bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emmanuel Levinas
Authors: Malenfant Gabriel
Published: September 2014

Emmanuel Levinas (b. 1906–d. 1995) was a philosopher famous for having developed an original interpretation of Edmund Husserl’s phenomenological method, using the latter to address the foundations of ethics and normativity. Published in more than twenty-five books spanning over eighty years, his oeuvre can be divided into three categories: (1) his philosophical works, which regroup monographs, essays, and interviews, (2) his Talmudic readings and essays on Judaism, and (3) posthumous notes, remarks, and texts, some of which are still being published. Although references will be made to the second and third categories, the first remains the central focus of this article. Apart from the influence of Husserl, Levinas was also inspired by Martin Heidegger as well as by Maurice Blanchot and Jacques Derrida. Of Heidegger, he wrote an uncompromising philosophical critique that addressed the secondary role played by ethics in his phenomenology—a critique he then expanded to the Western philosophical tradition as a whole. Ethics, Levinas argued, had to be reinterpreted and understood as “first philosophy” (i.e., as metaphysics), rather than as a derivative extension based on premises coming from ontological, epistemological, or political narratives. Not unlike Plato centuries before, although in a different manner and with very different implications, Levinas contended that the question of the Good has priority over that of Being, since interhuman relationality precedes any discourse or logos about beings—human or otherwise. His “ethics” is thus not that of the tradition: its aim is not to become prescriptive. Without denying the importance of the following properties or faculties for practical decision making, Levinas’s ethics relies neither on virtues, reason, nor utility. The word “ethics,” for Levinas, refers to the fact that “I” cannot refuse responsibility for the other, since that act of disregarding or refusing responsibility is possible only on the basis of my being always already capable of responding to an other who imposes responsibility on me. It is this ability for responding to the other, this command that I cannot efface (even when I ignore it) that allows for other discourses—such as ontology, epistemology, or political philosophy—to make sense at all. The consequences of this original interpretation of the nature and meaning of ethics are deep and manifold. Therefore, this article does not intend to present an all-encompassing portrait of Emmanuel Levinas’s thought. Rather, its aim is to provide the reader with a selection of texts that represent the wide array of philosophical questions addressed by Levinas and his commentators. Given the immense number of publications by Levinas, this entry proposes a commented list of selected major works and articles by the author (instead of referencing complete collections, for instance). The secondary literature is then organized by themes that correspond to areas of research—both well established and new—within Levinas studies.
Discovery of a W UMa type binary GSC 03553−00845
Authors: Guo Di-Fu , Li Kai , Hu Shao-Ming , Jiang Yun-Guo , Gao Dong-Yang , Chen Xu
Published: September 2014

When observing the transiting extrasolar planets, we discovered a new W UMa type binary GSC 03553−00845. Following observation was carried out using the 1 m telescope at Weihai Observatory of Shandong University. Complete BVR light curves were determined. Using the W-D program, we analyzed the light curves. Photometric solution reveals that GSC 03553−00845 is a W-subtype W UMa type binary with a mass ratio of q = 2.904, it is an overcontact binary system by a contact degree of f = 29.5% with a small temperature difference between the components (ΔT = 206 K) indicating a good thermal contact between the components. More observation of GSC 03553−00845 is needed in order to analyze the light curve variation and orbital period change.
Evaluating the Role of Interdigitated Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Radiation in the Management of High-Grade Soft-Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Raval Raju R. , Frassica Deborah , Thornton Katherine , Meyer Christian , Ettinger David S. , Frassica Frank , Weber Kristin , Terezakis Stephanie A.
Published: September 2014

Objectives:

High-grade soft-tissue sarcoma (STS) has a poor prognosis. The goal of this study was to review treatment outcomes of patients with high-grade STS treated with interdigitated neoadjuvant chemotherapy (CT) and radiation at our institution.

Materials and Methods:

Patients with high-grade STS (1997 to 2010) were planned for treatment with 3 cycles of neoadjuvant CT, interdigitated preoperative radiation therapy (44 Gy administered in split courses with a potential 16 Gy postoperative boost), and 3 cycles of postoperative CT. Cancer control outcomes at 3 years were analyzed.

Results:

Sixteen patients with high-grade STS were evaluated. Median age was 53 years, the median longest tumor diameter was 14.6 cm, and median follow-up was 33 months. All 16 patients received 2 or 3 cycles of neoadjuvant CT and all patients completed neoadjuvant RT. The estimated 3-year rate for local control was 100%, disease-free survival 62.5%, and overall survival 73.4%.

Conclusions:

Patients with high-grade STS treated with interdigitated neoadjuvant CT and radiation before surgical resection had excellent rates of local control, along with disease-free survival and overall survival similar to previously published reports. This combined-modality approach continues to have a role in the treatment of patients with high-grade STS.
Habits as action sequences: hierarchical action control and changes in outcome value
Authors: Dezfouli Amir , Lingawi Nura W. , Balleine Bernard W.
Published: September 2014

Goal-directed action involves making high-level choices that are implemented using previously acquired action sequences to attain desired goals. Such a hierarchical schema is necessary for goal-directed actions to be scalable to real-life situations, but results in decision-making that is less flexible than when action sequences are unfolded and the decision-maker deliberates step-by-step over the outcome of each individual action. In particular, from this perspective, the offline revaluation of any outcomes that fall within action sequence boundaries will be invisible to the high-level planner resulting in decisions that are insensitive to such changes. Here, within the context of a two-stage decision-making task, we demonstrate that this property can explain the emergence of habits. Next, we show how this hierarchical account explains the insensitivity of over-trained actions to changes in outcome value. Finally, we provide new data that show that, under extended extinction conditions, habitual behaviour can revert to goal-directed control, presumably as a consequence of decomposing action sequences into single actions. This hierarchical view suggests that the development of action sequences and the insensitivity of actions to changes in outcome value are essentially two sides of the same coin, explaining why these two aspects of automatic behaviour involve a shared neural structure.
Selection of Pairings Reaching Evenly Across the Data (SPREAD): A simple algorithm to design maximally informative fully crossed mating experiments
Authors: Zimmerman Kolea , Levitis Daniel , Addicott Ethan , Pringle Anne
Published: September 2014

We present a novel algorithm for the design of crossing experiments. The algorithm identifies a set of individuals (a ?crossing-set?) from a larger pool of potential crossing-sets by maximizing the diversity of traits of interest, for example, maximizing the range of genetic and geographic distances between individuals included in the crossing-set. To calculate diversity, we use the mean nearest neighbor distance of crosses plotted in trait space. We implement our algorithm on a real dataset ofNeurospora crassastrains, using the genetic and geographic distances between potential crosses as a two-dimensional trait space. In simulated mating experiments, crossing-sets selected by our algorithm provide better estimates of underlying parameter values than randomly chosen crossing-sets.
XWAS: a software toolset for genetic data analysis and association studies of the X chromosome
Authors: Gao Feng , Chang Diana , Biddanda Arjun , Ma Li , Guo Yingjie , Zhou Zilu , Keinan Alon
Published: September 2014

XWAS is a new software suite for the analysis of the X chromosome in association studies and similar studies. The X chromosome plays an important role in human disease, especially those with sexually dimorphic characteristics. Special attention needs to be given to its analysis due to the unique inheritance pattern, which leads to analytical complications that have resulted in the majority of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) either not considering X or mishandling it with toolsets that had been designed for non-sex chromosomes. We hence developed XWAS to fill the need for tools that are specially designed for analysis of X. Following extensive, stringent, and X-specific quality control, XWAS offers an array of statistical tests of association, including: (1) the standard test between a SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) and disease risk, including after first stratifying individuals by sex, (2) a test for a differential effect of a SNP on disease between males and females, (3) motivated by X-inactivation, a test for higher variance of a trait in heterozygous females as compared to homozygous females, and (4) for all tests, a version that allows for combining evidence from all SNPs across a gene. We applied the toolset analysis pipeline to 16 GWAS datasets of immune-related disorders and 7 risk factors of coronary artery disease, and discovered several new X-linked genetic associations. XWAS will provide the tools and incentive for others to incorporate the X chromosome into GWAS, hence enabling discoveries of novel loci implicated in many diseases and in their sexual dimorphism.
Glycyl-L-alanine: a multi-temperature neutron study
Authors: Capelli Silvia C. , Bürgi Hans-Beat , Mason Sax A. , Jayatilaka Dylan
Published: September 2014

Neutron diffraction data have been collected at 12, 50, 150 and 295 K for the dipeptide glycyl-L-alanine, C5H10N2O3, in order to obtain accurate positional and anisotropic displacement parameters for the H atoms. The values of these parameters serve as a benchmark for assessing the equivalent parameters obtained from a so-called Hirshfeld-atom refinement of X-ray diffraction data described elsewhere [Capelliet al.(2014).IUCrJ,1, 361–379]. The flexibility of the glycyl-L-alanine molecule in the solid and the hydrogen-bonding interactions as a function of temperature are also considered.
Three closely-related cyclohexanols (C35H27X2N3O3;X= F, Cl or Br): similar molecular structures but different crystal structures
Authors: Samshuddin Seranthimata , Jasinski Jerry P. , Butcher Ray J. , Neuhardt Elizabeth A. , Narayana Badiadka , Yathirajan Hemmige S. , Glidewell Christopher
Published: September 2014

Three highly-substituted cyclohexanol derivatives have been prepared from 2-acetylpyridine and 4-halogenobenzaldehydes under mild conditions. (1RS,2SR,3SR,4RS,5RS)-3,5-Bis(4-fluorophenyl)-2,4-bis(pyridine-2-carbonyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)cyclohexanol, C35H27F2N3O3, (I), (1RS,2SR,3SR,4RS,5RS)-3,5-bis(4-chlorophenyl)-2,4-bis(pyridine-2-carbonyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)cyclohexanol acetone 0.951-solvate, C35H27Cl2N3O3·0.951C3H6O, (II), and (1RS,2SR,3SR,4RS,5RS)-3,5-bis(4-bromophenyl)-2,4-bis(pyridine-2-carbonyl)-1-(pyridin-2-yl)cyclohexanol, C35H27Br2N3O3, (III), all crystallize in different space groups,viz. Pbca,Fdd2 andP\overline{1}, respectively. In compound (II), the acetone molecule is disordered over two sets of atomic sites having occupancies of 0.690 (13) and 0.261 (13). Each of the cyclohexanol molecules contains an intramolecular O—H...N hydrogen bond and their overall molecular conformations are fairly similar. The molecules of (I) are linked by two independent C—H...O hydrogen bonds to form aC(5)C(10)[R22(15)] chain of rings, and those of (III) are linked by a combination of C—H...O and C—H...N hydrogen bonds, forming a chain of alternatingR22(16) andR22(18) rings. The cyclohexanol molecules in (II) are linked by a single C—H...N hydrogen bond to form simpleC(4) chains and these chains are linked by a π–π stacking interaction to form sheets, to which the disordered acetone molecules are weakly linkedviaa number of C—H...O contacts.
Two organophosphorus pesticides: methyl parathion and dicapthon
Authors: Baughman Russell G. , Hall Gabriel B.
Published: September 2014

Structural studies performed in this laboratory of organophosphorus pesticides continue with these related compounds. The –NO2groups of methyl parathion (systematic name: dimethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphorothioate, C8H10NO5PS) and dicapthon (systematic name: 2-chloro-4-nitrophenyl dimethyl phosphorothioate, C8H9ClNO5PS) make dihedral angles of 10.67 (8) and 5.8 (1)°, respectively, with the planes of their attached rings, which accompanies angular distortion at the ring C atoms to which the –NO2groups are attached. Similar distortions are observed at the C atom to which the thiophosphate groups are attached. Significant differences in distances and angles around the phenolic O,versusthe –OMe groups, explain why it is the site of hydrolysis for these compounds. A comparison of a torsion angle involving the thiophosphate group and phenolic O atom with similar pesticide structures is given and indicates steric influences on that angle.
Threep-xylene-solvated pseudopolymorphs of bis[1,3-bis(pentafluorophenyl)propane-1,3-dionato]copper(II)
Authors: Hori Akiko , Nakajima Kyosuke , Yuge Hidetaka
Published: September 2014

The Cu2+ions in the title compounds, namely bis[1,3-bis(pentafluorophenyl)propane-1,3-dionato-κ2O,O′]copper(II)p-xylenen-solvate, [Cu(C15HF10O2)2]·nC8H10, withn= 1, (I),n = 2, (II), andn= 4, (III), are coordinated by two 1,3-bis(pentafluorophenyl)propane-1,3-dionate ligands. The coordination complexes of (I) and (II) have crystallographic inversion symmetry at the Cu atom and thep-xylene molecule in (I) also lies across an inversion centre. Thep-xylene molecules in (I) and (II) interact with the pentafluorophenyl groups of the complexviaarene–perfluoroarene interactions. In the crystal of (III), two of thep-xylene molecules interact with the pentafluorophenyl groupsviaarene–perfluoroarene interactions. The other twop-xylene molecules are located on the CuO4coordination plane, forming a uniform cavity produced by metal...π interactions.
A pillared framework coordination polymer based on the Cd3(μ3-OH) unit: poly[[(μ4-5-aminotetrazolato-κ4N1:N2:N3:N4)chlorido-μ3-hydroxido-(μ3-isonicotinato-κ3N:O:O′)dicadmium(II)] 0.14-hydrate]
Authors: Wang Yao , Guan Ying-Fang , Liu Jian-Jun , Huang Chang-Cang
Published: September 2014

The title coordination polymer, {[Cd2(CH2N5)(C6H4NO2)Cl(OH)]·0.14H2O}n, (I), was synthesized by the reaction of cadmium acetate andN-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)isonicotinamide in aqueous ammonia, using hydrochloric acid to adjust the pH. Under hydrothermal conditions,N-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)isonicotinamide slowly hydrolyzes to form isonicotinic acid (Hisonic) and 5-aminotetrazole (Hatz). The deprotonated form of isonicotinic acid (denoted isonic) acts as a bridging ligand in the structure. The polymer crystallizes in the monoclinic space groupC2/m. In the structure, there is one Cd3(μ3-OH) unit ofCssymmetry, with one of the CdIIatoms and the O and H atoms located on a mirror plane. The other crystallographically independent CdIIcation is located on an inversion centre. Each edge of the Cd3(μ3-OH) isosceles triangle is bridged by an atz ligand in a μ1,2or μ2,3/μ3,4mode. The Cd3(μ3-OH) units are laced around with a belt of chloride ligands. The belts are further connected into undulating layersviaweak inter-belt Cd—Cl bonds. The two organic ligands reside across mirror planes. The construction of a three-dimensional framework is completed by the pillaring isonic ligand. Water molecules partially occupy the voids of the framework.
Adaptive discrete-continuous modeling of evolving discontinuities
Authors: Sorg Annika , Bischoff Manfred
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to develop a method to model entire structures on a large scale, at the same time taking into account localized non-linear phenomena of the discrete microstructure of cohesive-frictional materials.

Design/methodology/approach

– Finite element (FEM) based continuum methods are generally considered appropriate as long as solutions are smooth. However, when discontinuities like cracks and fragmentation appear and evolve, application of models that take into account (evolving) microstructures may be advantageous. One popular model to simulate behavior of cohesive-frictional materials is the discrete element method (DEM). However, even if the microscale is close to the macroscale, DEMs are computationally expensive and can only be applied to relatively small specimen sizes and time intervals. Hence, a method is desirable that combines efficiency of FEM with accuracy of DEM by adaptively switching from the continuous to the discrete model where necessary.

Findings

– An existing method which allows smooth transition between discrete and continuous models is the quasicontinuum method, developed in the field of atomistic simulations. It is taken as a starting point and its concepts are extended to applications in structural mechanics in this paper. The kinematics in the method presented herein is obtained from FEM whereas DEM yields the constitutive behavior. With respect to the constitutive law, three levels of resolution – continuous, intermediate and discrete – are introduced.

Originality/value

– The overall concept combines model adaptation with adaptive mesh refinement with the aim to obtain a most efficient and accurate solution.
An efficient preconditioned Krylov subspace method for large-scale finite element equations with MPC using Lagrange multiplier method
Authors: Hu Zixiang , Zhang Shi , Zhang Yun , Zhou Huamin , Li Dequn
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to propose an efficient iterative method for large-scale finite element equations of bad numerical stability arising from deformation analysis with multi-point constraint using Lagrange multiplier method.

Design/methodology/approach

– In this paper, taking warpage analysis of polymer injection molding based on surface model as an example, the performance of several popular Krylov subspace methods, including conjugate gradient, BiCGSTAB and generalized minimal residual (GMRES), with diffident Incomplete LU (ILU)-type preconditions is investigated and compared. For controlling memory usage, GMRES(m) is also considered. And the ordering technique, commonly used in the direct method, is introduced into the presented iterative method to improve the preconditioner.

Findings

– It is found that the proposed preconditioned GMRES method is robust and effective for solving problems considered in this paper, and approximate minimum degree (AMD) ordering is most beneficial for the reduction of fill-ins in the ILU preconditioner and acceleration of the convergence, especially for relatively accurate ILU-type preconditioning. And because of concerns about memory usage, GMRES(m) is a good choice if necessary.

Originality/value

– In this paper, for overcoming difficulties of bad numerical stability resulting from Lagrange multiplier method, together with increasing scale of problems in engineering applications and limited hardware conditions of computer, a stable and efficient preconditioned iterative method is proposed for practical purpose. Before the preconditioning, AMD reordering, commonly used in the direct method, is introduced to improve the preconditioner. The numerical experiments show the good performance of the proposed iterative method for practical cases, which is implemented in in-house and commercial codes on PC.
Nonlinear analysis of RC beams using a hybrid shear-flexural fibre beam model
Authors: Ferreira Denise , Bairán Jesús , Marí Antonio , Faria Rui
Published: September 2014

Purpose

– A nonlinear finite element (FE) beam-column model for the analysis of reinforced concrete (RC) frames with due account of shear is presented in this paper. The model is an expansion of the traditional flexural fibre beam formulations to cases where multiaxial behaviour exists, being an alternative to plane and solid FE models for the nonlinear analysis of entire frame structures. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

– Shear is taken into account at different levels of the numerical model: at the material level RC is simulated through a smeared cracked approach with rotating cracks; at the fibre level, an iterative procedure guarantees equilibrium between concrete and transversal reinforcement, allowing to compute the biaxial stress-strain state of each fibre; at the section level, a uniform shear stress pattern is assumed in order to estimate the internal shear stress-strain distribution; and at the element level, the Timoshenko beam theory takes into account an average rotation due to shear.

Findings

– The proposed model is validated through experimental tests available in the literature, as well as through an experimental campaign carried out by the authors. The results on the response of RC elements critical to shear include displacements, strains and crack patterns and show the capabilities of the model to efficiently deal with shear effects in beam elements.

Originality/value

– A formulation for the nonlinear shear-bending interaction based on the fixed stress approach is implemented in a fibre beam model. Shear effects are accurately accounted during all the nonlinear path of the structure in a computationally efficient manner.
9 The Alternative Economy: Resilience in the Face of Complexity from the Eastern Lowlands
Authors: Scarborough Vernon L. , Valdez Fred
Published: September 2014

The ancient eastern Maya Lowlands are characterized by both small, highly resilient communities and the growth of large regional centers. The smaller communities, separated by 2–5 kilometers and dispersed across the landscape, established a circle of interdependency between one another and a spatial separation from the largest centers. Degrees of sustainability were achieved through time by way of a negotiated settlement and land use balance within the relatively fragile biophysical environment. Because tropical ecosystems are identified by low specific species richness in any one patch or microenvironment, humans tend to mimic this spatial dispersion—a high‐density “ruralism.” When assessed by way of high humidity and precipitation, decomposition and disease were significant deranging factors affecting surplus and storage. Roads and navigable canal systems shorten the time necessary for distribution of organics—principally food; and when coupled with routinized scheduling (calendars), time and distance were reduced. Salting and “natural” root crop preservation techniques are discussed. A dual or alternative economy is proposed in the context social complexity.
Near‐Net‐Shape Fabrication ofTi3SiC2‐based Ceramics by Three‐Dimensional Printing
Authors: Ma Yuzhao , Yin Xiaowei , Fan Xiaomeng , Wang Lei , Greil Peter , Travitzky Nahum
Published: September 2014

This paper focuses on the preparation of near‐net‐shaped denseTi3SiC2‐based materials via an indirect three‐dimensional printing (3Dprinting) and postreactive melt infiltration (RMI) processes.TiCpreforms with bimodal pore size distribution were fabricated through 3Dprinting, followed by the infiltration of Si melt and Al–Si alloy (Al40Si60andAl70Si30). Dense composites with density of ~4.1 g/cm3were obtained after the infiltration. No volume shrinkage was obtained after the reactive infiltration withAl–Si alloy. The participation of Al during the infiltration process promoted the formation ofTi3SiC2. The as‐fabricatedTi3SiC2‐based materials showed enhanced mechanical and electromagnetic interference shielding properties.
Identifying Training Needs for Mainstream Healthcare Professionals, to Prepare Them for Working with Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hemm Cahley , Dagnan Dave , Meyer Thomas D.
Published: September 2014

Background

Research suggests there is a high prevalence of physical and mental ill health among individuals with intellectual disabilities and that staff working in mainstream healthcare services lack knowledge, skills and positive attitudes in supporting this client group. This review aimed to locate, extract themes from and evaluate the current literature that had assessed the training needs of mainstream health professionals within this area.

Methods

This review utilized a mixed‐methods approach, with systematic elements used to locate and evaluate the literature (n = 13) and a narrative approach used to explore patterns and themes identified. The search was completed across four databases, using the search terms felt most likely to capture the relevant literature.

Results

Three main themes of perceived training need were identified across a range of professional groups: general communication, knowledge/information and profession‐specific needs.

Conclusions

This review highlights the existing themes of training needs as identified by mainstream healthcare staff. It would appear that it may be possible to produce a core training package, suitable across professions with elements that are profession specific and therefore tailored accordingly. Limitations of the literature are explored within this review, as are recommendations for the directions of future research.
Effects of Thoracic Epidural Anesthesia on Cardiac Function and Myocardial Cell Apoptosis in Isoproterenol‐Induced Chronic Heart Failure Rats
Authors: GE TONG , QIN HAO , WANG XU , YANG SHU‐SEN , GUO LI , HAN WEI , CHANG HUI‐YING
Published: September 2014

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the effects of thoracic epidural anesthesia (TEA) on cardiac function and myocardial cell apoptosis in isoproterenol (ISO) induced chronic heart failure (CHF) rats.

Method

Rats were classified into 4 groups: the healthy control, ISO‐induced CHF, ISO + TEA, and sham‐treated groups. After 4 weeks, the animals in each group were examined by echocardiography. Invasive hemodynamic measurements were also preformed.

Results

Echocardiographic findings suggested that rats in the ISO + TEA group exhibited decreased left ventricular end‐systolic (LVES) and left ventricular end‐diastolic (LVED), and increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and left ventricular shortening fraction (LVFS) compared with rats in the ISO‐induced CHF group. Rats in the ISO + TEA group showed improved left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP) and left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (LVEDP) compared with rats in the ISO‐induced CHF group. Additionally, rats in the ISO + TEA group had significant decrease in LV and RV mass indexes (LVMI and RVMI) compared with rats in the ISO‐induced CHF rats. Myocardial ultrastructure in the ISO + TEA group significantly improved compared with the ISO‐induced CHF group. TEA significantly reduced the percent of TUNEL‐positive cells in the ISO + TEA group compared with the ISO‐induced CHF group. Compared with the ISO‐induced CHF group, Bcl‐2 expression of rats in the ISO + TEA group was significantly increased, while Bax expression was significantly attenuated.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that TEA may reduce myocardial apoptosis and decrease extent of structural damage and abnormalities in the myocardium. (J Interven Cardiol 2014;27:446–455)
Methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and epidural abscess in a neonate
Authors: Stewart Phoebe , Khatami Ameneh , Loughran‐Fowlds Alison , Isaacs David
Published: September 2014

A 24‐day‐old boy presented with fever, irritability and poor feeding. Blood culture grew methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed pleocytosis, and methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus grew from enrichment broth. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed an epidural abscess extending from C2–3 to T8–9. Staphylococcal infections of the central nervous system are uncommon in neonates. This case demonstrates the importance of performing a lumbar puncture in isolated staphylococcal bacteraemia. The case also highlights that cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis may indicate a parameningeal focus of infection.
Ecological communities are vulnerable to realistic extinction sequences
Authors: Berg Sofia , Pimenov Alexander , Palmer Catherine , Emmerson Mark , Jonsson Tomas
Published: September 2014

Loss of species will directly change the structure and potentially the dynamics of ecological communities, which in turn may lead to additional species loss (secondary extinctions) due to direct and/or indirect effects (e.g. loss of resources or altered population dynamics). Furthermore, the vulnerability of food webs to repeated species loss is expected to be affected by food web topology, species interactions, as well as the order in which species go extinct. Species traits such as body size, abundance and connectivity might determine a species’ vulnerability to extinction and, thus, the order in which species go primarily extinct. Yet, the sequence of primary extinctions, and their effects on the vulnerability of food webs to secondary extinctions, when species abundances are allowed to respond dynamically, has only recently become the focus of attention. Here, we analyse and compare topological and dynamical robustness to secondary extinctions of model food webs, in the face of 34 extinction sequences based on species traits. Although secondary extinctions are frequent in the dynamical approach and rare in the topological approach, topological and dynamical robustness tends to be correlated for many bottom–up directed, but not for top–down directed deletion sequences. Furthermore, removing species based on traits that are strongly positively correlated to the trophic position of species (such as large body size, low abundance, high net effect) is, under the dynamical approach, found to be as destructive as removing primary producers. Such top–down oriented removal of species are often considered to correspond to realistic extinction scenarios, but earlier studies, based on topological approaches, have found such extinction sequences to have only moderate effects on the remaining community. Thus, our result suggests that the structure of ecological communities, and therefore the integrity of important ecosystem processes could be more vulnerable to realistic extinction sequences than previously believed.
THE DUTCH LOCAL GOVERNMENT BAILOUT PUZZLE
Authors: ALLERS MAARTEN A.
Published: September 2014

The fiscal federalism and public choice literatures stress that government bailouts should be ruled out as they increase the probability that jurisdictions will incur unsustainable debt levels or take excessive risk (moral hazard problem). The recent problems in the euro area seem to confirm this view. However, in the Netherlands, the law explicitly stipulates that local governments which are unable to balance their books will receive a bailout grant. Surprisingly, this does not seem to create problems. Few local governments apply for bailout, and the amounts they receive are modest. We analyse the Dutch case and investigate possible explanations for this apparent anomaly. Our results challenge the dominant view in the literature. It is possible to avoid fiscal irresponsibility by means other than a no‐bailout policy.
Mammalian CORVET Is Required for Fusion and Conversion of Distinct Early Endosome Subpopulations
Authors: Perini Enrico D. , Schaefer Ramona , Stöter Martin , Kalaidzidis Yannis , Zerial Marino
Published: September 2014

Early endosomes are organized in a network of vesicles shaped by cycles of fusion, fission, and conversion to late endosomes. In yeast, endosome fusion and conversion are regulated, among others, by CORVET, a hexameric protein complex. In the mammalian endocytic system, distinct subpopulations of early endosomes labelled by the Rab5 effectors APPL1 and EEA1 are present. Here, the function of mammalian CORVET with respect to these endosomal subpopulations was investigated. Tgfbrap1 as CORVET‐specific subunit and functional ortholog of Vps3p was identified, demonstrating that it is differentially distributed between APPL1 and EEA1 endosomes. Surprisingly, depletion of CORVET‐specific subunits caused fragmentation of APPL1‐positive endosomes but not EEA1 endosomes in vivo. These and in vitro data suggest that CORVET plays a role in endosome fusion independently of EEA1. Depletion of CORVET subunits caused accumulation of large EEA1 endosomes indicative of another role in the conversion of EEA1 endosomes into late endosomes. In addition, depletion of CORVET‐specific subunits caused alterations in transport depending on both the type of cargo and the specific endosomal subpopulation. These results demonstrate that CORVET plays distinct roles at multiple stages in the mammalian endocytic pathway.
The use of braces in the rehabilitation treatment of the post-traumatic elbow
Authors: Fusaro Isabella , Orsini Stefania , Sforza Teresa , Rotini Roberto , Benedetti Maria
Published: September 2014

The elbow, the middle joint of the upper limb, enables the hand to be placed at various distances from the body. The articular, muscular and neuromotor complexity of the elbow is such that it is often prone to stiffness, especially if immobilized for long periods of time. Therefore, mobilization of the posttraumatic elbow must be started early. In the presence of lesions to the ligamentous structures, the joint must be protected to prevent these structures from being placed under tension during movement. Rehabilitation of the elbow includes the use of braces. Different types of brace are used depending on clinical situation and the objectives to be achieved. They can have fixed protection or locked articulation, allow an adjustable range of movement to restrict flexion-extension and pronation-supination, or allow dynamic and static progressive movement. The latter plays a special role in conservative treatment and following surgical release. However, the effectiveness of braces in the rehabilitation treatment of elbow stiffness depends on the patient’s compliance. Their use requires a considerable amount of physician time to achieve the objectives envisaged by the rehabilitation program.
Posterolateral rotatory instability of the knee after arthroscopic subtotal lateral meniscectomy: a case report
Authors: Bulgheroni Erica , Bulgheroni Paolo
Published: September 2014

A 33-year-old Caucasian woman came to our attention complaining of lateral knee pain on the left side, severe external instability associated with varus malalignment, and difficulties in weight-bearing activities. The symptoms had appeared following two lateral meniscectomies on her discoid meniscus, performed elsewhere. The patient was initially submitted to an allograft meniscus transplantation exploiting the unloaded condition of lateral compartment and obtained pain relief. The posterolateral corner was reconstructed in combination with a valgus osteotomy to address the posterolateral rotatory instability. The follow-up assessment at two years after the last surgery showed no symptoms, maintenance of limb alignment and no evidence of joint degeneration.
Design Parameter Reliability Analysis of Induction Bends
Authors: Akula Venkata M. K. , Hill Lance T.
Published: September 2014

Induction pipe bends are essential multi-functional components in offshore applications performing not only as fluid conductors but also as structural members providing flexibility to the entire pipeline. The deforming mechanism of bends minimizes the effects of pipe walking, length changes due to thermal expansion/contraction, etc. However, the extent to which the bend deforms to counteract the pipeline deformation, prior to reaching plastic collapse, is dictated by the design variables. The pipe bend design variables include the geometry of the bend, the inelastic material properties, and the operating loads. The study of the influence of these variables is central to improving upon existing bend designs and is the focus of this research.

The certification process for bends typically involves ensuring the pipe bending moment is within limits set by agencies such as DNV, ASME, etc. Closed form solutions for the bending moment do exist but they often do not consider the effects of large deformation and the material nonlinearity of the bends. Since it is impractical to perform physical tests for every possible design, numerical techniques such as the finite element methods are an attractive alternative. Furthermore, for a given bend design, the design variables are prone to deviation, due to manufacturing process, operating conditions, etc., which introduces variation in the structural response and the resulting bending moment.

In this paper, a nonlinear finite element analysis of induction bends is discussed followed by a presentation of a simulation workflow and reliability analysis. The finite element analysis utilizes a nonlinear Abaqus model with an user-subroutine prescribing precise end loading and boundary conditions. The workflow utilizes the design exploration software, Isight, which automates the solution process. Thereafter, reliability analysis is performed by varying the design variables, such as bend angle, ovalization, etc. and the results of the simulation are presented.

The objective is to illustrate a solution technique for predicting the induction bend load carrying capacity and to examine design robustness. An automated workflow is demonstrated which allows for quick design variable changes, there by potentially reducing design time. The reliability analysis allows analysts to measure the variation in the load carrying capacity resulting from the deviation of design variable specifications. These demonstrations are intended to emphasize that to ensure the success of a bend design, it is important to not only predict the load carrying capacity accurately but also to perform reliability analysis for the design.
A Probability Distribution of Air-Gap and Wave Run-Up by Model Tests of a Horizontal Moored Semi-Submersible Platform
Authors: Yan Fasuo , Yang Hui , Shen Pengfei , Zhang Dagang , Sun Liping
Published: September 2014

Design of a floating structure is supposed to be based on the extreme responses experienced by the components of the structure during its lifetime. The airgap response and potential deck impact of ocean structures under sea waves is of considerable interest. Non-linear diffraction models are usually called for a more consistent evaluation of the wave field under the deck and the wave run-up upon the columns, but even second-order analysis is not free of uncertainties. Therefore, air gap evaluation still relies heavily on experimental analysis. This paper presents some deep-tank results performed for the evaluation of the dynamic airgap of a large-volume semisubmersible platform. A series of model tests were carried out for the scale model of a horizontal moored semi in regular and extreme irregular wave conditions. Airgap response combined with run-up close to columns at total 11 locations on the deck was evaluated under oblique wave status. Motions and elevation data are analyzed by statistical treatment. Weibull-tail fitting procedure is realized to determine the extreme response levels.
From Oil Platforms to High-Tech Cleanrooms: Reliability Applications in Facility Design
Authors: Xu Tao
Published: September 2014

This paper summarizes our experience in reliability based facility design from the first deep-water mini Tension Leg Platform (TLP) to the largest High-Tech cleanroom in the world. It discusses two different reliability based design approaches: 1) a traditional approach based on the cause-effect theory, which is developed by small specimens, controlled conditions, and sample data; and 2) an alternative approach based on not only the cause-effect theory, but also the correlation theory developed by real structures, real conditions, and large if not all field measurement data.
Quadrature Solutions for Large Deflection Static Cable Problems
Authors: Peddieson John , Liu Y. Jane
Published: September 2014

It is shown that solutions to the governing equations for arbitrarily large static deflections of cables obeying any elastic law can be reduced to quadratures for four general types of distributed loadings. These solutions are given in closed form and ways of using them are discussed. It is observed that the final shape can be found without knowledge of the initial shape in three cases and without knowledge of the elastic law in two if the final length of the cable is regarded as known. These latter two cases considerably generalize the classical catenary and parabola solutions.
Prediction of Extreme Values of Offshore Structural Response by an Efficient Time Simulation Technique
Authors: Abu Husain M. K. , Mohd Zaki N. I. , Najafian G.
Published: September 2014

Offshore structures are exposed to random wave loading in the ocean environment and hence the probability distribution of the extreme values of their response to wave loading is required for their safe and economical design. Due to nonlinearity of the drag component of Morison’s wave loading and also due to intermittency of wave loading on members in the splash zone, the response is often non-Gaussian; therefore, simple techniques for derivation of the probability distribution of extreme responses are not available. To this end, the conventional Monte Carlo simulation technique (CTS) is frequently used for predicting the probability distribution of the extreme values of response. However, this technique suffers from excessive sampling variability and hence a large number of simulated extreme response values (hundreds of simulated response records) are required to reduce the sampling variability to acceptable levels. In this paper, the efficiency of an alternative technique in comparison with the conventional simulation technique is investigated.
Estimate of Fuel Consumption of a DP System on FPSO
Authors: Cabrera Miranda José Manuel , Corona Tapia Rafael
Published: September 2014

The Pemex Ayatsil-Tekel offshore development is located 120 km northeast from Ciudad del Carmen, México in the Gulf of México on 1100 km2 area. Due to the extra-heavy oil nature of the reservoirs, a DP-FPSO will be mobilized across different fields for execution of Extended Well Testing (EWT). Several oil samples will be taken along periods of up to 12 months for each well without interruption. The aim of this work is to determine a first good estimate of the DP system fuel consumption, which is of interest for budgetary purposes of the operator. The calculation procedure considers statistical information of winds, currents and waves from scatter diagrams of the region. It is assumed that the FPSO has weathervane capabilities and thus only head environmental forces are calculated. A first estimate of fuel consumption will be confirmed after FPSO contract is awarded and a more accurate time domain analysis is performed.
Experimental Study on Hydrodynamic Behaviors of Hybrid Floating Body With Cylinders
Authors: Jeong Youn-Ju , Park Min-Su , Lee Du-Ho , You Young-Jun
Published: September 2014

In this study, in order to evaluate hydrodynamic behaviors of the hybrid floating body with cylinders, experimental studies were carried out. At first, two small-scale models of pontoon and hybrid with scale factor 1:75 were fabricated and tested under the wave loadings. Based on the measured data, hydrodynamic motions of the pitch, surge, drift force, and free decay motions were evaluated and compared with each other. As the result of small-scale test, it was found that the pitch motion is more sensitive to the wave period than the surge and drift motions. Whereas the pitch motion increased by increasing of the wave period, the surge and drift motion presented a small variance according to the increasing of the wave period for the both models of pontoon and hybrid. Also, it was found that the hybrid floating body significantly influenced on the hydrodynamic motions under the wave loadings. The pitch motion reduced significantly for the all wave period cases. The surge and drift motion reduced over the wave period of 0.982sec. Damping properties of hybrid model indicated more favorable in terms of logarithmic decrement and damping ratio because of the shape effects. Therefore, it was expected that the hybrid model of this study contribute to improve serviceability and safety of floating body as decreasing hydrodynamic motions.
Development of a Model for Global Response of Ship Hull During Ramming of Heavy Ice Features
Authors: Ringsberg Jonas W. , Broman Mathias , Nordqvist Per
Published: September 2014

Ice-induced global forces that affect a ship’s hull when colliding with heavy ice features are analysed. The objective was to increase the knowledge of what structural loads a ship encounters during Arctic operations and thereby contribute to safer shipping in the Arctic. In the study, a model was created that used recorded motions of a ship when it collided with a heavy ice feature in order to calculate the global forces that affect the ship hull.

The motion data were collected by Det Norske Veritas during the Coldtech research project on board of the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel KV Svalbard. To give an understanding and background to the problems that the model needs to handle, the paper includes a brief review of ice-ship interaction and hull monitoring. The model developed is limited to perpendicular collisions and the first impact sequence, since only then the impact location can be considered as known. The forces resulting from the model are compared with the design loads of ice class rules, since the same impact type is considered. The results are also compared with previous work done in the area. From the comparisons it can be seen that the forces calculated with the current model seem to be reasonable as they are in the same order of magnitude. However, more measurements are required in order to fully verify the model and the measured motions.
Development of Fatigue Damage Model of Wide-Band Process by Artificial Neural Network
Authors: Kang Bong-Ho , Kim Hosoung , Kim Yooil , Kim Kyung-Su
Published: September 2014

For the frequency-domain spectral fatigue analysis, the probability mass function of stress range is essential for the assessment of the fatigue damage. The probability distribution of the stress range in the narrow-band process is known to follow the Rayleigh distribution, however the one in the wide-band process is difficult to define with clarity. In this paper, in order to assess the fatigue damage of a structure under wide band excitation, the probability mass function of the wide band spectrum was derived based on the artificial neural network, which is one of the most powerful universal function approximation schemes. To achieve the goal, the multi-layer perceptron model with a single hidden layer was introduced and the network parameters are determined using the least square method where the error propagates backward up to the weight parameters between input and hidden layer. To train the network under supervision, the varieties of different wide-band spectrums are assumed and the probability mass function of the stress range was derived using the rainflow counting method, and these artificially generated data sets are used as the training data. It turned out that the network trained using the given data set could reproduce the probability mass function of arbitrary wide-band spectrum with success.