bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Responses of tree species to heat waves and extreme heat events
Authors: TESKEY ROBERT , WERTIN TIMOTHY , BAUWERAERTS INGVAR , AMEYE MAARTEN , MCGUIRE MARY ANNE , STEPPE KATHY
Published: July 2014

The number and intensity of heat waves has increased, and this trend is likely to continue throughout the 21st century. Often, heat waves are accompanied by drought conditions. It is projected that the global land area experiencing heat waves will double by 2020, and quadruple by 2040. Extreme heat events can impact a wide variety of tree functions. At the leaf level, photosynthesis is reduced, photooxidative stress increases, leaves abscise and the growth rate of remaining leaves decreases. In some species, stomatal conductance increases at high temperatures, which may be a mechanism for leaf cooling. At the whole plant level, heat stress can decrease growth and shift biomass allocation. When drought stress accompanies heat waves, the negative effects of heat stress are exacerbated and can lead to tree mortality. However, some species exhibit remarkable tolerance to thermal stress. Responses include changes that minimize stress on photosynthesis and reductions in dark respiration. Although there have been few studies to date, there is evidence of within‐species genetic variation in thermal tolerance, which could be important to exploit in production forestry systems. Understanding the mechanisms of differing tree responses to extreme temperature events may be critically important for understanding how tree species will be affected by climate change.
Seizure threshold and the half‐age method in bilateral electroconvulsive therapy inJapanese patients
Authors: Yasuda Kazuyuki , Kobayashi Kaoru , Yamaguchi Masayasu , Tanaka Koichi , Fujii Tomokazu , Kitahara Yuichi , Tamaoki Toshio , Matsushita Yutaka , Nunomura Akihiko , Motohashi Nobutaka
Published: July 2014

Aim

Seizure threshold (ST) in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) has not been reported previously inJapanese patients. We investigated ST in bilateral ECT inJapanese patients using the dose–titration method. The associations between demographic and clinical characteristics and ST were analyzed to identify the predictors of ST. Finally, the validity of the half‐age method for the stimulus dose was evaluated.

Methods

Fifty‐fourJapanese patients with mood disorder, schizophrenia, and other psychotic disorders received an acute course of bilateral ECT using a brief‐pulse device. ST was determined at the first session using a fixed titration schedule. ST was correlated with age, sex, body mass index, history of previous ECT, and psychotropic drugs on multiple regression analysis. Furthermore, the rate of accomplished seizures was calculated using the half‐age method.

Results

Mean ST was 136 mC. ST was influenced by age, sex, history of previous ECT, and medication with benzodiazepines. The accomplished seizure rate using the half‐age method was 72%, which was significantly lower in men and subjects on benzodiazepines.

Conclusion

ST inJapanese patients was equal to or slightly higher than that previously reported in other ethnic groups, which might be attributable, at least in part, to high prevalence of and large‐dose benzodiazepine prescription. Higher age, male gender, no history of ECT, and benzodiazepines were related to higher ST. The half‐age method was especially useful in female patients and subjects without benzodiazepine medication.
Evaluating subjective domains of antipsychotic‐induced adverse effects using heart rate variability
Authors: Chang Jae Seung , Hwang Samuel Suk‐Hyun , Yi Sang Hoon , Kim Yeni , Lee Yu‐Sang , Kim Yong Sik , Jung Hee‐Yeon
Published: July 2014

Aims

Antipsychotic‐induced autonomic dysregulation may lead to a wide range of subjective side‐effects in schizophrenia patients. Using heart rate variability (HRV) measures, we prospectively examined the relationship between subjective side‐effects and cardiac autonomic regulation in unmedicated schizophrenia patients.

Methods

Forty‐five unmedicated schizophrenia patients were assessed for antipsychotic‐associated side‐effects and HRV parameters at baseline and after 6 weeks of treatment. Psychiatric symptoms and subjective side‐effects were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side‐effect Rating Scale (LUNSERS).

Results

Correlations between subjective adverse effects and HRV measures at baseline and at week 6 varied. Nonetheless, the changes in the psychic side‐effects domain were significantly correlated with the changes in time‐domain HRV measures and sample entropy (SampEn). In addition, the change in SampEn was significantly associated with that in the scores of extrapyramidal, anticholinergic, miscellaneous, and red herring domains as well as the mean total LUNSERS score.

Conclusion

Baseline HRV measures may predict clinical response and adverse events associated with treatment adherence. Also, subjective side‐effects may correspond well with the changes in neurocardiac dynamics, and the changes in SampEn may effectively reflect subjective discomfort in patients receiving antipsychotic treatment.
Clinoform geometry, geomorphology, facies character and stratigraphic architecture of a sand‐rich subaqueous delta: Jurassic Sognefjord Formation, offshore Norway
Authors: Patruno Stefano , Hampson Gary J. , Jackson Christopher A.‐L. , Dreyer Tom
Published: July 2014

The integration of core sedimentology, seismic stratigraphy and seismic geomorphology has enabled interpretation of delta‐scale (i.e. tens of metres high) subaqueous clinoforms in the upper Jurassic Sognefjord Formation of the Troll Field. Mud‐prone subaqueous deltas characterized by a compound clinoform morphology and sandy delta‐scale subaqueous clinoforms are common in recent tide‐influenced, wave‐influenced and current‐influenced settings, but ancient examples are virtually unknown. The data presented help to fully comprehend the criteria for the recognition of other ancient delta‐scale subaqueous clinoforms, as well as refining the depositional model of the reservoir in the super‐giant Troll hydrocarbon field. Two 10 to 60 m thick, overall coarsening‐upward packages are distinguished in the lower Sognefjord Formation. Progressively higher energy, wave‐dominated or current‐dominated facies occur from the base to the top of each package. Each package corresponds to a set of seismically resolved, westerly dipping clinoforms, the bounding surfaces of which form the seismic ‘envelope’ of a clinoform set and the major marine flooding surfaces recognized in cores. The packages thicken westwards, until they reach a maximum where the clinoform ‘envelope’ rolls over to define a topset–foreset–toeset geometry. All clinoforms are consistently oriented sub‐parallel to the edge of the Horda Platform (N005–N030). In the eastern half of the field, individual foresets are relatively gently dipping (1° to 6°) and bound thin (10 to 30 m) clinothems. Core data indicate that these proximal clinothems are dominated by fine‐grained, hummocky cross‐stratified sandstones. Towards the west, clinoforms gradually become steeper (5° to 14°) and bound thicker (15 to 60 m) clinothems that comprise medium‐grained, cross‐bedded sandstones. Topsets are consistently well‐developed, except in the westernmost area. No seismic or sedimentological evidence of subaerial exposure is observed. Deposition created fully subaqueous, near‐linear clinoforms that prograded westwards across the Horda Platform. Subaqueous clinoforms were probably fed by a river outlet in the north‐east and sculpted by the action of currents sub‐parallel to the clinoform strike.
Civil Religion and National Politics in a Neoliberal Era
Authors: Williams Rhys H. , Fuist Todd Nicholas
Published: July 2014

Civil religion, or the connection of the nation‐state, its history, destiny, and people, to understandings of transcendence or divinity, is in crisis both as a theoretical concept and as a politico‐cultural phenomenon. The crisis has been brought about by the weakened capacity of the nation‐state to generate collective identity and a version of ‘charismatic’ authority. We argue that this has resulted in a shift from the widely accepted conceptualization of civil religion as a unifying force in societies to a more exclusionary force that Williams (2103) calls “tribal civil religion” That, in its own way, undermines the nation‐state. In this paper, we examine the history and various understandings of the concept of civil religion, develop an argument that the assault on the nation‐state has meant the rise of increasingly exclusive and exclusionist expressions of civil religion, and present possible suggestions for sites where ‘unitive’ civil religion may still be found.
Synesthetizing Sound Studies and the Sociology of Technology
Authors: Marshall Owen
Published: July 2014

This paper examines current issues at the intersection of the Sociology of Technology and the interdisciplinary field of Sound Studies. It begins with an overview of major social constructionist, interpretive semiotic, and actor–network theoretical sociological approaches to technology as developed within the field of Science and Technology Studies (STS). Considering the predominance of narrative visual metaphors in these approaches' treatment of socio‐technical perception, it is argued that the “turn to sound” in social studies of technology, rather than simply furnishing established analytic approaches with a fresh set of empirical cases (i.e. “sound technologies”), presents an opportunity to better sensitize STS approaches to the contingent socio‐technical shaping and distribution of embodied perceptual modalities in general. A critical review of recent social and historical studies of sound and technology, attending especially to debates surrounding the theoretical shift from acoustemological or soundscape‐based to signal‐oriented “transductive” approaches, suggests the importance for future STS and Sound Studies work of addressing how shared modes of sensory perception are produced within particular socio‐technical frames.
Strength in Diversity? Group Heterogeneity in the Mobilization of Grassroots Organizations
Authors: Walker Edward T. , Stepick Lina M.
Published: July 2014

Grassroots groups often find that they need to manage issues of diversity along racial/ethnic, class, gender, religious, and/or citizenship lines, among several other axes of difference. There are strong reasons to expect that diversity is a benefit to such groups, especially in terms of coalition breadth and the widely held expectation that internal heterogeneity helps organizations to resolve collective action dilemmas. Nonetheless, a long tradition within sociological research sets out the expectation that group heterogeneity thwarts the formation of collective identities and group solidarity, and therefore limits the potential for effective organizing. With a particular emphasis on groups active in local community‐based organizing since the 1970s, we review studies on a variety of features of group diversity and their effects on mobilizing processes. We find that although researchers remain somewhat divided on these critical issues, the preponderance of evidence suggests that managing diversity poses significant challenges for grassroots organizing efforts. While these challenges may not easily be overcome, we point to a variety of cases in which group differences offered a significant asset to social change efforts.
The last major earthquakes along the Magallanes–Fagnano fault system recorded by disturbed trees (Tierra del Fuego, South America)
Authors: Pedrera Antonio , Galindo‐Zaldívar Jesús , Ruiz‐Constán Ana , Bohoyo Fernando , Torres‐Carbonell Pablo , Ruano Patricia , Maestro Adolfo , González‐Castillo Lourdes
Published: July 2014

Forests situated above active fault zones may record hillslope evolution, thus holding information about recent seismic events. Lenga trees (Nothofagus pumilio) extend across the Magallanes–Fagnano fault system (MFFS), the active transform boundary between the South American and Scotia plates. Coseismic surface ruptures along the fault scarp tilt trees located uphill. During the interseismic period, tree growth curves the trunks. Annual tree rings from the study area show abrupt changes from concentric to asymmetric, allowing the timing of major historical earthquakes to be established. In this case, tree‐ring analysis suggests rupture on theMFFSfault scarp in 1883 ± 5 and 1941 ± 10, coinciding with the February 1, 1879 (Modified Mercalli Scale,VI) and the December 17, 1949 (Ms 7.8) earthquakes in Tierra del Fuego. Our results provide evidence that this fault system was the source of these earthquakes, which has implications for seismic hazard in the study region.
Posttransfusion purpura occurrence and potential risk factors among the inpatient US elderly, as recorded in large Medicare databases during 2011 through 2012
Authors: Menis Mikhail , Forshee Richard A. , Anderson Steven A. , McKean Stephen , Gondalia Rahul , Warnock Rob , Johnson Chris , Mintz Paul D. , Worrall Christopher M. , Kelman Jeffrey A. , Izurieta Hector S.
Published: July 2014

Background

Posttransfusion purpura (PTP) is a serious transfusion complication resulting in sudden thrombocytopenia with bleeding. The study's objective was to assess PTP occurrence and potential risk factors among the inpatient US elderly, ages 65 and older, during 2011 through 2012.

Study Design and Methods

This retrospective claims‐based study utilized large Medicare databases for calendar years 2011 and 2012. Transfusions of blood and blood components were identified by recorded ICD‐9‐CM procedure codes and revenue center codes, and PTP was ascertained via ICD‐9‐CM diagnosis code. Our study evaluated PTP rates (per 100,000 inpatient transfusion stays) among elderly Medicare beneficiaries, overall and by age, sex, race, number of units, and blood components transfused. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess potential risk factors.

Results

Among 4,336,338 inpatient transfusion stays for elderly beneficiaries during the study period, 78 had a PTP diagnosis code recorded, an overall rate of 1.8 per 100,000 stays. PTP occurrence varied by the blood components, units transfused, and other characteristics. Significantly higher odds of PTP were found for platelet (PLT)‐containing transfusions, with greater number of units transfused, as well as for elderly with histories of cardiac arrhythmias (odds ratio [OR], 2.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.43‐4.93), coagulopathy (OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.01‐3.21), leukemia (OR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.07‐5.26), transplant (OR, 2.68; 95% CI, 1.41‐5.09), and other conditions.

Conclusion

Our population‐based study suggests a substantially higher PTP risk with PLT‐containing transfusions. The study also suggests increased PTP risk with greater number of units transfused as well as the importance of underlying health conditions and prior recipient alloimmunization for PTP occurrence among the elderly.
Comparison of donkey hemogram using the LaserCyte hematology analyzer, an impedance system, and a manual method
Authors: Perez‐Ecija Alejandro , Gonzalez‐De Cara Carlos A. , Aguilera‐Aguilera Raul , Estepa Jose C. , Rubio Maria D. , Mendoza Francisco J.
Published: July 2014

Background

Donkeys are becoming increasingly important worldwide; therefore a reliable and accurate method of diagnosing disease is necessary. Flow cytometry‐based hematologic analyzers are present in veterinary laboratories, but performance of LaserCyte has not been evaluated in donkeys.

Objectives

The objective of the study was to compare the results of donkey blood obtained from the LaserCyte with impedance and manual methods.

Methods

Blood samples were collected from 84 healthy donkeys (1–20 years old) and measured with LaserCyte, Sysmex F‐820 and manually. Agreement between methods was studied using Passing–Bablok test and Bland–Altman plots. Influence of blood abnormalities found on blood smears on LaserCyte counts was examined using Mann–Whitney or Kruskal–Wallis test. Intraassay precision was calculated.

Results

Hematologic variables obtained from the LaserCyte were significantly different from those obtained with impedance or manual methods; numerous values were flagged. Agreement between LaserCyte and manual method was poor for the majority of variables, but agreement between LaserCyte and impedance was only poor forHCT,MCH, andMCHC. LaserCyte had an intraassay precision < 10% for RBC and platelet variables, and > 10% forWBCvariables.

Conclusions

LaserCyte results were not interchangeable with results from other methods due to poor agreement. LaserCyte provided no additional hematologic variables or clinically relevant indices for donkey blood analysis. A large number of results were flagged, requiring the evaluation of blood smears. No benefits were found for the use of LaserCyte analyzer over the use of impedance or manual methods in this study. Specific software for LaserCyte for donkey blood would be beneficial.
Deslorelin for the treatment of hair cycle arrest in intact male dogs
Authors: Albanese Francesco , Malerba Eleonora , Abramo Francesca , Miragliotta Vincenzo , Fracassi Federico
Published: July 2014

Background

Hair cycle arrest (alopecia X) refers to a canine alopecic condition of unknown pathogenesis, characterized by symmetrical, nonpruritic and noninflammatory alopecia that spares the head and distal extremities.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The objective of this study was prospectively to evaluate the efficacy of a 4.7 mg deslorelin implant in the treatment of intact male and neutered female dogs affected by hair cycle arrest.

Animals

Ten Pomeranian dogs (eight intact males, two neutered females), four Italian spitz (three intact males, one neutered female), three miniature poodles (two intact males, one neutered female), two Siberian huskies (both intact males) and one intact male chow chow dog with confirmed hair cycle arrest were included in the study.

Methods

Each dog was treated with a subcutaneous sterile implant containing 4.7 mg deslorelin. Responder dogs were re‐implanted 6 months after the first implant in order to obtain a 1 year pharmacological exposure and 1 year of follow‐up.

Results

Hair regrowth was visible within 3 months in 12 of 16 intact male dogs (75%); no hair regrowth was noted in any neutered female dogs. The overall response to therapy was 60%. No adverse effects were noted.

Conclusions and clinical importance

These findings suggest that deslorelin may be a treatment option for intact male dogs with idiopathic hair cycle arrest. Deslorelin is an alternative to current therapies and castration.
Inhibition of poly‐ADP ribose polymerase enzyme activity prevents hyperglycemia‐induced impairment of angiogenesis during wound healing
Authors: Sarras Michael P. , Mason Samantha , McAllister Geoffrey , Intine Robert V.
Published: July 2014

We previously reported a zebrafish model of type I diabetes mellitus (DM) that can be used to study the hyperglycemic (HG) and metabolic memory (MM) states within the same fish. Clinically, MM is defined as the persistence of diabetic complications even after glycemic control is pharmacologically achieved. In our zebrafish model, MM occurs following β‐cell regeneration, which returns fish to euglycemia. During HG, fish acquire tissue deficits reflective of the complications seen in patients with DM and these deficits persist after fish return to euglycemia (MM). The unifying mechanism for the induction of diabetic complications involves a cascade of events that is initiated by the HG stimulation of poly‐ADP ribose polymerase enzyme (Parp) activity. Additionally, recent evidence shows that the HG induction of Parp activity stimulates changes in epigenetic mechanisms that correlate with the MM state and the persistence of complications. Here we report that wound‐induced angiogenesis is impaired in DM and remains impaired when fish return to a euglycemic state. Additionally, inhibition of Parp activity prevented the HG‐induced wound angiogenesis deficiency observed. This approach can identify molecular targets that will provide potential new avenues for therapeutic discovery as angiogenesis imbalances are associated with all HG‐damaged tissues.
Stochastic Model Predictive Control for Guided Projectiles Under Impact Area Constraints
Authors: Rogers Jonathan
Published: July 2014

The dynamics of guided projectile systems are inherently stochastic in nature. While deterministic control algorithms such as impact point prediction (IPP) may prove effective in many scenarios, the probability of impacting obstacles and constrained areas within an impact zone cannot be accounted for without accurate uncertainty modeling. A stochastic model predictive guidance algorithm is developed, which incorporates nonlinear uncertainty propagation to predict the impact probability density in real-time. Once the impact distribution is characterized, the guidance system aim point is computed as the solution to an optimization problem. The result is a guidance law that can achieve minimum miss distance while avoiding impact area constraints. Furthermore, the acceptable risk of obstacle impact can be quantified and tuned online. Example trajectories and Monte Carlo simulations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed stochastic control formulation in comparison to deterministic guidance schemes.
Mixed-Coordinate ANCF Rectangular Plate Finite Element
Authors: Yu Zuqing , Shabana Ahmed A.
Published: July 2014

Higher order finite elements (FEs) based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) may require the use of curvature vectors as nodal coordinates. The curvature vectors, however, can be difficult to define at the reference configuration, making such higher order ANCF FEs less attractive to use. It is the objective of this investigation to use the concept of the mixed-coordinate ANCF FEs to ensure that the gradient vectors are the highest spatial derivatives in the element nodal coordinate vector regardless of the order of the interpolating polynomials used. This concept is used to convert the curvature vectors to nodes, called position nodes, which have only position coordinates. These new position nodes can be defined at a preprocessing stage, leading to two different sets of nodes: one set of nodes has position and gradient coordinates, while the second set of nodes has position coordinates only. The new position nodes can be used to obtain better distribution of the forces, including contact forces. Higher degree of continuity, including curvature continuity, can still be achieved at the element interface by using, at a preprocessing stage, linear algebraic equations that can reduce significantly the model dimension and ensure higher degree of smoothness. The procedure proposed in this investigation also allows for the formulation of mechanical joints at arbitrary points and nodes using linear algebraic constraint equations. The difficulties that arise when formulating these joint constraints using B-spline and NURBS (Nonuniform Rational B-Splines) representations are discussed. In order to explain the concepts introduced in this paper, low and high order ANCF thin plate elements are used. For the high order thin plate element, the curvature vectors at the interface nodes are converted to internal nodes with position coordinates only, leading to a mixed-coordinate ANCF thin plate element. This element preserves the desirable ANCF features including a constant mass matrix and zero Coriolis and centrifugal forces. Kirchhoff plate theory is used to formulate the element elastic forces. The equations of motion of the structure are formulated in terms of an independent set of structure coordinates. The resulting mass matrix associated with the independent coordinates remains constant. Numerical examples are presented in order to demonstrate the use of the mixed-coordinate ANCF thin plate element when the continuity constraints are imposed.
Thermal Modeling and Experimental Validation for High Thermal
Conductivity Heat Pipe Thermal Ground Planes
Authors: Ababneh Mohammed T. , Chauhan Shakti , Chamarthy Pramod , Gerner Frank M.
Published: July 2014

Thermal ground planes (TGPs) are flat, thin (external thickness of 2 mm) heat pipes which utilize two-phase cooling. The goal is to utilize TGPs as thermal spreaders in a variety of microelectronic cooling applications. In addition to TGPs and flat heat pipes, some investigators refer to similar devices as vapor chambers. TGPs are novel high-performance, integrated systems able to operate at a high power density with a reduced weight and temperature gradient. In addition to being able to dissipate large amounts of heat, they have very high effective axial thermal conductivities and (because of nanoporous wicks) can operate in high adverse gravitational fields. A three-dimensional (3D) finite element model is used to predict the thermal performance of the TGP. The 3D thermal model predicts the temperature field in the TGP, the effective axial thermal conductivity, and the evaporation and the condensation rates. A key feature of this model is that it relies on empirical interfacial heat transfer coefficient data to very accurately model the interfacial energy balance at the vapor–liquid saturated wick interface. Wick samples for a TGP are tested in an experimental setup to measure the interfacial heat transfer coefficient. Then the experimental heat transfer coefficient data are used for the interfacial energy balance. Another key feature of this model is that it demonstrates that for the Jakob numbers of interest, the thermal and flow fields can be decoupled except at the vapor–liquid saturated wick interface. This model can be used to predict the performance of a TGP for different geometries and implementation structures. This paper will describe the model and how it incorporates empirical interfacial heat transfer coefficient data. It will then show theoretical predictions for the thermal performance of TGP's, and compare with experimental results.
Investigation on the Influence of Machine Tool Dynamics on the Wavefront Gradient of KH2PO4 Crystals
Authors: Chen Wanqun , Liang Yingchun , Sun Yazhou , Lu Lihua
Published: July 2014

The root mean square gradient (GRMS) is a key parameter for KH2PO4 crystal of low-frequency wavefront, which affects the focusing performance in the inertial confinement fusion (ICF) system. The large wavelength waviness on the machined surface has significant influence on the GRMS. In this paper, the influence of the large wavelength waviness on the GRMS and the main sources resulting in the large scale ripples are analyzed based on dynamics analysis of the machine tool. The dynamic performance of machine tool is optimized and the reasonable dynamic stiffness region is obtained. Furthermore, the machined and the tested results validate the usefulness of the theoretical analysis.
A Critical Review on Condensation Heat Transfer in Microchannels and Minichannels
Authors: Awad M. M. , Dalkiliç A. S. , Wongwises S.
Published: July 2014

Condensation in microchannels and minichannels is widely used in small devices such as air-cooled condensers for the air-conditioning and automotive industry, in heat pipes, thermosyphons and other applications for system thermal control. Currently, many research centers all over the world are dealing with the structure and operation of compact refrigerating devices. This is in line with the trend of 21st century that is moving towards the use of energy-saving and environmentally friendly technical equipment. In the present study, a critical review on condensation heat transfer in microchannels and minichannels is presented. This review include a wide range of different parameters such as the channel diameter (d), the saturation temperature (Ts), the mass flux (G), the vapor quality (x), different working fluids like steam, CO2 or R744, FC72, R22, R410A, and R407C, various shapes such as circular and noncircular, different orientations like horizontal and vertical, and systems consist of either single or multiple channels. At the end, recommendations for future studies will be given. As a result, this paper cannot only be used as the starting point for the researcher interested in condensation heat transfer in microchannels and minichannels, but it also includes recommendations for future studies on condensation heat transfer in microchannels and minichannels.
AmBot: A Bio-Inspired Amphibious Robot for Monitoring the Swan-Canning Estuary System
Authors: Cui Lei , Cheong Paul , Adams Ridge , Johnson Thomas
Published: July 2014

This paper describes the AmBot, a centipede-inspired amphibious robot for monitoring the Swan-Canning River, the most important estuary system in Western Australia. The major challenge in developing such a robot lies in that the limited physical size of the robot allows only one type of propulsion system to be used both on land and on water. This is in contrast to large amphibious robots that use wheels or track systems when on land and switch to propellers when on water. The focus of this paper is on the design of a single propulsion method suited to a small-sized amphibious robot. To achieve this, centipede-inspired tracks were engineered with each track-piece consisting of an aluminum base and a polystyrene-block float. It was hypothesized that tracks fixed with floats might be able to provide effective actuation both on land and on water for small-sized robots. When on water, the tracks provide propulsion force and buoyancy so that the waterline is well controlled. When on land, the tracks effectively spread the contact force across multiblocks, leading to effective actuation and low pressure on the sandy terrain, hence protecting the beach ecosystem. Finite element analysis (FEA) was applied to optimize the main components of the AmBot for weight reduction without sacrificing functionality and safety. The AmBot uses an Android-based remote-control system via the Internet, where the accelerometer, gyroscope, global positioning system (GPS), and camera on the Android device provide integrated navigation and monitoring sensing. A prototype was developed to validate the proposed design by conducting empirical studies.
Classroom-based high-intensity interval activity improves off-task behaviour in primary school students
Authors: Ma Jasmin K. , Mare Lucy Le , Gurd Brendon J.
Published: July 2014

This study examined the effects of an acute bout of brief, high-intensity interval exercise on off-task classroom behaviour in primary school students. A grade 4 class (n = 24) and a grade 2 class (n = 20) were exposed to either a no-activity break or an active break that consisted of “FUNtervals”, a high-intensity interval protocol, on alternating days for 3 weeks. No-activity days consisted of a 10-min inactive break while FUNterval days consisted of a 4-min FUNterval completed within a 10-min break from regular class activities. Off-task behaviour was observed for 50 min after each no-activity/FUNterval break, with the amount of time students spent off-task (motor, passive, and verbal behaviour) being recorded. When comparing no-activity breaks with FUNtervals the grade 4 class demonstrated reductions in both passive (no activity = 29% ± 13% vs. FUNterval = 25% ± 13%, p < 0.05, effect size (ES) = 0.31) and motor (no activity = 31% ± 16% vs. FUNterval = 24% ± 13%, p < 0.01, ES = 0.48) off-task behaviour following FUNtervals. Similarly, in the grade 2 class, passive (no activity = 23% ± 14% vs. FUNterval = 14% ± 10%, p < 0.01, ES = 0.74), verbal (no activity = 8% ± 8% vs. FUNterval = 5% ± 5%, p < 0.05, ES = 0.45), and motor (no activity = 29% ± 17% vs. FUNterval = 14% ± 10%, p < 0.01, ES = 1.076) off-task behaviours were reduced following FUNtervals. In both classrooms the effects of physical activity were greatest in those students demonstrating the highest rates of off-task behaviour on no-activity days. These data demonstrate that very brief high-intensity bouts of exercise can improve off-task behaviour in grade 2 and 4 students, particularly in students with high rates of such behaviour.
AN ERP-BASED BCI USING AN ODDBALL PARADIGM WITH DIFFERENT FACES AND REDUCED ERRORS IN CRITICAL FUNCTIONS
Authors: JIN JING , ALLISON BRENDAN Z. , ZHANG YU , WANG XINGYU , CICHOCKI ANDRZEJ
Published: July 2014

Recent research has shown that a new face paradigm is superior to the conventional "flash only" approach that has dominated P300 brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) for over 20 years. However, these face paradigms did not study the repetition effects and the stability of evoked event related potentials (ERPs), which would decrease the performance of P300 BCI. In this paper, we explored whether a new "multi-faces (MF)" approach would yield more distinct ERPs than the conventional "single face (SF)" approach. To decrease the repetition effects and evoke large ERPs, we introduced a new stimulus approach called the "MF" approach, which shows different familiar faces randomly. Fifteen subjects participated in runs using this new approach and an established "SF" approach. The result showed that the MF pattern enlarged the N200 and N400 components, evoked stable P300 and N400, and yielded better BCI performance than the SF pattern. The MF pattern can evoke larger N200 and N400 components and more stable P300 and N400, which increase the classification accuracy compared to the face pattern.
ANALYSIS OF RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN RÉNYI ENTROPY AND MARGINAL BAYES ERROR AND ITS APPLICATION TO WEIGHTED NAÏVE BAYES CLASSIFIERS
Authors: ENDO TOMOMI , OMURA KAZUHIRO , KUDO MINEICHI
Published: July 2014

A weighted naïve Bayes (WNB) classifier using Rényi entropy is discussed with its tree augmented extension. A WNB classifier is one solution for gaining efficiency against large-scale classification problems with an enormous amount of data and a lot of features. Such a WNB classifier has been studied so far, aiming at improving the prediction performance or at reducing the number of features. Among those studies, weighting with Shannon entropy has succeeded in reducing the number of features while keeping the classification performance. However, it has not been fully revealed how different weighting methods affect the performance of classification and feature selection. In this paper, it is analyzed by changing the weights using a parametric α-Rényi entropy. As the first clue, the relationship between Rényi entropy and the marginal Bayes error is analyzed in detail. It was revealed that the WNB classifiers becomes the regular (without weight) naïve Bayes classifier in one end (α = 0.0) and naïve Bayes classifier weighted by the marginal Bayes error in the other end (α = ∞). In addition, an extension of WNB classifiers to incorporate tree-structured correlation between features is discussed.
Industrial Energy and Environment Efficiency of Chinese Cities: An Analysis Based on Range-Adjusted Measure
Authors: Wang Ke , Yu Xueying
Published: July 2014

Industrial energy and environment efficiency evaluation is essential in guiding national and environmental policy making, since the industrial sector is the largest energy consumer and major pollutants producer in China. This study utilizes the Range-Adjusted Measure (RAM)-based models to evaluate the energy and environment efficiency of industrial sectors in 31 Chinese major cities. The empirical results show that eastern Chinese cities outperform their western counterparts in terms of industrial energy efficiency, and central Chinese cities outperform their eastern counterparts in terms of industrial environment efficiency. Under natural disposability, 23 cities exhibit decreasing returns to scale, and under managerial disposability, 18 cities exhibit increasing damages to scale.
Understanding Video Sharing Propagation in Social Networks
Authors: Li Haitao , Cheng Xu , Liu Jiangchuan
Published: July 2014

Modern online social networking has drastically changed the information distribution landscape. Recently, video has become one of the most important types of objects spreading among social networking service users. The sheer and ever-increasing data volume, the broader coverage, and the longer access durations of video objects, however, present significantly more challenges than other types of objects. This article takes an initial step toward understanding the unique characteristics of video sharing propagation in social networks. Based on realworld data traces from a large-scale online social network, we examine the user behavior from diverse aspects and identify different types of users involved in video propagation. We closely investigate the temporal distribution during propagation as well as the typical propagation structures, revealing more details beyond stationary coverage. We further extend the conventional epidemic models to accommodate diverse types of users and their probabilistic viewing and sharing behaviors. The model, effectively capturing the essentials of the propagation process, serves as a valuable basis for such applications as workload synthesis, traffic prediction, and resource provision of video servers.
Personalized Video Recommendation through Graph Propagation
Authors: Huang Qinghua , Chen Bisheng , Wang Jingdong , Mei Tao
Published: July 2014

The rapid growth of the number of videos on the Internet provides enormous potential for users to find content of interest. However, the vast quantity of videos also turns the finding process into a difficult task. In this article, we address the problem of providing personalized video recommendation for users. Rather than only exploring the user-video bipartite graph that is formulated using click information, we first combine the clicks and queries information to build a tripartite graph. In the tripartite graph, the query nodes act as bridges to connect user nodes and video nodes. Then, to further enrich the connections between users and videos, three subgraphs between the same kinds of nodes are added to the tripartite graph by exploring content-based information (video tags and textual queries). We propose an iterative propagation algorithm over the enhanced graph to compute the preference information of each user. Experiments conducted on a dataset with 1,369 users, 8,765 queries, and 17,712 videos collected from a commercial video search engine demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Selecting Stopping Rules for Confidence Interval Procedures
Authors: Singham Dashi I.
Published: July 2014

The sample size decision is crucial to the success of any sampling experiment. More samples imply better confidence and precision in the results, but require higher costs in terms of time, computing power, and money. Analysts often choose sequential stopping rules on an ad hoc basis to obtain confidence intervals with desired properties without requiring large sample sizes. However, the choice of stopping rule can affect the quality of the interval produced in terms of the coverage, precision, and replication cost. This article introduces methods for choosing and evaluating stopping rules for confidence interval procedures. We develop a general framework for assessing the quality of a broad class of stopping rules applied to independent and identically distributed data. We introduce coverage profiles that plot the coverage according to the stopping time and reveal situations when the coverage could be unexpectedly low. Finally, we recommend simple techniques for obtaining acceptable or optimal rules.
Tamoxifen Monotherapy in the Treatment of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis
Authors: Brandt Alexander Sascha , Kamper Lars , Kukuk Sonja , Haage Patrick , Roth Stephan
Published: July 2014

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of tamoxifen monotherapy in patients with retroperitoneal fibrosis (RPF). Patients and Methods: From 2007 on, 31 patients with idiopathic RPF were treated with tamoxifen monotherapy. Follow-up investigations included magnetic resonance imaging, laboratory measurements, registration of side effects and changes or removal of ureteral stents. Data were stored in the Else Kröner-Fresenius Registry of Retroperitoneal Fibrosis. Results: 25 men and 6 women with a mean age of 56.6 years were treated with tamoxifen monotherapy. Mean duration of treatment was 13.3 months, mean follow-up 26.8 months. A total of 44 renal units were affected by hydronephrosis and covered by DJ stents. Radiological regression of fibrosis was detected in 22 cases (71.0%); removal of ureteral stents was possible in 27/44 renal units (61.4%) and 17/29 patients (58.6%), respectively. Most patients showed only mild or no side effects of therapy. In 7 cases (22.3%) tamoxifen therapy had to be abandoned because of severe side effects, progression of fibrosis or persistent intolerance. Conclusions: Tamoxifen is an alternative in the medical treatment of RPF, especially if patients want to avoid glucocorticoids. The potential of regression of fibrosis seems to be slightly inferior and the relapse rate is higher compared to steroids, but the rate of successful DJ removals is comparable.
Italian Deprivation Index and Dental Caries in 12-Year-Old Children: A Multilevel Bayesian Analysis
Authors: Matranga Domenica , Campus Guglielmo , Castiglia Paolo , Strohmenger Laura , Solinas Giuliana
Published: July 2014

Evidence from the literature has shown that people with a lower socioeconomic status enjoy less good health than people with a higher socioeconomic status. The Italian deprivation index (DI) was used with the aim to evaluate the association between the DMFT index and risk factors for dental caries, including city population and DI. The study included 4,305 12-year-old children living in 38 cities classified by demographic size as small, midsize and large. Zero-inflated negative binomial multilevel regression models were used to assess risk factors for DMFT and to address excess of zero DMFT and overdispersion through a Bayesian approach. The difference in the average level of DMFT among children living in cities with different DI quintile was not statistically significant (p = 0.578). The DI and ln(population), included as city-level fixed effects in the two-level variance components model, were not statistically significant. Consuming sweet drinks on average increased the mean DMFT of a susceptible child, while having a highly educated mother reduced it. Unobserved heterogeneity among cities was detected for the probability to be non-susceptible to caries (city-level variance = 0.26 with 95% credibility interval 0.09-0.57), while no territorial effect was found for the mean DMFT of the susceptible children. Our results suggest that the DI and city population did not play a role in explaining between-city variability. Interventions against social deprivation can be influential on the perception of oral health in Italian 12-year-old children to the extent that they can also affect individual level factors.
Influence of Body Laterality on Recovery from Subjective Visual Vertical Tilt after Vestibular Neuritis
Authors: Toupet Michel , Van Nechel Christian , Bozorg Grayeli Alexis
Published: July 2014

The subjective visual vertical (SVV) is an indicator of vestibular otolithic function and mainly processed by the nondominant parietal cortex. We investigated the hypothesis that recovery from SVV tilt after vestibular neuritis can be influenced by the body's lateral preference. This prospective cohort follow-up study included 254 consecutive adult patients with vestibular neuritis. The recovery from SVV tilt was faster in patients with a left hand or eye dominance than in those with a right dominance. While in left-handers the side of the neuritis did not affect the speed of recovery, in right-handed subjects, the recovery from a right-sided neuritis was significantly slower than from a left-sided affection. These observations suggest that subjects with a left sensorimotor dominance have developed more significant midline-crossing projections to the parietal cortex, allowing them to cope faster with a unilateral vestibular deficit.
The Risk of Ischemic Stroke after an Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Decreased Renal Function
Authors: Jakobsson Stina , Graipe Anna , Huber Daniel , Björklund Fredrik , Mooe Thomas
Published: July 2014

Background: Data on the incidence, trends over time and predictors of ischemic stroke after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) are sparse for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Methods: Data for unselected AMI patients were obtained from the Swedish Register of Information and Knowledge about Swedish Heart Intensive Care Admissions (RIKS-HIA) between 2003 and 2010. Patients with and without CKD were compared. Multiple logistic regression was performed to identify predictors of ischemic stroke during the hospitalization for AMI, Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to analyze the 1-year postdischarge ischemic stroke trends over time and Cox regression analysis was used to identify predictors. Results: Of 118,434 AMI patients, 40,679 had CKD. The CKD patients had more extensive previous cardiovascular disease and received less reperfusion and secondary preventive therapies than the patients without CKD. An inhospital ischemic stroke occurred in 2.3 and 1.2% of CKD and non-CKD patients, respectively. The incidence of ischemic stroke during hospitalization for AMI was stable during the study period. The occurrence of ischemic stroke after hospital discharge decreased between 2003-2004 and 2009-2010 from 4.1 to 2.5% in CKD patients and from 2.0 to 1.3% in non-CKD patients, respectively. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and statins were independently associated with a reduced risk of stroke after discharge from hospital. Conclusions: Ischemic stroke is a more common complication after an AMI in CKD patients than in non-CKD patients, but the risk has decreased in recent years. The increased use of PCI and statins may have contributed to this reduction.
Pathogen Inactivation Technologies for Cellular Blood Components: an Update
Authors: Schlenke Peter
Published: July 2014

Nowadays patients receiving blood components are exposed to much less transfusion-transmitted infectious diseases than three decades before when among others HIV was identified as causative agent for the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and the transmission by blood or coagulation factors became evident. Since that time the implementation of measures for risk prevention and safety precaution was socially and politically accepted. Currently emerging pathogens like arboviruses and the well-known bacterial contamination of platelet concentrates still remain major concerns of blood safety with important clinical consequences, but very rarely with fatal outcome for the blood recipient. In contrast to the well-established pathogen inactivation strategies for fresh frozen plasma using the solvent-detergent procedure or methylene blue and visible light, the bench-to-bedside translation of novel pathogen inactivation technologies for cell-containing blood components such as platelets and red blood cells are still underway. This review summarizes the pharmacological/toxicological assessment and the inactivation efficacy against viruses, bacteria, and protozoa of each of the currently available pathogen inactivation technologies and highlights the impact of the results obtained from several randomized clinical trials and hemovigilance data. Until now in some European countries pathogen inactivation technologies are in in routine use for single-donor plasma and platelets. The invention and adaption of pathogen inactivation technologies for red blood cell units and whole blood donations suggest the universal applicability of these technologies and foster a paradigm shift in the manufacturing of safe blood.