bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Galerkin Approximations for Higher Order Delay Differential Equations
Authors: Vyasarayani C. P.
Published: March 2012

In this work, Galerkin approximations are developed for a system of n first order nonlinear delay differential equations (DDEs) and also for an nth order nonlinear scalar DDE. The DDEs are converted into an equivalent system of partial differential equations of the same order along with the nonlinear boundary constraints. Lagrange multipliers are then introduced and explicit expressions for the Lagrange multipliers are derived to enforce the nonlinear boundary constraints. To illustrate the method, comparisons are made between the numerical solution of nonlinear DDEs and its Galerkin approximations for different parameter values.
Optimization of Heating Temperature History for Anisotropic Conductive Film Interconnection
Authors: Nakagawa Yasutada , Yokoyama Ryohei
Published: March 2012

Anisotropic conductive film (ACF) interconnection is used for mounting electronic components, because this method can decrease the mounting area and electric connection length, as well as the thermal stress in the connecting area. An ACF comprises thermosetting resin and conductive particles. The resin is heated and its curing rate and viscosity changes complexly with the heating temperature during the process. There are several requirements for the heating temperature history from the industrial viewpoint such as the reliability of adhesion and energy efficiency. These requirements are related to the curing rate and the viscosity of the resin. A global optimization method proposed for nonlinear programming problems is adopted to optimize the values of the curing reaction parameters and the temperature history. First, the values of parameters in the functions determining the curing rate and viscosity are identified, and the curing rate and viscosity calculated using the values of the parameters agree well with the experimental data. Then, several optimization examples clarify features of the optimum heating temperature history. It is possible to increase the final curing rate to ensure adhesion and to control the viscosity in the bubble-removing process. The period in which bubbles are removed can be changed by the setting of the optimization parameters. It is also possible to minimize the heat input and ensure the required final curing rate. These results clarify that the temperature history for ACF interconnection can be determined accurately by the presented global optimization approach.
Failure Analysis of Halogen-Free Printed Circuit Board Assembly Under Board-Level Drop Test
Authors: Chang Hung-Jen , Zhan Chau-Jie , Chang Tao-Chih , Chou Jung-Hua
Published: March 2012

In this study, a lead-free dummy plastic ball grid array component with daisy-chains and Sn4.0Ag0.5Cu Pb-free solder balls was assembled on an halogen-free high density interconnection printed circuit board (PCB) by using Sn1.0Ag0.5Cu solder paste on the Cu pad surfaces of either organic solderable preservative (OSP) or electroless nickel immersion gold (ENIG). The assembly was tested for the effect of the formation extent of Ag3Sn intermetallic compound. Afterward a board-level pulse-controlled drop test was conducted on the as-reflowed assemblies according to the JESD22-B110 and JESD22-B111 standards, the impact performance of various surface finished halogen-free printed circuit board assembly was evaluated. The test results showed that most of the fractures occurred around the pad on the test board first. Then cracks propagated across the outer build-up layer. Finally, the inner copper trace was fractured due to the propagated cracks, resulting in the failure of the PCB side. Interfacial stresses numerically obtained by the transient stress responses supported the test observation as the simulated initial crack position was the same as that observed.
Analysis and Simulation of a Micro Hydrocyclone Device for Particle Liquid Separation
Authors: Bagdi P. , Bhardwaj P. , Sen A. K.
Published: March 2012

This paper presents a three-dimensional simulation of a micro hydrocyclone for the separation of micron sized particles from liquid in a particulated sample. A theoretical analysis is performed to demonstrate the working principle of the micro hydrocyclone and develop design models. The geometry of the proposed device is designed based on the Bradley model, since it offers a lower cut-size, thus making it suitable for microfluidics applications. The operational parameters of the hydrocyclone are derived from a dimensional group model. The particle separation process inside the micro hydrocyclone is simulated by solving fluid flows using Navier-Stokes equations and particle dynamics using the Lagrangian approach in a Eulerean fluid. First, the numerical model is validated by comparing the simulation results with the experimental results for a macroscale hydrocyclone reported in the literature. Then, the micro hydrocyclone is simulated and the simulation results are presented and discussed in the context of the functioning of the micro hydrocyclone. Finally, the effects of inlet velocity, vortex finder diameter, particle size, and density on the separation efficiency are investigated. The proposed device can be easily integrated with micro-environments; thus, is suitable for lab-on-chip and microsystems development.
Vacuum Packaging of MEMS by Self-Assembly
Authors: Naveh Royi , Zussman Eyal
Published: March 2012

The development of a solder-based vacuum bonding technique for micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) applications is presented. A chip with a micro-sensor was bonded to a cover plate to form a sealed cavity. The method relies on a solder-based hybridization comprising a self-assembly process that takes advantage of the surface tension and viscous forces of the solder. A model of the assembly was developed to predict the capillary instability of the solde, and the dynamic behavior of the assembled chip. Experimental results showed that a molten bead with parallel contact lines is stable when the ratio between the solder height and solder width is less than one half. Misalignment attributed to the self-assembly process was within a few microns. Fractographic analysis and leak and shear tests confirmed the predicted sealing and mechanical characteristics of the bonding. This method is especially suitable for bonding wafers in a vacuum for MEMS and other micro-devices, at low manufacturing temperatures (∼250 °C).
Fe2O3-TiO2 systems grown by MOCVD: an XPS study
Authors: Visentin Francesca , Gerbasi Rosalba , Rossetto Gilberto , De Zorzi Chiara , El Habra Naida , Barreca Davide , Gasparotto Alberto
Published: March 2012

The present work was devoted to the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) investigation of the principal core levels of a Fe2O3-TiO2 system. The sample was synthesized on a glass substrate at 430 °C in N2/O2 atmospheres by low-pressure metal organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) co-evaporating the precursors titanium(IV)isopropoxide [Ti(OiPr)4] and bis-(methylcyclopentadienyl)Fe(II) [Fe(MeCp)2] through independent sources. Beside the wide scan spectrum, detailed spectra for O 1s, Fe 2p and Ti 2p regions and related data are presented and discussed. XPS analysis revealed the presence of iron(III) and titanium(IV) oxides as the main phases, with a possible Fe2O3 segregation on the specimen surface.
Interpreting Recoil for Undergraduate Students
Authors: Elsayed Tarek A.
Published: March 2012

The phenomenon of recoil is usually explained to students in the context of Newton's third law. Typically, when a projectile is fired, the recoil of the launch mechanism is interpreted as a reaction to the ejection of the smaller projectile. The same phenomenon is also interpreted in the context of the conservation of linear momentum, which is closely related to Newton's third law. Since the actual microscopic causes of recoil differ from one problem to another, some students (and teachers) may not be satisfied with understanding recoil through the principles of conservation of linear momentum and Newton's third law. For these students, the origin of the recoil motion should be presented in more depth.
Causality in Classical Electrodynamics
Authors: Savage Craig
Published: March 2012

Causality in electrodynamics is a subject of some confusion, especially regarding the application of Faraday's law and the Ampère-Maxwell law.1–3 This has led to the suggestion that we should not teach students that electric and magnetic fields can cause each other,1 but rather focus on charges and currents as the causal agents.3 In this paper I argue that fields have equal status as casual agents, and that we should teach this. Following a discussion of causality in classical physics, I will use a numerical solution of Maxwell's equations to inform a field-based causal explanation in electrodynamics.
Experimenting with a “Pipe” Whistle
Authors: Stafford Olga
Published: March 2012

A simple pipe whistle can be made using pieces of PVC pipe. The whistle can be used to measure the resonant frequencies of open or closed pipes. A slightly modified version of the device can be used to also investigate the interesting dependence of the sound frequencies produced on the orifice-to-edge distance. The pipe whistle described here allows students in a physics of music or introductory physics course to study an example of an “edge tone” device that produces discrete sound frequencies. From their textbooks, students likely know about standing waves produced by pipes or strings, as well as the resonant frequencies for open and closed pipes. To go a bit further, they can also learn how the frequency of the sound wave depends on the orifice-to-edge distance of the wind instrument.
Smartphones as portable oscilloscopes for physics labs
Authors: Forinash Kyle , Wisman Raymond F.
Published: March 2012

Given that today's smartphones are mobile and have more computing power and means to measure the external world than early PCs, they may also revolutionize data collection, both in structured physics laboratory settings and in less predictable situations, outside the classroom. Several examples using the internal sensors available in a smartphone were presented in earlier papers in this column.1, 2 But data collection is not limited only to the phone's internal sensors since most also have a headphone port for connecting an external microphone and speakers. This port can be used to connect to external equipment in much the same way as the game port on the early Apple II was used in school labs. Below is an illustration using the headphone port to receive data from an external circuit: smartphones as a portable oscilloscope using commercially available hardware and applications.
PB11 The impact of frequent attenders to the emergency department on “unplanned reattendance rate” & “left without being seen rate” clinical quality indicators
Authors: Lownes S , Jones E
Published: March 2012

Objectives and Background

The eight new clinical quality indicators of performance for Emergency Departments (EDs) focus on patient satisfaction, patient safety and effectiveness of care. This audit aims to identify the extent to which frequent attenders to the three Heart of England hospitals contributed to two of these new indicators during the 3 months following their implementation. Frequent attenders are the small minority of patients who present to EDs regularly and, for the purpose of this audit, are defined as any patient who presents to the department five or more times in 1 month. A previously unpublished service evaluation within the three departments indicated the extent to which frequent attenders contribute to the workload of the Heart of England Emergency service. This work led to more detailed case review and analysis.

Method

Patients who attended more than five times in a calendar month were identified and their notes analysed to identify their “unplanned re-attendance” and “left without being seen” rates. Further analysis shows at which stage during their ED attendance they decided to leave.

Results and Conclusions

Within a 3-month period between April and June, 137 patients attended the departments five times or more per month. Initial analysis suggests that the small number of frequent attenders make a significant contribution to the two new clinical quality indicators, as well as the total work of the department. The full analysis will be presented along with our initial approach to addressing these issues and suggestions for further work.
PB16 Retrospective re-audit of syncope/collapse/falls attendances to an emergency department (ED): scope for improvement
Authors: Ritchie R , Subbiah L , Johny J , Sulaiman T
Published: March 2012

Objectives and Background

The Emergency Department (ED) of Medway Maritime Hospital recorded a patient census of 82 000 in 2007 and 87 000 in 2010. Syncope/Collapse/Falls are regular presentations with published mortality rates of 10%–15% and up to 30% for general and cardiac-related causes respectively. A Syncope Proforma and improved educational lectures were introduced in 2008 to improve the management of these patients following a retrospective audit in 2007. An electronic Syncope Proforma was available from 2009 with further modifications in 2010. We conducted a re-audit in 2010 to evaluate the impact of these changes on patients' care.

Method

The ED records of patients presenting with Syncope/Collapse/Falls from October 2010 to January 2011 were compared with the January 2007 group. Both were classified using the ACP Syncope Clinical groupings of High, Intermediate, and Low Risk. Patients with trauma, assault, seizures, or substance / alcohol misuse were excluded.

Result

The majority were female (54%) in 2007 and male (58%) in 2010. Cardiac, Musculoskeletal and Neurological conditions accounted for the majority. In-appropriate discharges from High and Intermediate Risk Groups were unremarkable (33% vs 31% & 42% vs 47% respectively) but inappropriate admissions in the Low Risk Groups improved (43% vs 29%). The lack of a cohesive hospital-wide policy, poor hospital bed management, admitting team refusals, poor risk recognition and documentation, poor community and social support, and the impact of performance service targets all weaken departmental initiatives to improve patient care.

Conclusion

The ED Syncope Proforma and NICE guidelines failed to improve overall quality of care. The successful management of Syncope/Collapse/Falls requires a hospital-wide operational approach to care and not the sole responsibility for an ED.
PB5 Establishment of a provincial data repository to facilitate reporting performance measurements for Alberta Emergency Departments
Authors: Holroyd B , Bullard M , Lang E , Liss K , Schmid C , Heintz L , Thiessen L , Lighter D , Rowe B
Published: March 2012

Objectives and Background

The ability to accurately define and measure Emergency Department (ED) patient utilisation and flow parameters, as well as metrics related to patient safety and quality of care are essential to the operations and accountability of emergency patient care delivery. Alberta Health Services (AHS) is responsible for the delivery of health services to 3.7 million people in Alberta (AB), Canada, with total provincial ED visits exceeding 1.9 million/year. The Data Integration, Measurement and Reporting Department of AHS, in collaboration with emergency clinical leadership, has undertaken the development for the AHS Data Repository for Reporting (AHSDRR). This database will provide unique functionality. It can be interrogated by a wide range of stakeholders to yield quality and performance indicator reports with a variety of adjustable filtering parameters, such as patient demographics, institution and region.

Methods

The AHSDRR architecture integrates clinical and administrative data from multiple sources. Data sources will include 11 urban teaching EDs, one freestanding ED, two Urgent Care centers, and four regional EDs utilising ED Information Systems. A comprehensive standardised ED data set from chart abstraction will be included in the AHSDRR for all provincial EDs. ED patient experience survey data and vital statistics data will be incorporated.

Results

With successful development and testing, AHSDRR Emergency Release 1 became operational on September 15th, 2011.

Conclusions

The AHSDRR represents an innovative opportunity to employ multiple data resources to describe emergency care delivery in Alberta. This system will facilitate standardised reporting of ED performance and quality information in formats compliant with national and international standards. With additional clinical information sources, AHSDRR future applications have considerable growth potential.
PB8 Selection and validation of quality indicators for the Shorter Stays in Emergency Departments National Research Project
Authors: Jones P
Published: March 2012

Objectives and Background

Despite the spread of time targets for Emergency Department (ED) lengths of stay around the world, there have been few studies exploring the effects of such policies on quality of ED care. The Shorter Stays in ED (SSED) National Research Project in New Zealand seeks to address this by assessing the impact of the SSED target in NZ on a range of quality indicators. The purpose of this paper was to identify the indicators for the SSED project and to describe the process used to select and validate these.

Method

A structured literature review was used to identify potential indicators. A reference group of 32 key stakeholders representing the whole health system was convened with the aims of validating the suggested indicators and to ensure that other significant indicators were not overlooked. A thematic analysis using a general inductive approach was used to analyse focus group discussions. Validation of the analysis was subsequently sought from the reference group attendees.

Results

The major themes to emerge were communication, access, timeliness, appropriateness and satisfaction. The 12 indicators selected after literature review were confirmed and two further indicators selected as a result of the thematic analysis. The primary outcomes for the SSED study are hospital and ED lengths of stay and re-presentation to hospital <48 h. The secondary outcomes are: mortality, times to reperfusion, antibiotics, asthma treatment, analgesia, CT for head injury, and theatre (appendicitis and fractured neck of femur), triage time compliance, left without being seen rate, quality of discharge information and ED overcrowding/access block.

Conclusion

We have a balanced set of evidence based and clinically relevant indicators that encompass all domains of quality of care with which to measure the effect of the SSED target. This indicator set is consistent with recent international recommendations for measuring quality of care in EDs.
ROLE OF QUASIPROJECTILE ISOSPIN ASYMMETRY IN NUCLEAR FRAGMENTATION
Authors: TRIPATHI R. , BONASERA A. , WUENSCHEL S. , MAY L. W. , KOHLEY Z. , MARINI P. , MCINTOSH A. , SOULIOTIS G. A. , GALANOPOULOS S. , HAGEL K. , SHETTY D. V. , HUSEMAN K. , SOISSON S. N. , STEIN B. C. , YENNELLO S. J.
Published: March 2012

Fragment yield data, selected with different values of the isospin asymmetry of the quasiprojectile from 78, 86 Kr +58, 64 Ni reactions at E lab = 35 MeV/nucleon, have been analyzed within the framework of Landau free energy approach. Fits to the free energy data indicated the system to be in the regime of a first-order phase transition. The plot of free energy versus isospin asymmetry of the fragments showed a systematic change with increasing isospin asymmetry of the fragmenting source. This observation demonstrated the role of quasiprojectile isospin asymmetry as an external field which governed the minima positions in the free energy plot. The position of the central minimum was found to be in close agreement with the average isospin asymmetry of the fragments calculated excluding neutrons and protons. Significant deviations from the free energy plot were observed for N = Z fragments, particularly for the lighter ones, which could be corrected after inclusion of odd–even effects in the analysis. Analysis of yield data of N = Z nuclei gave a reasonable estimate of temperature. Analysis of free energy data gated with excitation energy of the fragmenting source showed a dependence of fit parameters of Landau free energy equation on the excitation energy as well as isospin asymmetry of the source.
ACOUSTIC WAVEFRONT TRACING IN INHOMOGENEOUS, MOVING MEDIA
Authors: ZABOTIN NIKOLAY A. , GODIN OLEG A. , SAVA PAUL C. , ZABOTINA LIUDMILA Y.
Published: March 2012

We extend the Huygens wavefront tracing algorithm, which is a part of an open source Madagascar project, to sound propagation in inhomogeneous, moving media and apply it to a series of benchmark tasks. One set of tasks admits exact analytic solutions and serves the purpose of validation of the new algorithm. Another set of calculations demonstrates applicability of the algorithm to the studies of wavefront dynamics and stability in ocean and atmospheric acoustics. The method is based on a system of differential equations equivalent to the eikonal equation, but formulated in the ray coordinate system. In this paper, we present a first-order, two-dimensional discretization scheme that is interpreted very simply in terms of the Huygens' principle. The method has proved to be a convenient alternative to conventional ray tracing.
COMBINED EFFECTS OF PARAMETER HETEROGENEITY AND NOISE ON SPATIAL COHERENCE IN MAP-BASED NEURONS
Authors: WANG MAOSHENG , TU YUBING
Published: March 2012

We herein present a numerical investigation of the combined effects of parameter heterogeneity and noise, which are unavoidable in excitable medium, on spatial coherence in map-based neurons. Our results show that, the neurons' spatial coherence can be improved by changing parameter heterogeneity (or noise intensity) in the condition that the control parameter is below the threshold and noise intensity (or parameter heterogeneity) is small. Interestingly, there exists an optimal parameter heterogeneity (or noise intensity) at which the neurons' spatial coherence is maximized. However, when the control parameter is above the threshold, the system's spatial coherence cannot be enhanced by parameter heterogeneity (or noise). The underlying mechanism of these effects is discussed in terms of the neuron's bifurcation and the coupling interaction between the neurons.
SPACE-FREQUENCY LOCALIZATION AS BIVARIATE MOTHER WAVELETS SELECTING CRITERION FOR HYPERANALYTIC BAYESIAN IMAGE DENOISING
Authors: ISAR ALEXANDRU
Published: March 2012

Throughout recent years, many wavelet transforms (WTs) were used in digital image processing: the discrete WT (DWT), the stationary WT (SWT) or the hyperanalytic WT (HWT). All these transforms have in common a feature, the mother wavelets (MW). A great number of MWs was already proposed in literature. The purpose of this paper is the selection of MW for hyperanalytic Bayesian image denoising on the basis of its space-frequency localization. The MW with the same space-frequency localization as the elements of the input image gives the better results. Some procedures for the evaluation of the space-frequency localization of MWs and input images are proposed and applied to optimize the results obtained by the simulations of denoising, indicating the most appropriate MW.
ON THE SEPARABILITY BETWEEN SIGNAL AND NOISE IN SINGULAR SPECTRUM ANALYSIS
Authors: HASSANI HOSSEIN , MAHMOUDVAND RAHIM , ZOKAEI MOHAMMAD , GHODSI MANSOUREH
Published: March 2012

The optimal value of the window length in singular spectrum analysis (SSA) is considered with respect to the concept of separability between signal and noise component, from the theoretical and practical perspective. The theoretical results confirm that for a wide class of time series of length N, the suitable value of this parameter is median{1, …, N}. The results of both simulated and real data verify the effectiveness of the theoretical results. The theoretical results obtained here coincide with those obtained previously from the empirical point of view.
MODIFICATION OF VAN DER ZIEL RELATION FOR SPECTRUM OF NOISE IN p–n JUNCTION
Authors: KLYUEV ALEXEY V. , SHMELEV EVGENY I. , YAKIMOV ARKADY V.
Published: March 2012

Spectrum SiD of the white current noise iD(t) in p–n junction with the ideality factor η of the current–voltage characteristic, which is greater than one, is investigated here. It is shown, that the Van der Ziel relation, SiD = 2q(ID + 2Is), intended for η = 1, is inapplicable if η > 1; here q is the elementary charge, ID is the current through the junction, and Is is the saturation current. As the first step, the simplest case is considered, η = 2. That is the main recombination of injected electrons and holes takes place in the middle of the junction depleted region. Such junction may be modeled by two identical junctions with η = 1, which are connected in series. The current noise iD(t) is determined by noise sources of both junctions. Obtained result is generalized by the use of the Gupta theorem for the thermal noise spectrum in nonlinear resistive systems. The current noise spectrum is found, SiD = (2q/η) · (ID + 2Is). This result is the modification of the Van der Ziel relation extended to η ≥ 1. Experimental proof of the modified relation is made by analysis of the white noise spectrum in Schottky diode with δ-doping (having η = 2.2) in the vicinity of thermodynamical equilibrium.
GOLDIE DIMENSION OF CONSTANTS OF LOCALLY NILPOTENT SKEW DERIVATIONS
Authors: BERGEN JEFFREY , GRZESZCZUK PIOTR
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we examine rings R with locally nilpotent skew derivations d and compare the Goldie dimension of R to that of the subring of constants Rd. This generalizes the situation where one compares the Goldie dimension of an Ore extension to that of the base ring. Under certain natural conditions placed upon Rd, we show that R and Rd have the same Goldie dimension.
ON RINGS OVER WHICH THE INJECTIVE HULL OF EACH CYCLIC MODULE IS Σ-EXTENDING
Authors: CHAIRAT SARAPEE , HUYNH DINH VAN , SOMSUP CHITLADA
Published: March 2012

Carl Faith (2003) introduced and investigated an interesting class of rings over which every cyclic right module has Σ-injective injective hull (abbr., right CSI-rings). Inspired by this we investigate rings over which every cyclic right R-module has a Σ-extending injective hull. We call such rings right CSE-rings and show that the class of right CSE-rings and that of right CSI-rings coincide. We also use other hulls of cyclic modules to define other classes of rings, and investigate their structure. We prove, among others, that a ring R is right QI if and only if the quasi-injective hull of each cyclic right module is Σ-injective.
ORIENTED INVOLUTIONS AND SKEW-SYMMETRIC ELEMENTS IN GROUP RINGS
Authors: GOODAIRE EDGAR G. , MILIES CÉSAR POLCINO
Published: March 2012

Let G be a group with involution * and σ : G → {±1} a group homomorphism. The map ♯ that sends α = ∑ αgg in a group ring RG to α♯ = ∑ σ(g)αgg* is an involution of RG called an oriented group involution. An element α ∈ RG is symmetric if α♯ = α and skew-symmetric if α♯ = -α. The sets of symmetric and skew-symmetric elements have received a lot of attention in the special cases that * is the inverse map on G or σ is identically 1, while the general case has been almost ignored. In this paper, we determine the conditions under which the set of elements that are skew-symmetric relative to a general oriented involution form a subring of RG. This is the sequel to another paper where the analogous problem for the symmetric elements was studied, with a small oversight that is corrected here.
THE RINGS $D((\mathcal{X}))_i$ AND $D\{\{\mathcal{X}\}\}_i$
Authors: CHANG GYU WHAN , OH DONG YEOL
Published: March 2012

Let D be an integral domain, [Formula: see text] be an infinite set of indeterminates over D, and [Formula: see text] be the i th type of power series ring over D for i = 1, 2, 3. For [Formula: see text], let c(f) denote the ideal of D generated by the coefficients of f. For a star operation * on D, put [Formula: see text], where *f is the star operation of finite type on D induced by *. Let [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text]. We show that [Formula: see text], and that D is a Noetherian domain if and only if [Formula: see text] is a Noetherian domain. We also show that D is a Krull domain if and only if [Formula: see text] is a Dedekind domain, if and only if [Formula: see text] is a Prüfer domain, and that D is a Dedekind domain if and only if [Formula: see text] is a Dedekind domain, if and only if [Formula: see text] is a Prüfer domain.
EFFECTIVE METHODS IN INVESTIGATION OF IRREDUCIBLE QUANTUM OPERATIONS
Authors: JAMIOŁKOWSKI ANDRZEJ
Published: March 2012

In this paper we discuss some constructive procedures which can be used in characterization of irreducible quantum operations and quantum channels. Our method makes use of an explicit form of a fixed operation in its Kraus representation. A generalization of the Shemesh criterion is discussed.
SOME REMARKS ON QUANTUM MECHANICS
Authors: DELL'ANTONIO GIANFAUSTO
Published: March 2012

We discuss the similarities and differences between the formalism of Hamiltonian Classical Mechanics and of Quantum Mechanics and exemplify the differences through an analysis of tracks in a cloud chamber.
MARKOVIAN VERSUS NON-MARKOVIAN EVOLUTION: GEOMETRIC PERSPECTIVE
Authors: CHRUŚCIŃSKI DARIUSZ , KOSSAKOWSKI ANDRZEJ
Published: March 2012

We analyze two criteria of (non)Markovianity: one based on the mathematical concept of divisibility of the dynamical map and the other one based on distinguishability of quantum states. We illustrate these concepts from the geometric perspective using simple examples of qubit dynamics.
WELL-ROUNDED SUBLATTICES
Authors: KÜHNLEIN STEFAN
Published: March 2012

Given a lattice in the plane, we consider zeta-functions encoding the number of well-rounded sublattices of a given index. We are particularly interested in the abscissa of convergence of this function and show that the quality of convergence is related to arithmeticity questions concerning the ambient lattice. In particular, we discover that there are infinitely many similarity classes of well-rounded sublattices in a plane lattice if there is at least one. This generalizes results about the rings of Gaussian and of Eisenstein integers by Fukshansky and his coauthors.
ASYMPTOTICS FOR NUMBERS OF LINE SEGMENTS AND LINES IN A SQUARE GRID
Authors: HAUKKANEN PENTTI , MERIKOSKI JORMA K.
Published: March 2012

We present an asymptotic formula for the number of line segments connecting q + 1 points of an n × n square grid, and a sharper formula, assuming the Riemann hypothesis. We also present asymptotic formulas for the number of lines through at least q points and, respectively, through exactly q points of the grid. The well-known case q = 2 is so generalized.
ON WARING–GOLDBACH PROBLEM FOR FIFTH POWERS
Authors: LIU ZHIXIN
Published: March 2012

In this short paper, we investigate exceptional sets in the Waring–Goldbach problem for fifth powers. For example, we show that all but O(N213/214) integers subject to the necessary local conditions can be represented as the sum of 11 fifth powers of primes. This improves the previous result.
CLASS NUMBER FORMULAS FOR CERTAIN BICYCLIC BIQUADRATIC NUMBER FIELDS AS FINITE SUMS INVOLVING JACOBI ELLIPTIC FUNCTIONS
Authors: GÓMEZ-MOLLEDA M. A. , LARIO JOAN-C.
Published: March 2012

We give formulas for the class numbers of bicyclic biquadratic number fields containing an imaginary quadratic field of class number one. The class number is expressed as a finite sum in terms of the basic Jacobi elliptic functions, playing a similar role as the trigonometric sine in Dirichlet classical class number formula.
ON THE SUM OF CONSECUTIVE INTEGERS IN SEQUENCES II
Authors: TSAI MU-TSUN , ZAHARESCU ALEXANDRU
Published: March 2012

Let A be a sequence of natural numbers, rA(n) be the number of ways to represent n as a sum of consecutive elements in A, and MA(x) ≔ ∑n ≤ x rA(n). We give a new short proof of LeVeque's formula regarding MA(x) when A is an arithmetic progression, and then extend the proof to give asymptotic formulas for the case when A behaves almost like an arithmetic progression, and also when A is the set of primes in an arithmetic progression.
EXAMPLES OF NORM-EUCLIDEAN IDEAL CLASSES
Authors: LEZOWSKI PIERRE
Published: March 2012

In this paper, we study the notion of norm-Euclidean ideal class, which was defined by Lenstra [Euclidean ideal classes, Astérisque 61 (1979) 121–131]. Using a slight modification of an algorithm determining among other properties the Euclidean minimum described in [P. Lezowski, Computation of the Euclidean minimum of algebraic number fields, preprint (2011); http://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00632997/en/], we give new examples of number fields with norm-Euclidean ideal classes. Extending the results of Cioffari [The Euclidean condition in pure cubic and complex quartic fields, Math. Comput. 33 (1979) 389–398], we also establish the complete list of pure cubic number fields which admit a norm-Euclidean ideal class. Finally, we show that [Formula: see text], which is known to admit a non-principal Euclidean ideal class, has no norm-Euclidean ideal class.
HIGH RESOLUTION, REAL-TIME LINE-FIELD FOURIER-DOMAIN INTERFEROMETRY
Authors: XIAO QING , FU LING
Published: March 2012

To increase the application potential in manufacturing process, such as monitoring the processing performance, the profile measurement should be provided in real-time display and with high resolution simultaneously. We propose a line-field Fourier-domain interferometric method (LFI), which combines the line-field microscope with spectral interferometer, for the surface cross-sectional profile measurement with no scan needed. The white light and objectives are employed to offer high axial and lateral resolution, respectively. In our system setup, the measurement could be implemented in real-time display of 10 frame/s, and the resolutions of the LFI system in X,Y, and Z directions are ~8 μm, ~3.2 μm, and ~1.4 μm, respectively. As a demonstration, the cross-sectional profiles of a microfluidic chip are tested. The graphics processing unit is also used to accelerate the reconstruction algorithm to achieve the real-time display of the cross-sectional profiles.
Highly Accurate Timestamping for Ethernet-Based Clock Synchronization
Authors: Loschmidt Patrick , Exel Reinhard , Gaderer Georg
Published: March 2012

It is not only for test and measurement of great importance to synchronize clocks of networked devices to timely coordinate data acquisition. In this context the seek for high accuracy in Ethernet-based clock synchronization has been significantly supported by enhancements to the Network Time Protocol (NTP) and the introduction of the Precision Time Protocol (PTP). The latter was even applied to instrumentation and measurement applications through the introduction of LXI. These protocols are usually implemented in software; however, the synchronization accuracy can only substantially be improved by hardware which supports drawing of precise event timestamps. Especially, the quality of the timestamps for ingress and egress synchronization packets has a major influence on the achievable performance of a distributed measurement or control system. This paper analyzes the influence of jitter sources remaining despite hardware support and proposes enhanced methods for up to now unmatched timestamping accuracy in Ethernet-based synchronization protocols. The methods shown in this paper reach sub-nanosecond accuracy, which is proven in theory and practice.
Crystal Growth Behaviors of Silicon during Melt Growth Processes
Authors: Fujiwara Kozo
Published: March 2012

It is imperative to improve the crystal quality of Si multicrystal ingots grown by casting because they are widely used for solar cells in the present and will probably expand their use in the future. Fine control of macro- and microstructures, grain size, grain orientation, grain boundaries, dislocation/subgrain boundaries, and impurities, in a Si multicrystal ingot, is therefore necessary. Understanding crystal growth mechanisms in melt growth processes is thus crucial for developing a good technology for producing high-quality Si multicrystal ingots for solar cells. In this review, crystal growth mechanisms involving the morphological transformation of the crystal-melt interface, grain boundary formation, parallel-twin formation, and faceted dendrite growth are discussed on the basis of the experimental results of in situ observations.
Excessive Leucine-mTORC1-Signalling of Cow Milk-Based Infant Formula: The Missing Link to Understand Early Childhood Obesity
Authors: Melnik Bodo C.
Published: March 2012

Increased protein supply by feeding cow-milk-based infant formula in comparison to lower protein content of human milk is a well-recognized major risk factor of childhood obesity. However, there is yet no conclusive biochemical concept explaining the mechanisms of formula-induced childhood obesity. It is the intention of this article to provide the biochemical link between leucine-mediated signalling of mammalian milk proteins and adipogenesis as well as early adipogenic programming. Leucine has been identified as the predominant signal transducer of mammalian milk, which stimulates the nutrient-sensitive kinase mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1). Leucine thus functions as a maternal-neonatal relay for mTORC1-dependent neonatalβ-cell proliferation and insulin secretion. The mTORC1 target S6K1 plays a pivotal role in stimulation of mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into adipocytes and to induce insulin resistance. It is of most critical concern that infant formulas provide higher amounts of leucine in comparison to human milk. Exaggerated leucine-mediated mTORC1-S6K1 signalling induced by infant formulas may thus explain increased adipogenesis and generation of lifelong elevated adipocyte numbers. Attenuation of mTORC1 signalling of infant formula by leucine restriction to physiologic lower levels of human milk offers a great chance for the prevention of childhood obesity and obesity-related metabolic diseases.
Lactoferrin Levels in the Gastric Tissue ofHelicobacter pylori-Positive and -Negative Patients and Its Effect on Anemia
Authors: Doğan Yaşar , Erkan Tülay , Önal Zerrin , Usta Merve , Doğusoy Gülen , Çokuğraş Fügen Çullu , Kutlu Tufan
Published: March 2012

Aim. To determine gastric tissue lactoferrin (Lf) levels ofHelicobacter pylori-(Hp-) positive and -negative patients and its effect on anemia.Methods. Cases in which initial presentation was of abdominal pain and that were Hp-positive at endoscopy were included. Hp-positive cases and -negative controls were divided into two groups.Results. The study included 64 cases (average: years, 39 male and 25 female). Lf levels were subsequently studied on 61 cases. 45 (73.8%) of these were Hp-positive, while 16 (22.2%) were Hp-negative. In Hp-positive cases, mean staining percentages and density of glands in the antral mucosa were % and , respectively. Hp-negative cases showed significantly different values of % and , respectively. Hemoglobin and serum ferritin values of Hp-positive cases were /dL and /mL, but these were comparable with Hp-negative cases (/dL and /mL).Conclusions.Tissue Lf was significantly higher in Hp-positive cases compared to Hp-negative cases, but no difference was observed between the two groups with regards to hemoglobin and ferritin level. As a result, it is difficult to say that this rise in Lf plays a role in the development of iron deficiency anemia in Hp-positive patients.
Body Massage Performance Investigation by Brain Activity Analysis
Authors: Chang Kang-Ming , Luo Shu-Yi , Chen Sih-Huei , Wang Tuan-Ping , Ching Congo Tak-Shing
Published: March 2012

Massage has been widely applied to improve health and reduce stress. However, the performance difference between hands-on treatment and treatment by mechanical devices has been little mentioned. Therefore, the main aim of this paper is to investigate a subject's EEG performance under massage treatment applied by hand and treatment applied by mechanical devices. Massage was applied to four acupoints for three minutes each. The massage acupoint sequence was from left Jian-wai-yu, right Jian-wai-yu, left Zuo-fei-yu, and finally right Zuo-fei-yu. An EEG system of 32 channels was used. Twenty-four volunteers, mainly college students, were enrolled. EEG rhythm powers of each massage sessions were derived. Two-way ANOVA revealed that there were also significant interactions between the massage stage and the massage type on delta(P<0.01), theta(P<0.05), and beta rhythms(P<0.01), and there were significant differences at different stages for the mechanical massage group (F=5.557,P<0.01). The mechanical massage group had more significant differences than the hands-on group for stage coherence of around coherence on alpha rhythm. Further rhythm power scalp topography between two massage methods is also investigated.
Urgent Carotid Surgery: Is It Still out of Debate?
Authors: Battocchio C. , Fantozzi C. , Rizzo L. , Persiani F. , Raffa S. , Taurino M.
Published: March 2012

Patients with symptomatic tight carotid stenosis have an increased short-time risk of stroke and an increased long-term risk of ischaemic vascular events compared with the general population. The aim of this study is to assess the safety, efficacy, and limitations of urgent CEA or CAS, in patients with carotid stenosis greater than 70% and clinically characterized by recurrent TIA or brain damage following a stroke (<2.5 cm). This study involved 28 patients divided into two groups. Group A consisted of sixteen patients who had undergone CEA, and group B consisted of twelve patients who had undergone CAS. Primary endpoints were mortality, neurological morbidity (by NIHSS) and postoperative hemorrhagic cerebral conversion, at 30 days. Ten patients (62.5%) of group A experienced an improvement in their initial neurological deficit while in 4 cases (26%) the deficit remained stable. Two cases of neurologic mortality are presented. At 1 month, 9 patients (75%) of group B experienced an improvement in their initial neurological deficit while 3 patients (25%) had a neurological impairment. Urgent or deferred surgical or endovascular treatment have a satisfactory outcome considering the profile in very high-risk patient population. Otherwise in selected patients CEA seems to be preferred to CAS.
Bilateral Simultaneous Nonarteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy after Ingestion of Sildenafil for Erectile Dysfunction
Authors: Tarantini Anna , Faraoni Alessandra , Menchini Francesca , Lanzetta Paolo
Published: March 2012

Purpose. To describe a patient who developed bilateral, simultaneous nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) after ingestion of Sildenafil citrate (Viagra) for erectile dysfunction.Methods. Observational case report.Results. A 60-year-old diabetic man noted sudden decrease of vision in both eyes 16 hours after his third consecutive 50 mg daily Sildenafil ingestion. A diagnosis of bilateral NAION was made and he was treated for three days with methylprednisolone 1 g/d intravenously, followed by oral prednisone 75 mg/d. Final visual acuity was 20/50 right eye (OD) and 20/20 left eye (OS). He had preexisting diabetes.Conclusion. This is the first reported case of simultaneous bilateral NAION occurred in a diabetic patient early after Sildenafil intake. Patients with predisposing conditions such as diabetes have to be warned against the use of PDE inhibitors.
Study of a Vocal Feature Selection Method and Vocal Properties for Discriminating Four Constitution Types
Authors: Kim Keun Ho , Ku Boncho , Kang Namsik , Kim Young-Su , Jang Jun-Su , Kim Jong Yeol
Published: March 2012

The voice has been used to classify the four constitution types, and to recognize a subject's health condition by extracting meaningful physical quantities, in traditional Korean medicine. In this paper, we propose a method of selecting the reliable variables from various voice features, such as frequency derivative features, frequency band ratios, and intensity, from vowels and a sentence. Further, we suggest a process to extract independent variables by eliminating explanatory variables and reducing their correlation and remove outlying data to enable reliable discriminant analysis. Moreover, the suitable division of data for analysis, according to the gender and age of subjects, is discussed. Finally, the vocal features are applied to a discriminant analysis to classify each constitution type. This method of voice classification can be widely used in the u-Healthcare system of personalized medicine and for improving diagnostic accuracy.
The Effect of Storage Temperature and Time on the Concentrations of Bovine Serum Amyloid A and Its Mammary Associated Isoform
Authors: Tóthová Csilla , Nagy Oskar , Seidel Herbert , Kováč Gabriel
Published: March 2012

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of storage under various conditions on the concentrations of major bovine acute phase protein—serum amyloid A, and its mammary isoform. Blood samples were taken from seven clinically healthy calves, and milk samples from six clinically healthy dairy cows. The harvested blood serum and the milk samples were fractioned into aliquots. One aliquot was analyzed on the day of collection without storage. The second aliquots were stored at 4°C for 1 day, the remaining aliquots were kept frozen at −18°C for 2, 7, 14, and 21 days, and then analyzed. Blood serum was analyzed for serum amyloid A (SAA). The concentrations of mammary isoform of SAA (M-SAA) were measured in milk samples. Over time, the concentrations of SAA in serum showed a tendency of significant decrease during storage at −18°C (P<0.01). Similarly, the values of M-SAA decreased significantly in samples maintained at freezer temperatures (P<0.001). In the refrigerated samples, we found non-significantly lower values of SAA, as well as M-SAA. Presented results indicate that the storage temperature and duration may markedly affect the concentrations of bovine SAA and M-SAA.
Landen Inequalities for Zero‐Balanced Hypergeometric Functions
Authors: Simić Slavko , Vuorinen Matti
Published: March 2012

For zero‐balanced Gaussian hypergeometric functions F(a, b; a + b; x), a, b > 0, we determine maximal regions of ab plane where well‐known Landen identities for the complete elliptic integral of the first kind turn on respective inequalities valid for each x ∈ (0,1). Thereby an exhausting answer is given to the open problem from the work by Anderson et al., 1990.
How to Transect the Liver? A History Lasting More than a Century
Authors: Scalzone Rocco , Lopez-Ben Santiago , Figueras Joan
Published: March 2012

There is a close relationship between blood loss during transection and unfavorable outcome. Many different methods have been used in order to cut the parenchyma, while leaving vital structures intact, coagulate small vessels and seal small biliary ducts. The first method described was the finger-fracture technique and, alternatively, the clamp-crushing method using a small forceps. With this technique, the liver is crushed between the ‘jaws’, and the vessels and bile ducts are successively ligated and divided. Technological research using different sources of energy developed the water jet dissectors and the ultrasonic dissectors. The CUSA® has been widely adopted for the fascinating way it could selectively destroy and aspirate parenchyma leaving vascular structures almost intact. Several studies have been addressed to clarify these critical points. However, in the majority of cases they are underpowered to demonstrate clear advantages of one method over the others. In conclusion, the evidence suggested no superiority of other techniques over clamp-crushing. But it must be taken into account that it requires strictly hepatic pedicle clamping. The devices available should be used within the limits of each instrument, as well as the surgical skills of the surgeon. Probably the best option should be a combined approach.