bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying Glucokinase Monogenic Diabetes in a Multiethnic Gestational Diabetes Mellitus Cohort: New Pregnancy Screening Criteria and Utility of HbA1c
Authors: Rudland Victoria L. , Hinchcliffe Marcus , Pinner Jason , Cole Stuart , Mercorella Belinda , Molyneaux Lynda , Constantino Maria , Yue Dennis K. , Ross Glynis P. , Wong Jencia
Published: June 2015

OBJECTIVE

Glucokinase monogenic diabetes (GCK–maturity-onset diabetes of the young [MODY]) should be differentiated from gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) because management differs. New pregnancy-specific screening criteria (NSC) have been proposed to identify women who warrant GCK genetic testing. We tested NSC and HbA1c in a multiethnic GDM cohort and examined projected referrals for GCK testing.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Using a GDM database, 63 of 776 women had a postpartum oral glucose tolerance test suggestive of GCK-MODY. Of these 63 women, 31 agreed to undergo GCK testing. NSC accuracy and HbA1c were examined. Projected referrals were calculated by applying the NSC to a larger GDM database (n = 4,415).

RESULTS

Four of 31 women were confirmed as having GCK-MODY (prevalence ∼0.5–1/100 with GDM). The NSC identified all Anglo-Celtic women but did not identify one Indian woman. The NSC will refer 6.1% of GDM cases for GCK testing, with more Asian/Indian women referred despite lower disease prevalence. Antepartum HbA1c was not higher in those with GCK-MODY.

CONCLUSIONS

The NSC performed well in Anglo-Celtic women. Ethnic-specific criteria should be explored.
Characteristics of the effect of swirling gas jet assisted laser percussion drilling based on machine vision
Authors: Ho Chao-Ching , Chen Yan-Min , Hsu Jin-Chen , Chang Yuan-Jen , Kuo Chia-Lung
Published: June 2015

In this paper, a machine vision-based system is used for in-situ monitoring and characterization of the effect of swirling gas jet assisted laser percussion drilling. Feasibility of laser percussion drilling on highly reflective materials, i.e., Al5052 with the implementation of assisting swirling gas jet, was explored. The influence of the gas jet type on the mechanism of material removal and resulting spatter is reported. The authors conclude that the swirling gas jet method greatly reduces spatter formation around the hole exit during the laser-drilling process. Consequently, in order to understand and monitor the gas jet effects in laser drilling, real-time in situ metrology is employed to observe the details. Compared with the results obtained when using a straight gas jet, laser drilling with a swirling gas jet reduces the drilled hole debris by 0.69 and increases the drilled hole efficiency by a factor of up to 1.5. Experimental results show that both the drilling depth and machining quality can be greatly and simultaneously improved. Effects of the swirling flow on the drilling efficiency and spatter thickness of the holes are investigated.
Children's and Adults' Judgments of Facial Trustworthiness: The Relationship to Facial Attractiveness
Authors: Ma Fengling , Xu Fen , Luo Xianming
Published: June 2015

Existing research suggests that adults make effective trustworthiness judgments based on facial attractiveness during initial interactions. However, little is known about how children judge trustworthiness from faces. The present study examined the facial features that contributed to judgments of trustworthiness and attractiveness by three groups of Chinese children aged 8 years old ( n = 34; 17 boys), 10 years old ( n = 34; 17 boys), and 12 years old ( n = 34; 17 boys) and a comparison group of 37 undergraduates (M age = 20.2 yr.; 16 men). Using FaceGen Modeler 3.1, a total of 400 East Asian adult faces (200 male, 200 female) portraying neutral emotions with direct gazes were generated. The faces were represented by 61 shape features and were presented for a maximum of 3,000 msec. in the center of the computer screen in randomized order. The participants were asked to judge whether each person was trustworthy and to rate the level of trustworthiness; 1 month later, the attractiveness of the same faces was judged using a similar procedure. The children and the adults used similar facial features to judge trustworthiness (e.g., the brow ridge, nose, and chin). Some of the facial features used by the different age groups as the basis for the trustworthiness and attractiveness judgments were similar. Facial attractiveness accounted for roughly 30 to 60% of the variance in the groups' trustworthiness judgments. Thus, facial attractiveness may serve as a heuristic property that signals trustworthiness and guides adaptive social decisions. More importantly, even children as young as 8 years old use a strategy similar to that of adults to make trustworthiness judgments, although some differences in the use of specific facial features were observed among the age groups.
MERIS GPP/NPP product for Estonia: II. Complex meteorological limiting factor and optimum leaf area index / MERIS’e GPP/NPP tulem Eesti jaoks: II. Kompleksne meteoroloogiline piirangutegur ja optimaalne lehepinnaindeks
Authors: Nilson Tiit , Rennel Mattias , Lang Mait
Published: June 2015

The merits and possible problems of the light use efficiency-concept based GPP/NPP models applied together with satellite images and meteorological data to quantitatively understand the role of different meteorological factors in forest productivity are analysed. A concept of the complex meteorological limiting factor for plant productivity is introduced. The factor includes the effects of incoming photosynthetically active radiation as well as the temperature and water limiting factors. Climatologically averaged seasonal courses of the complex meteorological limiting factor derived from the records of two contrasting meteorological stations in Estonia - inland Tartu/Tõravere and coastal Sõrve - are shown. Leaf phenology, here described via the seasonal course of leaf area index (LAI), is interpreted as a possible means to maximise the carbon gain under particular meteorological conditions. The equations for the optimum seasonal course of LAI as derived from the NPP model are presented. As the daily adjustment of plant LAI to sudden changes in meteorological conditions is not possible, several approximate strategies for LAI seasonal course to maximise the yearly NPP of vegetation are analysed. Typical optimal courses of LAI show some seasonal asymmetry resulting in lower values of LAI in the second half of the vegetation period due to higher air temperatures and respiration costs. Knowledge about optimum LAI courses has a cognitive value, but can also be used as the simulated LAI courses in several models when the measured LAI values are not available. As the considered GPP/NPP models fail to adequately describe the local trends in forest and agricultural productivity in Estonia, the ways to improve the model’s performance are shown.
Sitting and Activity Time in People With Stroke
Authors: English Coralie , Healy Genevieve N. , Coates Alison , Lewis Lucy , Olds Tim , Bernhardt Julie
Published: June 2015

Background

Excessive sitting time is linked to cardiovascular disease morbidity. To date, no studies have accurately measured sitting time patterns in people with stroke.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the amount and pattern of accumulation of sitting time, physical activity, and use of time in people with stroke compared with age-matched healthy peers.

Design

This study used an observational design.

Methods

Sitting time (total and time accumulated in prolonged, unbroken bouts of ≥30 minutes) was measured with an activity monitor. Physical activity and daily energy expenditure were measured using an accelerometer and a multisensory array armband, respectively. All monitors had a 7-day wear protocol. Participants recalled 1 day of activity (during monitor wear time) using the Multimedia Activity Recall for Children and Adults.

Results

Sixty-three adults (40 with stroke and 23 age-matched healthy controls) participated. The participants (35% female, 65% male) had a mean age of 68.4 years (SD=10.0). Participants with stroke spent significantly more time sitting (X̅=10.9 h/d, SD=2.0) compared with controls (X̅=8.2 h/d, SD=2.0), with much of this sitting time prolonged (stroke group: X̅=7.4 h/d, SD=2.8; control group: X̅=3.7 h/d, SD=1.7). Participants with stroke accumulated most of their sitting time while watching television and in general quiet time, whereas control participants spent more time reading and on the computer. Physical activity and daily energy expenditure were lower in the stroke group compared with the control group.

Limitations

A sample of convenience was used to select participants for the stroke and control groups, which may reduce the generalizability of results.

Conclusions

Participants with stroke spent more time sitting and less time in activity than their age-matched peers. Further work is needed to determine whether reducing sitting time is feasible and leads to clinically important reductions in cardiovascular risk in this population.
Refined energy-balance modelling of a supraglacial pond, Langtang Khola, Nepal
Authors: Miles Evan S. , Pellicciotti Francesca , Willis Ian C. , Steiner Jakob F. , Buri Pascal , Arnold Neil S.
Published: June 2015

Supraglacial ponds on debris-covered glaciers present a mechanism of atmosphere/glacier energy transfer that is poorly studied, and only conceptually included in mass-balance studies of debris-covered glaciers. This research advances previous efforts to develop a model of mass and energy balance for supraglacial ponds by applying a free-convection approach to account for energy exchanges at the subaqueous bare-ice surfaces. We develop the model using field data from a pond on Lirung Glacier, Nepal, that was monitored during the 2013 and 2014 monsoon periods. Sensitivity testing is performed for several key parameters, and alternative melt algorithms are compared with the model. The pond acts as a significant recipient of energy for the glacier system, and actively participates in the glacier’s hydrologic system during the monsoon. Melt rates are 2-4 cm d-1 (total of 98.5 m3 over the study period) for bare ice in contact with the pond, and <1 mmd-1 (total of 10.6m3) for the saturated debris zone. The majority of absorbed atmospheric energy leaves the pond system through englacial conduits, delivering sufficient energy to melt 2612 m3 additional ice over the study period (38.4 m3 d-1). Such melting might be expected to lead to subsidence of the glacier surface. Supraglacial ponds efficiently convey atmospheric energy to the glacier’s interior and rapidly promote the downwasting process.
Pyrostria triflora, a new species of Vanguerieae (Rubiaceae) from Luzon, Philippines
Authors: Arriola A.H. , Camacho P.D. , Calaramo M.J.A. , Alejandro G.J.D.
Published: June 2015

Pyrostria triflora, a new species of the tribe Vanguerieae of Rubiaceae from the Philippines is described and illustrated. The new species is unique from other representatives of the genus by its strictly 3-flowered inflorescences and geographic distribution.Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 22(1): 5558, 2015 (June)
Photocatalytic degradation of Direct Brown RN dye in the presence of ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Islam ASM A , Ferdous T , Das AK , Karim MM , Masum SM
Published: June 2015

The ZnO nanoparticle was prepared by using Zn(NO3)2.6H2O and NaOH under optimum reaction conditions and the prepared nanoparticle was characterized by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The sunlight irradiated photocatalytic degradation of Direct Brown RN dye was studied using ZnO nanoparticle. The results of this investigation revealed that in the presence of sunlight, catalyst load of 0.5 g?L-1 and time of contact of 40 min, ZnO nanoparticle showed substantial capability of destroying Direct Brown RN dye from solution. An actual leather effluent containing Brown RN as a major constituent along with other dyes and dyeing auxiliaries was treated using ZnO and the reduction in the chemical oxygen demand (COD) of the treated effluent revealed almost complete destruction of the organic molecules along with color removal.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(1), 1-6, 2015
Physical and mechanical properties of coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) stem
Authors: Rana MN , Das AK , Ashaduzzaman M
Published: June 2015

A study was conducted on coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) stem of Khulna region in Bangladesh. Important physical and mechanical properties were studied for 40-year-old tree. The test was done at different height positions (i.e., top, middle and bottom) and lateral positions (i.e., core and periphery). The average air dry and oven dry density of coconut stem was 400 and 460 kg/m3, respectively. The MOE and MOR values for air dry and oven dry conditions were 2374 and 2633 N/mm2 and 27.30 and 30.44 N/mm2. The compression strength in parallel to grain and perpendicular to grain for air dry and oven dry conditions were 12.41 and 12.85 N/mm2 and 9.28 and 9.64 N/mm2, respectively. There is a possibility to use the stem of coconut palm for different structural purposes.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(1), 39-46, 2015
Synthesis and characterization of organoclay modified with cetylpyridinium chloride
Authors: Banik N , Jahan SA , Mostofa S , Kabir H , Sharmin N , Rahman M , Ahmed S
Published: June 2015

Bentonite has been subjected to modification through ion-exchange reaction by 1-cetylpyridinum chloride. The modified samples were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The basal spacing of unmodified bentonite, determined by XRD was 14.99 Å and after modification it increased up to 16.97 Å and 16.22 Å at 1CEC and 2CEC. The FT-IR studies revealed structural differences between the modified and unmodified bentonite samples. The IR spectra of the modified bentonite showed the C-C stretching bands (1465 and 1462 cm-1) and C-H vibrations (near 2926 and 2852; 2854 cm-1). Results of the SEM study revealed a tendency towards lump formation and agglomeration of the organomodified clay particles of bentonite. The possibility of the use of new organoclay to adsorb oils from aqueous solution will be explored.Bangladesh J. Sci. Ind. Res. 50(1), 65-70, 2015
Development of Bioelectrochemical Systems to Promote Sustainable Agriculture
Authors: Li Xiaojin , Abu-Reesh Ibrahim , He Zhen
Published: June 2015

Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) are a newly emerged technology for energy-efficient water and wastewater treatment. Much effort as well as significant progress has been made in advancing this technology towards practical applications treating various types of waste. However, BES application for agriculture has not been well explored. Herein, studies of BES related to agriculture are reviewed and the potential applications of BES for promoting sustainable agriculture are discussed. BES may be applied to treat the waste/wastewater from agricultural production, minimizing contaminants, producing bioenergy, and recovering useful nutrients. BES can also be used to supply irrigation water via desalinating brackish water or producing reclaimed water from wastewater. The energy generated in BES can be used as a power source for wireless sensors monitoring the key parameters for agricultural activities. The importance of BES to sustainable agriculture should be recognized, and future development of this technology should identify proper application niches with technological advancement.
Nano-TiO2 Coatings for Limestone: Which Sustainability for Cultural Heritage?
Authors: Ferrari Anna , Pini Martina , Neri Paolo , Bondioli Federica
Published: June 2015

The present study concerns the ecodesign of the application of an aqueous nano-TiO2 suspension on a porous limestone used in historical monuments with a spraying system through the LCA methodology, in order to define the most critical aspects of the process and to try to minimize the environmental burden during the implementation of the application process. Because of the limited knowledge currently available regarding the effects that nano-TiO2 may have on the environment or human health, a precautionary approach has been adopted in all life cycle steps, to assess the risk of having nanoparticle emissions from a nanocoating surface and for workers, who can come into contact with or inhale the nanoparticles released. The energy-intensive operations in the application stage greatly contribute to the total environmental damage, while the impact generated by nanoparticle emissions during the use phase contributes 2.9%. In addition, the self-cleaning and de-polluting transparent titania coating produces a benefit of −0.13%.
The First Chelate-Free Crystal Structure of a Silicide Transition Metal Complex [K0.28Rb7.72Si9Ni(CO)2]2·16NH3
Authors: Gärtner Stefanie , Hamberger Markus , Korber Nikolaus
Published: June 2015

Single-crystals X-ray structure analysis of very thermally labile and moisture sensitive ammoniate crystals of [K0.28Rb7.72Si9Ni(CO)2]2·16NH3 show the presence of the very rarely observed nickel-silicide complex [{Ni(CO)2}2(µ-Si9)2]8−, which was up to now only known in the 18-crown-6 involving solid [Rb@18-crown-6)]2[K@18-crown-6)]2Rb4[{Ni(CO)2}2(µ-Si9)2]·22NH3. This shows that, like already known for the heavier homologues, the presence of 18-crown-6 (1,4,7,10,13,16-hexaoxacyclooctadecane) is no precondition for the stabilization of the silicide cluster anion in solid state and the absence of the alkali metal ligand even allows for the crystallization in the higher symmetric monoclinic space group C2/c compared to the triclinic space group P-1 when 18-crown-6 is present.
FHT: A Novel Approach for Filtering High-Availability Seamless Redundancy (HSR) Traffic
Authors: Tien Nguyen , Rhee Jong
Published: June 2015

High-availability seamless redundancy (HSR) is a protocol for Ethernet networks that provides duplicated frames with zero recovery time in the event of any network component’s failure. It is suited for applications that demand high availability and a very short time-outs such as substation automation systems (SAS). However, HSR generates excessive unnecessary unicast frames and spreads them throughout connected-ring networks, whether or not the destination node exists in network’s rings. This unnecessary redundant traffic causes high bandwidth consumption, resulting in degradation of network performance. In this paper, we introduce a novel approach for filtering and reducing HSR unicast traffic in connected-ring networks, called “filtering HSR traffic” (FHT). The purpose of FHT is to filter HSR unicast traffic and remove circulated traffic for all rings in connected-ring networks. Therefore, FHT significantly reduces network unicast traffic in connected-ring networks. The traffic performance of FHT has been analyzed, evaluated, and compared to that of standard HSR protocol and the port locking (PL) approach. Various simulations were conducted to validate the traffic performance analysis. Analytical and simulation results showed that, for our sample network, FHT reduced network unicast traffic by about 82% compared with standard HSR and by about 56% compared with the PL approach, thus freeing up network bandwidth and improving network traffic performance.
Investigation of the Anisotropic Thermoelectric Properties of Oriented Polycrystalline SnSe
Authors: Li Yulong , Shi Xun , Ren Dudi , Chen Jikun , Chen Lidong
Published: June 2015

Polycrystalline SnSe was synthesized by a melting-annealing-sintering process. X-ray diffraction reveals the sample possesses pure phase and strong orientation along [h00] direction. The degree of the orientations was estimated and the anisotropic thermoelectric properties are characterized. The polycrystalline sample shows a low electrical conductivity and a positive and large Seebeck coefficient. The low thermal conductivity is also observed in polycrystalline sample, but slightly higher than that of single crystal. The minimum value of thermal conductivity was measured as 0.3 W/m·K at 790 K. With the increase of the orientation factor, both electrical and thermal conductivities decrease, but the thermopowers are unchanged. As a consequence, the zT values remain unchanged in the polycrystalline samples despite the large variation in the degree of orientation.
An Experimental Investigation on the Combustion and Heat Release Characteristics of an Opposed-Piston Folded-Cranktrain Diesel Engine
Authors: Ma Fukang , Zhao Changlu , Zhang Fujun , Zhao Zhenfeng , Zhang Zhenyu , Xie Zhaoyi , Wang Hao
Published: June 2015

In opposed-piston folded-cranktrain diesel engines, the relative movement rules of opposed-pistons, combustion chamber components and injector position are different from those of conventional diesel engines. The combustion and heat release characteristics of an opposed-piston folded-cranktrain diesel engine under different operating conditions were investigated. Four phases: ignition delay, premixed combustion, diffusion combustion and after combustion are used to describe the heat release process of the engine. Load changing has a small effect on premixed combustion duration while it influences diffusion combustion duration significantly. The heat release process has more significant isochoric and isobaric combustion which differs from the conventional diesel engine situation, except at high exhaust pressure and temperature, due to its two-stroke and uniflow scavenging characteristics. Meanwhile, a relatively high-quality exhaust heat energy is produced in opposed-piston folded-cranktrain diesel engines.
A Four-Phase High Voltage Conversion Ratio Bidirectional DC-DC Converter for Battery Applications
Authors: Xue Li-Kun , Wang Ping , Wang Yi-Feng , Bei Tai-Zhou , Yan Hai-Yun
Published: June 2015

This study presents a four-phase interleaved high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional DC-DC converter circuit based on coupled inductors and switched capacitors, which can eliminate the defects of conventional high voltage conversion ratio bidirectional DC-DC converters in terms of high-voltage/current stress, less efficiency and low-power limitation. Parallel channels are used to reduce current stress at the low-voltage side and series connected switched capacitors are used to enlarge voltage conversion ratio, reduce voltage stress and achieve auto current sharing. This paper proposes the operation principle, feature analysis and optimization design considerations. On this basis the objectives of high voltage conversion ratio, low voltage/current stress, high power density, high efficiency and high-power applications can be achieved. Some experimental results based on a 500 W prototype converter (24 V to 48 V at low-voltage side, 400 V at high-voltage side) are given to verify the theoretical analysis and the effectiveness of the proposed converter.
Integrated Health Risk Assessment of Heavy Metals in Suxian County, South China
Authors: Song Daping , Zhuang Dafang , Jiang Dong , Fu Jingying , Wang Qiao
Published: June 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess soil heavy metal contamination and the potential risk for local residents in Suxian county of Hunan Province, southern China. Soil, rice and vegetable samples from the areas near the mining industrial districts were sampled and analyzed. The results indicate that the anthropogenic mining activities have caused local agricultural soil contamination with As, Pb, Cu and Cd in the ranges of 8.47–341.33 mg/kg, 19.91–837.52 mg/kg, 8.41–148.73 mg/kg and 0.35–6.47 mg/kg, respectively. GIS-based mapping shows that soil heavy metal concentrations abruptly diminish with increasing distance from the polluting source. The concentrations of As, Pb, Cu and Cd found in rice were in the ranges of 0.02–1.48 mg/kg, 0.66–5.78 mg/kg, 0.09–6.75 mg/kg, and up to 1.39 mg/kg, respectively. Most of these concentrations exceed their maximum permissible levels for contaminants in foods in China. Heavy metals accumulate to significantly different levels between leafy vegetables and non-leafy vegetables. Food consumption and soil ingestion exposure are the two routes that contribute to the average daily intake dose of heavy metals for local adults. Moreover, the total hazard indices of As, Pb and Cd are greater than or close to the safety threshold of 1. Long-term As, Pb and Cd exposure through the regular consumption of the soil, rice and vegetables in the investigated area poses potential health problems to residents in the vicinity of the mining industry.
Gene-Diet Interaction between SIRT6 and Soybean Intake for Different Levels of Pulse Wave Velocity
Authors: Sun Kexin , Xiang Xiao , Li Na , Huang Shaoping , Qin Xueying , Wu Yiqun , Tang Xun , Gao Pei , Li Jing , Wu Tao , Chen Dafang , Hu Yonghua
Published: June 2015

Soybean is a common food for the Chinese people. We aimed to investigate the risk for brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) with inflammatory-related SNPs and soybean. baPWV was measured, and 16 inflammatory-related SNPs located on ADIPOQ, CDH13, SIRT3, SIRT6, CXCL12, CXCR4, NOS1, PON1 and CDKN2B were genotyped in 1749 Chinese participants recruited from various communities. ADIPOQ rs12495941 (GT/TT vs. GG: crude OR = 1.27, p = 0.044) and SIRT6 rs107251 (CT/TT vs. CC: crude OR = 0.74, p = 0.009) were associated with abnormal baPWV (baPWV ≥ 1700 cm/s). After adjustment for conventional environmental risk factors, rs12495941 was associated with abnormal baPWV (GT/TT vs. GG: adjusted OR = 1.43, p = 0.011), but the association between rs107251 and abnormal baPWV was not significant (CT/TT vs. CC: adjusted OR = 0.83, p = 0.173). The interaction between rs107251 and soybean intake for different levels of baPWV was statistically significant (p = 0.017). Compared with a high level of soybean intake, a low level of soybean intake can significantly decrease the risk of abnormal baPWV in individuals of rs107251 CT/TT genotypes (≤100 vs. >100 g/week: adjusted OR = 0.542, p = 0.003). In this study, associations between ADIPOQ rs12495941, SIRT6 rs107251 and baPWV, as well as an interaction between SIRT6 rs107251 and soybean intake for different levels of baPWV were found.
ANFIS Based Time Series Prediction Method of Bank Cash Flow Optimized by Adaptive Population Activity PSO Algorithm
Authors: Wang Jie-Sheng , Ning Chen-Xu
Published: June 2015

In order to improve the accuracy and real-time of all kinds of information in the cash business, and solve the problem which accuracy and stability is not high of the data linkage between cash inventory forecasting and cash management information in the commercial bank, a hybrid learning algorithm is proposed based on adaptive population activity particle swarm optimization (APAPSO) algorithm combined with the least squares method (LMS) to optimize the adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS) model parameters. Through the introduction of metric function of population diversity to ensure the diversity of population and adaptive changes in inertia weight and learning factors, the optimization ability of the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm is improved, which avoids the premature convergence problem of the PSO algorithm. The simulation comparison experiments are carried out with BP-LMS algorithm and standard PSO-LMS by adopting real commercial banks’ cash flow data to verify the effectiveness of the proposed time series prediction of bank cash flow based on improved PSO-ANFIS optimization method. Simulation results show that the optimization speed is faster and the prediction accuracy is higher.
Current Induced Heat Generation in Ferromagnet-Quantum Dot-Ferromagnet System
Authors: Zhao Lili , Chen Qiao , Zhang Yamin , Zhao Lina
Published: June 2015

We study the heat generation in ferromagnet-quantum dot-ferromagnet system by the non-equilibrium Green’s functions method. Heat generation under the influence of ferromagnet leads is very different compared with a system with normal metal leads. The significant effects in heat generation are caused by the polarization angle θ associated with the orientation of polarized magnetic moment of electron in the ferromagnetic terminals. From the study of heat generation versus source drain bias (Q-eV) curves, we find that the heat generation decreases as θ increases from 0 to 0.7π. The heat generation versus gate voltage (Q-eVg) curves also display interesting behavior with increasing polarization angle θ. Meanwhile, heat generation is influenced by the relative angle θ of magnetic moment in the ferromagnetic leads. These results will provide theories to this quantum dot system as a new material of spintronics.
Production of Calcaride A by Calcarisporium sp. in Shaken Flasks and Stirred Bioreactors
Authors: Tamminen Anu , Wang Yanming , Wiebe Marilyn
Published: June 2015

Increased interest in marine resources has led to increased screening of marine fungi for novel bioactive compounds and considerable effort is being invested in discovering these metabolites. For compound discovery, small-scale cultures are adequate, but agitated bioreactors are desirable for larger-scale production. Calcarisporium sp. KF525 has recently been described to produce calcaride A, a cyclic polyester with antibiotic activity, in agitated flasks. Here, we describe improvements in the production of calcaride A in both flasks (13-fold improvement) and stirred bioreactors (200-fold improvement). Production of calcaride A in bioreactors was initially substantially lower than in shaken flasks. The cultivation pH (reduced from 6.8 to <5.4), carbon source (sucrose replacing glucose), C/N ratio and nature of mycelial growth (pellets or filaments) were important in improving calcaride A production. Up to 4.5 mg·g−1 biomass (85 mg·L−1) calcaride A were produced in the bioreactor, which was only slightly less than in shaken flasks (14 mg·g−1, 100 mg·L−1). The results demonstrate that a scalable process for calcaride A production could be developed using an iterative approach with flasks and bioreactors.
Anion Recognition by Pyrylium Cations and Thio-, Seleno- and Telluro- Analogues: A Combined Theoretical and Cambridge Structural Database Study
Authors: Quiñonero David
Published: June 2015

Pyrylium salts are a very important class of organic molecules containing a trivalent oxygen atom in a six-membered aromatic ring. In this manuscript, we report a theoretical study of pyrylium salts and their thio-, seleno- and telluro- analogues by means of DFT calculations. For this purpose, unsubstituted 2,4,6-trimethyl and 2,4,6-triphenyl cations and anions with different morphologies were chosen (Cl–, NO3– and BF4–). The complexes were characterized by means of natural bond orbital and “atoms-in-molecules” theories, and the physical nature of the interactions has been analyzed by means of symmetry-adapted perturbation theory calculations. Our results indicate the presence of anion-π interactions and chalcogen bonds based on both σ- and π-hole interactions and the existence of very favorable σ-complexes, especially for unsubstituted cations. The electrostatic component is dominant in the interactions, although the induction contributions are important, particularly for chloride complexes. The geometrical features of the complexes have been compared with experimental data retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database.
Transport of Twelve Coumarins from Angelicae Pubescentis Radix across a MDCK-pHaMDR Cell Monolayer—An in Vitro Model for Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability
Authors: Yang Yan-Fang , Xu Wei , Song Wei , Ye Min , Yang Xiu-Wei
Published: June 2015

Angelicae Pubescentis Radix (APR), a widely used traditional Chinese medicine, is reported to have central nervous system activities. The purpose of this study was to characterize the blood-brain barrier permeability of twelve coumarins from APR including umbelliferone (1), osthol (2), scopoletin (3), peucedanol (4), ulopterol (5), angepubebisin (6), psoralen (7), xanthotoxin (8), bergapten (9), isoimperatorin (10), columbianadin (11), and columbianetin acetate (12) with an in vitro model using a MDCK-pHaMDR cell monolayer. The cell monolayer was validated to be suitable for the permeation experiments. The samples’ transports were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and their apparent permeability coefficients (Papp) were calculated. According to the Papp value, most coumarins could be characterized as well-absorbed compounds except for 4, 10 and 11 which were moderately absorbed ones, in concentration-dependent and time-dependent manners. The results of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitor (verapamil) experiments showed that the transport of coumarin 4 was affected by the transport protein P-gp. Sigmoid functions between permeability log(Papp AP-BL*MW0.5) and log D (at pH 7.4) were established to analyze the structure-activity relationship of coumarins. The results provide useful information for discovering the substance basis for the central nervous system activities of APR, and predicting the permeability of other coumarins through BBB.
Mapping Secondary Forest Succession on Abandoned Agricultural Land with LiDAR Point Clouds and Terrestrial Photography
Authors: Kolecka Natalia , Kozak Jacek , Kaim Dominik , Dobosz Monika , Ginzler Christian , Psomas Achilleas
Published: June 2015

Secondary forest succession on abandoned agricultural land has played a significant role in land cover changes in Europe over the past several decades. However, it is difficult to quantify over large areas. In this paper, we present a conceptual framework for mapping forest succession patterns using vegetation structure information derived from LiDAR data supported by national topographic vector data. This work was performed in the Szczawnica commune in the Polish Carpathians. Using object-based image analysis segments of no vegetation, and sparse/dense low/medium/high vegetation were distinguished and subsequently compared to the national topographic dataset to delineate agricultural land that is covered by vegetation, which indicates secondary succession on abandoned fields. The results showed that 18.7% of the arable land and 40.4% of grasslands, that is 31.0% of the agricultural land in the Szczawnica commune, may currently be experiencing secondary forest succession. The overall accuracy of the approach was assessed using georeferenced terrestrial photographs and was found to be 95.0%. The results of this study indicate that the proposed methodology can potentially be applied in large-scale mapping of secondary forest succession patterns on abandoned land in mountain areas.
MEMS Microphone Array Sensor for Air-Coupled Impact-Echo
Authors: Groschup Robin , Grosse Christian
Published: June 2015

Impact-Echo (IE) is a nondestructive testing technique for plate like concrete structures. We propose a new sensor concept for air-coupled IE measurements. By using an array of MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) microphones, instead of a single receiver, several operational advantages compared to conventional sensing strategies in IE are achieved. The MEMS microphone array sensor is cost effective, less sensitive to undesired effects like acoustic noise and has an optimized sensitivity for signals that need to be extracted for IE data interpretation. The proposed sensing strategy is justified with findings from numerical simulations, showing that the IE resonance in plate like structures causes coherent surface displacements on the specimen under test in an area around the impact location. Therefore, by placing several MEMS microphones on a sensor array board, the IE resonance is easier to be identified in the recorded spectra than with single point microphones or contact type transducers. A comparative measurement between the array sensor, a conventional accelerometer and a measurement microphone clearly shows the suitability of MEMS type microphones and the advantages of using these microphones in an array arrangement for IE. The MEMS microphone array will make air-coupled IE measurements faster and more reliable.
Optimal Parameter Design of Coarse Alignment for Fiber Optic Gyro Inertial Navigation System
Authors: Lu Baofeng , Wang Qiuying , Yu Chunmei , Gao Wei
Published: June 2015

Two different coarse alignment algorithms for Fiber Optic Gyro (FOG) Inertial Navigation System (INS) based on inertial reference frame are discussed in this paper. Both of them are based on gravity vector integration, therefore, the performance of these algorithms is determined by integration time. In previous works, integration time is selected by experience. In order to give a criterion for the selection process, and make the selection of the integration time more accurate, optimal parameter design of these algorithms for FOG INS is performed in this paper. The design process is accomplished based on the analysis of the error characteristics of these two coarse alignment algorithms. Moreover, this analysis and optimal parameter design allow us to make an adequate selection of the most accurate algorithm for FOG INS according to the actual operational conditions. The analysis and simulation results show that the parameter provided by this work is the optimal value, and indicate that in different operational conditions, the coarse alignment algorithms adopted for FOG INS are different in order to achieve better performance. Lastly, the experiment results validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Compilation of an Embodied CO2 Emission Inventory for China Using 135-Sector Input-Output Tables
Authors: Zhang Qian , Nakatani Jun , Moriguchi Yuichi
Published: June 2015

A high-quality carbon dioxide (CO2) inventory is the cornerstone of climate change mitigation. Most of the previously reported embodied CO2 inventories in China have no more than 42 sectors, and this limitation may introduce apparent inaccuracy into the analysis at the sector level. To improve the quality of input-output (IO)-based CO2 inventories for China, we propose a practical energy allocation approach to link the energy statistics to the 135-sector IO tables for China and compiled a detailed embodied CO2 intensity and inventory for 2007 using a single-region IO model. Interpretation of embodied CO2 intensities by fuel category, direct requirement, and total requirement in the sectors were conducted to identify, from different perspectives, the significant contributors. The total embodied CO2 emissions in 2007 was estimated to be 7.1 Gt and was separated into the industrial sector and final demand sector. Although the total CO2 estimations by the 42-sector and 135-sector analyses are equivalent, the allocations in certain groups of sectors differ significantly. Our compilation methodologies address indirect environmental impacts from industrial sectors, including the public utility and tertiary sectors. This method of interpretation could be utilized for better communication with stakeholders.
RNase P Ribozymes Inhibit the Replication of Human Cytomegalovirus by Targeting Essential Viral Capsid Proteins
Authors: Yang Zhu , Reeves Michael , Ye Jun , Trang Phong , Zhu Li , Sheng Jingxue , Wang Yu , Zen Ke , Wu Jianguo , Liu Fenyong
Published: June 2015

An engineered RNase P-based ribozyme variant, which was generated using the in vitro selection procedure, was used to target the overlapping mRNA region of two proteins essential for human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) replication: capsid assembly protein (AP) and protease (PR). In vitro studies showed that the generated variant, V718-A, cleaved the target AP mRNA sequence efficiently and its activity was about 60-fold higher than that of wild type ribozyme M1-A. Furthermore, we observed a reduction of 98%–99% in AP/PR expression and an inhibition of 50,000 fold in viral growth in cells with V718-A, while a 75% reduction in AP/PR expression and a 500-fold inhibition in viral growth was found in cells with M1-A. Examination of the antiviral effects of the generated ribozyme on the HCMV replication cycle suggested that viral DNA encapsidation was inhibited and as a consequence, viral capsid assembly was blocked when the expression of AP and PR was inhibited by the ribozyme. Thus, our study indicates that the generated ribozyme variant is highly effective in inhibiting HCMV gene expression and blocking viral replication, and suggests that engineered RNase P ribozyme can be potentially developed as a promising gene-targeting agent for anti-HCMV therapy.
Memorandum “Open Metadata”
Authors: Dugas M. , Jöckel K. -H. , Friede T. , Gefeller O. , Kieser M. , Marschollek M. , Ammenwerth E. , Röhrig R. , Knaup-Gregori P. , Prokosch H. -U.
Published: June 2015

At present, most documentation forms and item catalogs in healthcare are not accessible to the public. This applies to assessment forms of routine patient care as well as case report forms (CRFs) of clinical and epidemiological studies. On behalf of the German chairs for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology six recommendations to developers and users of documentation forms in healthcare were developed. Open access to medical documentation forms could substantially improve information systems in health-care and medical research networks. Therefore these forms should be made available to the scientific community, their use should not be unduly restricted, they should be published in a sustainable way using international standards and sources of documentation forms should be referenced in scientific publications.
Single-molecule conductance of a chemically modified, π-extended tetrathiafulvalene and its charge-transfer complex with F4TCNQ
Authors: García Raúl , Herranz M Ángeles , Leary Edmund , González M Teresa , Bollinger Gabino Rubio , Bürkle Marius , Zotti Linda A , Asai Yoshihiro , Pauly Fabian , Cuevas Juan Carlos , Agraït Nicolás , Martín Nazario
Published: June 2015

We describe the synthesis and single-molecule electrical transport properties of a molecular wire containing a π-extended tetrathiafulvalene (exTTF) group and its charge-transfer complex with F4TCNQ. We form single-molecule junctions using the in situ break junction technique using a homebuilt scanning tunneling microscope with a range of conductance between 10 G0 down to 10−7 G0. Within this range we do not observe a clear conductance signature of the neutral parent molecule, suggesting either that its conductance is too low or that it does not form a stable junction. Conversely, we do find a clear conductance signature in the experiments carried out on the charge-transfer complex. Due to the fact we expected this species to have a higher conductance than the neutral molecule, we believe this supports the idea that the conductance of the neutral molecule is very low, below our measurement sensitivity. This idea is further supported by theoretical calculations. To the best of our knowledge, these are the first reported single-molecule conductance measurements on a molecular charge-transfer species.
CIVIL AND MILITARY AIRWORTHINESS CHALLENGES IN ASIA
Authors: Thian Chow Vi
Published: June 2015

Aviation is one of the most regulated industries in the world. The massive expansion and growth of aviation in the South-East Asia region has brought up many challenges in ensuring airworthiness of aircraft, both in the civil and military aviation domain. These challenges not only affect the safe operations of aircraft but also result in various issues in the areas of cost, infrastructure, human capital and resources. From the point of view of civil aviation, local authorities in the region have taken several initiatives to tackle these challenges, based on the foundations laid out by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). When it comes to military aviation, agencies, such as the Directorate General Technical Airworthiness (DGTA) of Malaysia, have initiated the regulation of the compliance of military aircraft operations. There has also been an increased focus on awareness of the importance of airworthiness and safety as well as the development of a risk-based approach which is both proactive and cost-efficient.
Benchmarking Competitiveness of Top 100 U.S. Universities
Authors: Ertek Gürdal , Tokdil Bengi , Günaydın İbrahim , Göğüş Aytaç
Published: June 2015

This chapter presents a comprehensive benchmarking study of the top 100 U.S. universities. The methodologies used to come up with insights into the domain are Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and information visualization. Various approaches to evaluating academic institutions have appeared in the literature, including a DEA literature dealing with the ranking of universities. This study contributes to this literature by the extensive incorporation of information visualization and subsequently the discovery of new insights. The main purpose of the study is to create an objective basis of assessment for the candidate students to use for university preferences. Meanwhile, the actionable insights obtained for the domain can guide university managers, as well as candidate students.
Productivity and Public Funds
Authors: Falavigna Greta , Manello Alessandro , Pavone Sara
Published: June 2015

This chapter aims at evaluating the effect of Italian regional policies in the agricultural field. Performances of regional systems have been evaluated through an extension of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), the Directional Distance Function (DDF), which allows one to consider emissions of ammonia as undesirable output. Productivity and efficiency of agricultural systems are based not only on agri-production but also on the contraction of emissions deriving from the fertilizer's usage. Results show that a convergence path between productivity and public funds exists and that there are differences among Italian macro-areas considering both efficiency and productivity dynamics. In particular, if efficiency scores are interpreted with the amount of public funds distributed by the Rural Development Programs over the period 2000-2006, empirical evidence suggests that more resources are received by disadvantaged areas. Findings underline that the most disadvantaged areas, in terms of productivity, are those receiving more structural public funds.
Measuring Performance of Dynamic and Network Structures by SBM Model
Authors: Aghayi N. , Beigi Z. Ghelej , Gholami K. , Lotfi F. Hosseinzadeh
Published: June 2015

The conventional Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model considers Decision Making Units (DMUs) as a black box, meaning that these models do not consider the connection and the inner structures of DMUs. Moreover, these models consider that the activities of DMUs in each time are independent of other times, but in the real world, the inner structures of DMUs are complicated, and the activities of DMUs are dependent on other times. Therefore, in this chapter, the authors consider DMUs with network structure and the activity of each DMU in each time dependent to activity of other times, so they call this structure a dynamic network. To this end, in this chapter, models are suggested to evaluate the dynamic network efficiency based on the SBM model, which is a non-radial model of three types with respect to orientation: input-oriented, output-oriented, and non-oriented.
Performance Benchmarking of the Indian Life Insurance Industry
Authors: Sinha Ram Pratap , Datta Nitish
Published: June 2015

In the last decade, the life insurance companies operating in India have made significant progress in terms of business consolidation. In view of the same, it is of interest to make an enquiry about the operating performance of these companies. This chapter compares 15 life insurance companies operating in India from the period 2005-06 to 2008-09 using the Hybrid Efficiency Model (Tone, 2004). The Hybrid Model provides a unified framework for the estimation of technical efficiency integrating the radial and non-radial characterisation of inputs and outputs. Out of the 15 in-sample life insurance companies, the number of technically efficient life insurers declined from 9 in 2005-06 to 4 in 2006-07 and further to 3 in 2007-08 and 2008-09. The mean technical efficiency scores of the in-sample life insurers declined sharply between 2005-06 and 2006-07 and improved somewhat thereafter.