatine kinase levels (r = 0.57, P < 0.05). These results suggest that mobilization of progenitor cells is related to the type of exercise and possibly mediated by G‐CSF and muscle damage.
Haemovigilance data on the use of methylene blue virally inactivated fresh frozen plasma with the Theraflex MB‐Plasma System in comparison to quarantine plasma: 11 years' experience
Authors: Politis C. , Kavallierou L. , Hantziara S. , Parara M. , Zervou E. , Katsarou O. , Hatzitaki M. , Fountouli P. , Gioka A. , Tzioura K. , Koumarianos S. , Asariotou M. , Richardson C.
Published: September 2014

Objectives/Background

Haemovigilance is an effective tool for identifying adverse effects of blood components. We analyse cumulative haemovigilance data in order to compare the two secured therapeutic plasmas that have been in use for more than 11 years in Greece – methylene blue‐treated fresh frozen plasma (MB‐FFP) and quarantine fresh frozen plasma (Q‐FFP) – regarding safety and adverse events.

Methods/Materials

Data from the centralised active haemovigilance system of Greece for the period 2001–2011 were used to examine the association between FFP types and adverse events. Post‐transfusion information on infectious and non‐infectious adverse events was analysed. Events were examined by reaction type, severity and imputability to transfusion.

Results

The incidence of adverse events was higher with Q‐FFP (1:3620) than MB‐FFP (1 : 24 593) by a factor of 6·79 [95% confidence interval (CI) 2·52–27·8]. Allergic adverse events were also commoner with Q‐FFP (1 : 7489) than with MB‐FFP (1:24 593), by a factor of 3·28 (95% CI 1·17–13·7). All adverse reactions experienced by the MB plasma recipients were considered to be mild.

Conclusion

Haemovigilance over 11 years has demonstrated the long‐term safety of MB‐FFP in comparison to untreated quarantine FFP. In addition to lowering the adverse event rate, implementing the system on a national scale in at‐risk countries would presumably reduce the transmission of severe viral infections including emerging infectious diseases by transfusion.
Modeling of Entropy Generation in Turbulent Premixed Flames for Reynolds Averaged Navier–Stokes Simulations: A Direct Numerical Simulation Analysis
Authors: Chakraborty Nilanjan
Published: September 2014

The modeling of the mean entropy generation rate S·"' gen¯ due to combined actions of viscous dissipation, irreversible chemical reaction, thermal conduction and mass diffusion (i.e., T¯1,T¯2,T¯3, and T¯4) in the context of Reynolds averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) simulations has been analyzed in detail based on a direct numerical simulation (DNS) database with a range of different values of heat release parameter τ, global Lewis number Le, and turbulent Reynolds number Ret spanning both the corrugated flamelets (CF) and thin reaction zones (TRZ) regimes of premixed turbulent combustion. It has been found that the entropy generation due to viscous dissipation T¯1 remains negligible in comparison to the other mechanisms of entropy generation (i.e., T¯2,T¯3, and T¯4) within the flame for all cases considered here. A detailed scaling analysis has been used to explain the relative contributions of , and T¯4 on the overall volumetric entropy generation rate S·"' gen¯ in turbulent premixed flames. This scaling analysis is further utilized to propose models for T¯1,T¯2,T¯3, and T¯4 in the context of RANS simulations. It has been demonstrated that the new proposed models satisfactorily predict T¯1,T¯2,T¯3, and T¯4 for all cases considered here. The accuracies of the models for T¯1,T¯2,T¯3, and T¯4 have been demonstrated to be closely linked to the modeling of dissipation rate of turbulent kinetic energy and scalar dissipation rates (SDRs) in turbulent premixed flames.
Effects of Temperature on Internal Resistances of Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Hossain Ahmed Sazzad , Kang Xiaosong , Bade Shrestha S. O.
Published: September 2014

The performance of a lithium-ion battery is significantly dependent on temperature conditions. At subzero temperatures, due to higher resistances, it shows lower capacity and power availability that may affect adversely applications of these batteries in vehicles particularly in cold climate environment. To investigate internal resistances, LiMnNiO and LiFePO4 batteries were tested at wide temperature ranges from 50 °C to −20 °C. Using impedance spectroscopy, major internal resistances such as cathode interfacial, anode interfacial and conductive, have been identified by using a simple equivalent circuit. Results showed that at subzero temperatures the anode interfacial resistance was almost twice than the cathode interfacial resistance. A simple model of the individual resistance increment as a function of temperature has also been presented at the end of the paper. In addition, dependency of cell impedance on state of charge (SOC) and temperature has also been analyzed from the test results.
Topology Optimization of an Automotive Tailor-Welded Blank Door
Authors: Li Guangyao , Xu Fengxiang , Huang Xiaodong , Sun Guangyong
Published: September 2014

Bidirectional evolutionary structural optimization (BESO) method has been successfully applied for a wide range of topology optimization problems. In this paper, the BESO method is further extended to the optimal design of an automotive tailor-welded blank (TWB) door with multiple thicknesses. Different from the traditional topology optimization for solid-void designs, topology optimization of the TWB door needs to identify the weld lines which joint sheets with different thicknesses. The finite element (FE) model of the automotive door assembly is established and verified by a series of stiffness experiments. Then, the proposed optimization procedure is applied to the optimization of the automotive TWB indoor panel for the optimal thickness layout and weld lines locations. Numerical results give guidelines for the lightweight design of TWB components to some extent.
Blogs: A Tool to Facilitate Reflection and Community of Practice in Sports Coaching?
Authors: Stoszkowski John , Collins Dave
Published: September 2014

A reflective approach to practice is consistently espoused as a key tool for understanding and enhancing coach learning and raising the vocational standards of coaches. As such, there is a clear need for practical tools and processes that might facilitate the development and measurement of “appropriate” reflective skills. The aim of this preliminary study was to explore the use of online blogs as a tool to support refection and community of practice in a cohort of undergraduate sports coaching students. Twenty-six students (6 females, 20 males) reflected on their coaching practice via blogs created specifically for refection. Blogs were subjected to category and content analysis to identify the focus of entries and to determine both the emergent reflective quality of posts and the extent to which an online community of practice emerged. Findings revealed that descriptive refection exceeded that of a critical nature, however, bloggers exhibited a positive trajectory toward higher order thinking and blogs were an effective platform for supporting tutor-student interaction. Despite the peer discourse features of blogs, collaborative refection was conspicuous by its absence and an online community of practice did not emerge.
Behaviourism, Constructivism and Sports Coaching Pedagogy: A Conversational Narrative in the Facilitation of Player Learning
Authors: Roberts Simon , Potrac Paul
Published: September 2014

To develop our understanding about how learning theory can help to make sense of and inform the facilitation of player learning, this article presents a fictitious discussion, which takes place following a postgraduate sports coaching lecture on learning theories, pedagogy and practice. Following the lecture, Coach Educator (CE) joins two group members for a coffee to listen to their thoughts, experiences, and coaching practices in relation to pertinent player learning theory. Behaviourist Coach (BC) discusses his approach to coaching and how he has come to coach in this way; and his practices that conform to behaviourist learning theory. When BC has finished sharing his views and practices, CE then invites the other student to contribute to the discussion. Constructivist Coach (CC) recognises that his philosophical beliefs about the facilitation of player learning are vastly different to those of BC. As such, CC decides to share his approach to coaching, which aligns itself with constructivist learning theory. It is hoped that this dialogue will not only further theorise the facilitation of player learning, but do so in a way that helps coaching practitioners make the connection between learning theory and coaching practice.
A comparison of covalent and noncovalent strategies for paclitaxel release using poly(ester amide) graft copolymer micelles
Authors: Soleimani Abdolrasoul , Moustafa Mahmoud M. Abd Rabo , Borecki Aneta , Gillies Elizabeth R.
Published: September 2014

Micelles formed from amphiphilic copolymers are promising for the delivery of drug molecules, potentially leading to enhanced properties and efficacies. Critical aspects of these systems include the use of biocompatible, biodegradable polymer backbones as well as the ability to control the incorporation of drugs and their release rates. In this work, a poly(ester amide)–poly(ethylene oxide) graft copolymer with paclitaxel conjugated via ester linkages was prepared and assembled into micelles. For comparison, micelles with physically encapsulated paclitaxel were also prepared. The release rates of these two systems were studied, and the micelles with covalently conjugated paclitaxel exhibited a prolonged release of the drug in comparison to the noncovalent system, which rapidly released the payload. In vitro studies suggested that the poly(ester amide)–poly(ethylene oxide) copolymers were nontoxic, whereas the toxicities of the drug-loaded micelles were dependent on their release rates. Overall, these systems are promising for further development as anticancer drug carriers.
Enhancing project performance by developing multiple regression analysis and risk analysis models for interface
Authors: Weshah Nesreen , El-Ghandour Wael , Falls Lynne Cowe , Jergeas George
Published: September 2014

Interface management (IM) is a main factor in the success of construction projects. The failure to correctly manage interfaces impacts a project’s performance measurements, such as scope control and schedule. Using Alberta’s data, collected using a web questionnaire from a large group of experienced industry experts, three phases are conducted in this research. The first identifies the top ten interface problems that affect IM. The second phase includes enhancing project performance by developing and applying multiple regression analysis models between the underlying interface problem factors and the project performance indicators. The last phase includes measuring the severity of the impact of each IM problem to develop an IM risk analysis model. The results of the multiple regression models indicate that the interface problems caused by the “technical engineering and site issues factor”, the “bidding and contracting factor”, and the “information factor” were the strongest influences on the schedule and cost project performance indicators. The results will assist engineers, architects, and others in analyzing and predicting the project performance. This will in turn serve to minimize project delay and cost and reduce conflict among project participants.
Applying Bayesian spatiotemporal models to fisheries bycatch in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Cosandey-Godin Aurelie , Krainski Elias Teixeira , Worm Boris , Flemming Joanna Mills
Published: September 2014

Understanding and reducing the incidence of accidental bycatch, particularly for vulnerable species such as sharks, is a major challenge for contemporary fisheries management. Here we establish integrated nested Laplace approximations (INLA) and stochastic partial differential equations (SPDE) as two powerful tools for modelling patterns of bycatch through time and space. These novel, computationally fast approaches are applied to fit zero-inflated hierarchical spatiotemporal models to Greenland shark (Somniosus microcephalus) bycatch data from the Baffin Bay Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides) gillnet fishery. Results indicate that Greenland shark bycatch is clustered in space and time, varies significantly from year to year, and there are both tractable factors (number of gillnet panels, total Greenland halibut catch) and physical features (bathymetry) leading to the high incidence of Greenland shark bycatch. Bycatch risk could be reduced by limiting access to spatiotemporal hotspots or by establishing a maximum number of panels per haul. Our method explicitly models the spatiotemporal correlation structure inherent in bycatch data at a very reasonable computational cost, such that the forecasting of bycatch patterns and simulating conservation strategies becomes more accessible.
Phylogenetic relationships of species of genusArachisbased on genic sequences
Authors: He Guohao , Barkley Noelle A. , Zhao Yongli , Yuan Mei , Prakash C.S.
Published: September 2014

The genus Arachis (Fabaceae), which originated in South America, consists of 80 species. Based on morphological traits and cross-compatibility among the species, the genus is divided into nine taxonomic sections. Arachis is the largest section including the economically valuable cultivated peanut (A. hypogaea). Seven genic sequences were utilized to better understand the phylogenetic relationships between species of genus Arachis. Our study displayed four clades of species of Arachis. Arachis triseminata was genetically isolated from all other species of Arachis studied, and it formed the basal clade with A. retusa and A. dardani from the most ancient sections Extranervosae and Heteranthae, respectively. Species of section Arachis formed a separated single clade from all other species, within which species having B and D genome clustered in one subgroup and three species characterized with an A genome grouped together in another subgroup. A divergent clade including species from five sections was sister to the clade of section Arachis. Between the sister clades and the basal clade there was a clade containing species from the more advanced sections. Phylogenetic relationships of all the species of Arachis using multiple genic sequences were similar to the phylogenies produced with single-copy genes.
QCD string breaking in strong magnetic field
Authors: Chernodub M. N.
Published: September 2014

At sufficiently large separation between a quark and an antiquark the quantum chromodynamics (QCD) string breaks into parts due to creation of light quark–antiquark pairs. We show that a background magnetic field affects the breaking of the QCD string oriented in the transverse directions with respect to the axis of the magnetic field. Using semiclassical approach we argue that above certain, the background magnetic field eB ≈0.3 GeV 2 breaking of the transverse string should become energetically unfavorable.
Design Techniques for Ultra-Low Voltage Comparator Circuits
Authors: Wang Yao , Wang Haibo , Wen Guangjun
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a novel low-voltage rail-to-rail comparator circuit and derives optimal transistor size ratios for both conventional latch-based and the proposed comparators which operate in transistor subthreshold region. The obtained analytical results serve well as guidelines for designing low-voltage comparators and the proposed circuit is significantly faster than existing rail-to-rail comparator designs in ultra-low voltage operation.
Compensated convexity and Hausdorff stable geometric singularity extractions
Authors: Zhang Kewei , Orlando Antonio , Crooks Elaine
Published: September 2014

We develop and apply the theory of lower and upper compensated convex transforms introduced in [K. Zhang, Compensated convexity and its applications, Ann. Inst. H. Poincaré Anal. Non Linéaire 25 (2008) 743–771] to define multiscale, parametrized, geometric singularity extraction transforms of ridges, valleys and edges of function graphs and sets in ℝn. These transforms can be interpreted as "tight" opening and closing operators, respectively, with quadratic structuring functions. We show that these geometric morphological operators are invariant with respect to translation, and stable under curvature perturbations, and establish precise locality and tight approximation properties for compensated convex transforms applied to bounded functions and continuous functions. Furthermore, we establish multiscale and Hausdorff stable versions of such transforms. Specifically, the stable ridge transforms can be used to extract exterior corners of domains defined by their characteristic functions. Examples of explicitly calculated prototype mathematical models are given, as well as some numerical experiments illustrating the application of these transforms to 2d and 3d objects.
A DUAL-STAGE SAMPLING BASED ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORK RESPONSE SURFACE METHODOLOGY AND ITS APPLICATION TO TUBULAR PERMANENT-MAGNET LINEAR SYNCHRONOUS MOTOR
Authors: WANG GUANGHUI , LI PENG , ZHOU JING
Published: September 2014

A dual-stage sampling (DSS) is proposed to reduce training samples of artificial neural network for establishing the analytical response surface model. The procedure of the DSS-based artificial neural network response surface (ANNRS) methodology is divided into two stages. At the rough stage, new sample is generated in the entire space by maximizing the minimum distance to existed samples. Then at the refine stage, new sample is produced in the same way, but is limited in the partial space between two samples with larger gradient and larger distance. And the efficiency of the DSS method is proved by a test function. Considering design variables about slot width and depth, permanent magnet (PM) width and height, and end tooth width, tubular permanent-magnet linear synchronous motor (TPMLSM) modeling problem is represented, whose thrust and ripple are calculated time-consumingly by finite element analysis. Then, The DSS-based ANNRS is applied to establish the TPMLSM model in good accuracy with fewer samples, lower consumption.
AN INTELLIGENT SYSTEM BY FUZZY RELIABILITY ALGORITHM IN FAULT TREE ANALYSIS FOR NUCLEAR POWER PLANT PROBABILISTIC SAFETY ASSESSMENT
Authors: PURBA JULWAN HENDRY , LU JIE , ZHANG GUANGQUAN
Published: September 2014

Fault tree analysis for nuclear power plant probabilistic safety assessment is an intricate process. Personal computer-based software systems have therefore been developed to conduct this analysis. However, all existing fault tree analysis software systems only accept quantitative data to characterized basic event reliabilities. In real-world applications, basic event reliabilities may not be represented by quantitative data but by qualitative justifications. The motivation of this work is to develop an intelligent system by fuzzy reliability algorithm in fault tree analysis, which can accept not only quantitative data but also qualitative information to characterized reliabilities of basic events. In this paper, a newly-developed system called InFaTAS-NuSA is presented and its main features and capabilities are discussed. To benchmark the applicability of the intelligent concept implemented in InFaTAS-NuSA, a case study is performed and the analysis results are compared to the results obtained from a well-known fault tree analysis software package. The results confirm that the intelligent concept implemented in InFaTAS-NuSA can be very useful to complement conventional fault tree analysis software systems.
SEMANTIC SEARCH TECHNIQUES FOR LEARNING SMALLER BOOLEAN EXPRESSION TREES IN GENETIC PROGRAMMING
Authors: MILLER NICHOLAS C. , CHAN PHILIP K.
Published: September 2014

One sub-field of Genetic Programming (GP) which has gained recent interest is semantic GP, in which programs are evolved by manipulating program semantics instead of program syntax. This paper introduces a new semantic GP algorithm, called SGP+, which is an extension of an existing algorithm called SGP. New crossover and mutation operators are introduced which address two of the major limitations of SGP: large program trees and reduced accuracy on high-arity problems. Experimental results on "deceptive" Boolean problems show that programs created by the SGP+ are 3.8 times smaller while still maintaining accuracy as good as, or better than, SGP. Additionally, a statistically significant improvement in program accuracy is observed for several high-arity Boolean problems.
The p-domination number of complete multipartite graphs
Authors: Lu You , Xu Jun-Ming
Published: September 2014

Let G = (V, E) be a graph and p be a positive integer. A subset S ⊆ V is called a p-dominating set of G if every vertex not in S has at least p neighbors in S. The p-domination number is the minimum cardinality of a p-dominating set in G. This paper establishes an exact formula of the p-domination number of all complete multipartite graphs for arbitrary positive integer p.