bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Abundance and density of lesser prairie‐chickens and leks in Texas
Authors: Timmer Jennifer M. , Butler Matthew J. , Ballard Warren B. , Boal Clint W. , Whitlaw Heather A.
Published: July 2013

Lesser prairie‐chickens (LEPCs; Tympanuchus pallidicinctus) have experienced population declines due to both direct and indirect habitat loss, including conversion of native rangeland to cropland and disturbance from energy development. Our objectives were to 1) determine the current density of LEPC leks and LEPCs within the Texas (USA) occupied range, including areas with high potential for wind‐energy development; and 2) find new leks. To estimate lek and LEPC density, we employed a line‐transect‐based aerial survey method using a Robinson 22 helicopter to count leks. We surveyed 26,810.9 km of transect in the spring of 2010 and 2011 and we detected 96 leks. We estimated a density of 2.0 leks/100 km2 (90% CI = 1.4–2.7 leks/100 km2) and 12.3 LEPCs/100 km2 (90% CI = 8.5–17.9 LEPCs/100 km2) and an abundance of 293.6 leks (90% CI = 213.9–403.0 leks) and 1,822.4 LEPCs (90% CI = 1,253.7–2,649.1 LEPCs) for our sampling frame. Our best model indicated that lek size and lek type (AICc wt = 0.235) influenced lek detectability. Lek detectability was greater for larger leks and natural leks versus man‐made leks. Our statewide survey efforts provide wildlife managers and biologists with population estimates, new lek locations, and areas to target for monitoring and conservation. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Status of exotic grasses and grass‐like vegetation and potential impacts on wildlife in New England
Authors: Destefano Stephen
Published: July 2013

The Northeastern section of the United States, known as New England, has seen vast changes in land cover and human population over the past 3 centuries. Much of the region is forested; grasslands and other open‐land cover types are less common, but provide habitat for many species that are currently declining in abundance and distribution. New England also consists of some of the most densely populated and developed states in the country. The origin, distribution, and spread of exotic species are highly correlated with human development. As such, exotics are common throughout much of New England, including several species of graminoids (grasses and grass‐like plants such as sedges and rushes). Several of the more invasive grass species can form expansive dense mats that exclude native plants, alter ecosystem structure and functions, and are perceived to provide little‐to‐no value as wildlife food or cover. Although little research has been conducted on direct impacts of exotic graminoids on wildlife populations in New England, several studies on the common reed (Phragmites australis) in salt marshes have shown this species to have variable effects as cover for birds and other wildlife, depending on the distribution of the plant (e.g., patches and borders of reeds are used more by wildlife than expansive densely growing stands). Direct impacts of other grasses on wildlife populations are largely unknown. However, many of the invasive graminoid species that are present in New England have the capability of outcompeting native plants and thereby potentially affecting associated fauna. Preservation, protection, and restoration of grassland and open‐land cover types are complex but necessary challenges in the region to maintain biological and genetic diversity of grassland, wetland, and other open‐land obligate species. © 2013 The Wildlife Society.
Synthesis, Crystal Structure, and Properties of the First Organomercury Dimer Derived from PMP
Authors: Xu Rui‐Bo , Ma Wei‐Xing , Qi Jia‐Bin , Qin Yi‐Qiu , Zhang Jia‐Wei , Yang Shu‐Ping , Xu Xing‐You
Published: July 2013

The organomercury dimer [Hg2(PMP)Cl2]2·DMF (1) (PMP = 1‐phenyl‐3‐methyl‐2‐pyrazolin‐5‐one) was prepared by the reaction of mercury chloride with PMP and characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, TG, and single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis. The title compound crystallizes in the triclinic space group P$\bar{1}$, with a = 7.4298(6), b = 9.0313(8), c = 12.4145(13) Å, V = 760.50(12) Å3, Z = 1. Each mercury(II) atom is tricoordinated to one chlorine atom, one carbon atom of the pyrazole ring from one PMP, and one oxygen atom from another PMP. The coordination arrangement around the mercury atom is T‐shaped. This is the first structural report on an organomercury derivative of PMP. The distance between the two HgII ions is 3.2735(8) Å, which indicates the presence of weak Hg···Hg interactions. Meanwhile, 1 can be connected by intermolecular C–H···Cl hydrogen bonding and weak Hg···O/Cl/N interactions to form a three dimensional network. The thermal stability and antibacterial activity of 1 were studied. The binding of 1 with calf thymus DNA was investigated by absorption spectroscopy and viscometry.
On the stable discretization of strongly anisotropic phase field models with applications to crystal growth
Authors: Barrett J.W. , Garcke H. , Nürnberg R.
Published: July 2013

We introduce unconditionally stable finite element approximations for anisotropic Allen–Cahn and Cahn–Hilliard equations. These equations frequently feature in phase field models that appear in materials science. On introducing the novel fully practical finite element approximations we prove their stability and demonstrate their applicability with some numerical results.
Energetic effects during phase transition under freezing‐thawing load in porous media – a continuum multiphase description and FE‐simulation
Authors: Bluhm J. , Bloßfeld W.M. , Ricken T.
Published: July 2013

In civil engineering, the frost durability of partly liquid saturated porous media under freezing and thawing conditions is a point of great discussion. Ice formation in porous media results from coupled heat and mass transport and is accompanied by ice expansion. The volume increase in space and time corresponds to the moving freezing front inside the porous solid. In this paper, a macroscopic model based on the Theory of Porous Media (TPM) is presented which describes energetic effects of freezing and thawing processes. For simplification a ternary model consisting of the phases solid, ice and liquid is used. Attention is paid to the description of the temperature development, the determination of energy, enthalpy and mass supply as well as volume deformations due to ice formation during a freezing and thawing cycle. For the detection of energetic effects regarding the characterization and control of phase transition of water and ice, a physically motivated evolution equation for the mass exchange between ice and liquid is presented. Comparing experimental data with numerical examples shows that the simplified model is indeed capable of simulating the temperature development and energetic effects during phase change.
A two scale model for liquid phase epitaxy with elasticity: An iterative procedure
Authors: Eck Ch. , Kutter M. , Sändig A.‐M. , Rohde Ch.
Published: July 2013

Epitaxy is a technically relevant process since it gives the possibility to generate microstructures of different morphologies. These microstructures can be influenced by elastic effects in the epitaxial layer. We consider a two scale model including elasticity, introduced in [8]. The coupling of the microscopic and the macroscopic equations is described by an iterative procedure. We concentrate on the microscopic equations and study their solvability in appropriate function spaces. As the main results we prove the existence and uniqueness of solutions of the three single parts of the microscopic problem. The composition of the corresponding solution operators maps a suitable function space into itself. These results are a first step in the proof of existence of solutions via suitable fixed point arguments of the fully coupled two scale model.
A theory of thermoelasticity with diffusion under Green‐Naghdi models
Authors: Aouadi M. , Lazzari B. , Nibbi R.
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we use the Green‐Naghdi theory of thermomechanics of continua to derive a nonlinear theory of thermoelasticity with diffusion of types II and III. This theory permits propagation of both thermal and diffusion waves at finite speeds. The equations of the linear theory are also obtained. With the help of the semigroup theory of linear operators we establish that the linear anisotropic problem is well posed and we study the asymptotic behavior of the solutions. Finally, we investigate the impossibility of the localization in time of solutions.
Periprosthetic Joint Infection in Patients with Inflammatory Joint Disease: A Review of Risk Factors and Current Approaches to Diagnosis and Management
Authors: Morrison Todd A. , Figgie Mark , Miller Andy O. , Goodman Susan M.
Published: July 2013

Background

Prevention, early identification, and effective management of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients with inflammatory joint disease (IJD) present unique challenges for physicians. Discontinuing disease-modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs (DMARDs) perioperatively may reduce immunosuppression and infection risk at the expense of increasing disease flares. Interpreting traditional diagnostic markers of PJI can be difficult due to disease-related inflammation.

Purposes

This review is designed to answer how to (1) manage immunosuppressive/DMARD therapy perioperatively, (2) diagnose PJI in patients with IJD, and (3) treat PJI in this population.

Methods

The PubMed database was searched for relevant articles with subsequent review by independent authors.

Results

While there is evidence to support the use of methotrexate perioperatively in RA patients, it remains unclear whether using anti-tumor necrosis factor medications perioperatively increases the risk of surgical site infections. Serum erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein can be useful for diagnosis of PJI in this population, but only as part of comprehensive workup that ultimately relies upon sampling of joint fluid. Management of PJI depends on several clinical factors including duration of infection and the likelihood of biofilm presence, the infecting organism, sensitivity to antibiotic therapy, and host immune status. The evidence suggests that two-stage revision or resection arthroplasty is more likely to eradicate infection, particularly when MRSA is the pathogen.

Conclusion

Immunosuppression and baseline inflammatory changes in the IJD population can complicate the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of PJI. Understanding the increase in risk associated with IJD and its treatment is essential for proper management when patients undergo lower extremity arthroplasty.
Structures and Polymorphic Transitions of Triacylglycerols, SOS and POS Thin Films: A Study on Temperature Dependence
Authors: Shimizu Katsumi , Uozaki Yoshihito , Nozaki Kimihiko , Uenaka Mai , Terauchi Hikaru , Takahashi Isao
Published: July 2013

X‐ray reflectivity (XR) and scanning probe microscopy (SPM) were used to examine the structures, polymorphic transitions, and surface morphologies of triacylglycerol (TAG), 1,3‐stearin‐2‐olein (SOS) and 1‐palmitin‐2‐olein‐3‐stearin (POS) thin films supported on Si substrates. The structural parameters: thickness, electron density, and surface/interface roughnesses of TAG thin films were determined by the nonlinear least‐squares regression of XR profiles to reveal their temperature dependences. In the lower temperature regimes, we observed Bragg peaks without significant interference fringe patterns in the XR profiles. SPM at room temperature displayed isolated islands on TAG thin films with surface undulations. Whereas in the higher temperature regimes in which the Bragg peaks disappeared, the interference fringe patterns became prominent. The analyses of the XR profiles indicated the structural change in thin films from three layers to single layer on Si substrates with increasing temperature. However, the temperatures at which the structural change occurred were obviously different between SOS and POS thin films.
Integration auf Zeit für ein Leben in Transition: Gesellschaftlicher und politischer Umgang mit den Herausforderungen einer segmentierten städtischen Migrationsgesellschaft in Muscat (Oman)
Authors: Deffner Veronika , Pfaffenbach Carmella
Published: July 2013

The contribution examines the issue of international migration and integration from an “alternative” perspective to broaden the view of the social and political challenges discussed to date. The coexistence of heterogeneous groups in urban space is discussed taking the example of Muscat, the capital of the Sultanate of Oman. Since the process of modernization commenced in 1970, the urban society in Muscat has gradually developed into a segmented immigrant society. The special feature of this young, dynamic immigration society is that Oman does not envisage the (permanent) integration of transnational migrants, nor do the latter. Therefore we regard temporary integration as an alternative pattern of social coexistence taking the different perspectives of the parties concerned into account. First, a couple of conceptual observations on an analysis of integration will be offered. Then, the general social and political framework conditions that regulate the working situation of foreigners in Oman—i.e. the sponsorship system and the policy of Omanisation—will be addressed. Building on this, the contribution will go on to discuss the migrants’ expectations and opportunities concerning integration based on spatial practice, taking as examples the two central aspects of the choice of place of residence and mobility opportunities. The socio-economic position of employees and recognition based on their professional and educational status prove to be the key criteria in this respect.
Phospho‐ΔNp63α‐dependent microRNAs modulate chemoresistance of squamous cell carcinoma cells to cisplatin: At the crossroads of cell life and death
Authors: Ratovitski Edward A.
Published: July 2013

The tumor protein p63/microRNA functional network appears to play a decisive role in chemoresistance of human epithelial cancers. The cisplatin‐ and phosphorylated‐ΔNp63α‐dependent microRNAs, whose expression was varied in sensitive and resistant squamous cell carcinoma cells (SCC, which were derived from larynx and tongue tumors), were shown to modulate the expression of multiple members of cell cycle arrest, apoptosis and autophagy pathways. The specific microRNAs were further shown to modulate the resistant phenotype of SCC cells in vitro, thereby providing groundwork for novel chemotherapeutic venues for head and neck cancer.
Kinetic model of double‐stranded RNA formation during long RNA replication by Qβ replicase
Authors: Usui Kimihito , Ichihashi Norikazu , Kazuta Yasuaki , Matsuura Tomoaki , Yomo Tetsuya
Published: July 2013

Qβ replicase is an RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, which synthesizes the complementary RNA using a single‐stranded RNA as a template. The formation of non‐replicable double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) by hybridization between newly synthesized RNA and the template RNA hinders the broader application of Qβ replicase. Here, we developed a kinetic model of Qβ RNA replication consisting of two reaction pathways of dsRNA formation, which quantitatively explains the dynamics of dsRNA formation of three template RNAs. We also found that part of the Qβ phage genomic RNA sequence including the central hairpin loop significantly decreases the rate of dsRNA formation.
Where from, where to? New and old configurations in Poland’s foreign and security policy priorities
Authors: Longhurst Kerry
Published: July 2013

The past 20 years have seen profound shifts in Polish foreign and security policy. Like other states in Central Europe Poland became part of the Euro-Atlantic sphere upon gaining first NATO and then EU membership. Despite such broad similarities, Poland’s trajectory since 1989 has been marked by some specific and defining features. Poland has become the most significant player in Central Europe and tends to be viewed in the region as a leader, twinned with this, due to its size and relative strength, Poland is taken seriously at the EU table. At the same time, there has been a palpable shift in Polish Atlanticism and a more skeptical view of the US has emerged. This article explores the sources of these reconfigurations and considers their potential implications.
The Felonry of New South Wales
Authors: Mudie James
Published: July 2013

In 1822, an ambitious but bankrupt mariner named James Mudie arrived in Australia. With the support and patronage of the Colonial Office he was appointed justice of the peace and went on to acquire a reputation as one of the harshest and most brutal magistrates in New South Wales. Published in 1837, as a gesture of protest against Sir Richard Burke's relative leniency, Mudie's account of the 'social, moral and political condition' of the penal colony terrified British readers. Using dramatic imagery and anecdotes to support his argument, the author recommends a three-pronged attack on the 'depraved appetites and vicious courses' of convicts. Advocating strict discipline, the subjection of the will of the prisoner to that of the master, and 'religious impression', Mudie's treatise reveals not only the challenges facing nineteenth-century magistrates, but also the brutal treatment that awaited those whose punishment began with transportation to Australasia.
Icones Plantarum
Authors: Hooker William Jackson
Published: July 2013

This world-famous work was begun by Sir William Jackson Hooker (1785–1865) in 1837, and the ten volumes reissued here were produced under his authorship until 1854, at which point his son, Joseph Dalton Hooker (1817–1911) continued the work of publication. Hooker's own herbarium, or collection of preserved plant specimens, was so extensive that at one point he stored it in one house and lived in another; it was left to the nation on his death. Each volume contains 100 line drawings of plants, and each is accompanied by a full Latin description, with notes in English on habitat and significant features. The order of the plants in each volume is not systematic, but two 'indexes' at the beginning provide plant lists, in alphabetical order and 'arranged according to the natural orders'.
Life with the Esquimaux
Authors: Hall Charles Francis
Published: July 2013

In 1860, Charles Francis Hall (1821–71), the American explorer, embarked on the first of two voyages to the Canadian Arctic region aimed at investigating the fate of Sir John Franklin's lost expedition of 1847. During his time in the Arctic, Hall lived amongst the Inuit community, learning their language and embracing their everyday life. First published in 1864, Hall's two-volume work remains of great interest to anthropologists, sociologists and geographers. His eye-witness accounts of the indigenous people's dwellings, hunting pursuits, birth and death rites, transportation, interpersonal relationships, and survival strategies in severe weather conditions provide an insight into Inuit culture in the nineteenth century. In Volume 2 he tells of his discovery in Frobisher Bay of artefacts from Martin Frobisher's sixteenth-century mining venture; the survival of these relics, together with his understanding of Inuit memory systems, convinces him that traces of Franklin and his crew may yet be found.
Einleitung in das Sprachstudium
Authors: Delbrück Berthold
Published: July 2013

In 1876 the Leipzig publisher Breitkopf und Härtel launched a series on Indo-European languages entitled 'Bibliothek Indogermanischer Grammatiken'. The first three volumes covered phonology, Greek and Sanskrit. This short introduction to the comparative method, published in 1880, was the fourth. It was highly successful, with six editions appearing between 1880 and 1919. Its author, Berthold Delbrück (1842–1922), Professor of Sanskrit at Jena, was a former student of the pioneering Indo-Europeanist Franz Bopp. Delbrück expanded the horizons of the field to cover syntax as well as phonology and morphology; his magisterial studies of Sanskrit and Indo-European syntax (also reissued in the Cambridge Library Collection) appeared between 1886 and 1900. This book, designed as a guide for readers of the Breitkopf series, includes a fascinating history of Indo-European philology from its founding fathers Jones and Bopp through Humboldt, Schleicher and Curtius to Delbrück's own time, and outlines the most recent developments.
A Companion to the Mountain Barometer
Authors: Jones Thomas
Published: July 2013

The Englefield mountain barometer was designed to calculate altitude and was so easy to use that a reading could be taken out of the window of a carriage – provided the horses stood still. Using a bar of mercury, which fell in the lower air pressure of higher altitudes, the barometer gave readings accurate to one thousandth of an inch. By taking a mercury reading at two locations, the owner could work out the difference in altitude between them. In this companion book, first published in 1817, the maker of the new barometer, Thomas Jones, provides tables listing the heights of objects measuring between fifteen and thirty-one inches of mercury. These measurements account for the heights of all mountains in England. He also includes tables that show how to allow for the expansion of both air and mercury. A fascinating book for historical researchers and experimenters in physics alike.
The Climate of London
Authors: Howard Luke
Published: July 2013

The 'student of clouds' Luke Howard (1772–1864) published this work of statistics on weather conditions in London in two volumes, in 1818 and 1820. Howard was by profession an industrial chemist, but his great interest in meteorology led to his studies on clouds (also reissued in this series), and his devising of the system of Latin cloud names which was adopted internationally and is still in use. Volume 1 begins with an introduction to the work, explaining his intention to make available in one place consistent records of weather events. He argues that for the benefit of 'agriculture and navigation', a systematic approach is required, and he outlines his methods and equipment in some detail. The tables of observations taken at Plaistow, near London, in the years 1806–9 then begin, and are interspersed with notes and a commentary which includes accounts of similar weather phenomena observed elsewhere.
On the Safety Lamp for Preventing Explosions in Mines, Houses Lighted by Gas, Spirit Warehouses, or Magazines in Ships, etc.
Authors: Davy Humphry
Published: July 2013

Self-taught chemist and inventor Sir Humphry Davy (1778–1829) was one of the first professional scientists of his age. President of the Royal Society from 1820 to 1827, he was also a brilliant lecturer whose popularising of science made him famous. He also pioneered electrochemistry, isolating potassium, sodium and calcium. But Davy is best known for creating the safety lamp when he was asked to address the frequent occurrence of explosions in coal mines. He realised that firedamp - flammable gases such as methane - was ignited at high temperature by the open flames of miners' lamps. In 1815, he devised a lamp with a mesh screen that prevented ignition of firedamp; this application of science allowed miners to work in greater safety. First published in 1818 and revised in 1825, this work details the invention that cemented Davy's position as a national hero and earned him the Royal Society's Rumford Medal.
WINNERS AND LOSERS: EDWARDS AND THE UNFAIR LAW OF DISMISSAL
Authors: Barnard Catherine , Merrett Louise
Published: July 2013

In Edwards v Chesterfield Royal Hospital N.H.S. Foundation Trust the majority of a seven-justice Supreme Court held that a common law claim for breach of express contractual disciplinary procedures was pre-empted by the statutory right to claim for unfair dismissal. Further, they held that one express term (the notice clause) should be prioritised over another (the contractual disciplinary procedure). In this article we argue that the application of the idea of statutory “trumping” of the common law misunderstands the complex evolution of the common law in this field and its interplay with statute. We also argue that the traditional pre-eminence given to notice clauses over all other express terms needs to be reconsidered.
Age, growth and mortality of anchovy Engraulis encrasicolus in the south-eastern region of the Black Sea during the 2010–2011 fishing season
Authors: Sağlam N. Erdoğan , Sağlam C.
Published: July 2013

In this research age composition, sex-ratio, growth, survival, mortality and exploitation rates were determined in the south-eastern Black Sea region of Turkey during the 2010–2011 fishing season. Anchovy in the age group 2 was the most abundant (64.06%), followed by age groups 1 (33.12%), 3 (1.80%) and 0 (1.02%). Mean length and weight of the total sample, males and females, were 11.63 ± 0.02 cm, 9.98 ± 0.04 g; 11.39 ± 0.03 cm, 9.40 ± 0.07 g; and 11.98 ± 0.02 cm, 10.73 ± 0.05 g, respectively. The mean condition factor was CF = 0.63 and the sex composition was 61.27% female, 34.40% male and 4.33% unidentified. Equations describing the relationship between length and weight, age and length, and age and weight were derived as W = 0.011 × L2.742, L(t) = 16.368*(1–e−0.425*(t +1.35)) and W(t) = 23.516*(1 –e–0.425*(t+1.35))2,747, respectively. The survival (S), instantaneous total mortality (Z), annual mortality (A), natural mortality (M) and fishing mortality (F) rates were found to be S = 5.8%, Z = 2.84 yr–1,, A = 94.2%, M = 0.66 yr−1, and F = 2.18 yr–1, respectively. The exploitation rate was calculated as 0.77, which is higher than the optimum exploitation level.
Comparison of sub-micro/nano structure formation on polished silicon surface irradiated by nanosecond laser beam in ambient air and distilled water
Authors: Sobhani Maliheh , Mahdieh Mohammad Hossein
Published: July 2013

This paper compares sub-micro/nano structure formation on polished silicon surface irradiated by nanosecond laser pulses in ambient air and distilled water. Surface cluster density and optical reflectivity of silicon surface (at a typical wavelength of λ = 632 nm) were studied in terms of number of laser pulses and laser fluence. The surface density and optical reflectivity give information on clusters filling factor and clusters height respectively. The results show that the values of surface cluster density and clusters height strongly depend on laser pulse numbers and interacting ambient. Comparing to air, distilled water as an interacting ambient can affect more significantly the clusters height.
“Shunt index” can be used to predict clinically significant patent ductus arteriosus in premature neonates in early post-natal life
Authors: Yapakçı Ece , Ecevit Ayşe , Törer Birgin , Ince Deniz Anuk , Gökdemir Mahmut , Gülcan Hande , Tarcan Aylin
Published: July 2013

Background:This study aimed to examine the differences between arterial and inferior caval vein oxygen saturation, fractional oxygen extraction, and the shunt index, which were calculated in the diagnosis of patent ductus arteriosus.Methods:Twenty-seven preterm infants were included in this study and were divided into two groups according to patent ductus arteriosus. Among them, 11 (41%) infants had haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus and 16 (59%) did not have significant patent ductus arteriosus. Synchronous arterial and venous blood gases were measured during the first post-natal hours after the insertion of umbilical catheters. The differences between arterial and inferior caval vein oxygen saturation, inferior body fractional oxygen extraction, and the shunt index were calculated. Echocardiography was performed before the 72nd hour of life in a selected group of patients who had haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus. Ibuprofen treatment was administered to patients with patent ductus arteriosus. Echocardiography was performed on the 72nd hour of life in preterm infants without any clinical suspicion of patent ductus arteriosus.Results:The early measured differences between arterial and inferior caval vein oxygen saturation and inferior body fractional oxygen extraction were found to be lower and the shunt index was found to be higher in the haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus group than in the group without haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.Conclusion:We found that the shunt index, calculated in the first hours of life as ≥63%, predicted haemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus with a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 82% in preterm newborns.
How Inhibition Relates to Impulsivity after Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Authors: Rochat Lucien , Beni Catia , Annoni Jean-Marie , Vuadens Philippe , Van der Linden Martial
Published: July 2013

Impulsive behaviors and poor inhibition performances are frequently described in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, few studies have examined impulsivity and associated inhibition impairments in these patients. Twenty-eight patients with moderate to severe TBI and 27 matched controls performed a stop-signal task designed to assess prepotent response inhibition (the ability to inhibit a dominant or automatic motor response) in a neutral or emotional context and a recent negative task to assess resistance to proactive interference (the ability to resist the intrusion into memory of information that was previously relevant but has since become irrelevant). Informants of each patient completed a short questionnaire designed to assess impulsivity. Patients showed a significant increase in current urgency, lack of premeditation, and lack of perseverance when retrospectively compared with the preinjury condition. Group comparisons revealed poorer prepotent response inhibition and resistance to proactive interference performances in patients with TBI. Finally, correlation analyses revealed a significant positive correlation between urgency (the tendency to act rashly when distressed) and prepotent response inhibition in patients with TBI. This study sheds new light on the construct of impulsivity after a TBI, its related cognitive mechanisms, and its potential role in problematic behaviors described after a TBI. (JINS, 2013,19, 1–9)
Analysis and experimental studies of compact polarization tracking modules for Ku band phased array antennas
Authors: Shi Wei , Zhou Jun , Qian Zuping , Shen Ya
Published: July 2013

Detailed analysis of the polarization tracking modules for Ku band active phased array antennas is presented. The proposed transmitter (14.0–14.5 GHz) and receiver (12.25–12.75 GHz) modules are based on the low temperature co-fired ceramic (LTCC) technique, containing orthogonal dual channels with different phases controlled by phase shifters. The effect of amplitude and phase inconsistency between two channels on polarization tracking performance is analyzed. The validity of the analysis is verified by the measurements of the manufactured prototypes. The measured patterns of the active phased array antenna are given to illustrate the effects of the modules on polarization agility, which may be used for Ku band satellite antennas on mobile terminals.
The role of ear stone size in hair cell acoustic sensory transduction
Authors: Inoue Maya , Tanimoto Masashi , Oda Yoichi
Published: July 2013

Hearing and bodily balance are different sensations initiated by a common mechanism. Both sound- and head movement-dependent mechanical displacement are converted into electrical signals by the sensory hair cells. The saccule and utricle inner ear organs, in combination with their central projections to the hindbrain, are considered essential in fish for separating auditory and vestibular stimuli. Here, we established an in vivo method in larval zebrafish to manipulate otolith growth. We found that the saccule containing a large otolith is necessary to detect sound, whereas the utricle containing a small otolith is not sufficient. Otolith removal and relocation altered otolith growth such that utricles with experimentally enlarged otoliths acquired the sense of sound. These results show that otolith biomineralization occurs in a region-specific manner and suggest that regulation of otolith size in the larval zebrafish ear is crucial to differentially sense auditory and vestibular information.
Retracted Article: A highly concise and practical route to clavaminols, sphinganine and (+)-spisulosine via indium mediated allylation of α-hydrazino aldehyde and a theoretical insight into the stereochemical aspects of the reaction
Authors: Pandey Menaka , Chowdhury Partha Sarathi , Dutta Achintya Kumar , Kumar Pradeep , Pal Sourav
Published: July 2013

The stereoselective synthesis of 1,2-amino alcohols is reported by proline-catalyzed α-amination of aldehyde and one-pot indium mediated allylation of the crude α-hydrazino aldehydes.
The Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB): Item Bank Calibration and Development of a Disorder-Generic Short Form
Authors: Baylor Carolyn , Yorkston Kathryn , Eadie Tanya , Kim Jiseon , Chung Hyewon , Amtmann Dagmar
Published: July 2013

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to calibrate the items for the Communicative Participation Item Bank (CPIB; Baylor, Yorkston, Eadie, Miller, & Amtmann, 2009; Yorkston et al., 2008) using item response theory (IRT). One overriding objective was to examine whether the IRT item parameters would be consistent across different diagnostic groups, thereby allowing creation of a disorder-generic instrument. The intended outcomes were the final item bank and a short form ready for clinical and research applications.

Method

Self-report data were collected from 701 individuals representing 4 diagnoses: multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and head and neck cancer. Participants completed the CPIB and additional self-report questionnaires. CPIB data were analyzed using the IRT graded response model.

Results

The initial set of 94 candidate CPIB items were reduced to an item bank of 46 items demonstrating unidimensionality, local independence, good item fit, and good measurement precision. Differential item functioning analyses detected no meaningful differences across diagnostic groups. A 10-item, disorder-generic short form was generated.

Conclusions

The CPIB provides speech-language pathologists with a unidimensional, self-report outcomes measurement instrument dedicated to the construct of communicative participation. This instrument may be useful to clinicians and researchers wanting to implement measures of communicative participation in their work.
Learning to Fail in Aphasia: An Investigation of Error Learning in Naming
Authors: Middleton Erica L. , Schwartz Myrna F.
Published: July 2013

Purpose

To determine whether the naming impairment in aphasia is influenced by error learning and whether error learning is related to type of retrieval strategy.

Method

Nine participants with aphasia and 10 neurologically intact controls named familiar proper noun concepts. When experiencing tip-of-the-tongue naming failure (TOT) in an initial TOT-elicitation phase, participants were instructed to adopt phonological or semantic self-cued retrieval strategies. In the error learning manipulation, items evoking TOT states during TOT elicitation were randomly assigned to a short or long time condition in which participants were encouraged to continue to try to retrieve the name for either 20 s (short interval) or 60 s (long). The incidence of TOT on the same items was measured on a post-test after 48 hr. Error learning was defined as a higher rate of recurrent TOTs (TOT at both TOT elicitation and post-test) for items assigned to the long (versus short) time condition.

Results

In the phonological condition, participants with aphasia showed error learning, whereas controls showed a pattern opposite to error learning. There was no evidence for error learning in the semantic condition for either group.

Conclusion

Error learning is operative in aphasia but is dependent on the type of strategy used during naming failure.
Adaptive partial‐forward scheme for half‐duplex relay system
Authors: Joo Hyeong‐Gun , Shin Dong‐Joon
Published: July 2013

A partial‐forward scheme for the half‐duplex relay system is proposed, which transmits only a part of codewords by considering code and channel characteristics at the relay. Specifically, two partial cooperation schemes, decode‐and‐partial‐forward and amplify‐and‐partial‐forward schemes are considered and to overcome the shortcomings of these schemes an adaptive partial‐forward scheme is proposed which can be flexibly applied according to the given environment. Also, the criteria on how to select a part of the codeword bits at the relay are derived. Furthermore, the optimisation of the time‐division parameters to obtain the performance improvement is investigated.
Yield improvement by redundancy method for component calibration
Authors: Enikeeva F. , Morche D. , Oguz A.
Published: July 2013

The benefits of a redundant channels methodology for the component calibration are explored. Proposed is a normal approximation of the yield in order to estimate the number of redundant components needed to provide a minimal area occupied by the components.
Efficient encoding of QC‐LDPC codes based on rotate‐left‐accumulator circuits
Authors: Zhang Peng , Liu Changyin , Jiang Lanxiang
Published: July 2013

For efficient hardware implementation of QC‐LDPC encoders, four types of rotate‐left‐accumulator (RLA) circuits are proposed. Although the performance of a type I RLA circuit is exactly identical to the most widely used shift‐register‐adder‐accumulator (SRAA) circuit, its reasonable structure can derive the other three counterparts. Both type II and III RLA circuits are highly area efficient, and have the same speed as the SRAA circuit. Compared with these serial‐in circuits, the parallel‐in type IV RLA circuit is faster at the cost of more memory, and suitable for applications where generator matrices have fewer block rows or special parity‐check matrices are used to encode.
Wideband size‐reduced microstrip rat‐race hybrid with double‐side‐swap phase inverter
Authors: Mung S.W.Y. , Chan W.S.
Published: July 2013

A double‐side‐swap phase inverter is proposed in the rat‐race hybrid. This phase inverter with a 90° line replaces the conventional 270° line in the hybrid, which results in a size reduction and widening of the bandwidth. In microwave components, a large ground plane has the advantages of acting as an effective reflector in antenna systems and providing excellent heat sinking in high power applications. Experiment shows that this proposed hybrid has good performance from 1.2 to 2.8 GHz (fo = 2 GHz). The bandwidth is increased from 10 to 80 %, respectively, and a 43 % size reduction is obtained compared with the conventional rat‐race hybrid.
Trellis‐coded CIOD using conjugate symmetric rotated QAM signal set
Authors: Kim C.J. , Heo S.W. , Lee H.K.
Published: July 2013

A trellis‐coded coordinate‐interleaved orthogonal design (TC‐CIOD) for four transmit antennas with a rotated QAM base signal set is introduced. To design a high rate pre‐encoder the base signal set is expanded by conjugating the rotated QAM signals without changing the transmit signal set at each transmit antenna. The proposed TC‐CIOD provides coding gain without increasing peak‐to‐average‐power ratio.
SUSAN controlled decay parameter adaption for non‐local means image denoising
Authors: Zhan Y. , Zhang X.M. , Ding M.Y.
Published: July 2013

The non‐local means (NLM) method explores self‐similarities in images for noise removal. The traditional NLM (TNLM) method computes pixel similarity using the globally fixed decay parameter. However, a fixed decay parameter for the whole image makes it difficult to ensure that the TNLM method can restore both edge pixels and non‐edge pixels effectively. To address this problem, the SUSAN controlled NLM (SNLM) method is proposed to adaptively tune the decay parameter for each image pixel based on the SUSAN edge response. Extensive simulations demonstrate that the SNLM method outperforms several state‐of‐the‐art NLM methods in terms of noise reduction and detail preservation.
Image enhancement in forward imaging radar using modified apodisation technique
Authors: Cho B.L. , Sun S.G. , Lim B.G.
Published: July 2013

Forward imaging radar using an UWB signal has been developed by many researchers. The image quality in this radar is not satisfactory because of the limitation of aperture length. Proposed is an image enhancement method using a modified apodisation technique in forward imaging radar. An experiment is carried out to validate the proposed method. The azimuth resolution and peak‐to‐sidelobe ratio are improved by the proposed method by up to about 11.7% and 10 dB, respectively.
Transmission performance improvement in digital coherent system by suppressing cycle slip using statistical analysis algorithm
Authors: Hamaoka F. , Seki T. , Matsuda T. , Naka A.
Published: July 2013

Cycle slip adversely affects transmission performance in digital coherent systems. Proposed is an algorithm using statistical analysis for suppressing cycle slip in a digital coherent system. The cycle slip suppression effect, transmission performance, and nonlinear tolerance of the proposed algorithm were numerically investigated. The proposed algorithm enables cycle‐slip‐free wavelength division multiplex transmission under the presence of nonlinear optical effect and improves transmission performance.
Capacitive approach to restore decoupling between channels for four‐element MR coil array
Authors: Perrier A.L. , Grenier D. , Ravel N. , Litaudon P. , Beuf O.
Published: July 2013

Multichannel coil arrays are increasingly being used to improve signal‐to‐noise ratio in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The decoupling between coils is an important parameter in array design. Indeed coupling between elements affects the resonance frequency of each single coil and decreases its sensitivity. Many solutions have been developed to achieve decoupling between elements of the multichannel coil array. Presented is a capacitive solution to restore channel decoupling of a specific four‐channel receiver coil array using common conductors. The principle of an effective decoupling was first demonstrated by circuit simulations of |S|‐parameters. A receive‐only four‐channel coil array was design for rat head MRI. Experimental |S|‐parameter measurements validated the proposed capacitive approach by restoring decoupling between elements and particularly between external loops.
Lightweight generic random ferns for multi‐target augmented reality on mobile devices
Authors: Lee Suwon , Yang Hyun S.
Published: July 2013

Proposed use lightweight generic random ferns (LGRF), a fast keypoint classifier designed for multi‐target augmented reality (AR) on mobile devices. LGRF uses binary features of image patches for both object recognition and keypoint matching of multiple objects, and stores probabilities in a single bit representation to reduce memory requirements. As a result, LGRF can perform simultaneous object recognition and keypoint matching in real time with low memory consumption, making it suitable for multi‐target AR on mobile devices.
Estimation of Pareto clutter parameters using order statistics and linear regression
Authors: Weinberg G.V.
Published: July 2013

Using a transformation of the order statistic for a series of Pareto distributed random variables, a linear regression approach is applied to estimating Pareto parameters for data sets. This method is shown to perform better than a standard maximum likelihood estimation procedure.
Joint trilateral motion vector filter for bidirectional motion compensation
Authors: Lu Qingchun , Fang Xiangzhong
Published: July 2013

Bidirectional motion compensation is an efficient method for frame rate upconversion application. To enhance bidirectional motion vector field (MVF) accuracy, most recent approaches derive it from unidirectional motion vectors (MVs), which may introduce blocking artifacts around object boundaries due to the block‐wise motion assignment. Presented is a joint trilateral motion vector filter to improve the MV accuracy of boundary pixels by increasing the resolution of the block‐wise unidirectional MVF to a pixel basis. The MV of each pixel is computed as a weighted average of its neighbouring block MVs. Experimental results show that the proposed method can improve the MV accuracy of boundary pixels effectively. Frames interpolated by the proposed method achieve better performance compared with conventional methods.
Temperature‐ and strain‐independent torsion sensor utilising polarisation‐dependent loss of Hi‐Bi FBGs
Authors: Wang Y.P. , Huang X.Q. , Wang M.
Published: July 2013

A temperature‐ and strain‐independent torsion sensor based on analysis of polarisation‐dependent loss (PDL) characteristics of high‐birefringent (Hi‐Bi) fibre Bragg gratings (FBGs), is proposed and demonstrated. Unlike the amplitude spectra, the PDL response has higher sensitivity to torsion. Experimetal results demonstrate that the difference between the two peaks in the PDL spectra has a linear relationship with the twist rate, but remains invariant with changes in temperature and strain. In addition, it was observed that the PDL responses to the clockwise twist are just opposite of the responses to the couterclockwise twist.
Feasibility test of implantable microphone at middle ear cavity
Authors: Woo S.H.A. , Lee J.W. , Park I‐Y. , Song B.S.
Published: July 2013

With the advent of implantable hearing aids, the implementation and acoustic sensing strategy of the implantable microphone becomes an important issue. Previously, implantable microphones were inserted under the skin, which causes loud noise signals from touching or moving the skin. In this reported work, mounting a microphone in a drilled hole to the middle ear cavity is proposed. This method does not cause any skin movement problems or aesthetic problems. Furthermore, surgical operation is easy because the microphone can be mounted onto the drilled bone and does not need to be clipped or attached to the ossicular chain. From guinea pig experiments (n = 5), the loss of transmission from the proposed microphone observed was only 1.17 ± 0.36 and 5.04 ± 0.84 dB (mean ± std.) for the 0.2–1 and 3–4 kHz bands. The lowest minimum detectable sound pressure was measured as 27.7 dB SPL (SNR: 6 dB) at 3150 Hz without pinna or canal effects.
Piezoresistive pressure sensors fabricated by surface micromachining process compatible with CMOS process
Authors: Yu Huiyang , Qin Ming
Published: July 2013

A piezoresistive pressure sensor has been fabricated with a newly proposed fabrication process, which is quite suitable for fabricating MEMS devices. The fabricated pressure sensors are wire‐bonded and have been tested under the pressure range from 100–1012hPa. The results show that the output voltage increases with the applied pressure. For the structures with membrane length of 800 and 900 µm, the output voltage is linear to the pressure applied and the sensitivity of the sensor is about 0.75 and 0.877mV/hPa. The test results also show that, in order to get a linear output, the membrane length should be less than 1000 µm.