bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Stomatal malfunctioning under low VPD conditions: induced by alterations in stomatal morphology and leaf anatomy or in the ABA signaling?
Authors: Aliniaeifard Sasan , Malcolm Matamoros Priscila , van Meeteren Uulke
Published: April 2014

Exposing plants to low VPD reduces leaf capacity to maintain adequate water status thereafter. To find the impact of VPD on functioning of stomata, stomatal morphology and leaf anatomy, fava bean plants were grown at low (L, 0.23 kPa) or moderate (M, 1.17 kPa) VPDs and some plants that developed their leaves at moderate VPD were then transferred for 4 days to low VPD (M→L). Part of the M→L‐plants were sprayed with ABA (abscisic acid) during exposure to L. L‐plants showed bigger stomata, larger pore area, thinner leaves and less spongy cells compared with M‐plants. Stomatal morphology (except aperture) and leaf anatomy of the M→L‐plants were almost similar to the M‐plants, while their transpiration rate and stomatal conductance were identical to that of L‐plants. The stomatal response to ABA was lost in L‐plants, but also after 1‐day exposure of M‐plants to low VPD. The level of foliar ABA sharply decreased within 1‐day exposure to L, while the level of ABA‐GE (ABA‐glucose ester) was not affected. Spraying ABA during the exposure to L prevented loss of stomatal closing response thereafter. The effect of low VPD was largely depending on exposure time: the stomatal responsiveness to ABA was lost after 1‐day exposure to low VPD, while the responsiveness to desiccation was gradually lost during 4‐day exposure to low VPD. Leaf anatomical and stomatal morphological alterations due to low VPD were not the main cause of loss of stomatal closure response to closing stimuli.
Toward an Understanding of the Influence of Cultural Background and Domain Experience on the Effects of Risk‐Pricing Formats on Risk Perception
Authors: Fraser‐Mackenzie Peter , Sung Ming‐Chien , Johnson Johnnie E.V.
Published: April 2014

Risk‐information framing can be a powerful tool for aiding the communication of risk and improving decision making. However, little work has investigated the extent that these framing effects depend on the characteristics of the perceiver. In our study, we examine whether the effects of different risk‐pricing formats on risky choices are the same for all individuals, no matter their domain experience or cultural background, or whether there are interactions between these factors. Survey 1 revealed that three risk‐pricing formats of the same choice problem resulted in the same individuals making different risky choices (preference reversal), suggesting that risk perception was distorted by the risk‐pricing format manipulation. In Survey 2, the effects of the risk‐pricing formats were shown to differ by the participants’ cultural background (Asian vs. European) and the extent of their domain experience. The fact that there were no differences between the cultural or domain experience groups in their overall tendency to select riskier (cf. safer) choices indicates that risk behavior differences between groups are often closely linked to perceptual, rather than simply attitudinal, cognitive processes. The results demonstrate the complex, interactive cognitive processes that are used to encode risk information, involving the framing of the information and the cultural background and previous experiences of the individual. We conclude that it is important to consider the characteristics of the individual (e.g., culture, domain experience, etc.) when manipulating risk‐information framing with the aim of improving risk communication.
Emotion Talk and Friend Responses Among Early Adolescent Same‐sex Friend Dyads
Authors: Legerski John‐Paul , Biggs Bridget K. , Greenhoot Andrea Follmer , Sampilo Marilyn L.
Published: April 2014

To better understand early adolescent emotion talk within close same‐sex friendships, this observational study examined emotion talk, as measured by emotion term use, in relation to friend supportive and dismissive responses to such terms among 116 adolescents (58 friend dyads) in Grades 7–8 (56.9% female, M = 13.08, SD = .61). Partial intra‐class correlation coefficients derived by using actor partner interdependence models revealed similarities in the frequency of dyad mates use of positive and negative emotions terms. Chi‐square analyses indicated that when friends responded to participants' emotion talk supportively, rather than dismissively, participants were more likely to disclose emotions in subsequent utterances. Research and clinical implications for early adolescent emotional development are discussed.
Adolescent Migration Intentions and Population Change: A 20‐Year Follow‐Up of Icelandic Communities
Authors: Bjarnason Thoroddur
Published: April 2014

Prior research has demonstrated that migration intentions are a moderate to strong predictor of individual‐level migration across a wide range of countries, but their value for predicting community‐level population change remains unclear. Analyses of census data 1972–2012 and a population survey of Icelandic adolescents in 1992 show that each percentage point difference in adolescent migration intentions is associated with 1.36 per cent change in the surveyed cohort and 1.25 per cent change in the total population over a 20‐year period. Roughly half of the predictive value of migration intentions can be attributed to remoteness and long‐term population change prior to the survey. On average, communities only experienced long‐term population decline when more than half the adolescent population had intended to leave, but lower levels of adolescent migration intentions are associated with changes in the age composition. These results strongly suggest that adolescent migration intentions signal future population development.
Socio‐economic determinants and inequities in coverage and timeliness of early childhood immunisation in rural Ghana
Authors: Gram Lu , Soremekun Seyi , ten Asbroek Augustinus , Manu Alexander , O'Leary Maureen , Hill Zelee , Danso Samuel , Amenga‐Etego Seeba , Owusu‐Agyei Seth , Kirkwood Betty R.
Published: April 2014

Objectives

To assess the extent of socio‐economic inequity in coverage and timeliness of key childhood immunisations in Ghana.

Methods

Secondary analysis of vaccination card data collected from babies born between January 2008 and January 2010 who were registered in the surveillance system supporting the ObaapaVita and Newhints Trials was carried out. 20 251 babies had 6 weeks' follow‐up, 16 652 had 26 weeks' follow‐up, and 5568 had 1 year's follow‐up. We performed a descriptive analysis of coverage and timeliness of vaccinations by indicators for urban/rural status, wealth and educational attainment. The association of coverage with socio‐economic indicators was tested using a chi‐square‐test and the association with timeliness using Cox regression.

Results

Overall coverage at 1 year of age was high (>95%) for Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG), all three pentavalent diphtheria‐pertussis‐tetanus‐haemophilus influenzae B‐hepatitis B (DPTHH) doses and all polio doses except polio at birth (63%). Coverage against measles and yellow fever was 85%. Median delay for BCG was 1.7 weeks. For polio at birth, the median delay was 5 days; all other vaccine doses had median delays of 2–4 weeks. We found substantial health inequity across all socio‐economic indicators for all vaccines in terms of timeliness, but not coverage at 1 year. For example, for the last DPTHH dose, the proportion of children delayed more than 8 weeks were 27% for urban children and 31% for rural children (P < 0.001), 21% in the wealthiest quintile and 41% in the poorest quintile (P < 0.001), and 9% in the most educated group and 39% in the least educated group (P < 0.001). However, 1‐year coverage of the same dose remained above 90% for all levels of all socio‐economic indicators.

Conclusions

Ghana has substantial health inequity across urban/rural, socio‐economic and educational divides. While overall coverage was high, most vaccines suffered from poor timeliness. We suggest that countries achieving high coverage should include timeliness indicators in their surveillance systems.
The ties that blind: making fee simple in the British Columbia treaty process
Authors: Blomley Nicholas
Published: April 2014

Property is a crucial means by which space is made, and remade. This is powerfully evident in settler societies, such as British Columbia, Canada. To understand the work that property does requires us to attend to the manner in which it is entangled in and constitutive of a multitude of relations (ethical, practical, historical, semantic and so on). Yet for property to function, some of these relationships must be bracketed. That which is designated as inside a boundary must be partly disentangled from that identified as outside. Property practice and theory helps organise these exclusions. Yet this is not disinterested: Property's frames, therefore, can become political battle lines. Drawing from a modern‐day treaty process involving indigenous communities and the federal and provincial governments in British Columbia, Canada, I trace the ways in which the state has sought to disentangle property from its recently re‐emergent colonial entanglements. One of the ways in which it has tried to do this is to insist that First Nations hold their treaty settlement lands as a form of fee simple, this being bracketed as a clear and certain entitlement, replacing a messier ‘Aboriginal title’. First Nations negotiators, however, have pushed back, re‐entangling fee simple in culture, politics and place. I explore the performative use of categorisation on the part of the Crown in their attempt at re‐framing fee simple as ‘simple’. Apart from documenting this understudied postcolonial moment, I also encourage geographers to recognise the important work that property does in making space. To do so, I theorise property as an effect, performed through multiple technical and categorical enactments.
How do we treat fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia?
Authors: Bertrand Gérald , Kaplan Cécile
Published: April 2014

Fetal and neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (FNAIT) is a potentially devastating disease, seen in one in 800 to 1000 neonates. FNAIT is the most common cause of early‐onset isolated severe neonatal thrombocytopenia in maternity wards. The complication of this disorder most to be feared is intracranial hemorrhage, leading to death or to neurologic sequels. As there is no systematic screening of at‐risk pregnancies, FNAIT is often discovered when signs of bleeding are observed during pregnancy or at delivery. Platelet transfusion is required in case of bleeding or severe thrombocytopenia (<30 × 109/L) during the 48‐hour‐postdelivery period. Diagnosis of alloimmunization is important for management of the index case and for subsequent pregnancies, due to the increasing severity of this syndrome as it recurs. Noninvasive antenatal therapy is based on maternal perfusion of intravenous immunoglobulins and risk stratification. In our experience, the addition of corticoids during the last trimester significantly improves the efficiency of treatment. Follow‐up of antibody concentration during pregnancy may constitute a useful variable for therapy effectiveness.
Visual outcomes of phacoemulsification cataract surgery in horses: 1990–2013
Authors: Brooks Dennis E. , Plummer Caryn E. , Carastro Susan M. , Utter Mary E.
Published: April 2014

Objective

To evaluate the long‐term visual outcome of phacoemulsification lens extraction surgery in foals and horses and identify any unique postoperative complications that affect the visual outcome.

Procedure

This is a retrospective medical records study of phacoemulsification cataract surgery in 95 foals and horses from 1990 to 2013.

Results

Cataracts were removed by phacoemulsification from 111 eyes of 95 horses ranging in age from 22 days to 26 years (average 8.0 ± 5.7 years). Forty‐four of the 95 animals were foals (46.3%). Sixteen horses or foals had surgery bilaterally. One hundred and two eyes were blind preoperatively with 97 eyes (95.1%) having evidence of vision immediately postoperatively. Ninety of the 95 horses (94.7%) regained vision in the immediate postoperative period. Five horses did not recover vision postoperatively. Twenty‐four horses had cataracts associated with equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). Trauma was noted as the cause of cataract in 10 horses, and no specific cause for the cataract identified in 61 horses. The combined visual outcome data from horses with all types of cataracts (n = 95) found 83 (87.3%) horses to be visual ≤1 month postoperatively, 47 (49.4%) horses visual for >1–6 months postoperatively, 33 (34.7%) horses visual from >6 to 12 months postoperatively, and 25 horses (26.3%) visual >24 months postoperatively.

Conclusion

The results of phacoemulsification cataract surgery in horses indicate at least 26.3% of horses are still visual and able to continue their natural activity for 2 years or more postoperatively.
Direct Numerical Simulation and Large Eddy Simulation of Laminar Separation Bubbles at Moderate Reynolds Numbers
Authors: Cadieux Francois , Domaradzki Julian A. , Sayadi Taraneh , Bose Sanjeeb
Published: April 2014

Flows over airfoils and blades in rotating machinery for unmanned and microaerial vehicles, wind turbines, and propellers consist of different flow regimes. A laminar boundary layer near the leading edge is often followed by a laminar separation bubble with a shear layer on top of it that experiences transition to turbulence. The separated turbulent flow then reattaches and evolves downstream from a nonequilibrium turbulent boundary layer to an equilibrium one. Typical Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) turbulence modeling methods were shown to be inadequate for such laminar separation bubble flows (Spalart and Strelets, 2000, “Mechanisms of Transition and Heat Transfer in a Separation Bubble,” J. Fluid Mech., 403, pp. 329–349). Direct numerical simulation (DNS) is the most reliable but is also the most computationally expensive alternative. This work assesses the capability of large eddy simulations (LES) to reduce the resolution requirements for such flows. Flow over a flat plate with suitable velocity boundary conditions away from the plate to produce a separation bubble is considered. Benchmark DNS data for this configuration are generated with the resolution of 59 × 106 mesh points; also used is a different DNS database with 15 × 106 points (Spalart and Strelets, 2000, “Mechanisms of Transition and Heat Transfer in a Separation Bubble,” J. Fluid Mech., 403, pp. 329–349). Results confirm that accurate LES are possible using O(1%) of the DNS resolution.
Large Eddy Simulations of Thermal Boundary Layer Spatial Development in a Turbulent Channel Flow
Authors: Sanchez Marc , Aulery Frédéric , Toutant Adrien , Bataille Françoise
Published: April 2014

This article presents Large Eddy Simulations of thermal boundary layer spatial development in a low-Mach number turbulent channel flow. A coupling between isothermal biperiodic channel and anisothermal open channel is done to obtain a fully developed turbulent inlet. The interaction between a high temperature gradient and a turbulent flow is studied during the thermal boundary layer development. Turbulence and temperature quantities are analyzed for both streamwise and wall-normal directions. The results show how the asymmetrical heating modifies the velocity of the flow. The correlation between turbulence and heat transfers is studied. The mean and the fluctuation profiles are found to be asymmetrical. They evolve along the channel and are perturbed by the thermal gradient. Fluctuation destruction and creation areas in the length of the channel are highlighted.
Three-Dimensional Turbulent Vortex Shedding From a Surface-Mounted Square Cylinder: Predictions With Large-Eddy Simulations and URANS
Authors: Younis B. A. , Abrishamchi A.
Published: April 2014

The paper reports on the prediction of the turbulent flow field around a three-dimensional, surface mounted, square-sectioned cylinder at Reynolds numbers in the range 104–105. The effects of turbulence are accounted for in two different ways: by performing large-eddy simulations (LES) with a Smagorinsky model for the subgrid-scale motions and by solving the unsteady form of the Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes equations (URANS) together with a turbulence model to determine the resulting Reynolds stresses. The turbulence model used is a two-equation, eddy-viscosity closure that incorporates a term designed to account for the interactions between the organized mean-flow periodicity and the random turbulent motions. Comparisons with experimental data show that the two approaches yield results that are generally comparable and in good accord with the experimental data. The main conclusion of this work is that the URANS approach, which is considerably less demanding in terms of computer resources than LES, can reliably be used for the prediction of unsteady separated flows provided that the effects of organized mean-flow unsteadiness on the turbulence are properly accounted for in the turbulence model.
Experimental Study of Hydraulics and Cuttings Transport in Circular and Noncircular Wellbores
Authors: Taghipour Ali , Lund Bjørnar , David Ytrehus Jan , Skalle Pål , Saasen Arild , Reyes Angel , Abdollahi Jafar
Published: April 2014

Cuttings transport is one of the most important aspects to control during drilling operations, but the effect of wellbore geometry on hole cleaning is not fully understood. This paper presents results from experimental laboratory tests where hydraulics and hole cleaning have been investigated for two different wellbore geometries; circular and a noncircular, where spiral grooves have been deliberately added to the wellbore wall in order to improve cuttings transport. Improving hole cleaning will improve drilling efficiency in general, and will, in particular, enable longer reach for extended reach drilling (ERD) wells. The experiments have been conducted as part of a research project, where friction and hydraulics in noncircular wellbores for more efficient drilling and well construction are the aim. The experiments have been performed under realistic conditions. The flow loop includes a 12 m long test section with 2" diameter freely rotating drillstring inside a 4" diameter wellbore made of concrete. Sand particles were injected while circulating the drilling fluid through the test section in horizontal and 30 deg inclined positions. The test results show that borehole hydraulics and cuttings transport can be significantly improved in a noncircular wellbore relative to a circular wellbore. Investigating the cutting transport in noncircular wellbores with available models is even more complex than for circular wellbores. Most drilling models assume circular wellbores, but in reality the situation is often different. Also, it may be possible to create noncircular wellbores on purpose, as in the present study. Such a comparative, experimental study of hole cleaning in different wellbore geometries has to our knowledge previously never been performed, and the results were obtained in a custom-made and unique experimental flow loop. The results and the experimental approach could therefore be of value for any one working with drilling.
Effects of Low-Frequency Vibrations on Man
Authors: von Gierke Henning E.
Published: April 2014

The physical responses of the human body to frequencies below approximately 50 cps can be described by analyzing the body as a lumped parameter system. Recent refinements of measurement techniques allow more precise determination of this mechanical model and of many of its parameters, its resonances and mechanical impedances. This model is useful in studying the dynamics of the body exposed to various types of dynamic loads: whole body vibration, transient acceleration, blast exposure, respirator excitation, and rapid decompression. The response of the thorax-abdomen system is discussed in detail. These studies are valuable as guides in future experimentation, in the interpretation of various types of biological effects, and in developing and understanding protective measures. The limits of linearity of the various components of the system and data on tissue strength are still unknown. The various effects limiting voluntary human tolerance to vibrations and their connection with the body's physical responses are reviewed. The inadequacy of existing data for determining definitive vibration exposure criteria for practical application is discussed.
Acute compressive myelopathy due to vertebral haemangioma
Authors: Macki Mohamed , Bydon Mohamad , Kaloostian Paul , Bydon Ali
Published: April 2014

A 47-year-old woman with a history of anaemia presented to the emergency room with an acute onset of leg weakness. Physical examination of the bilateral lower extremities was significant for 0/5 muscle strength in all muscle groups with decreased pinprick and temperature sensation. A sensory level at the umbilicus was appreciated. Fine touch and proprioception were preserved. Bowel and bladder function were intact. CT revealed several thoracic, vertebral haemangiomatas. An MRI was suggestive of an epidural clot at the T8–T10-weighted posterior epidural space. At the level of the lesion, the cerebrospinal fluid space was completely effaced, and the flattened spinal cord exhibited signs of oedema and compressive myelopathy. The patient immediately underwent surgical decompression of the spinal cord. An epidural clot and vessel conglomeration were identified. A postoperative spinal angiogram confirmed the diagnosis of vertebral haemangioma. At 1-month follow-up, the patient regained strength and sensation.
Herpes zoster encephalopathy or acyclovir neurotoxicity: a management dilemma
Authors: Sacchetti Daniel , Alawadhi Aydah , Albakour Mustafa , Rapose Alwyn
Published: April 2014

This is a case report of a 69-year-old morbidly obese woman who presented with mental status changes after she was treated with acyclovir for shingles. The predominant symptoms were word-finding difficulties and visual hallucinations. Complicating her presentation was acyclovir-induced acute renal injury causing her creatinine level to rise up to 7.4 mg/dL. Acyclovir was discontinued on the suspicion of acyclovir neurotoxicity. Even though PCR for varicella zoster virus in the cerebrospinal fluid was positive, acyclovir was not restarted and the patient continued to improve and returned to her baseline.
Motor neurone disease presenting as polycythaemia
Authors: Santana-Vaz Natasha , Bwika Jumaa , Morley Kirstie , Mukherjee Rahul
Published: April 2014

Motor neurone disease (MND) is a chronic, progressive and currently incurable neurodegenerative disorder. This case report discusses an instance of MND presenting initially as polycythaemia, caused via insidious respiratory failure through ventilatory insufficiency. This case aims to improve clinicians’ awareness of this atypical presentation and highlights the need for a high index of suspicion of respiratory failure in any patient with polycythaemia. Finally it demonstrates an improvement in quality of life associated with the use of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in a patient with MND.
Red yeast rice and coenzyme Q10 as safe alternatives to surmount atorvastatin-induced myopathy in hyperlipidemic rats
Authors: Abdelbaset Marwan , Safar Marwa M. , Mahmoud Sawsan S. , Negm Seham A. , Agha Azza M.
Published: April 2014

Statins are the first line treatment for the management of hyperlipidemia. However, the primary adverse effect limiting their use is myopathy. This study examines the efficacy and safety of red yeast rice (RYR), a source of natural statins, as compared with atorvastatin, which is the most widely used synthetic statin. Statin interference with the endogenous synthesis of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) prompted the hypothesis that its deficiency may be implicated in the pathogenesis of statin-associated myopathy. Hence, the effects of combination of CoQ10 with either statin have been evaluated. Rats were rendered hyperlipidemic through feeding them a high-fat diet for 90 days, during the last 30 days of the diet they were treated daily with either atorvastatin, RYR, CoQ10, or combined regimens. Lipid profile, liver function tests, and creatine kinase were monitored after 15 and 30 days of drug treatments. Heart contents of CoQ9 and CoQ10 were assessed and histopathological examination of the liver and aortic wall was performed. RYR and CoQ10 had the advantage over atorvastatin in that they lower cholesterol without elevating creatine kinase, a hallmark of myopathy. RYR maintained normal levels of heart ubiquinones, which are essential components for energy production in muscles. In conclusion, RYR and CoQ10 may offer alternatives to overcome atorvastatin-associated myopathy.
Excitation–contraction coupling properties in women with work-related myalgia: a preliminary study
Authors: Green Howard J. , Ranney Don , Burnett Margaret , Galvin Patti , Kyle Natasha , Lounsbury David , Ouyang Jing , Smith Ian C. , Stewart Riley , Tick Heather , Tupling A. Russell
Published: April 2014

We investigated the potential role of selected excitation–contraction coupling processes in females with work-related myalgia (WRM) by comparing WRM with healthy controls (CON) using tissue from extensor carpi radialis brevis (ECRB) and trapezius (TRAP) muscles. For the ECRB, age (mean ± SE) was 29.6 ± 3.5 years for CON (n = 9) and 39.2 ± 2.8 years for WRM (n = 13), while for the TRAP, the values were 26.0 ± 2.1 years for CON (n = 7) and 44.6 ± 2.9 years for WRM (n = 11). For the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) of the ECRB, WRM displayed concentrations (nmol·(mg protein)−1·min−1) that were lower (P < 0.05) for Total (202 ± 4.4 vs 178 ± 7.1), Basal (34 ± 1.6 vs 30.1 ± 1.3), and maximal Ca2+-ATPase activity (Vmax, 168 ± 4.9 vs 149 ± 6.3), and Ca2+-uptake (5.06 ± 0.31 vs 4.13 ± 0.29), but not SERCA1a and SERCA2a isoforms, by comparison with CON. When age was incorporated as a co-variant, Total, Basal, and Ca2+-uptake remained different from CON (P < 0.05), but not Vmax(P = 0.13). For TRAP, none of the ATPase properties differed between groups (P > 0.05) either before or following adjustment for age. No differences (P > 0.05) were observed between the groups for Ca2+-release in the SR for either TRAP or ECRB. Similarly, no deficiencies, regardless of muscle, were noted for either the Na+–K+-ATPase content or the α and β subunit isoform distribution in WRM. This preliminary study provides a basis for further research, with expanded numbers, investigating the hypothesis that abnormalities in SR Ca2+-regulation are involved in the cellular etiology of WRM.
SUPER EDGE CONNECTIVITY OF KRONECKER PRODUCTS OF GRAPHS
Authors: CAO XIANG-LAN , VUMAR ELKIN
Published: April 2014

A graph G is said to be super edge connected (in short super – λ) if every minimum edge cut isolates a vertex of G. The Kronecker product of graphs G and H is the graph with vertex set V(G × H) = V(G) × V(H), where two vertices (u1, v1) and (u2, v2) are adjacent in G × H if u1u2 ∈ E(G) and v1v2 ∈ E(H). Let G be a connected graph, and let δ(G) and λ(G) be the minimum degree and the edge-connectivity of G, respectively. In this paper we prove that G × Kn is super-λ for n ≥ 3, if λ(G) = δ(G) and G ≇ K2. Furthermore, we show that K2 × Kn is super-λ when n ≥ 4. Similar results for G × Tn are also obtained, where Tn is the graph obtained from Kn by adding a loop to every vertex of Kn.
A HIGH-SPEED BRAIN SPELLER USING STEADY-STATE VISUAL EVOKED POTENTIALS
Authors: NAKANISHI MASAKI , WANG YIJUN , WANG YU-TE , MITSUKURA YASUE , JUNG TZYY-PING
Published: April 2014

Implementing a complex spelling program using a steady-state visual evoked potential (SSVEP)-based brain–computer interface (BCI) remains a challenge due to difficulties in stimulus presentation and target identification. This study aims to explore the feasibility of mixed frequency and phase coding in building a high-speed SSVEP speller with a computer monitor. A frequency and phase approximation approach was developed to eliminate the limitation of the number of targets caused by the monitor refresh rate, resulting in a speller comprising 32 flickers specified by eight frequencies (8–15 Hz with a 1 Hz interval) and four phases (0°, 90°, 180°, and 270°). A multi-channel approach incorporating Canonical Correlation Analysis (CCA) and SSVEP training data was proposed for target identification. In a simulated online experiment, at a spelling rate of 40 characters per minute, the system obtained an averaged information transfer rate (ITR) of 166.91 bits/min across 13 subjects with a maximum individual ITR of 192.26 bits/min, the highest ITR ever reported in electroencephalogram (EEG)-based BCIs. The results of this study demonstrate great potential of a high-speed SSVEP-based BCI in real-life applications.
Projective lag synchronization in drive-response dynamical networks
Authors: Al-Mahbashi Ghada , Md Noorani Mohd Salmi , Abu Bakar Sakhinah
Published: April 2014

This paper investigates projective lag synchronization (PLS) behavior between chaotic systems in drive-response dynamical networks (DRDNs) model with nonidentical nodes. A hybrid feedback control method is designed to achieve the PLS with and without mismatched terms. Specially, the coupling matrix in this model is not assumed to be symmetric, diffusive or irreducible. The stability of the error dynamics is proven theoretically using the Lyapunov stability theory. Finally, analytical results show that the states of the dynamical network with non-delayed coupling can be asymptotically synchronized onto a desired scaling factor under the designed controller. Moreover, the numerical simulations results demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Improved efficient static weighted routing strategy on two-layer complex networks
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Liang Man-Gui , Jiang Zhong-Yuan , Li Hui-Jia
Published: April 2014

Global static routing is one kind of important routing algorithms for complex networks, especially in large communication networks. In this paper, we propose a heuristic global static routing algorithm to mitigate traffic congestion on two-layer complex networks. The proposed routing algorithm extends the relevant static weighted routing algorithm in the literature [Y. Zhou, Y. F. Peng, X. L. Yang and K. P. Long, Phys. Sci. 84, 055802 (2011)]. Our routing path is constructed from a proper assignment of edge weights by considering the static information of both layers and an adjustable parameter α. When this routing algorithm is adopted on BA–BA two-layer networks with an appropriate parameter α, it can achieve the maximum network traffic capacity compared with the shortest path (SP) routing algorithm and the static weighted routing algorithm.
Influence of an interlayer on thermoelectric power factor of HMS film on quartz substrate
Authors: Hou Q. R. , Gu B. F. , Chen Y. B.
Published: April 2014

The influence of an AlO x oxide or Si interlayer on the thermoelectric power factor of the higher manganese silicide (HMS, MnSi y, y = 1.73–1.75) film deposited on quartz substrate is investigated. The HMS film and the interlayer are prepared on quartz substrate by magnetron sputtering of MnSi 2, Al , Si and Si : B (1 at.% B content) targets. It is found that the metallic phase MnSi is present in the semiconducting HMS film without an interlayer, resulting in a lower Seebeck coefficient, 0.160 mV/K, but not a lower electrical resistivity, 0.021 Ω ⋅cm at 683 K. The thermoelectric power factor is only 122 × 10-6 W/mK2 at 683 K. On the other hand, the metallic phase MnSi disappears and the Seebeck coefficient restores to its high value after using the AlO x oxide or Si interlayer. Besides, the electrical resistivity decreases by using the AlO x oxide or Si : B interlayer. The HMS film with an Si : B interlayer has the highest Seebeck coefficient, 0.247 mV/K, and the lowest electrical resistivity, 0.011 Ω ⋅cm, at 683 K. Thus, the thermoelectric power factor is enhanced and can reach 555 × 10-6 W/mK2 at 683 K.
STRONG CONVERGENCE FOR EULER–MARUYAMA AND MILSTEIN SCHEMES WITH ASYMPTOTIC METHOD
Authors: TANAKA HIDEYUKI , YAMADA TOSHIHIRO
Published: April 2014

Motivated by weak convergence results in the paper of Takahashi & Yoshida (2005), we show strong convergence for an accelerated Euler–Maruyama scheme applied to perturbed stochastic differential equations. The Milstein scheme with the same acceleration is also discussed as an extended result. The theoretical results can be applied to analyze the multi-level Monte Carlo method originally developed by M.B. Giles. Several numerical experiments for the stochastic alpha-beta-rho (SABR) model of stochastic volatility are presented in order to confirm the efficiency of the schemes.
A density functional theory study of the hydration of calcium ions confined in the interlayer space of montmorillonites
Authors: Lou Zhaoyang , Liu Houbin , Zhang Yao , Meng Yingfeng , Zeng Qun , Shi Jing , Yang Mingli
Published: April 2014

The structures of Ca2+hydrates in the interlayer space of montmorillonites (MMT) were studied by periodic density functional theory (DFT) calculations under the GGA/PBE approximation. Affected by the internal surfaces, which are rich of negative charge, the Ca2+hydration exhibits different behaviors from that in gas phase. The Ca2+is located at the six-oxygen-ring (SOR) on the internal surface in dry MMT, while the incoming water molecules bind with the Ca2+, the O atoms on surface, and/or with each other. The water molecules have a tendency of forming a hydrogen bond (HB) network that connects the upper and lower surfaces. Attracted by surrounding water molecules, the Ca2+gradually moves outward with increasing number of water molecules. Moreover, the hydration energy (EH) of Ca2+is determined not only by the interaction between Ca2+and H2O , but also by that among Ca2+, H2O and the surfaces. As a result, the EHhas only small changes for additional incoming water molecules, in contrast to the great and monotonic decrease in gas phase.
Effective dephasing for a qubit interacting with a transverse classical field
Authors: Benedetti Claudia , Paris Matteo G. A.
Published: April 2014

We address the dynamics of a qubit interacting with a quasi static random classical field having both a longitudinal and a transverse component and described by a Gaussian stochastic process. In particular, we analyze in detail the conditions under which the dynamics may be effectively approximated by a unitary operation or a pure dephasing without relaxation.
Twistorial construction of minimal hypersurfaces
Authors: Davidov Johann
Published: April 2014

Every almost Hermitian structure (g, J) on a four-manifold M determines a hypersurface ΣJin the (positive) twistor space of (M, g) consisting of the complex structures anti-commuting with J. In this paper, we find the conditions under which ΣJis minimal with respect to a natural Riemannian metric on the twistor space in the cases when J is integrable or symplectic. Several examples illustrating the obtained results are also discussed.
SEMANTICALLY INTEROPERABLE XML DATA
Authors: VERGARA-NIEDERMAYR CRISTOBAL , WANG FUSHENG , PAN TONY , KURC TAHSIN , SALTZ JOEL
Published: April 2014

XML is ubiquitously used as an information exchange platform for web-based applications in healthcare, life sciences, and many other domains. Proliferating XML data are now managed through latest native XML database technologies. XML data sources conforming to common XML schemas could be shared and integrated with syntactic interoperability. Semantic interoperability can be achieved through semantic annotations of data models using common data elements linked to concepts from ontologies. In this paper, we present a framework and software system to support the development of semantic interoperable XML based data sources that can be shared through a Grid infrastructure. We also present our work on supporting semantic validated XML data through semantic annotations for XML Schema, semantic validation and semantic authoring of XML data. We demonstrate the use of the system for a biomedical database of medical image annotations and markups.
SEMANTIC COMPUTING IN SOCIAL MEDIA
Authors: OSTROWSKI DAVID ALFRED
Published: April 2014

The ever-increasing amount of information flowing through Social Media presents numerous opportunities for the generation of Business Intelligence. Challenges exist in the leveraging of these data sources due to their heterogeneity and unstructured content. This paper presents the application of Semantic Computing to Social Media for industrial application, focusing on topic identification and behavior prediction. The methodologies described can benefit many areas of an organization including support of marketing, customer service, engineering and public relations. Results demonstrate that business operations can be substantially enhanced through application of Semantic Computing to Social Media.
Miniature gas turbines: Numerical study of the effects of heat transfer and Reynolds number on the performance of an axial compressor
Authors: Xiang Junting , Schlüter Jörg Uwe , Duan Fei
Published: April 2014

In the present work, we focus on computational investigations of the Reynolds number effect and the wall heat transfer on the performance of axial compressor during its miniaturization. The NASA stage 35 compressor is selected as the configuration in this study and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to carry out the miniaturization process and simulations. We perform parameter studies on the effect of Reynolds number and wall thermal conditions. Our results indicate a decrease of efficiency, if the compressor is miniaturized based on its original geometry due to the increase of viscous effects. The increased heat transfer through wall has only a small effect and will actually benefit compressor performance based on our study.
Bringing students and faculty together through mobile devices
Authors: Czapracki Allison , Burrows Cyd
Published: April 2014

The ubiquity of mobile devices such as the iPad and smartphones on the University of San Diego (USD) campus inspired the iTeam to identify a need to get faculty on the same wavelength as their students, who are leading mobile, digital lives. The team's goals included promoting awareness of mobile apps they support and teaching faculty how to meet students where they are -- constantly plugged in to mobile devices -- and to promote a more mobilely fluent campus.
BioStar+
Authors: Du Nan , Guo Suxin , Mahajan Supriya D. , Schwartz Stanley A. , Nair Bindukumar B. , Hsiao Chiu Bin , Zhang Aidong
Published: April 2014

In the field of biomedicine, it is becoming increasingly apparent that a huge amount of genomic and clinical data are being generated everyday. Although these data, stored in different formats at multiple sources, help us acquire more information about the patients, the scale and complexity of these datasets result in the challenges of integration of multiple biomedical datasets. Based on the traditional star schema and our previous Biostar schema we propose a hybrid schema called BioStar+ for HIV patient data modeling. By maintaining the original data space structure instead of disassembling it, this hybrid schema not only retains the original advantages from BioStar, but also improves the query efficiency. In addition, we describe the HIV patients data warehouse that we have developed based on the BioStar+ schema and discuss an analysis case based on this schema.
Every day is like survival
Authors: Nishiyama Mo , Friedrichson Lucas
Published: April 2014

Satisfying the expectations of both the IT organization and the department, while maintaining the momentum of our own professional development, is often tricky. We strive to align our work with the goals of the organization, but are interrupted by the immediate needs of our department. We work to strategize long-term but are asked to put out fires at a moment's notice. We struggle to reconcile the disparities between following the goals of upper management and the, sometimes conflicting, edicts of direct management. We wonder if it is possible to provide superb customer service, apply innovation in our work, and simply produce, in spite of often conflicting goals. Pursuing institutional goals often gets interpreted by our immediate peers and management as us not being team players. Our com-mitment to the team is then called into question. We are caught between a rock and hard place. And what does this mean for our own professional growth and learning opportunities? It is possible to both rock and roll even while being pulled in many directions. Even when we are urged to spend more time embracing the foxhole, we can shine while contributing beyond the silo. Reaching the area of optimal production is a never-ending experiment where the target moves daily. However, it can be done by increasing self-awareness, aligning our activities with our truth, and applying a bit of political savvy.
Method madness
Authors: Decker-Maurer Heidi
Published: April 2014

This case study was created to analyze the methodology and procedures used during a pilot study on mobile usability and preferences conducted at a small Midwestern state college. The pilot study set forth to test features of the pre-redesign University of Wisconsin-Stout website as seen through the screen of a mobile device and then ascertain what students wanted to see in a redesigned version of the mobile interface.

The findings of the pilot study were less surprising to the researcher than the problems encountered during the research itself. Future researchers would be well advised to attend to passing trends in mobile technology, as well as avoiding limitations on sample size caused by choice of delivery method and choice of user pool.
Some impacts of "big data" on usability practice
Authors: Wilkes Stephany
Published: April 2014

Two shifts in the technological landscape -- the era of "big data" and the popularity of Agile software development methodologies -- have made users (and specifically data about them) central to the development process and broadened the definition of user-centered design and usability testing. This paper briefly describes the impact of these shifts on the usability practice. Rudimentary data types useful to usability practitioners are introduced, as well as helpful data tools and required skills. The paper concludes with a list of methodological and pedagogical gaps that should be addressed.
IT solutions for integrating clinical and molecular data to support biomedical research
Authors: Bellazzi Riccardo , Dagliati Arianna , Licciulli Flavio , Romano Paolo , Varesio Luigi , Cannataro Mario
Published: April 2014

Biobanks, which are organized collections of biological samples and associated data, are increasingly recognized as a fundamental infrastructure for biomedical research. Biobanks allow to perform powerful molecular medicine studies and to share samples and data between research centers. During the last few years, the emergence of personalized medicine and the advent of new techniques of genome sequencing have made biobanks a crucial element to investigate existing hypothesis and to generate new ones.
The ongoing evolution of ICT for bioinformatics through twelve years of NETTAB workshops
Authors: Romano Paolo , Cannata Nicola
Published: April 2014

Bioinformatics is a relatively young discipline. Its actual start could be identified in 1980, when the EMBL Nucleotide Sequence Data Library was first established. At that time, needs and resources, as well as technologies, were infinitely lower than today. Since then we have assisted to the creation of some essential algorithms and software that are now the basis for every molecular data analysis, to the explosion of data availability that has been generated by the genome projects and by the related advent of new high-throughput technologies, and to the incredible changes that emerged from the initial network leading to the current highly interoperable, semantic aware, social and collaboratively based Internet systems.
Computer scientist in profile
Authors: Shehu Amarda
Published: April 2014

Unassuming and soft spoken, you would have a hard time believing that the woman shaking your hand is Mona Singh, a Professor of Computer Science at Princeton University, recipient of the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineer in 2001, prolific researcher in bioinformatics, Chairperson of the NIH MABS study section, organizer of various top bioinformatics conferences, such as ISMB and ACM BCB, and esteemed and respected by colleagues across different disciplines intersecting with bioinformatics and computational biology.
Defining the design of communication
Authors: Potts Liza , Albers Michael
Published: April 2014

Welcome to your newly redesigned SIGDOC newsletter. Nearly a year ago, we began having conversations about publishing opportunities for cutting-edge (and often bleeding-edge) research in our field. The kind of work that includes pilot studies, exploratory research happening inside labs, centers, and in the field. The kind of work that has trouble getting recognition and funding because it is new, does not have years of research behind it, and is often risky to take on. Cutting-edge work is also the kind of research and application work that needs to find a publishing venue as quickly as possible to encourage further exploration, discussion, and refinement. Other relevant work would be surprising and interesting results of a usability test or development project. Although this work may not be as bleeding edge (and may not even qualify as a "full research project,") the knowledge the project team gained can help other groups and needs a venue on which that communication can occur.
The value of computing, ambient data, ubiquitous connectivity for changing the work of communication designers
Authors: Hart-Davidson William , Grabill Jeff
Published: April 2014

Our experiences as part of the Writing in Digital Environments (WIDE) Research Center have led to a complete break with the notion that we are concerned with the effective communication of idea to an audience or even with the related idea that we design technologies for that purpose. At least this is the stance that we take in this very short essay.
Design of communication
Authors: Pierce Robert
Published: April 2014

There is much discussion and debate about what exactly falls within the bounds of what is termed, "design of communication."
Visual rhetoric and big data
Authors: Salvo Michael J.
Published: April 2014

The hype machine---media, corporate communications, and futurist prognosticators---are hard at work promoting Big Data. There are computing and storage resources that, like the "dark fiber" installed at the turn of the millennium that now carries streaming video, are looking for huge data sets that require the powerful processing and tremendous storage capacity of the new infrastructure. And there is no better confluence than that provided by the impetus to rearticulate
Communication Design Quarterly
in an age of Big Data.
The New York Times
has been running articles about Big Data for some time:

"Big data is all about exploration without preconceived notions."