bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fretting Contact Analysis on Three-Dimensional Elastic Layered Half Space
Authors: Wang Zhan-jiang , Wang Wen-zhong , Meng Fan-ming , Wang Jia-xu
Published: June 2011

A numerical approach for solving the fretting contact on coated or layered materials, with consideration of loading history, is presented in the paper. The fretting problem was solved by using a semi-analytical method (SAM), in which analytical relations between a unit stress and corresponding displacements or stresses were obtained through the use of the Papkovich–Neuber potentials. Conjugate gradient method (CGM) and fast Fourier transform (FFT) technique were employed to increase the solution speed. The algorithm was very effective since the meshes applied to the positions were just in the contact areas of interest, which saves the computing time. The fretting contact of coated materials was studied and the effects of stick-slip behaviors were analyzed. Results show that the coupled effects between the shear tractions and the pressure make the contact behaviors quite different with the solutions from same materials. The solutions depend on the path or history of the loading process when the ball is under dynamic loads, and the contact behaviors rely on the degree of dissimilarity of material properties.
A Comprehensive Review of Natural Convection in Triangular Enclosures
Authors: Kamiyo O. M. , Angeli D. , Barozzi G. S. , Collins M. W. , Olunloyo V.O.S. , Talabi S.O.
Published: June 2011

Natural convection in triangular enclosures is an important problem. It displays well the generic attributes of this class of convection, with its dependence on enclosure geometry, orientation and thermal boundary conditions. It is particularly rich in its variety of flow regimes and thermal fields as well as having significant practical application. In this paper, a comprehensive view of the research area is sought by critically examining the experimental and numerical approaches adopted in studies of this problem in the literature. Different thermal boundary conditions for the evolution of the flow regimes and thermal fields are considered. Effects of changes in pitch angle and the Rayleigh number on the flow and thermal fields are examined in detail. Although most of the past studies are in the laminar regime, the review extends up to the recent studies of the low turbulent regime. Finally, areas of further research are highlighted.
Acting with Actin (But Not Akt)
Authors: Adler Elizabeth M.
Published: June 2011

PTEN regulates DNA damage–induced cell size arrest through a mechanism independent of its ability to decrease Akt phosphorylation.
Activating Sonic Hedgehog
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: June 2011

N-terminal palmitoylation appears to position multimeric complexes of Sonic hedgehog such that protease cleavage alleviates an autoinhibitory interaction.
Vital Signs
Authors: Foley John F.
Published: June 2011

Detection of prokaryotic mRNA by the host distinguishes between live and dead microorganisms and enhances the immune response.
An End to Plant Defenses
Authors: Hines Pamela J.
Published: June 2011

Targeted degradation of bacterial sensing proteins keeps plant defenses from running amok.
Inhibited at the Nucleus
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: June 2011

A nuclear pore component maintains an inactive pool of the cAMP effector Epac1 at the nuclear envelope.
Sirtuin 6 and DNA Repair
Authors: Riddihough Guy
Published: June 2011

A genome stability regulator integrates DNA repair and stress signaling pathways.
Azole Resistance in Aspergillus fumigatus Isolates from the ARTEMIS Global Surveillance Study Is Primarily Due to the TR/L98H Mutation in the
cyp51A
Gene
Authors: Lockhart Shawn R. , Frade João P. , Etienne Kizee A. , Pfaller Michael A. , Diekema Daniel J. , Balajee S. Arunmozhi
Published: June 2011

We surveyed 497 isolates of
Aspergillus fumigatus
collected from 2008 to 2009 as part of the ARTEMIS global surveillance study for elevated MIC values to itraconazole, voriconazole, and posaconazole. Sequencing of the
cyp51A
gene revealed that 8/29 isolates with elevated MIC values to one or more triazoles, all originating in China, contained the TR/L98H mutation associated with resistant European isolates of
A. fumigatus
. This is the first time the TR/L98H mutation has been identified outside Europe.
In VitroandIn VivoSynergistic Effects of Cryptdin 2 and Ampicillin against Salmonella
Authors: Rishi Praveen , Preet Simran , Bharrhan Sushma , Verma Indu
Published: June 2011

In view of the emergence of multidrug-resistantSalmonellastrains, there is a need for therapeutic alternatives. To reduce the dose of antibiotic required in order to decrease the associated side effects, the present study was aimed at evaluating the synergism between cryptdin 2 (a Paneth cell antimicrobial peptide) and ampicillin (Amp) againstSalmonella entericaserovar Typhimurium. The synergy was evaluated in terms of the fractional bactericidal concentration (FBC) index, time-kill assay results (in vitro), macrophage functions, i.e., intracellular killing, lipid peroxidation, superoxide dismutase activity, and generation of nitrite (ex vivo), and decreases in CFU of salmonellae in livers, spleens, and small intestines of infected mice treated with cryptdin 2 and/or Amp (in vivo).In vitrosynergism between the two agents was observed on the basis of the FBC index and time-kill assays. When the agents were used in combination,ex vivostudies revealed an enhanced effect on macrophage functions, particularly exhibiting a synergetic effect in terms of SOD levels.In vivosynergy was indicated by larger log unit decreases in all target organs of mice treated with the combination than those for the drugs used alone. These results point toward the possible use of cryptdin 2 as an adjunct to ampicillin and may help in developing alternate strategies to combatSalmonellainfections.
Population Pharmacokinetics of Ethambutol in South African Tuberculosis Patients
Authors: Jönsson Siv , Davidse Alistair , Wilkins Justin , Van der Walt Jan-Stefan , Simonsson Ulrika S. H. , Karlsson Mats O. , Smith Peter , McIlleron Helen
Published: June 2011

Ethambutol, one of four drugs in the first-line antitubercular regimen, is used to protect against rifampin resistance in the event of preexisting resistance to isoniazid. The population pharmacokinetics of ethambutol in South African patients with pulmonary tuberculosis were characterized using nonlinear mixed-effects modeling. Patients from 2 centers were treated with ethambutol (800 to 1,500 mg daily) combined with standard antitubercular medication. Plasma concentrations of ethambutol were measured following multiple doses at steady state and were determined using a validated high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric method. The data comprised 189 patients (54% male, 12% HIV positive) weighing 47 kg, on average (range, 29 to 86 kg), and having a mean age of 36 years (range, 16 to 72 years). The estimated creatinine clearance was 79 ml/min (range, 23 to 150 ml/min). A two-compartment model with one transit compartment prior to first-order absorption and allometric scaling by body weight on clearance and volume terms was selected. HIV infection was associated with a 15% reduction in bioavailability. Renal function was not related to ethambutol clearance in this cohort. Interoccasion variability exceeded interindividual variability for oral clearance (coefficient of variation, 36 versus 20%). Typical oral clearance in this analysis (39.9 liters/h for a 50-kg individual) was lower than that previously reported, a finding partly explained by the differences in body weight between the studied populations. In summary, a population model describing the pharmacokinetics of ethambutol in South African tuberculosis patients was developed, but additional studies are needed to characterize the effects of renal function.
Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Two Lawsonia intracellularis Isolates Associated with Proliferative Hemorrhagic Enteropathy and Porcine Intestinal Adenomatosis in South Korea
Authors: Yeh Jung-Yong , Lee Ji-Hye , Yeh Hye-Ryun , Kim Aeran , Lee Ji Youn , Hwang Jeong-Min , Kang Bo-Kyu , Kim Jong-Man , Choi In-Soo , Lee Joong-Bok
Published: June 2011

This study represents the first published data on antimicrobial susceptibility of Asian isolates ofLawsonia intracellularis. We assessed MICs of 16 antimicrobials for two isolates ofL. intracellularisrecovered from diseased pigs in South Korea, one from a finisher pig with acute proliferative hemorrhagic enteropathy in 2002 and the other from a grower pig with porcine intestinal adenomatosis in 2010. Tylosin and tilmicosin were found to be the most active againstL. intracellularisboth intracellularly (MICs, 0.25 to 0.5 μg/ml and 0.125 μg/ml, respectively) and extracellularly (MICs, 0.25 to 0.5 μg/ml and 1 μg/ml, respectively).
Real-Time PCR for Detection of NDM-1 Carbapenemase Genes from Spiked Stool Samples
Authors: Naas Thierry , Ergani Ayla , Carrër Amélie , Nordmann Patrice
Published: June 2011

An in-house quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay using TaqMan chemistry has been developed to detect NDM-1 carbapenemase genes from bacterial isolates and directly from stool samples. The qPCR amplification of
bla
NDM-1
DNA was linear over 10 log dilutions (
r
2
= 0.99), and the amplification efficiency was 1.03. The qPCR detection limit was reproducibly 1 CFU, or 10 plasmid molecules, and there was no cross-reaction with DNA extracted from several multidrug-resistant bacteria harboring other β-lactam resistance genes. Feces spiked with decreasing amounts of enterobacterial isolates producing NDM-1 were spread on ChromID ESBL and on CHROMagar KPC media and were subjected to the qPCR. The limits of carbapenem-resistant bacterial detection from stools was reproducibly 1 × 10
1
to 3 × 10
1
CFU/100 mg feces with ChromID ESBL medium. The CHROMagar KPC culture medium had higher limits of detection (1 × 10
1
to 4 × 10
3
CFU/ml), especially with bacterial isolates having low carbapenem MICs. The limits of detection with the qPCR assay were reproducibly below 1 × 10
1
CFU/100 mg of feces by qPCR assay. Samples spiked with NDM-1-negative bacteria were negative by qPCR. The sensitivity and specificity of the
bla
NDM-1
qPCR assay on spiked samples were 100% in both cases. Using an automated DNA extraction system (QIAcube system), the qPCR assay was reproducible. The use of qPCR is likely to shorten the time for
bla
NDM-1
detection from 48 h to 4 h and will be a valuable tool for outbreak follow-up in order to rapidly isolate colonized patients and assign them to cohorts.
IglG and IglI of the Francisella Pathogenicity Island Are Important Virulence Determinants of Francisella tularensis LVS
Authors: Bröms Jeanette E. , Lavander Moa , Meyer Lena , Sjöstedt Anders
Published: June 2011

The Gram-negative bacterium
Francisella tularensis
is the causative agent of tularemia, a disease intimately associated with the multiplication of the bacterium within host macrophages. This in turn requires the expression of
Francisella
pathogenicity island (FPI) genes, believed to encode a type VI secretion system. While the exact functions of many of the components have yet to be revealed, some have been found to contribute to the ability of
Francisella
to cause systemic infection in mice as well as to prevent phagolysosomal fusion and facilitate escape into the host cytosol. Upon reaching this compartment, the bacterium rapidly multiplies, inhibits activation of the inflammasome, and ultimately causes apoptosis of the host cell. In this study, we analyzed the contribution of the FPI-encoded proteins IglG, IglI, and PdpE to the aforementioned processes in
F. tularensis
LVS. The Δ
pdpE
mutant behaved similarly to the parental strain in all investigated assays. In contrast, Δ
iglG
and Δ
iglI
mutants, although they were efficiently replicating in J774A.1 cells, both exhibited delayed phagosomal escape, conferred a delayed activation of the inflammasome, and exhibited reduced cytopathogenicity as well as marked attenuation in the mouse model. Thus, IglG and IglI play key roles for modulation of the intracellular host response and also for the virulence of
F. tularensis
.
Poor physical function, pain and limited exercise: risk factors for premature mortality in the range of smoking or hypertension, identified on a simple patient self-report questionnaire for usual care
Authors: Sokka Tuulikki , Pincus Theodore
Published: June 2011

Objective

To analyse poor physical function, pain, limited exercise and smoking, assessed in a patient-friendly self-report questionnaire format that has been completed by every patient at every visit over 20–30 years in the authors’ and other usual care settings, to predict 5-year mortality in a general older population.

Methods

An extended version of a Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire was mailed to 2000 subjects in Finland, identified as a randomly selected control cohort for a rheumatoid arthritis cohort. The questionnaire included queries concerning baseline physical function, pain, exercise and smoking status, identical to the clinic version, as well as age and 25 medical conditions. Five-year survival was analysed according to descriptive statistics, Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regressions.

Results

The questionnaire was returned by 1523 subjects (76%). Five-year survival was 94% in all subjects, 98% in subjects with no disease or no acutely life-threatening disease, and 17% in subjects with an acutely life-threatening disease. Hazard ratios (HRs) for 5-year mortality were 3.5 for poor physical function, 2.2 for pain, 5.2 for limited exercise and 4.6 for smoking (p<0.01); 5-year survivals were 93%, 97%, 93% and 95%, respectively, compared with 91% for hypertension. Each of the four patient history variables predicted mortality at higher levels in subjects who reported no versus one or more acutely life-threatening conditions.

Conclusions

Poor physical function, pain, limited exercise and smoking can be assessed systematically on a simple standard Multidimensional Health Assessment Questionnaire, to identify potentially modifiable risk factors for premature mortality in the infrastructure of usual medical care and health maintenance.
Economic evaluation within a factorial-design randomised controlled trial of exercise, manual therapy, or both interventions for osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: study protocol
Authors: Pinto Daniel , Robertson M Clare , Hansen Paul , Abbott J Haxby
Published: June 2011

Introduction

Clinical guidelines for the treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis recommend non-pharmacological and non-surgical treatments. Exercise treatments are recommended as primary strategies, but specific exercise programme components have not been specified. Early evidence indicates that manual physiotherapy is effective for hip and knee osteoarthritis. The Management of Osteoarthritis (MOA) Trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of physiotherapist-led, individualised exercise, manual physiotherapy and a combination of these two interventions in the treatment of adults with hip or knee osteoarthrits. This paper describes the methods that will be used to conduct the economic evaluation of these interventions within the MOA Trial.

Methods and analysis

This comprehensive economic evaluation will assess the incremental cost-effectiveness of physiotherapy plus usual care versus usual care alone from a societal perspective. The authors will conduct a cost-consequences analysis using end-points such as Outcomes Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials—Osteoarthritis Research Society International responder criteria and quality-adjusted life years. The evaluation will have a time horizon of 1 year (and so discounting will not be necessary). All costs will be reported in 2009 New Zealand dollars. The authors will address uncertainty via bootstrapping to calculate CIs for the mean incremental cost-effectiveness ratios and by performing sensitivity analyses.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical approval was granted by the Lower South Regional Ethics Committee of the New Zealand Ministry of Health (ethics reference: LRS/07/11/044). All participants of the MOA Trial provided written informed consent for the capture of their healthcare costs. We will submit the results of the study for publication irrespective of outcome.

Clinical trials registration number

ACTRN12608000130369.
Errors in the administration of intravenous medications in hospital and the role of correct procedures and nurse experience
Authors: Westbrook Johanna I , Rob Marilyn I , Woods Amanda , Parry Dave
Published: June 2011

Background

Intravenous medication administrations have a high incidence of error but there is limited evidence of associated factors or error severity.

Objective

To measure the frequency, type and severity of intravenous administration errors in hospitals and the associations between errors, procedural failures and nurse experience.

Methods

Prospective observational study of 107 nurses preparing and administering 568 intravenous medications on six wards across two teaching hospitals. Procedural failures (eg, checking patient identification) and clinical intravenous errors (eg, wrong intravenous administration rate) were identified and categorised by severity.

Results

Of 568 intravenous administrations, 69.7% (n=396; 95% CI 65.9 to 73.5) had at least one clinical error and 25.5% (95% CI 21.2 to 29.8) of these were serious. Four error types (wrong intravenous rate, mixture, volume, and drug incompatibility) accounted for 91.7% of errors. Wrong rate was the most frequent and accounted for 95 of 101 serious errors. Error rates and severity decreased with clinical experience. Each year of experience, up to 6 years, reduced the risk of error by 10.9% and serious error by 18.5%. Administration by bolus was associated with a 312% increased risk of error. Patient identification was only checked in 47.9% of administrations but was associated with a 56% reduction in intravenous error risk.

Conclusions

Intravenous administrations have a higher risk and severity of error than other medication administrations. A significant proportion of errors suggest skill and knowledge deficiencies, with errors and severity reducing as clinical experience increases. A proportion of errors are also associated with routine violations which are likely to be learnt workplace behaviours. Both areas suggest specific targets for intervention.
TET2promoter methylation in low-grade diffuse gliomas lackingIDH1/2mutations: Figure 1
Authors: Kim Young-Ho , Pierscianek Daniela , Mittelbronn Michel , Vital Anne , Mariani Luigi , Hasselblatt Martin , Ohgaki Hiroko
Published: June 2011

Background

Miscoding mutations of theTET2gene, which encodes the α-ketoglutarate-dependent enzyme that catalyses the conversion of 5-methylcytosine to 5-hydroxymethylcytosine, thus producing DNA demethylation, have been detected in 10–25% of acute myeloid leukaemias lackingIDH1/2mutations. Most low-grade diffuse gliomas carryIDH1/2mutations (>85%), but molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis in those lackingIDH1/2mutations remain to be elucidated.

Methods

Miscoding mutations and promoter methylation of theTET2gene were screened for in 29 low-grade diffuse gliomas lackingIDH1/2mutations.

Results

Single-strand conformational polymorphism followed by direct sequencing showed the absence of miscoding mutations inTET2. Methylation-specific PCR revealed methylation of theTET2promoter in 5 of 35 cases (14%). In contrast, none of 38 low-grade diffuse gliomas withIDH1/2mutations hadTET2promoter methylation (p=0.0216).

Conclusion

Results suggest thatTET2promoter methylation, but notTET2mutation, may be an alternative mechanism of pathogenesis in a small fraction of low-grade diffuse gliomas lackingIDH1/2mutations.
HER2 testing in the UK: recommendations for breast and gastric in-situ hybridisation methods
Authors: Bartlett J M S , Starczynski J , Atkey Neil , Kay E , O'Grady A , Gandy Michael , Ibrahim Merdol , Jasani Bharat , Ellis I O , Pinder S E , Walker R A
Published: June 2011

These guidelines supplement existing guidelines on HER2 testing by immunohistochemistry and in-situ hybridisation(ISH) methods in the UK. They provide a specific focus on aspects of guidance relevant to HER2 ISH testing methods, both fluorescent and chromogenic. They are formulated to give advice on methodology, interpretation and quality control for ISH-based testing of HER2 status in common tumour types, including both breast and gastric tumours. The aim is to ensure that all ISH-based testing is accurate, reliable and timely.
What do patients expect from their physicians? Qualitative research on the ethical aspects of patient statements
Authors: Çetin Mehmet , Uçar Muharrem , Güven Tolga , Ataç Adnan , Özer Mustafa
Published: June 2011

This study aimed to examine the thoughts and expectations of patients receiving healthcare from their physicians and evaluate the ethical aspects of these thoughts and expectations. To determine the ethical aspects of the thoughts and expectations of patients, an open-ended question was asked on the web page of the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) Health Care Command, which is accessible to the users of the TAF intranet system (the internet system used within TAF institutions). The participants were asked to express their thoughts in their own words. A total of 804 participants answered the question by providing their input. The statements of the participants were classified separately by two public health specialists. The classification was made in accordance with the basic principles of patient rights, and they were collected under various headings including expectations about respect and care, good communication, informed consent, and fair and non-privileged distribution of healthcare services. The results show that patients tend to consider the physicians they see as solely responsible for all the negative issues that they encounter during their healthcare. This indicates that there is a need for extensive research on the underlying factors involved in the negative thoughts and feelings toward healthcare professionals in both TAF and Turkey in general.
Utilization of the Neuron 6 French 0.053 inch inner luminal diameter guide catheter for treatment of cerebral vascular pathology: continued experience with ultra distal access into the cerebral vasculature
Authors: Chaudhary Neeraj , Pandey Aditya S , Thompson Byron Greg , Gandhi Dheeraj , Ansari Sameer A , Gemmete Joseph J
Published: June 2011

Objective

To describe our experience with very distal placement of the Neuron 6 F 0.053 inch inner luminal diameter guide catheter (Penumbra Inc, San Leandro, California, USA) within the intracranial and extracranial vasculature to allow treatment of various neurovascular pathologies. Previously, this was thought to be only possible with a microcatheter.

Methods

12 cases are presented in which traditional guide catheters were unable to successfully navigate tortuous anatomy or provide stable support for intervention.

Results

The Neuron 6 F 0.053 inch inner luminal diameter delivery catheter (Penumbra) was placed in a very distal location within the internal carotid artery, external carotid artery and venous system enabling successful endovascular treatment of the intracranial pathology with no related neurological complications.

Conclusion

All lesions were successfully treated through a microcatheter advanced in a coaxial fashion through the distally placed guide catheter. There were no complications related to the distal position of the guide catheter.
Dural tentorial arteriovenous fistula causing isolated trochlear nerve palsy: remission after endovascular embolization
Authors: Mariniello Giuseppe , Briganti Francesco , Vergara Pierluigi , Maiuri Francesco
Published: June 2011

Objectives

To report an exceptional case of dural arteriovenous fistula of the tentorial incisura presenting as transient and recurrent isolated paresis of the fourth cranial nerve, and treated by endovascular embolization.

Case report

A 63-year-old man presented several episodes of intermittent diplopia which appeared during sudden head movements and in the left lower gaze. Magnetic resonance and cerebral angiography showed a dural arteriovenous fistula of the right tentorial incisura fed mainly by branches of the right occipital artery as well as intracavernous branches of the right internal carotid artery. Embolization of the occipital artery branches resulted in significantly decreased flow within the fistula and in rapid and complete remission of diplopia. Stereotactic radiosurgery of the residual malformation was then performed. The treatment resulted in a good clinical and radiological outcome at the 5-year follow-up.

Conclusion

An arteriovenous fistula of the tentorial incisura may exceptionally cause intermittent diplopia owing to compression of the trochlear nerve due to transient increase of blood flow within the malformation. Remission of diplopia may be achieved by endovascular embolization. Dural arteriovenous fistulas with low risk of hemorrhage and brain neurological symptoms may successfully be treated by partial endovascular embolization and radiosurgery.
Are medical graduates ready to face the challenges of Foundation training?
Authors: Tallentire Victoria R , Smith Samantha E , Wylde Keith , Cameron Helen S
Published: June 2011

Purpose of study

Previous research demonstrates that graduating medical students often feel unprepared for practice and that their perceptions of preparedness correlate only partially with those of their supervising consultants. This study explores the components of preparedness for practice from the perspectives of both newly qualified doctors and their educational supervisors.

Study design

A questionnaire study was undertaken at the University of Edinburgh, involving feedback on preparedness for practice over three consecutive years from 2007 to 2009, against 13 major programme outcomes, from graduates and their educational supervisors. In addition, free text responses were sought and thematically analysed.

Results

Graduates consistently felt well prepared in consultation and communication skills but less prepared in acute care and prescribing. Educational supervisors consistently felt that graduates were well prepared in information technology and communication skills but less prepared in acute care and practical procedures. Free text analysis identified four main themes: knowledge; skills; personal attributes; and familiarity with the ward environment.

Conclusions

Preparedness for practice data can be enriched by repeated collection over several years, comparison of different perspectives, and incorporation of free text responses. The non-technical skills of decision-making, initiative, prioritisation, and coping with stress are important components of preparing new doctors for practice. Education for Foundation trainees should focus on the areas in which graduates are perceived to be less prepared, such as acute care, prescribing, and procedural skills.
POSSIBLE TEXTURES OF THE FERMION MASS MATRICES
Authors: GUPTA MANMOHAN , AHUJA GULSHEEN
Published: June 2011

Texture specific fermion mass matrices have played an important role in understanding several features of fermion masses and mixings. In the present work, we have given an overview of all possible cases of Fritzsch-like as well as non-Fritzsch-like texture 6 and 5 zero fermion mass matrices. Further, for the case of texture 4 zero Fritzsch-like quark mass matrices, the issue of the hierarchy of the elements of the mass matrices and the role of their phases have been discussed. Furthermore, the case of texture 4 zero Fritzsch-like lepton mass matrices has also been discussed with an emphasis on the hierarchy of neutrino masses for both Majorana and Dirac neutrinos.
INFLUENCE OF THE SOLIDIFICATION PARAMETERS ON DENDRITIC MICROSTRUCTURES IN UNSTEADY-STATE DIRECTIONALLY SOLIDIFIED OF LEAD–ANTIMONY ALLOY
Authors: ŞAHIN M. , ÇADIRLI E. , KAYA H.
Published: June 2011

Pb-9.3wt.%Sb alloy was directionally solidified upwards under argon atmosphere under the two conditions; with different temperature gradients, (G = 0.93–3.67 K/mm) at a constant growth rate (V = 17.50 μm/s) and with different growth rates (V = 8.30–497.00 μm/s) at a constant (G = 3.67 K/mm) in a Bridgman furnace. The dependence of characteristic microstructure parameters such as primary dendrite arm spacing (λ1), secondary dendrite arm spacing (λ2) and dendrite tip radius (R) on the growth rate (V) and the temperature gradient (G) were determined by using a linear regression analysis. A detailed analysis of microstructure were also made and compared with the theoretical models and similar experimental works on dendritic solidification in the literature.
ZnO QUANTUM DOT HYBRID LUMINESCENT RESISTS FOR NANOIMPRINT LITHOGRAPHY
Authors: LI XIAOLI , YANG GUANGQIAN , YU XIBING , ZHOU WEIMIN , ZHANG JING , LIU YANBO , WANG QINGKANG
Published: June 2011

We report the preparation of ZnO quantum dot hybrid luminescent resists for nanoimprint lithography. Photoluminescence spectra indicate that ZnO QDs@AMONIL have a significant increase in the luminescent intensity, an obvious blue-shift of emission peak and the Stoke's shift, revealing that ZnO QDs@AMONIL have dramatic luminescent property change instead of inhibiting or only preserving the optical properties of pure ZnO QDs. The fabrication of two-dimensional (2D) photonic crystal structure on the ZnO QDs@AMONIL by UV-based nanoimprint lithography is demonstrated at last, which confirms the luminescent ZnO QDs@AMONIL reliable processing capabilities in wavelength-scale and envisions its promising applications in the optoelectronic micro-/nanodevices.
BOSE–EINSTEIN CONDENSATION ON INHOMOGENEOUS AMENABLE GRAPHS
Authors: FIDALEO FRANCESCO , GUIDO DANIELE , ISOLA TOMMASO
Published: June 2011

We investigate the Bose–Einstein condensation on nonhomogeneous amenable networks for the model describing arrays of Josephson junctions. The resulting topological model, whose Hamiltonian is the pure hopping one given by the opposite of the adjacency operator, also has a mathematical interest in itself. We show that for the nonhomogeneous networks like the comb graphs, particles condensate in momentum and configuration space as well. In this case different properties of the network, of geometric and probabilistic nature, such as the volume growth, the shape of the ground state, and the transience, all play a role in the condensation phenomena. The situation is quite different for homogeneous networks where just one of these parameters, e.g., the volume growth, is enough to determine the appearance of the condensation.
ON THE EQUIVALENCE BETWEEN THE CATEGORIES OF CERTAIN BUNDLES AND CERTAIN SHEAVES
Authors: Abel Mart
Published: June 2011

In this paper the notion of universal algebra bundle is introduced. We show that several properties of local sections of a certain sheaf hold also for local sections of module bundles and universal algebra bundles. As a main result of this paper, we construct an equivalence between the category of module bundles (or universal algebra bundles) and a certain subcategory of the category of sheaves or a certain subcategory of the category of complete presheaves.
SOME CONSIDERATIONS ON THE NONABELIAN TENSOR SQUARE OF CRYSTALLOGRAPHIC GROUPS
Authors: Erfanian Ahmad , Russo Francesco G. , Sarmin Nor Haniza
Published: June 2011

The nonabelian tensor square G ⊗ G of a polycyclic group G is a polycyclic group and its structure arouses interest in many contexts. The same assertion is still true for wider classes of solvable groups. This motivated us to work on two levels in the present paper: on a hand, we investigate the growth of the Hirsch length of G ⊗ G by looking at that of G, on another hand, we study the nonabelian tensor product of pro–p–groups of finite coclass, which are a remarkable class of solvable groups without center, and then we do considerations on their Hirsch length. Among other results, restrictions on the Schur multiplier will be discussed.
VISCOSITY APPROXIMATION METHODS OF RANDOM FIXED POINT SOLUTIONS AND RANDOM VARIATIONAL INEQUALITIES IN HILBERT SPACES
Authors: Kumam Poom , Plubtieng Somyot
Published: June 2011

In this paper, we construct random iterative processes for nonexpansive random operators and study necessary conditions for these processes. It is shown that these random iterative processes converge to random fixed points of nonexpansive random operators and solve some random variational inequalities. We also proved that an implicit random iterative process converges to the random fixed point and solves these random variational inequalities. Our results can be viewed as a refinement and improvement of the previously known results for variational inequality theory and also give generalization stochastic version of some results of Xu [23].
ON THE COMPUTATION OF ARNOLD COMPLEXITY OF LENGTH 2n BINARY WORDS
Authors: Merekin Yu. V.
Published: June 2011

Among all binary words w of length 2n, n ≥ 1, we find the words whose Arnold complexity can be calculated by counting the number of occurrences of ones in certain disjoint fragments of w.
THE PROBABILITY OF AN AUTOMORPHISM FIXING A SUBGROUP ELEMENT OF A FINITE GROUP
Authors: Moghaddam Mohammad Reza R. , Saeedi Farshid , Khamseh Elaheh
Published: June 2011

In 1975, Sherman introduced the probability of an automorphism of a finite group, which fixes an arbitrary element of the group. In this paper we introduce a new probability concept, namely the probability of an automorphism of a given finite group such that it fixes a subgroup element of the group. Among other results, we construct some upper and lower bounds for both probabilities.
ON PRIME AND SEMIPRIME GOLDIE MODULES
Authors: Van Sanh Nguyen , Asawasamrit S. , Ahmed K. F. U. , Thao Le Phuong
Published: June 2011

A right R-module M is called a Goldie module if it has finite Goldie dimension and satisfies the ACC for M-annihilator submodules of M. In this paper, we study the class of prime Goldie modules and the class of semiprime Goldie modules as generalizations of prime right Goldie rings and semiprime right Goldie rings.
PRIMALITY OF ALGEBRAS RELATIVE TO CONGRUENCES
Authors: Temgoua Etienne R. Alomo , Tonga Marcel
Published: June 2011

The famous Baker-Pixley theorem says that for a finite algebra [Formula: see text] with a majority term operation, an operation f : An → A, n ≥ 1, is a term operation of [Formula: see text] iff f preserves all subuniverses of [Formula: see text].

The aim of this paper is the generalization of this result by replacing [Formula: see text] by an arbitrary congruence on [Formula: see text]. In this way we generalize the concept of primality to θ-primality. Moreover, we introduce the concept of a θ-variety and prove a structure theorem for those classes of algebras.
The Fourth ACM International Conference on Web Search and Data Mining (WSDM 2011)
Authors: King Irwin , Li Hang
Published: June 2011

The Fourth ACM International Conference on Web Search and Data Mining (WSDM 2011) was held in Hong Kong, during February 9--12, 2011.
SIGWEB
Authors: Munson Ethan
Published: June 2011

SIGWEB is doing very well in terms of participation, volunteer efforts, organization, and finances. The 2010--2011 year has seen good progress on several important initiatives that expand our conference offerings, strengthen support for student researchers, and improve the organization. The biggest news is that SIGWEB is now sponsoring the International Conference on Web Science.

A face-to-face SIGWEB Town Meeting will be held during Hypertext 2011, which is being held June 6--9 in Eindhoven, Netherlands.
Algorithmic rationality
Authors: Halpern Joseph Y. , Pass Rafael
Published: June 2011

We summarize our work on a general game-theoretic framework for reasoning about strategic agents performing possibly costly computation. In this framework, many traditional game-theoretic results (such as the existence of a Nash equilibrium) no longer hold. Nevertheless, we can use the framework to provide psychologically appealing explanations to observed behavior in well-studied games (such as finitely repeated prisoner's dilemma and rock-paper-scissors).
When is it best to best-respond?
Authors: Nisan Noam , Schapira Michael , Valiant Gregory , Zohar Aviv
Published: June 2011

Often, in both computerized settings and economics settings, the prescribed behavior for participants is to repeatedly "best respond" to each others' actions. We aim to understand when such myopic "local rationality" is also "globally rational",
i.e.
, when is it best for a player, given that the others are repeatedly best-responding, to also repeatedly best-respond?
Leading dynamics to good behavior
Authors: Balcan Maria Florina
Published: June 2011

In this note we report recent results on the problem of leading natural dynamics to good behavior in games that have both high-quality and low-quality equilibria. We show how a central agency can use a public-service advertising campaign to help "nudge" players' behavior towards a high-quality equilibrium, even if only a fraction of players pay attention. We also discuss results analyzing how well-motivated learning rules, when given additional global information about a game, can be used to effectively reach high-quality equilibria.
Personal Technology in the Classroom
Authors: Thornton Benjamin
Published: June 2011

The debate about personal technology in the classroom rages on. Traditionalist see mobile devices as disruptive technologies, while defendants see them as tools for instruction. Consideration should be given to the benefits mp3s, smart phones, and tablets can deliver inside and outside the classroom. From lecture podcasts to homework help, personal technology can be used to supplement the traditional learning landscape.
Memorable Debriefs for Memory and Retention
Authors: Doctoroff Landay Susan
Published: June 2011

A number of articles, books and group discussions suggest a variety of ways that learners can process what they learned and focus on important points to remember. While repetition is the key theme, no matter what resource you consult, debrief and commitment are critical for imprinting the learning into your memory bank.
Hybrid Projection Algorithms for Asymptotically Strict Quasi‐ϕ‐Pseudocontractions
Authors: Qin Xiaolong , Wang Tianze , Cho Sun Young
Published: June 2011

A new nonlinear mapping is introduced. Hybrid projection algorithms are considered for the class of new nonlinear mappings. Strong convergence theorems are established in a real Banach space.
Mapping Agricultural Frozen Soil on the Watershed Scale Using Remote Sensing Data
Authors: Khaldoune Jalal , Van Bochove Eric , Bernier Monique , Nolin Michel C.
Published: June 2011

This paper presents an empirical model for classifying frozen/unfrozen soils in the entire Bras d’Henri River watershed (167 km2) near Quebec City (Quebec, Canada). It was developed to produce frozen soil maps under snow cover using RADARSAT-1 fine mode images and in situ data during three winters. Twelve RADARSAT-1 images were analyzed from fall 2003 to spring 2006 to discern the intra- and interannual variability of frozen soil characteristics. Regression models were developed for each soil group (parent material-drainage-soil type) and land cover to establish a threshold for frozen soil from the backscattering coefficients (HH polarization). Tilled fields showed higher backscattering signal (+3 dB) than the untilled fields. The overall classification accuracy was 87% for frozen soils and 94% for unfrozen soils. With respect to land use, that is, tilled versus untilled fields, an overall accuracy of 89% was obtained for the tilled fields and 92% for the untilled fields. Results show that this new mapping approach using RADARSAT-1 images can provide estimates of surface soil status (frozen/unfrozen) at the watershed scale in agricultural areas.
The Dimensional Fluxes of the Hypercylindrical Function
Authors: Letic Dusko , Davidovic Branko
Published: June 2011

We present the results of the theoretical researches of some characteristics of the generalized hyperspherical function with two degrees as independent dimensions. Primarily are given the answers on the quantification of the dimensional potentials (fluxes) of this function in the domain of the integer natural numbers. Beside them, we have got the solutions for some continual fluxes of the contour hypercylindrical (HY) functions on the basis. The symbolical evaluation and numerical verification of the series values and integrals are realized through the program packages Mathcad Professional and Mathematica.
A Middleware Approach to Achieving Fault Tolerance of Kahn Process Networks on Networks on Chips
Authors: Derin Onur , Diken Erkan , Fiorin Leandro
Published: June 2011

Kahn process networks (KPNs) is a distributed model of computation used for describing systems where streams of data are transformed by processes executing in sequence or parallel. Autonomous processes communicate through unbounded FIFO channels in absence of a global scheduler. In this work, we propose a task-aware middleware concept that allows adaptivity in KPN implemented over a Network on Chip (NoC). We also list our ideas on the development of a simulation platform as an initial step towards creating fault tolerance strategies for KPNs applications running on NoCs. In doing that, we extend our SACRE (Self-Adaptive Component Run Time Environment) framework by integrating it with an open source NoC simulator, Noxim. We evaluate the overhead that the middleware brings to the the total execution time and to the total amount of data transferred in the NoC. With this work, we also provide a methodology that can help in identifying the requirements and implementing fault tolerance and adaptivity support on real platforms.
On the Accuracy of Fluid Approximations to a Class of Inventory-Level-Dependent EOQ and EPQ Models
Authors: Piunovskiy Alexey , Zhang Yi
Published: June 2011

Deterministic Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) models have been studied intensively in the literature, where the demand process is described by an ordinary differential equation, and the objective is to obtain an EOQ, which minimizes the total cost per unit time. The total cost per unit time consists of a “discrete” part, the setup cost, which is incurred at the time of ordering, and a “continuous” part, the holding cost, which is continuously accumulated over time. Quite formally, such deterministic EOQ models can be viewed as fluid approximations to the corresponding stochastic EOQ models, where the demand process is taken as a stochastic jump process. Suppose now an EOQ is obtained from a deterministic model. The question is how well does this quantity work in the corresponding stochastic model. In the present paper we justify a translation of EOQs obtained from deterministic models, under which the resulting order quantities are asymptotically optimal for the stochastic models, by showing that the difference between the performance measures and the optimal values converges to zero with respect to a scaling parameter. Moreover, we provide an estimate for the rate of convergence. The same issue regarding specific Economic Production Quantity (EPQ) models is studied, too.
Geometry Optimization of Self‐Similar Transport Network
Authors: Shan X. D. , Wang M. , Guo Z. Y.
Published: June 2011

We optimize geometries of various self‐similar transport networks using a three‐step strategy based on the entransy theory. Using this optimization method, we obtained optimal relationships of geometric parameters of T‐shape networks for fluid flow, heat conduction, convective heat transfer, and other transport phenomena. Some optimization results agree well with the existing theories or experimental data. The optimized transport network structure depends strongly on the optimization objective and the constraints, so that both the maximum heat transfer effect and minimum flow resistance cannot be satisfied at the same time.
Tessier No. 3 Incomplete Cleft Reconstruction with Alar Transposition and Irregular Z-Plasty
Authors: Çizmeci Orhan , Kuvat Samet Vasfi
Published: June 2011

Facial clefts are extremely rare congenital deformities and there are only a few technique reports for surgical reconstruction of clefts in the literature. In this article, we report a Tessier no. 3 incomplete cleft reconstruction with alar transposition and irregular Z-plasty in a 2-year old female patient.
Principal Functions of Non‐Selfadjoint Difference Operator with Spectral Parameter in Boundary Conditions
Authors: Olgun Murat , Koprubasi Turhan , Aygar Yelda
Published: June 2011

We investigate the
principal functions corresponding
to the eigenvalues and the spectral singularities of the boundary value problem
(BVP) an−1yn−1 + bnyn + anyn+1 = λyn, n ∈ ℕ and (γ0 + γ1λ)y1 + (β0 + β1λ)y0 = 0, where (an) and (bn) are complex sequences, λ is an eigenparameter, and γi, βi ∈ ℂ for i = 0, 1.
Quality of Life in People with Type 2 Diabetes in Relation to Deprivation, Gender, and Age in a New Community-Based Model of Care
Authors: Lindsay Grace , Inverarity Kathryn , McDowell Joan R. S.
Published: June 2011

Objectives. To evaluate changes in health related quality of life (HRQL) for individuals with Type 2 diabetes following the introduction of a new community-based model of care.Methods. A survey method was used in which HRQL, Problems Areas In Diabetes (PAID) and demographics were assessed before and 18 months after introducing the new service.Results. Overall HRQL and PAID scores were lower than published levels in individuals with diabetes but remained stable during the transition to the new model of care except for the bodily pain domain and deteriorating PAID scores for older patients. Four domains of SF36 health showed deterioration in the highest socio-economic groups. Deterioration was also observed in males, most notably mental health, in patients aged 54 years or less, 75 years or more and patients from socio-economic groups 1 and 2. HRQL was lowest at baseline and follow-up in socio-economic groups 6 & 7. Low levels of distress in patients across all deprivation categories was observed but remained stable over the transition.Conclusions. HRQL and distress associated with diabetes remained stable following the introduction of the new community-based model of care except for deterioration in the bodily pain domain and deteriorating PAID scores for older patients.Relevance for Practice. (i) Health related quality of life assessment is practical and acceptable to patients. (ii) In clinical governance terms it is good practice to monitor the impact of change in service delivery on the health of the patients in your care. (iii) Screening with health related quality of life tools such as generic and disease specific tools could help identify health problems otherwise undetected within current clinical care. Systematic identification of the most vulnerable groups with Type 2 diabetes should allow care to be better targeted.
Donors and Recipients of Living Kidney Donation: A Qualitative Metasummary of Their Experiences
Authors: Ummel Deborah , Achille Marie , Mekkelholt Jessina
Published: June 2011

With the notable growth in the qualitative investigation of living kidney donation, there is value in aggregating results from this body of research to learn from accumulated experience. The present paper aims to draw a complete portrait of living donors' and recipients' experience of donation by metasummarizing published studies. We found that donors' experience, particularly the decision-making process, has been more extensively studied than the recipients' perspective. Donors differ in their initial level of motivation to donate but on the whole report positive experiences and personal benefits. They also identify difficult periods and the need for additional resources. Recipients report an often positive but more ambivalent reaction to donation. In terms of relational issues between dyads, while the topic remains understudied, the donor-recipient relationship and gift reciprocity have received the most attention. Results are discussed in terms of their implications for future practice and research.