bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modified expression for the failure criterion of bucket foundations subjected to combined loading
Authors: Larsen K.A. , Ibsen L.B. , Barari A.
Published: October 2013

Recently, various loading tests with small- and large-scale bucket foundations were performed on buckets of varying sizes, embedment ratios, and load paths with saturated dense Aalborg University Sand No. 1 at the geotechnical laboratory of Aalborg University. In the present study, the capacity and behavior of bucket foundations subjected to combined loads were investigated on the basis of the results of these experimental studies. Although previous authors had proposed a linear relationship between the moment capacity and the vertical load, this relationship did not fit the observed capacities in the present study. Therefore, a modified expression is proposed to describe the combined capacity as a function of the tensile capacity and the inclination factor.
ON A CLASS OF SINGULAR PROJECTIVELY FLAT FINSLER METRICS WITH CONSTANT FLAG CURVATURE
Authors: YANG GUOJUN
Published: September 2013

Singular Finsler metrics, such as Kropina metrics and m-Kropina metrics, have a lot of applications in the real world. In this paper, we classify a class of singular (α, β)-metrics which are locally projectively flat with constant flag curvature in dimension n = 2 and n ≥ 3 respectively. Further, we determine the local structure of m-Kropina metrics and particularly Kropina metrics which are projectively flat with constant flag curvature and prove that such metrics must be locally Minkowskian but are not necessarily flat-parallel.
MR-ARM: A MAP-REDUCE ASSOCIATION RULE MINING FRAMEWORK
Authors: THABTAH FADI , HAMMOUD SUHEL
Published: October 2013

Association rule is one of the primary tasks in data mining that discovers correlations among items in a transactional database. The majority of vertical and horizontal association rule mining algorithms have been developed to improve the frequent items discovery step which necessitates high demands on training time and memory usage particularly when the input database is very large. In this paper, we overcome the problem of mining very large data by proposing a new parallel Map-Reduce (MR) association rule mining technique called MR-ARM that uses a hybrid data transformation format to quickly finding frequent items and generating rules. The MR programming paradigm is becoming popular for large scale data intensive distributed applications due to its efficiency, simplicity and ease of use, and therefore the proposed algorithm develops a fast parallel distributed batch set intersection method for finding frequent items. Two implementations (Weka, Hadoop) of the proposed MR association rule algorithm have been developed and a number of experiments against small, medium and large data collections have been conducted. The ground bases of the comparisons are time required by the algorithm for: data initialisation, frequent items discovery, rule generation, etc. The results show that MR-ARM is very useful tool for mining association rules from large datasets in a distributed environment.
REVIEW ON THE DETERMINATION OF αs FROM THE QCD STATIC ENERGY
Authors: GARCIA i TORMO XAVIER
Published: September 2013

We review the determination of the strong coupling αs from the comparison of the perturbative expression for the Quantum Chromodynamics static energy with lattice data. Here, we collect all the perturbative expressions needed to evaluate the static energy at the currently known accuracy.
THE TWO FACES OF HAWKING RADIATION
Authors: SMERLAK MATTEO
Published: October 2013

What happens when Alice falls into a black hole? In spite of recent challenges by Almheiri et al. — the so-called "firewall" hypothesis —, the consensus on this question tends to remain "nothing special." Here I show that, besides the standard Hawking outgoing modes, Alice records at horizon-crossing a quasi-thermal spectrum of ingoing modes, whose temperature and intensity diverges as her Killing energy E goes to zero. I suggest that this effect can be thought of in terms a horizon-infinity duality, which relates the perception of near-horizon and asymptotic geodesic observers — the two faces of Hawking radiation.
ISOLATION PERFORMANCE STUDY OF THE HONG KONG–ZHUHAI–MACAO BRIDGE ENGINEERING
Authors: ZHU HONGPING , CHEN CHULONG , ZHU AIZHU , YUAN YONG
Published: October 2013

This paper investigates the isolation performances of bid DB02 section of the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge. The navigable cable-stayed bridge and the non-navigable steel-concrete continuous girder bridge in the high-pier and low-pier regions are taken as an illustration. The finite element models with aseismatic bearings and isolated bearings are established and the seismic time-history analysis under the earthquake levels of P2 and P3 are carried out. The nonlinear properties of LRB, HDR, and FPB isolated bearings and the pile-soil interaction are simulated using bilinear spring elements and layered Winkler soil springs model, respectively. The results show that the bridge structure with isolated bearings is more flexible by extending vibration period. The dissipated hysteric energy can effectively reduce the earthquake energy and the response of the structure. Subject to the earthquake level P3, most piers of the bridge are in elastic state. Subject to the earthquake level P2, the bridge is in perfect elastic state. The isolating effect of the isolated bearings to the continuous girder bridge is better than the cable-stayed bridge with tower and beam consolidation.
SEMIALGEBRAS AND THEIR ALGEBRAS OF DIFFERENCES WITH PARTIAL GROUP ACTIONS ON THEM
Authors: Sharma Ram Parkash , Anu
Published: October 2013

Let A be a semialgebra defined in [R. P. Sharma, Anu and N. Singh, Partial group actions on semialgebras, Asian European J. Math.5(4) (2012), Article ID:1250060, 20pp.] over an additively cancellative and commutative semiring K. In additively cancellative semirings, the subtractive ideals play an important role. If P is a subtractive and G-prime ideal of an additively cancellative and yoked semiring A, where G is a finite group acting on A, then A has finitely many n(≤ |G|) minimal primes over P (see [R. P. Sharma and T. R. Sharma, G-prime ideals in semirings and their skew group rings, Comm. Algebra34 (2006) 4459–4465], Lemma 3.6, a result analogous to Lemma 3.2 of Passman [D. S. Passman, It's essentially Maschke's theorem, Rocky Mountain J. Math.13 (1983) 37–54]). Consider a subtractive partial action α of a finite group G on A such that each Dg is generated by a central idempotent 1g of A and the intersection D = ⋂g∈G,Dg≠0Dg of nonzero Dg's is nonzero. It is not necessary that number of minimal primes in Spec A over a subtractive and α-prime ideal P of a yoked semiring A is less than or equal to the order of the group, if 1d ∈ P (Example 3.2). However, we show that the result is true if 1d ∉ P (Corollary 3.1). We also study the prime ideals of the partial fixed subsemiring Aα of A.
Mitochondrial fragmentation impairs insulin-dependent glucose uptake by modulating Akt activity through mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake
Authors: del Campo Andrea , Parra Valentina , Vásquez-Trincado César , Gutiérrez Tomás , Morales Pablo E. , López-Crisosto Camila , Bravo-Sagua Roberto , Navarro-Marquez Mario F. , Verdejo Hugo E. , Contreras-Ferrat Ariel , Troncoso Rodrigo , Chiong Mario , Lavandero Sergio
Published: October 2013

Insulin is a major regulator of glucose metabolism, stimulating its mitochondrial oxidation in skeletal muscle cells. Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that can undergo structural remodeling in order to cope with these ever-changing metabolic demands. However, the process by which mitochondrial morphology impacts insulin signaling in the skeletal muscle cells remains uncertain. To address this question, we silenced the mitochondrial fusion proteins Mfn2 and Opa1 and assessed insulin-dependent responses in L6 rat skeletal muscle cells. We found that mitochondrial fragmentation attenuates insulin-stimulated Akt phosphorylation, glucose uptake and cell respiratory rate. Importantly, we found that insulin induces a transient rise in mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, which was attenuated by silencing Opa1 or Mfn2. Moreover, treatment with Ruthenium red, an inhibitor of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake, impairs Akt signaling without affecting mitochondrial dynamics. All together, these results suggest that control of mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake by mitochondrial morphology is a key event for insulin-induced glucose uptake.
Extended “Mononobe-Okabe” Method for Seismic Design of Retaining Walls
Authors: Yazdani Mahmoud , Azad Ali , Farshi Abol hasan , Talatahari Siamak
Published: September 2013

Mononobe-Okabe (M-O) method is still employed as the first option to estimate lateral earth pressures during earthquakes by geotechnical engineers. Considering some simple assumptions and using a closed form method, M-O solves the equations of equilibrium and suggests seismic active and passive lateral earth pressures. Therefore, the results are true in its assumption range only, and in many other practical cases, M-O method is not applicable. Noncontinues backfill slopes, cohesive soils, and rising water behind the wall are some well-known examples in which the M-O theory is irrelevant. Using the fundamental framework of M-O method, this study proposes an iterative method to overcome the limits of the M-O method. Based on trial and error process, the proposed method is able to cover many of the defects which regularly occur in civil engineering when M-O has no direct answer.
Legendre Wavelets Method for Solving Fractional Population Growth Model in a Closed System
Authors: Heydari M. H. , Hooshmandasl M. R. , Cattani C. , Li Ming
Published: September 2013

A new operational matrix of fractional order integration for Legendre wavelets is derived. Block pulse functions and collocation method are employed to derive a general procedure for forming this matrix. Moreover, a computational method based on wavelet expansion together with this operational matrix is proposed to obtain approximate solution of the fractional population growth model of a species within a closed system. The main characteristic of the new approach is to convert the problem under study to a nonlinear algebraic equation.
Risk of Coronary Heart Disease among HIV‐Infected Patients: A Multicenter Study in Brazil
Authors: Fuchs Sandra C. , Alencastro Paulo R. , Ikeda Maria Letícia R. , Barcellos Nêmora T. , Wolff Fernando H. , Brandão Ajácio B. M. , Ximenes Ricardo A. A. , Miranda-Filho Demócrito de B. , Lacerda Heloísa Ramos , Albuquerque Maria de Fátima P. M. de , Montarroyos Ulisses Ramos , Nery Max W. , Turchi Marilia D.
Published: October 2013

Cardiovascular disease has emerged as a crescent problem among HIV‐infected population. This study aimed to determine the 10‐year risk of coronary heart disease using the Framingham risk score among HIV‐infected patients from three regions of Brazil. This is a pooled analysis of three cohort studies, which enrolled 3,829 individuals, 59% were men, 66% had white skin color, and mean age 39.0 ± 9.9 years. Comparisons among regions showed that there were marked differences in demographic, socioeconomic, clinical, and HIV‐related characteristics. Prevalence of Framingham score ≥10 was 4.5% in the Southern, 4.2% in the Midwest, and 3.9% in the Northeast of Brazil. The Framingham score ≥10 was similar between regions for males, patients aged ≥60 years, with obesity, central obesity, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus. Women were three times more likely to have coronary heart disease in 10 years than men. Hypertension and diabetes increased more than four times the risk of coronary heart disease, followed by central obesity, obesity, and prehypertension. The use of antiretroviral agents and time since HIV diagnosis were not risk factors for coronary artery disease in 10 years. In conclusion, hypertension and diabetes are the strongest independent predictors of 10‐year risk of coronary heart disease among HIV‐infected population.
State-FeedbackH∞Control for LPV System Using T-S Fuzzy Linearization Approach
Authors: Liu Jizhen , Hu Yang , Lin Zhongwei
Published: September 2013

This paper discusses the linear parameter varying (LPV) gain scheduling control problem based on the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) fuzzy linearization approach. Firstly, the affine nonlinear parameter varying (ANPV) description of a class of nonlinear dynamic processes is defined; that is, at any scheduling parameter, the corresponding system is affine nonlinear as usual. For such a class of ANPV systems, a kind of developed T-S fuzzy modeling procedure is proposed to deal with the nonlinearity, instead of the traditional Jacobian linearization approach. More concretely, the evaluation system for the approximation ability of the novelly developed T-S fuzzy modeling procedure is established. Consequently, the LPV T-S fuzzy system is obtained which can approximate the ANPV system with required accuracy. Secondly, the notion of piecewise parameter-dependent Lyapunov function is introduced, and then the stabilization problem and the state-feedbackH∞control problem of the LPV T-S fuzzy system are studied. The sufficient conditions are given in linear matrix inequalities (LMIs) form. Finally, a numerical example is provided to demonstrate the availability of the above approaches. The simulation results show the high approximation accuracy of the LPV T-S fuzzy system to the ANPV system and the effectiveness of the LPV T-S fuzzy gain scheduling control.
Synthesis, Characterization, and Photophysical Studies of Some Novel Ruthenium(II) Polypyridine Complexes Derived from Benzothiazolyl hydrazones
Authors: Khaled Shaikh , Zamir Ahmed Mohammed , Khan Firdous G. , Kabeer Ahmed Shaikh
Published: October 2013

A series of five benzothiazolylhydrazone ligands 3a–3e and their seven novel Ru(II) polypyridine complexes 4a–4d, 5a, 5d, 5e of the type [Ru(N–N)2(L)]Cl2, where (N–N)2 is 2,2′-bipyridine (bpy)2 or 1,10-phenanthroline (phen)2 and (L) is ligands 3a–3e, have been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H NMR, electronic absorption, and emission spectral studies. The interpretation of the analytical data revealed that the ligands coordinate with the metal ion in a bidentate fashion through azomethine nitrogen and phenolic oxygen to form complexes. These ligands and complexes also exhibit absorption and luminescence properties.
Strychnos pseudoquinaand Its Purified Compounds Present an EffectiveIn VitroAntileishmanial Activity
Authors: Lage Paula Sousa , de Andrade Pedro Henrique Rocha , Lopes Amanda de Santana , Chávez Fumagalli Miguel Angel , Valadares Diogo Garcia , Duarte Mariana Costa , Pagliara Lage Daniela , Costa Lourena Emanuele , Martins Vivian Tamietti , Ribeiro Tatiana Gomes , Filho José Dias de Souza , Tavares Carlos Alberto Pereira , Pádua Rodrigo Maia de , Leite João Paulo Viana , Coelho Eduardo Antonio Ferraz
Published: September 2013

The development of new and cost-effective alternative therapeutic strategies to treat leishmaniasis has become a high priority. In the present study, the antileishmanial activity ofStrychnos pseudoquinaSt. Hil. was investigated and pure compounds that presented this biological effect were isolated. An ethyl acetate extract was prepared, and it proved to be effective againstLeishmania amazonensis. A bioactivity-guided fractionation was performed, and two flavonoids were identified, quercetin 3-O-methyl ether and strychnobiflavone, which presented an effective antileishmanial activity againstL. amazonensis, and studies were extended to establish their minimum inhibitory concentrations (IC50), their leishmanicidal effects on the intra-macrophageLeishmaniastage, as well as their cytotoxic effects on murine macrophages (CC50), and in O+human red blood cells. The data presented in this study showed the potential of an ethyl acetate extract ofS. pseudoquina, as well as two flavonoids purified from it, which can be used as a therapeutic alternative on its own, or in association with other drugs, to treat disease evoked byL. amazonensis.
Extended Tolerance Relation to Define a New Rough Set Model in Incomplete Information Systems
Authors: Nguyen Do Van , Yamada Koichi , Unehara Muneyuki
Published: September 2013

This paper discusses and proposes a rough set model for an incomplete information system, which defines an extended tolerance relation using frequency of attribute values in such a system. It first discusses some rough set extensions in incomplete information systems. Next, “probability of matching” is defined from data in information systems and then measures the degree of tolerance. Consequently, a rough set model is developed using a tolerance relation defined with a threshold. The paper discusses the mathematical properties of the newly developed rough set model and also introduces a method to derive reducts and the core.
Absorption and Metabolism Characteristics of Rutin in Caco‐2 Cells
Authors: Zhang Xiaofang , Song Jinhui , Shi Xiaopeng , Miao Shan , Li Yan , Wen Aidong
Published: October 2013

The intestinal absorption and metabolism characteristics of the potentially beneficial polyphenol rutin were studied by measuring the intracellular accumulation and transport of rutin into Caco‐2 cells with the sensitive and reliable analytical method of HPLC‐coupled tandem mass spectrometry. Rutin and glucuronidated rutin were absorbed differently by the basolateral and apical membranes, and rutin showed differential permeability through the apical and basolateral sides. Approximately 33% of the rutin was metabolized to glucuronidated rutin, and the intracellular concentration of glucuronidated rutin was much lower than that of parent rutin. P‐glycoprotein and multidrug‐resistant proteins 2 and 3 were involved in the transmembrane transport and intracellular accumulation of rutin by Caco‐2 cells. These results suggest that a specific transport system mediates rutin movement across the apical membrane in Caco‐2 cells and that metabolic enzymes are important for this process.
Dynamic Average Consensus and Consensusability of General Linear Multiagent Systems with Random Packet Dropout
Authors: Zhou Wen-Min , Xiao Jiang-Wen
Published: September 2013

This paper is concerned with the consensus problem of general linear discrete-time multiagent systems (MASs) with random packet dropout that happens during information exchange between agents. The packet dropout phenomenon is characterized as being a Bernoulli random process. A distributed consensus protocol with weighted graph is proposed to address the packet dropout phenomenon. Through introducing a new disagreement vector, a new framework is established to solve the consensus problem. Based on the control theory, the perturbation argument, and the matrix theory, the necessary and sufficient condition for MASs to reach mean-square consensus is derived in terms of stability of an array of low-dimensional matrices. Moreover, mean-square consensusable conditions with regard to network topology and agent dynamic structure are also provided. Finally, the effectiveness of the theoretical results is demonstrated through an illustrative example.
Classical Solvability of a Free Boundary Problem for an Incompressible Viscous Fluid with a Surface Density Equation
Authors: Kusaka Yoshiaki
Published: September 2013

We investigate a mathematical model introduced by Shikhmurzaev to remove singularities that arise when classical hydrodynamic models are applied to certain physical phenomena. The model is described as a free boundary problem consisting of the Navier-Stokes equations and a surface mass balance equation. We prove the local-in-time solvability in Hölder spaces.
Appraisal of theDeqiConcept among Contemporary Chinese Acupuncturists
Authors: Chen Sheng , Guo Shengnan , Marmori Federico , Wang Yanping , Zhao Qi , Wang Baokai , Ha Eunhae , Miao Yanhuan , Xiang Li , Zhao Mingwen , Huo Yuwei , Nan Yinan , Liu Li-an , Zhao Jiping
Published: October 2013

Deqi, an important component of the traditional theory of acupuncture and moxibustion, is the key factor in determining clinical therapeutic effect of acupuncture. In this paper, based on the digging up, arrangement, and in-depth analysis of the famous contemporary Chinese acupuncturists' perspectives ofdeqi, the authors summarize the concept and manifestation, as well as the properties ofdeqi, and correlativity ofdeqiwith acupuncture manipulation through reviewing modern clinical research. Proposals for more scientific and standardized acupuncture research are introduced to reexamine and restore the implication ofdeqiin combination with the clinical practice.
Unusual Case of Osteomyelitis and Discitis in a Drug User with a Background of Chronic Back Pain: Do Not Miss the Serious Etiologies
Authors: Ali Alaa M. , Khan Moona , Kwatra Shawn G. , Barbaryan Aram , Hussain Nasir , Saba Raya , Mirrakhimov Aibek E.
Published: October 2013

Chronic back pain is a common presenting complaint that is frequently encountered by clinicians. The challenge for clinicians is identifying the relatively few patients with a significant probability of a more serious problem that requires further evaluation. Such individuals require further evaluation for possible occult malignancy, infection, or fracture. We present a case of a 50-year-old male with a past medical history of chronic back pain and IV drug abuse who presented with acute back pain and in whom a diagnosis of vertebral osteomyelitis was missed during multiple visits to the emergency room.
Better Survival with Three-Dimensional Conformal Radiotherapy Than with Conventional Radiotherapy for Cervical Cancer: A Population-Based Study
Authors: Hsieh Chen-Hsi , Tsai Shiang-Jiun , Chiou Wen-Yen , Lee Moon-Sing , Lin Hon-Yi , Hung Shih-Kai
Published: October 2013

Three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) has emerged as a preferred treatment for gynecologic malignancies. Yet its superiority to conventional radiotherapy (2-dimensional radiotherapy (2DRT)) for gynecologic malignancies has not been well established. Data from the 2005 to 2010 National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) provided by the National Research Institutes in Taiwan were analyzed to address this issue. Patients were initially diagnosed as having cervical cancer according to the International Classification of Disease, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code 180, and this clinical diagnosis was confirmed histopathologically or cytologically. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to analyze the reported data. Between January 2005 and December 2010, there were 776 patients with newly diagnosed cervical cancer without metastasis, local recurrence, or surgical treatment before RT and 132 and 644 patients, respectively, who received 2DRT and 3DCRT. After adjustment for age, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary heart disease, hyperlipidemia, side effects, urbanization level, geographic region, and enrollee category in the 5-year follow-up period, the HR was 1.82 (95% CI, 1.16–2.85, P=0.009). The 5-year survival rate in the 2DRT and 3DCRT groups was 73.0% and 82.3%, P=0.007, respectively. Cervical cancer patients treated with 3DCRT had better overall survival.
Optimal Convergence Rates of Moving Finite Element Methods for Space-Time Fractional Differential Equations
Authors: Gao Xuemei , Han Xu
Published: September 2013

This paper studies the moving finite element methods for the space-time fractional differential equations. An optimal convergence rate of the moving finite element method is proved for the space-time fractional differential equations.
Posttraumatic Cortical Defect of Femur
Authors: Nadarajah Jeyaseelan , Srivastava Deep N. , Malhotra Rajesh , Palaniswamy Aravindh
Published: October 2013

Posttraumatic cortical defect of bone is a rare entity which occurs in a maturing skeleton following green stick or torus fracture. Most of the cases are asymptomatic and they are detected incidentally on radiograph. These lesions usually require no treatment. However, the appearance of these lesions can mimic various pathological conditions affecting bone. Knowledge about this entity is important as it avoids unnecessary investigations. We present this case as the occurrence of this entity in femur is very rare and the child was symptomatic.
The Effect of Negative Poisson’s Ratio Polyurethane Scaffolds for Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Park Yeong Jun , Kim Jeong Koo
Published: October 2013

An auxetic polyurethane (PU) scaffold was prepared to investigate chondrocyte proliferation under compressive stimulation for cartilage regeneration. To give a negative Poisson’s ratio to the PU scaffold, volumetric compression with a 3 : 1 ratio was applied during heat treatment. For the control PU scaffold, the Poisson’s ratio was 0.9 ± 0.25 with elongation at 20% of the strain range. Poisson’s ratio for experimental specimens was approximately −0.4 ± 0.12 under the same conditions. In cell proliferation tests, cells were cultivated within the prepared scaffold under compression with a 20% strain range. With a 20% strain range elongation, the compressive load was approximately 0.3 N. The experimental group showed a 1.3 times higher cellular proliferation rate than that of the control group after 3 days in culture. At day 5 of culture, however, the rate of proliferation of the control group increased so that there was no significant difference between groups. However, collagen content (produced by the cells) in the cell-proliferated medium was 1.5 times higher in the experimental group after 5 days in culture. This may have been due to the effectiveness of the auxetic structure of the scaffold. An isotropic compressive load was transmitted to the cells due to the negative Poisson ratio of the scaffold.
An Efficient Patch Dissemination Strategy for Mobile Networks
Authors: Zhao Dawei , Peng Haipeng , Li Lixiang , Yang Yixian , Li Shudong
Published: September 2013

Mobile phones and personal digital assistants are becoming increasingly important in our daily life since they enable us to access a large variety of ubiquitous services. Mobile networks, formed by the connection of mobile devices following some relationships among mobile users, provide good platforms for mobile virus spread. Quick and efficient security patch dissemination strategy is necessary for the update of antivirus software so that it can detect mobile virus, especially the new virus under the wireless mobile network environment with limited bandwidth which is also large scale, decentralized, dynamically evolving, and of unknown network topology. In this paper, we propose an efficient semi autonomy-oriented computing (SAOC) based patch dissemination strategy to restrain the mobile virus. In this strategy, some entities are deployed in a mobile network to search for mobile devices according to some specific rules and with the assistance of a center. Through experiments involving both real-world networks and dynamically evolving networks, we demonstrate that the proposed strategy can effectively send security patches to as many mobile devices as possible at a considerable speed and lower cost in the mobile network. It is a reasonable, effective, and secure method to reduce the damages mobile viruses may cause.
Navigating the Therapeutic Complexity of PI3K Pathway Inhibition in Melanoma
Authors: Kwong Lawrence N. , Davies Michael A.
Published: October 2013

Melanoma is entering into an era of combinatorial approaches to build upon recent clinical breakthroughs achieved by novel single-agent therapies. One of the leading targets to emerge from the growing understanding of the molecular pathogenesis, heterogeneity, and resistance mechanisms of melanomas is the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)–AKT pathway. Multiple genetic and epigenetic aberrations that activate this pathway have been identified in melanomas de novo and in acquired resistance models. These developments have been paralleled by the establishment of models for preclinical testing and the availability of compounds that target various effectors in the pathway. Thus, in addition to having a strong rationale for targeting, the PI3K–AKT pathway presents an immediate clinical opportunity. However, the development of effective strategies against this pathway must overcome several key challenges, including optimizing patient selection, overcoming feedback loops, and pathway cross-talk that can mediate resistance. This review discusses the current understanding and ongoing research about the PI3K–AKT pathway in melanoma and emerging strategies to achieve clinical benefit in patients by targeting it. Clin Cancer Res; 19(19); 5310–9. ©2013 AACR.
Arginine Vasotocin Neuronal Phenotype and Interspecific Cooperative Behaviour
Authors: Mendonça Rute , Soares Marta C. , Bshary Redouan , Oliveira Rui F.
Published: October 2013

The nonapeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) and its mammalian homologue arginine vasopressin are well known for their role in the modulation of several intraspecific social behaviours, such as social approach/withdrawal and aggression. Recently, we suggested that AVT might also be important in the regulation of interspecific social behaviours as it modulates interspecific cooperative behaviours in the Indo-Pacific bluestreak cleaner wrasse Labroides dimidiatus. AVT injections decreased cleaners' propensity to engage in cleaning interactions with their clients, suggesting that high levels of this peptide compromise the cleaners' cooperative motivation. Therefore, we hypothesise that low endogenous levels of AVT are a prerequisite for the expression of interspecific cleaning behaviour in cleaner wrasses, since it allows them to approach and interact with interspecific individuals, and that this should be reflected in their AVT neuronal phenotype. Here we test this hypothesis by comparing the AVT neuronal phenotypes of two phylogenetically closely related species that live in similar environments but diverge in the expression of interspecific cooperative behaviour: an obligate cleaner wrasse (L. dimidiatus) and a non-cleaner corallivore wrasse (Labrichthys unilineatus). The two species are predicted to differ in their AVT neuronal phenotypes as a reflection of their ability/inability to approach and interact with interspecific individuals, with cleaners presenting smaller and/or less numerous AVT-immunoreactive (ir) neurons. A sex difference in AVT neuronal phenotypes was also predicted because males of both species appear to be more aggressive than females. As described for most of the other teleost species, AVT-ir neurons were restricted to the preoptic area, and in agreement with our first prediction cleaners presented smaller and less numerous AVT-ir neurons in the gigantocellular preoptic area (gPOA) compared to non-cleaners. Contrary to our second prediction, AVT neuronal phenotypes did not differ between sexes in either species, but differences in other features of the AVT system cannot be ruled out. In summary, the results presented here suggest a putative role for AVT gPOA neurons in the ability of a cleaner wrasse to approach and interact with a client, through their projections to extrahypothalamic brain areas.
A Simple Approach to Lifetime Learning in Genetic Programming-Based Symbolic Regression
Authors: Azad Raja Muhammad Atif , Ryan Conor
Published: September 2013

Genetic programming (GP) coarsely models natural evolution to evolve computer programs. Unlike in nature, where individuals can often improve their fitness through lifetime experience, the fitness of GP individuals generally does not change during their lifetime, and there is usually no opportunity to pass on acquired knowledge. This paper introduces the Chameleon system to address this discrepancy and augment GP with lifetime learning by adding a simple local search that operates by tuning the internal nodes of individuals. Although not the first attempt to combine local search with GP, its simplicity means that it is easy to understand and cheap to implement. A simple cache is added which leverages the local search to reduce the tuning cost to a small fraction of the expected cost, and we provide a theoretical upper limit on the maximum tuning expense given the average tree size of the population and show that this limit grows very conservatively as the average tree size of the population increases. We show that Chameleon uses available genetic material more efficiently by exploring more actively than with standard GP, and demonstrate that not only does Chameleon outperform standard GP (on both training and test data) over a number of symbolic regression type problems, it does so by producing smaller individuals and it works harmoniously with two other well-known extensions to GP, namely, linear scaling and a diversity-promoting tournament selection method.
Two new Aphnaeus (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae: Theclinae) species from Liberia
Authors: SÁFIÁN SZABOLCS , LIBERT MICHEL , COLLINS STEVE C.
Published: October 2013

Two new butterfly species belonging to the genus Aphnaeus (Lycaenidae: Theclinae), A. mirabilis sp. n., A. nimbaensis sp. n. were found in the Nimba Mountains, Western Range, Liberia in February 2012. Both are illustrated and described in comparison with closely related species: A. flavescens Stempffer, 1954 and A. liberti Bouyer, 1996, respectively. Genitalia of the male holotype of A. nimbaensis are also illustrated.
A Game of Catch-Up? The Offending Experience of Second-Generation Immigrants
Authors: Bersani Bianca E.
Published: October 2013

Evidence continues to accumulate documenting a generational disparity in offending whereby second-generation immigrants (the children of immigrants) evidence a precipitous increase in offending compared with their first-generation, foreign-born peers. An understanding of this pattern is most often couched in terms reflective of segmented assimilation theory highlighting the unique assimilation experiences and challenges faced by the children of immigrants. Importantly, alternative explanations of this pattern exist, namely, those promoting a regression to the mean hypothesis—born and socialized in the U.S. mainstream, second-generation immigrants are simply native-born youth. Using data from nine waves of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997, this alternative hypothesis is evaluated. The differential influence of variables tapping into important family, school, peer, and neighborhood domains on offending trajectories are compared across second-generation immigrant and native-born subsamples. The results reveal a high degree of similarity comparing second-generation immigrants and native-born Whites. At the same time, differences are also observed when compared with native-born Black and Hispanic peers particularly among measures of more serious offending. Implications of these findings for theory and policy are discussed.
Three-dimensional stress field analysis of rotating thick bidirectional functionally graded axisymmetric annular plates with nonuniform loads and elastic foundations
Authors: Shariyat M , Mohammadjani R
Published: October 2013

Based on the three-dimensional theory of elasticity, a comprehensive stress analysis is performed for the rotating bidirectional functionally graded thick axisymmetric circular/annular plates, for the first time. The plate may be subjected to arbitrary distributions of the transverse load and various mixed (Dirichlet-type and Neumann-type) edge conditions. Furthermore, the circular plate may be supported by a nonuniform elastic foundation or a rigid substrate. In contrast to the very limited works presented for the rotating functionally graded circular plates so far, the transverse flexibility and the transverse stress components are considered and studied in the present research. Since finite element and boundary element techniques, due to their integral natures, cannot adequately trace abrupt changes of the quantities, a second-order point collocation method with forward–backward schemes is adopted to solve the system of the governing and boundary conditions. Effects of the distributions of the various material properties (Poisson’s ratio, Young’s modulus, and mass density), angular velocity, foundation compliance, and edge conditions are evaluated. Results reveal that radially graded or transversely graded material properties significantly affect distribution and magnitude and location of the extrema of the stress components and the lateral deflections and orientation of the general neutral surface of the plate.
Crystallization behavior and tensile performance of nanoparticle-filled polypropylene composites
Authors: Mirjalili Fatemeh
Published: October 2013

Polypropylene nanocomposites containing 1–5 wt% of nano α-alumina particles are prepared using a Hake internal mixer. Mixing of nano α-alumina particles is performed at 170℃ and 50 rotational per minute is set for the rotor speed. To improve the dispersion of the nanoparticles, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate is used. X-ray analyses reveal that the basal spacing of polypropylene/nano α-Al2O3 composites compared to the pure polypropylene spreads out. The peak intensity for polypropylene / nano α-Al2O3 composites is stronger and narrower with larger amounts of the nano α-Al2O3 filler, in comparison with the virgin polypropylene. According to differential scanning calorimetry, the crystallinity of the nanocomposites is increased with increases in nano α-Al2O3 filler loading. The storage and loss modulus of the nanocomposites are found to be higher than that of pure polypropylene, because nanofiller increases the stiffness of the nanocomposites. The tensile strength and tensile modulus of the polypropylene nanocomposites are slightly improved up to 4% of nano α-Al2O3 particle filler adding. The addition of filler content higher than that amount leads to the reduction of these properties. The formation of filler agglomeration site within the matrix body affects the decreasing of properties. Transmission electron microscopy observations confirm these results.
Rethinking urban power and the local state: Hegemony, domination and resistance in neoliberal cities
Authors: Davies Jonathan
Published: October 2013

Foucauldian and neo-Gramscian approaches enjoy considerable influence in research on the mutations of neoliberal governance in cities. However, both are prone to treating coercion as the antithesis of power, leading them to downplay the coercive modalities of neoliberalism. This paper applies the Gramscian theory of the integral state to correct the bias towards non-coercive power. The integral state rejects the power–violence dualism, depicting coercive and non-coercive modalities of power and counter-power as inhering in capitalist political economy. The paper argues that studying neoliberalism from the perspective of the integral state contributes to explaining the intractability of coercion in the governance system and in particular the coercive power of the local state. It concludes by reflecting on the implications of this perspective for political action, arguing for a resolutely critical and conflictual stance.
Protestant ecumenism and theology in China since Edinburgh 1910
Authors: Chow Alexander
Published: October 2013

Ecumenical theology traditionally focuses on clarifying diverse opinions on core matters of the faith. But from its inception in China, ecumenism has been heavily influenced by its sociopolitical concerns. This article explores ecumenism’s goal of church unity in Chinese Protestantism since Edinburgh 1910. Two early attempts sought to speak to the concerns of foreign denominationalism and imperialism. In the 1980s, a third attempt occurred within the government-sanctioned church. This would be complicated by the prevalence of house churches and theological studies among secular academics. How does this trifurcation of Christian activity affect the goals of Chinese Protestant ecumenism?
Rinne Revisited: Steel versus Aluminum Tuning Forks
Authors: MacKechnie Cheryl A. , Greenberg Jesse J. , Gerkin Richard C. , McCall Andrew A. , Hirsch Barry E. , Durrant John D. , Raz Yael
Published: October 2013

Objective

(1) Determine whether tuning fork material (aluminum vs stainless steel) affects Rinne testing in the clinical assessment of conductive hearing loss (CHL). (2) Determine the relative acoustic and mechanical outputs of 512‐Hz tuning forks made of aluminum and stainless steel.

Study Design

Prospective, observational.

Setting

Outpatient otology clinic.

Subjects and Methods

Fifty subjects presenting May 2011 to May 2012 with negative or equivocal Rinne in at least 1 ear and same‐day audiometry. Rinne test results using aluminum and steel forks were compared and correlated with the audiometric air‐bone gap. Bench top measurements using sound‐level meter, microphone, and artificial mastoid.

Results

Patients with CHL were more likely to produce a negative Rinne test with a steel fork than with an aluminum fork. Logistic regression revealed that the probability of a negative Rinne reached 50% at a 19 dB air‐bone gap for stainless steel versus 27 dB with aluminum. Bench top testing revealed that steel forks demonstrate, in effect, more comparable air and bone conduction efficiencies while aluminum forks have relatively lower bone conduction efficiency.

Conclusion

We have found that steel tuning forks can detect a lesser air‐bone gap compared to aluminum tuning forks. This is substantiated by observations of clear differences in the relative acoustic versus mechanical outputs of steel and aluminum forks, reflecting underlying inevitable differences in acoustic versus mechanical impedances of these devices, and thus efficiency of coupling sound/vibratory energy to the auditory system. These findings have clinical implications for using tuning forks to determine candidacy for stapes surgery.
The impact of size on small and medium-sized enterprise public sector tendering
Authors: Flynn Anthony , McKevitt David , Davis Paul
Published: October 2013

This article examines the relationship between firm size and public sector tendering. The findings show that size, measured by employee number, significantly influences small and medium sized enterprises’ (SMEs) tendering resources, behaviour and success; as such, micro-enterprises are resource-disadvantaged, tender less often and have lower success rates compared to small and medium-sized firms. These findings indicate that SMEs are heterogeneous tenderers, and point to the need for more focused research on how SME characteristics influence ability and willingness to tender.
Using Tree Diagrams without Numerical Values in Addition to Relative Numbers Improves Students’ Numeracy Skills
Authors: Friederichs Hendrik , Ligges Sandra , Weissenstein Anne
Published: October 2013

Background. Physicians and medical students may lack sufficient numeracy skills to make treatment decisions, interpret test results, and practice evidence-based medicine. We evaluated whether the use of a tree diagram without numerical values as an aid for numerical processing might improve students’ test results when dealing with percentages. Methods. A prospective randomized study was carried out with 102 third-year students. Participants received 3 diagnostic test problems and were asked to determine positive predictive values. The information in these tests was expressed either in (1) natural frequencies, (2) conditional probabilities, or (3) conditional probabilities with a tree diagram without numbers. Results. Ninety-eight (96.1%) complete data sets could be obtained. The group working with natural frequencies achieved significantly higher test results ( n = 29, mean score: 1.1, P = 0.045) than the group working with conditional probabilities ( n = 34, mean score: 0.56). The students who were given a tree diagram in addition to conditional probabilities ( n = 35, mean score: 1.26) also achieved significantly better scores than the group with conditional probabilities alone ( P = 0.008). The difference between the group who had received natural frequencies and the group working with conditional probabilities and the tree diagram was not significant. Conclusions. We suggest the use of a tree diagram as a visual aid when dealing with diagnostic tests expressed in conditional probabilities.
Influence of surface traction on soft robot undulation
Authors: Majidi Carmel , Shepherd Robert F. , Kramer Rebecca K. , Whitesides George M. , Wood Robert J.
Published: October 2013

A pneumatically-driven robot traverses surfaces with different traction by adopting an undulatory mode of locomotion. The robot is composed of soft elastomer (elastic modulus ~100 kPa), an inextensible but flexible neutral plane, and embedded pneumatic channels. In contrast to conventional robots and wheeled vehicles, the robot deforms elastically to make ground contact over a relatively large area, where interfacial tractions have a unique role in controlling both the speed and direction of locomotion. Here, we demonstrate that for the same undulatory gait, the robot will either move forward or backward depending on the ground composition. Building on mathematical principles of elasticity and friction, we introduce a theoretical model that identifies the tribological properties that determine the direction of locomotion. Though overlooked in the past, this tribology-controlled phenomenon represents a central feature of undulation on smooth, soft, and slippery surfaces. These insights provide a starting point for identifying locomotion strategies that allow soft robots, like their natural invertebrate counterparts, to navigate a broad range of surfaces and terrains.
Strategic Consistency of Exploration and Exploitation in Family Businesses
Authors: Moss Todd W. , Payne G. Tyge , Moore Curt B.
Published: October 2013

This study advances family business research by examining how the strategic consistency with which family businesses pursue exploration and exploitation initiatives affects performance. Using panel data of 94 family businesses operating in four high-tech industries over 12 years, we find that higher strategic consistency—continuity with past exploration and exploitation strategies stemming from managerial intentionality—yields higher levels of performance. This relationship is also moderated by environmental dynamism, munificence, and organizational size, which demonstrates the contingent and complex nature of the main relationship. Furthermore, in contrast to 113 nonfamily businesses, we find that the main relationship is stronger for family businesses.
Comparison of the steel machining performance of new and reground cemented carbide drills
Authors: Sousa José AG , Sousa Marcelo N , Jackson Mark J , Machado Álisson R
Published: October 2013

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the performance of new and reground cemented carbide twist drills considering the variation in the form of regrinding applied to a drill after it reaches its wear limit. The following variables were taken into account: coating material (uncoated, TiAlN and AlCrN) and recoating routine after regrinding (no recoating, recoating over existing coating and recoating after removal of the existing coating). The performance evaluation parameters were tool life, thrust force and torque. The results indicated that the performance of reground drills was generally inferior than that of new drills. Among the coated drills, only TiAlN-coated drills that were stripped (removal of the existing coating), reground and recoated (application of a new TiAlN coating) reached performance values approaching those of new drills. In most of the tests, the uncoated drills produced higher thrust forces and torque, underwent higher wear and had shorter tool lives.