bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prophetic Cosmopolitanism: Islam, Pop Psychology, and Civic Virtue in Indonesia
Authors: HOESTEREY JAMES B.
Published: April 2012

In contemporary Indonesia, a new generation of Muslim pop preachers and self‐help gurus tap into, and trade on, the symbolic and economic capital of Islam, science, and media technologies. Through television sermons and elaborate Power Point presentations, these pop preachers and self‐help gurus summon the Prophet Muhammad's life and teachings in ways that resonate with the civic concerns, consumerist desires, and aspirational piety of the Muslim middle classes. These sermons and seminars often portray the Prophet Muhammad as the ultimate measure of what it means to be cosmopolitan. In this article I explore “prophetic cosmopolitanism” as a vernacular Muslim cosmopolitanism, but one which is not isolated from, or necessarily prior to, Western liberal‐secular ideas about civic virtue. I argue instead that prophetic cosmopolitanism is both informed by, and offered as an alternative to, global discourses about psychology and self, citizen and believer, nation and umma.
The importance of mother–infant communication for social bond formation in mammals
Authors: OKABE Shota , NAGASAWA Miho , MOGI Kazutaka , KIKUSUI Takefumi
Published: April 2012

Mother–infant bonding is a universal relationship of all mammalian species. Here, we describe the role of reciprocal communication between mother and infant in the formation of bonding for several mammalian species. Mother–infant bond formation is reinforced by various social cues or stimuli, including communicative signals, such as odor and vocalizations, or tactile stimuli. The mother also develops cross‐modal sensory recognition of the infant, during bond formation. Many studies have indicated that the oxytocin neural system plays a pivotal role in bond formation by the mother; however, the underlying neural mechanisms for infants have not yet been clarified. The comparative understanding of cognitive functions of mother and infants may help us understand the biological significance of mother–infant communication in mammalian species.
How does the Hubble sphere limit our view of the Universe?
Authors: Lewis Geraint F. , van Oirschot Pim
Published: April 2012

It has recently been claimed that the Hubble sphere represents a previously unknown limit to our view of the universe, with light we detect today coming from a proper distance less than this ‘cosmic horizon’ at the present time. By considering the paths of light rays in several cosmologies, we show that this claim is not generally true. In particular, in cosmologies dominated by phantom energy (with an equation of state of ω < −1) the proper distance to the Hubble sphere decreases, and light rays can cross it more than once in both directions; such behaviour further diminishes the claim that the Hubble sphere is a fundamental, but unrecognized, horizon in the universe.
Differentiated swine airway epithelial cell cultures for the investigation of influenza A virus infection and replication
Authors: Bateman Allen C. , Karasin Alexander I. , Olsen Christopher W.
Published: April 2012

Please cite this paper as: Bateman et al. (2013) Differentiated swine airway epithelial cell cultures for the investigation of influenza A virus infection and replication. Influenza and Other Respiratory Viruses 7(2) 139–150.

Background  Differentiated human airway epithelial cell cultures have been utilized to investigate cystic fibrosis, wound healing, and characteristics of viral infections. These cultures, grown at an air–liquid interface (ALI) in media with defined hormones and growth factors, recapitulate many aspects of the in vivo respiratory tract and allow for experimental studies at the cellular level.

Objectives  To optimize growth conditions for differentiated swine airway epithelial cultures and to use these cultures to examine influenza virus infection and replication.

Methods  Primary swine respiratory epithelial cells were grown at an air–liquid interface with varying amounts of retinoic acid and epidermal growth factor. Cells grown with optimized concentrations of these factors for 4 weeks differentiated into multilayer epithelial cell cultures resembling the lining of the swine respiratory tract. Influenza virus infection and replication were examined in these cultures.

Results/Conclusions  Retinoic acid promoted ciliogenesis, whereas epidermal growth factor controlled the thickness of the pseudoepithelium. The optimal concentrations for differentiated swine cell cultures were 1·5 ng/ml epidermal growth factor and 100 nm retinoic acid. Influenza A viruses infected and productively replicated in these cultures in the absence of exogenous trypsin, suggesting that the cultures express a protease capable of activating influenza virus hemagglutinin. Differences in virus infection and replication characteristics found previously in pigs in vivo were recapitulated in the swine cultures. This system could be a useful tool for a range of applications, including investigating influenza virus species specificity, defining cell tropism of influenza viruses in the swine respiratory epithelium, and studying other swine respiratory diseases.
What's in a “China” Name? A Test of Investor Attention Hypothesis
Authors: Bae Kee‐Hong , Wang Wei
Published: April 2012

We study whether a firm's name affects investor attention and firm valuation. Some Chinese firms listed on US stock exchanges have the word “China” included in their company names (“China‐name stocks”), while others do not (“non‐China‐name stocks”). During the 2007 China stock market boom, we find that China‐name stocks significantly outperform non‐China‐name stocks. This is not due to differences in firm characteristics, risk, or liquidity. The “China‐name effect” is largely consistent with the investor attention hypothesis that price pressure caused by increased investor attention on China‐name stocks during the boom period drives up China‐name stocks more than non‐China‐name stocks.
The value of repetitive sequences in chloroplast DNA for phylogeographic inference: A comment on Vachon & Freeland 2011
Authors: SALTONSTALL KRISTIN , LAMBERTINI CARLA
Published: April 2012

In a recent Technical Advance article, Vachon and Freeland (2011, Molecular Ecology Resources, 11, 279‐285.) evaluate the utility of repetitive and non‐repetitive variation in the chloroplast genome for phylogeographic inference, using variation in Phragmites australis as an example. While we agree that repetitive and nonrepetitive regions evolve at different rates and homoplasy can impact results, we disagree with the conclusion that repetitive regions are inappropriate for large‐scale phylogeographic studies. Here we describe limitations to the study dataset and analysis, and provide an alternative viewpoint on the utility of repetitive regions for phylogeographic studies.
Resveratrol Enhances the Antitumor Effects of Temozolomide in Glioblastoma via ROS‐dependent AMPK‐TSC‐mTOR Signaling Pathway
Authors: Yuan Yuan , Xue Xue , Guo Ruo‐Bing , Sun Xiu‐Lan , Hu Gang
Published: April 2012

Background and purpose

Resveratrol has been regarded as a promising candidate for cancer prevention and treatment. The present study was to investigate the impact of resveratrol on the antitumor effects of temozolomide (TMZ), a standard treatment regiment of glioblastoma (GBM), in vitro and in vivo.

Methods and results

We found that the combination of resveratrol and TMZ significantly resulted in G2/M cell cycle arrest by flow cytometry, triggered a robust increase in expression of astrocyte differentiation marker glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP), downregulated the expression of matrix metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9) by immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis as well as inhibited cell migration by scratch wound assay. Further study revealed that TMZ in combination with resveratrol remarkably increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which serves as an upstream signal for AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation. Subsequently, activated AMPK inhibited mTOR signaling and downregulated antiapoptosis protein Bcl‐2, which was contributed to the additive antiproliferation effects of combination treatment. In an orthotopic xenograft model of GBM, TMZ plus resveratrol treatment significantly reduced the volume of tumor, which was confirmed by decreased expression of Ki‐67, a marker of proliferation index.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate for the first time that resveratrol can enhance TMZ‐mediated antitumor effects in GBM in vitro and in vivo, via ROS‐dependent AMPK‐TSC‐mTOR signaling pathway.
The Internationalization of Corporate R&D and the Automotive Industry R&D of East‐Central Europe
Authors: Pavlínek Petr
Published: April 2012

abstract

This article examines the development of corporate research and development (R&D) in the automotive industry of East‐Central Europe (ECE) in the context of the internationalization of corporate R&D generally and the automotive industry R&D specifically. Driven by large inflows of foreign direct investment since the early 1990s, vehicle assembly and the production of automotive components grew significantly in ECE. In my study I investigated the extent to which these increases in production have also led to the development of automotive R&D as an example of a higher value‐added function of the automotive value chain. I conducted a more detailed analysis of Czech automotive R&D because of its prominent position in ECE. Despite modest growth, my analysis uncovered inherent weaknesses of automotive R&D in ECE and strong barriers to its future development related to its peripheral position in the European and global automotive production networks.
A sequential analysis of classroom discourse in Italian primary schools: The many faces of the IRF pattern
Authors: Molinari Luisa , Mameli Consuelo , Gnisci Augusto
Published: April 2012

Background. A sequential analysis of classroom discourse is needed to investigate the conditions under which the triadic initiation‐response‐feedback (IRF) pattern may host different teaching orientations.

Aim. The purpose of the study is twofold: first, to describe the characteristics of classroom discourse and, second, to identify and explore the different interactive sequences that can be captured with a sequential statistical analysis.

Method. Twelve whole‐class activities were video recorded in three Italian primary schools. We observed classroom interaction as it occurs naturally on an everyday basis. In total, we collected 587 min of video recordings. Subsequently, 828 triadic IRF patterns were extracted from this material and analysed with the programme Generalized Sequential Query (GSEQ).

Results. The results indicate that classroom discourse may unfold in different ways. In particular, we identified and described four types of sequences. Dialogic sequences were triggered by authentic questions, and continued through further relaunches. Monologic sequences were directed to fulfil the teachers' pre‐determined didactic purposes. Co‐constructive sequences fostered deduction, reasoning, and thinking. Scaffolding sequences helped and sustained children with difficulties.

Conclusions. The application of sequential analyses allowed us to show that interactive sequences may account for a variety of meanings, thus making a significant contribution to the literature and research practice in classroom discourse.
Cantilevered Piezoelectric Energy Harvester With a Dynamic Magnifier
Authors: Aladwani A. , Arafa M. , Aldraihem O. , Baz A.
Published: April 2012

Conventional energy harvester typically consists of a cantilevered composite piezoelectric beam which has a proof mass at its free end while its fixed end is mounted on a vibrating base structure. The resulting relative motion between the proof mass and the base structure produces a mechanical strain in the piezoelectric elements which is converted into electrical power by virtue of the direct piezoelectric effect. In this paper, the harvester is provided with a dynamic magnifier consisting of a spring-mass system which is placed between the fixed end of the piezoelectric beam and the vibrating base structure. The main function of the dynamic magnifier, as the name implies, is to magnify the strain experienced by the piezoelectric elements in order to amplify the electrical power output of the harvester. With proper selection of the design parameters of the magnifier, the harvested power can be significantly enhanced and the effective bandwidth of the harvester can be improved. The theory governing the operation of this class of cantilevered piezoelectric energy harvesters with dynamic magnifier (CPEHDM) is developed using the finite element method. Numerical examples are presented to illustrate the merits of the CPEHDM in comparison with the conventional piezoelectric energy harvesters (CPEH). The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of the CPEHDM as a simple and effective means for enhancing the magnitude and spectral characteristics of CPEH.
Vibration and Sensitivity Analysis of a Beam With a Lumped Mass of Translational and Rotary Inertias
Authors: Wang D.
Published: April 2012

The free vibration analysis of a uniform beam carrying a lumped mass with the inclusion of both translational and rotary inertias are performed, and a closed-form expression of the frequency sensitivity with respect to the attachment location of the lumped mass is formulated using the discrete method upon the finite element analysis. By virtually introducing additional degrees of freedom at the mass-attached point, the first-order derivative of the natural frequency can be determined straightforwardly. Comparisons of numerical results from two typical examples show that the rotary inertia of a lumped mass may impose important effects on the natural frequency and its sensitivity. Neglecting the rotary inertia may lead to inaccurate or even erroneous solutions of the beam’s dynamics.
Nonlinear Vibration Analysis of the Wind Turbine Blade (Occurrence of the Superharmonic Resonance in the Out of Plane Vibration of the Elastic Blade)
Authors: Inoue Tsuyoshi , Ishida Yukio , Kiyohara Takashi
Published: April 2012

The use of wind turbine generator has rapidly spread as a one of the foremost clean energy sources. Recently, as the size of the wind turbine generator has become larger, its maintenance has become more difficult. However, there are few studies on the vibration analysis and its suppression in the conventional researches. The wind turbine is a special type of rotating machinery which has a long heavy blade rotating in the vertical plane under the action of the gravitational force. The wind power acting on the wind turbine blade varies periodically because of the height-dependent characteristic of the wind. Therefore, the dynamical design and analysis of the wind turbine blade requires a more thorough study. This paper investigates the fundamental vibration characteristic of an elastic blade of the wind turbine. The nonlinear vibration analysis of the superharmonic resonance is performed, and its characteristics are explained. Furthermore, the effect of the interaction of both the gravitational force and the wind force on the superharmonic resonance is clarified.
Concept Exploration Through Morphological Charts: An Experimental Study
Authors: Smith Gregory , Richardson Jenkins , Summers Joshua D. , Mocko Gregory M.
Published: April 2012

This paper presents two design experiments to evaluate the impact of the size and shape of a morphological chart used to identify promising concepts within those charts. In each experiment, students designed either a burrito folder or a pet feeder. The first experiment used two rectangular morphological charts; one vertically oriented with more functions and one horizontally oriented with more means. The second experiment used four morphological charts, two charts similar to the first experiment and two nearly square with a similar number of functions and means. Participants from similar populations were enrolled and similar protocols were followed to align the results for comparison. A comparison of the significant aspects of each experiment emphasized the problem, the participants, the morphological charts employed, and the experimental procedures. Furthermore, a critique of the two experiments is provided and joint conclusions are drawn. Experimental results suggest that reducing information in the morphological charts, such as the number of functions, enhances the likelihood for developing higher quality integrated concept solutions. While accurate for most configurations, this benefit is limited in that the largest sized chart failed to show worse results compared with smaller counterparts.
A Symbolic Formulation for Analytical Compliance Analysis and Synthesis of Flexure Mechanisms
Authors: Su Hai-Jun , Shi Hongliang , Yu JingJun
Published: April 2012

This paper presents a symbolic formulation for analytical compliance analysis and synthesis of flexure mechanisms with serial, parallel, or hybrid topologies. Our approach is based on the screw theory that characterizes flexure deformations with motion twists and loadings with force wrenches. In this work, we first derive a symbolic formulation of the compliance and stiffness matrices for commonly used flexure elements, flexure joints, and simple chains. Elements of these matrices are all explicit functions of flexure parameters. To analyze a general flexure mechanism, we subdivide it into multiple structural modules, which we identify as serial, parallel, or hybrid chains. We then analyze each module with the known flexure structures in the library. At last, we use a bottom-up approach to obtain the compliance/stiffness matrix for the overall mechanism. This is done by taking appropriate coordinate transformation of twists and wrenches in space. Four practical examples are provided to demonstrate the approach. A numerical example is employed to compare analytical compliance models against a finite element model. The results show that the errors are sufficiently small (2%, compared with finite element (FE) model), if the range of motion is limited to linear deformations. This work provides a systematical approach for compliance analysis and synthesis of general flexure mechanisms. The symbolic formulation enables subsequent design tasks, such as compliance synthesis or sensitivity analysis.
Perfect Static Balance of Linkages by Addition of Springs But Not Auxiliary Bodies
Authors: Deepak Sangamesh R. , Ananthasuresh G. K.
Published: April 2012

A linkage of rigid bodies under gravity loads can be statically counter-balanced by adding compensating gravity loads. Similarly, gravity loads or spring loads can be counter-balanced by adding springs. In the current literature, among the techniques that add springs, some achieve perfect static balance while others achieve only approximate balance. Further, all of them add auxiliary bodies to the linkage in addition to springs. We present a perfect static balancing technique that adds only springs but not auxiliary bodies, in contrast to the existing techniques. This technique can counter-balance both gravity loads and spring loads. The technique requires that every joint that connects two bodies in the linkage be either a revolute joint or a spherical joint. Apart from this, the linkage can have any number of bodies connected in any manner. In order to achieve perfect balance, this technique requires that all the spring loads have the feature of zero-free-length, as is the case with the existing techniques. This requirement is neither impractical nor restrictive since the feature can be practically incorporated into any normal spring either by modifying the spring or by adding another spring in parallel.
Characterization of hydrogen–plasma interactions with photoresist, silicon, and silicon nitride surfaces
Authors: Thedjoisworo Bayu A. , Cheung David , Zamani Davoud
Published: April 2012

For the 45 nm technology node and beyond, a major challenge is to achieve reasonably high photoresist ash rates while minimizing the loss of the silicon (Si) substrate and its nitride (Si3N4). Accordingly, an objective of this work is to characterize the photoresist strip rate under varying conditions of H2 plasma and the effects of these conditions on Si and Si3N4 etch rates. In addition, we discuss in detail the fundamental mechanisms of the reactions between H atoms and the above substrates and successfully reconcile the process trends obtained with the reaction mechanisms. In this work, photoresist, Si, and Si3N4 films were exposed to downstream pure-H2 discharges and their removal rates were characterized by ellipsometry as a function of the following parameters: substrate temperature, reactor pressure, H2 flow rate, and source power. The authors found that the H2-based dry ash and Si3N4 etch are both thermally activated reactions, evidenced by the steady increase in etch rate as a function of temperature, with activation energies of ∼5.0 and ∼2.7 kcal/mol, respectively. The Si substrate exhibits a rather unique behavior where the etch rate increases initially to a maximum, which occurs at ∼40 °C, and then decreases upon a further increase in temperature. The decrease in the Si etch rate at higher temperatures is attributed to the activation of competing side reactions that consume the chemisorbed H atoms on the Si surface, which then suppresses the Si-etch step. The photoresist and Si3N4 removal rates increase initially with increasing pressure, reaching maxima at ∼800 and 2000 mTorr, respectively, beyond which the removal rates drop with increasing pressure. The initial increase in removal rate at the low-pressure regime is attributed to the increased atomic-hydrogen density, whereas the decrease in ash rate at the high-pressure regime could be attributed to the recombination of H atoms that could occur by various mechanisms. At temperatures where the reaction rates are relatively fast, the photoresist and Si removal rates both increase continuously with the H2 flow rate, indicating that both reactions are in the supply-limited regime. For the range of process conditions explored here, we find that the etch rates of Si are generally much higher than those for Si3N4 with Si:Si3N4 etch-rate ratios that vary from 25 to ≫520. Based on the process trends obtained here, we have identified a process window—high temperature and intermediate pressure—that attains relatively high photoresist ash rates and low Si and Si3N4 etch rates.
Comment on “A Peptidomimetic Targeting White Fat Causes Weight Loss and Improved Insulin Resistance in Obese Monkeys”
Authors: Criscione Leoluca
Published: April 2012

A study reporting that a peptidomimetic adipotide reduces weight loss in obese monkeys by inducing apoptosis of blood vessels surrounding white adipose tissue may instead reflect a direct effect of adipotide on food consumption.
Thoroughly Modern Risk Prediction?
Authors: Pencina Michael J. , D’Agostino Ralph B.
Published: April 2012

Researchers use a data-driven technique called statistical learning to fashion risk prediction algorithms for clinical situations with low event rates.
QUANTIZATION OF NONEQUILIBRIUM NONSTATIONARY SYSTEM
Authors: SAIKHANOV MUSA
Published: April 2012

The simultaneous description of nonequilibrium nonstationary system at local and global level is carried out thanks to layering of structure of its energy spectrum. It allows to carry out macroscopic quantization of total production of entropy and to formulate a variation principle. Nonuniformity of energy spectrum nonequilibrium system far from equilibrium state is due to the fact that energy levels in a layer are close to each other (a quasi-continuous spectrum), and the layers are divided by intervals comparable with their width (discrete spectrum). Kinetic processes in system are caused by carrying over of particles and energy between the layers. Quasi-equilibrium subsystems are formed through selective interactions of groups of particles which lead to rapprochement of their values of energies. It allows applying procedure of statistical averaging at local level. As a result, we observe a large-granular quantization at the level of all systems. This approach is applied to kinetic modeling of nonisothermal nonstationary systems.
DESIGN AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MULTIPLE COUPLED MICRORING BASED WAVELENGTH DEMULTIPLEXER IN SILICON–ON–INSULATOR (SOI)
Authors: HAROON HAZURA , SHAARI SAHBUDIN , MENON P. S. , MARDIANA B. , HANIM A. R. , ARSAD N. , MAJLIS B. Y. , MUKHTAR W. M. , ABDULLAH HUDA
Published: April 2012

We report in this paper, an optimized design and characterization of SOI based single mode, four channels wavelength demultiplexer using microrings. The usage of silicon-on-insulator (SOI) allows a wide free spectral range (FSR) for the device that is crucial in developing ultra-compact integrations of planar lightwave circuits (PLCs). The characterizations are done using Finite-Difference Time-Domain (FDTD) mode simulations from RSOFT. Serially cascaded microring arrays up to the third order are presented to study the design trade-off among the FSR, Q-factor and optical losses of the laterally coupled wavelength demultiplexer. The demultiplexer is expected to be working at C-band region of Wavelength Division Multilplexing (WDM) for a wavelength around 1550 nm. Our proposed demultiplexer has low insertion loss (< 0.5 dB) and a crosstalk around 12 ~ 19 dB.
SELF-TRAPPING OF OPTICAL VORTEX BY USING THE MOLECULAR REORIENTATION IN PHOTOSENSITIVE POLYMERIC MATERIALS
Authors: TAO RAN , ZHU JIANG-ZHUAN , SHEN DONG , GU XIAO-YAN , LUO DUAN-BIN
Published: April 2012

Amorphous bulk composites were prepared by doping azo-dye Disperse Red 13 (DR13) in poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) matrices. Photo-induced anisotropy of such kind of bulk polymer material was investigated experimentally by measuring the birefringence when irradiating it with linearly polarized green light. We report the first observation of self-trapping of an optical vortex based on such effect in bulk poly(methyl methacrylate) materials containing photosensitive azo-dye molecules. The dependence of the average core width of a single-charge optical vortex versus time and input power was investigated in detail.
GaN ON SILICON SUBSTRATE WITH AlN BUFFER LAYER FOR UV PHOTODIODE
Authors: CHUAH L. S. , THAHAB S. M. , HASSAN Z.
Published: April 2012

Nitrogen plasma-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (PAMBE) deposited GaN thin films on (111) n-type silicon substrate with different thickness AlN buffer layers are investigated and distinguished by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman scattering. The thickness of AlN buffer layer ranged from 200 nm to 300 nm. Besides that, the electrical characteristics of the GaN thin film for ultraviolet detecting utilizations are studied by calculating the photo current/dark current ratio on a metal-semiconductor-metal (MSM) photodiode with and without the illumination of Hg-lamp source. The devices have been tested over room temperature (RT). The photocurrent analysis, together with the study of Schottky barrier height (SBH) development, ascertain that the principal mechanism of photo transport is thermionic emission. The photocurrent value is rigorously dependent on Schottky barrier height. The GaN/AlN(200 nm)/n-Si MSM photodiode produces the highest photo/dark current ratio for the lowest strain that consists of the GaN film grown on the AlN (200 nm) buffer layer.
OPTICAL LIMITING BEHAVIOR OF BROMOPHENOL BLUE AND ITS DEPENDENCE ON pH
Authors: HENARI F. Z. , Al-SAIE A. , CULLIGAN K. G.
Published: April 2012

The nonlinear properties and optical limiting performance of Bromophenol indicator solution were investigated using continuous wave laser beam at 488 nm and 514 nm. A z-scan technique was used to measure the nonlinear refractive index. The optical limiting was investigated by monitoring the output transmission through the samples at different concentrations and at different pH values. The results show the dependence of the optical limiting threshold on concentration as well as on the pH values of the solution. The investigation shows that bromophenol blue is a potential candidate for optical limiting. Results also show that the optical limiting values can be used as a pH indicator.
TOWARD A HOLISTIC SIX-PERIOD RADICAL INNOVATION LIFE CYCLE MODEL
Authors: DISMUKES JOHN P. , BERS JOHN A. , SEKHAR JAI A.
Published: April 2012

In-depth historical assessment of innovation over the past several hundred years shows that the incremental innovation and cost reduction emphasized in the late 20th century will prove inadequate and even counterproductive in the 21st century for achieving sustained, global competitive advantage requiring radical innovation. Accordingly, a comprehensive, holistic innovation life cycle model is needed.

Ongoing research since the PICMET'07 Conference has confirmed this need for a viable model, and developed an Accelerated Radical Innovation (ARI) methodology as part of the life cycle framework for a viable model. A significant contribution of the ARI methodology has been to develop improved techniques for measuring and guiding innovation progress, based on focused assessment of 10 innovation attributes at each of the 10 ARI steps in the first two phases of a six-phase life cycle envisioned to describe any radical innovation life cycle.

This paper first summarizes systematically the most prominent radical innovation approaches, including quantitative assessment of the dynamics of four major radical innovations over the past 100 years by retrospective application of the ARI theory and its associated four types of challenges and hurdles inherent in commercializing breakthrough innovations. It then proposes future research on a six-period innovation life cycle model as the basis for analysis of breakthrough innovations of all types.
π-Metal complexes of i-propyldinaphthoporphycene
Authors: Vargas-Zúñiga Gabriela I. , Roznyatovskiy Vladimir V. , Nepomnyaschii Alexander , Lynch Vincent M. , Sessler Jonathan L.
Published: April 2012

The synthesis and characterization of four metalloporphycenes containing a [MCp*]+ (Cp* = pentamethylcyclopentadiene; M = Rh , Ir , and Ru ) fragment directly bonded to the π-framework of the macrocycle were obtained. The electrochemical and optical properties of these complexes, studied in their respective free-base forms, revealed that the electron acceptor properties of the macrocycle can be enhanced by the coordination of an organometallic fragment to the π-electron face. In the case of the "fused" ruthenocene adduct, the corresponding nickel complex was also prepared. Here, less electronic communication between the ruthenocene moiety and the macrocycle was seen; however, the basic electron acceptor properties of the macrocycle were retained.
BUCKLING AND WRINKLING OF A FUNCTIONALLY GRADED MATERIAL (FGM) THIN FILM
Authors: NOROOZI MASOUD , JIANG LIYING
Published: April 2012

The instability of a functionally graded material (FGM) strip as a free standing film or a substrate-bound film is studied in this work, in which the stiffness of the film is assumed to change exponentially along the length. The buckling load and the buckling mode shapes for the free standing FGM film are determined analytically. For the substrate-bound film, the substrate is modeled as a Winkler foundation and the wrinkling load and wrinkling pattern are determined numerically by using a finite difference method and a series solution. In contrast with the wrinkling of homogenous thin films in which the wrinkles propagate in the entire domain, the wrinkles of the FGM films accumulate around the location with the least bending rigidity. The results of this work show that the sensitivity of the wrinkle accumulation around the weak locations of the system with lower stiffness is very high. This work is expected to provide a better understanding for localization of wrinkles around a region of substrate-bounded thin films in thin film technology.
"ALLOMETRY" DETERMINISTIC APPROACHES IN CELL SIZE, CELL NUMBER AND CRUDE FIBER CONTENT RELATED TO THE PHYSICAL QUALITY OF KANGKONG (Ipomoea reptans) GROWN UNDER DIFFERENT PLANT DENSITY PRESSURES
Authors: SELAMAT A. , ATIMAN S. A. , PUTEH A. , ABDULLAH N. A. P. , MOHAMED M. T. M. , ZULKEEFLI A. A. , OTHMAN S.
Published: April 2012

Kangkong, especially the upland type (Ipomoea reptans) is popularly consumed as a vegetable dish in the South East Asian countries for its quality related to Vitamins (A and C) and crude fiber contents. Higher fiber contents would prevent from the occurrence of colon cancer and diverticular disease. With young stem edible portion, its cell number and size contribute to the stem crude fiber content. The mathematical approach of allometry of cell size, number, and fiber content of stem could be used in determining the 'best' plant density pressure in producing the quality young stem to be consumed. Basically, allometry is the ratio of relative increment (growth or change) rates of two parameters, or the change rate associated to the log of measured variables relationship. Kangkog grown equal or lower than 55 plants m-2 produced bigger individual plant and good quality (physical) kangkong leafy vegetable, but with lower total yield per unit area as compared to those grown at higher densities.
NUMERICAL COMPUTATION OF A TWO-DIMENSIONAL BIOMAGNETIC CHANNEL FLOW
Authors: RUSLI NURSALASAWATI , HONG AHMAD KUEH BENG , KASIMAN ERWAN HAFIZI , YASSIN AIRIL YASREEN MOHD , AMIN NORSARAHAIDA
Published: April 2012

The present paper studies the fundamental problem of the biomagnetic fluid flow in a channel under the influence of a spatially varying magnetic field. The solution of the problem is obtained using an improved finite difference method. This approach has successful handled the pressure of the flow which is the main problem in the finite difference method. Results concerning the velocity indicates that the presence of magnetic field appreciably influence the flow field. A distortion in terms of asymmetric flow profile was observed near the magnetic source. Also a vortex is demonstrated near the lower plate where the magnetic source is placed.
PROTEIN STRUCTURE PREDICTION USING GAS PHASE MOLECULAR DYNAMICS SIMULATION: EOTAXIN-3 CYTOKINE AS A CASE STUDY
Authors: KHAIRUDIN NURUL BAHIYAH AHMAD , WAHAB HABIBAH A
Published: April 2012

In the current work, the structure of the enzyme CC chemokine eotaxin-3 (1G2S) was chosen as a case study to investigate the effects of gas phase on the predicted protein conformation using molecular dynamics simulation. Generally, simulating proteins in the gas phase tend to suffer from various drawbacks, among which excessive numbers of protein-protein hydrogen bonds. However, current results showed that the effects of gas phase simulation on 1G2S did not amplify the protein-protein hydrogen bonds. It was also found that some of the hydrogen bonds which were crucial in maintaining the secondary structural elements were disrupted. The predicted models showed high values of RMSD, 11.5 Å and 13.5 Å for both vacuum and explicit solvent simulations, respectively, indicating that the conformers were very much different from the native conformation. Even though the RMSD value for the in vacuo model was slightly lower, it somehow suffered from lower fraction of native contacts, poor hydrogen bonding networks and fewer occurrences of secondary structural elements compared to the solvated model. This finding supports the notion that water plays a dominant role in guiding the protein to fold along the correct path.
A REVIEW OF RETINAL PROSTHESIS APPROACHES
Authors: KIEN TRAN TRUNG , MAUL TOMAS , BARGIELA ANDRZEJ
Published: April 2012

Age-related macular degeneration and retinitis pigmentosa are two of the most common diseases that cause degeneration in the outer retina, which can lead to several visual impairments up to blindness. Vision restoration is an important goal for which several different research approaches are currently being pursued. We are concerned with restoration via retinal prosthetic devices. Prostheses can be implemented intraocularly and extraocularly, which leads to different categories of devices. Cortical Prostheses and Optic Nerve Prostheses are examples of extraocular solutions while Epiretinal Prostheses and Subretinal Prostheses are examples of intraocular solutions. Some of the prostheses that are successfully implanted and tested in animals as well as humans can restore basic visual functions but still have limitations. This paper will give an overview of the current state of art of Retinal Prostheses and compare the advantages and limitations of each type. The purpose of this review is thus to summarize the current technologies and approaches used in developing Retinal Prostheses and therefore to lay a foundation for future designs and research directions.
NUMERICAL SOLUTION OF TUMOR-IMMUNE INTERACTION USING 2-POINT BLOCK BACKWARD DIFFERENTIATION METHOD
Authors: NASIR NOR AIN AZEANY MOHD , IBRAHIM ZARINA BIBI , SULEIMAN MOHAMED , OTHMAN K. I. , RAHIM YONG FAEZAH
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we consider tumor-immune interaction model systems. The numerical solutions for the tumor-immune interaction system are obtained by using the 2-point Block Backward Differentiation Formula (BBDF) methods developed by Zarina et al. in 2007. The numerical results are presented in terms of computational time and accuracy of the solutions.
THE ASYMPTOTIC BEHAVIOR OF TRAJECTORIES OF DISSIPATIVE QUADRATIC STOCHASTIC OPERATORS ON 2D SIMPLEX
Authors: SHAHIDI FARRUH , TAP ABU OSMAN MD
Published: April 2012

In the present paper we study limit behavior of dissipative quadratic stochastic operators on 2D simplex. We show that dissipative quadratic stochastic operator, which is not linear, is either regular or has infinitely many fixed points. If dissipative quadratic stochastic operator is regular, it is shown that its unique fixed point is either a vertex of the simplex or the center of the face of the simplex.
A NUMERICAL STUDY ON PREDATOR PREY MODEL
Authors: LAHAM MOHAMED FARIS , KRISHNARAJAH ISTHRINAYAGY , JUMAAT ABDUL KADIR
Published: April 2012

Stochastic spatial models are becoming a popular tool for understand the ecological and evolution of ecosystem problems. We consider the predator prey interactions in term of stochastic representation of this Lotka-Volterra model and explore the use of stochastic processes to extinction behavior of the interacting populations. Here, we present simulation of stochastic processes of continuous time Lotka-Volterra model. Euler method has been used to solve the predator prey system. The trajectory spiral graph has been plotted based on obtained solution to show the population cycle of predator as a function of time.
SEIR MODEL FOR TRANSMISSION OF DENGUE FEVER IN SELANGOR MALAYSIA
Authors: S. SYAFRUDDIN , NOORANI M. S. M.
Published: April 2012

In this paper, we study a system of differential equations that models the population dynamics of SEIR vector transmission of dengue fever. The model studied breeding value based on the number of reported cases of dengue fever in Selangor because the state had the highest case in Malaysia. The model explains that maximum level of human infection rate of dengue fever achieved in a very short period. It is also revealed that there existed suitability result between theoretical and empirical calculation using the model. The result of SEIR model will hopefully provide an insight into the spread of dengue fever in Selangor Malaysia and basic form for modeling this area.
SOLVING MEDICAL AKZO NOBEL PROBLEM USING FUNCTIONAL LOAD BALANCING ALGORITHM OF 4(3) DIRK METHOD
Authors: DIN UMMUL KHAIR SALMA , ISMAIL FUDZIAH , MAJID ZANARIAH ABDUL , AHMAD ROKIAH ROZITA
Published: April 2012

Medical Akzo Nobel problem (MEDAKZO) is known for its tenancy of incurring high computational cost. Originates from the penetration of radio-labeled antibodies into a tissue that has been infected by a tumor, the problem has been derived from a one dimensional partial differential equations to a two dimensional ordinary differential equations thus generates a large scale of problem to be solved. This paper presents the performance of a new 4(3) diagonally implicit Runge-Kutta (DIRK) method which is suitable to excellently solve MEDAKZO problem that is stiff in nature. The sparsity pattern designed on the method enable the functions evaluations to be computed simultaneously on two processors. The functional load balancing can be profitable especially in solving large problems.
FLOW OVER AN UNSTEADY SHRINKING SHEET WITH SUCTION IN A NANOFLUID
Authors: ROHNI AZIZAH MOHD , AHMAD SYAKILA , ISMAIL AHMAD IZANI MD. , POP IOAN
Published: April 2012

The unsteady flow over a continuously shrinking sheet with wall mass suction in a nanofluid is numerically studied. The governing boundary layer equations are transformed into a set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations by using similarity transformation. The resulting similarity equations are then solved by the shooting method for three types of nanofluid: copper-water, alumina-water and titania-water to investigate the effect of nanoparticle volume fraction parameter ɸ to the flow in nanofluid. The skin friction coefficient and velocity profiles are presented and results show that dual solutions exist for a certain range of unsteadiness parameter A. It is also found that the nanoparticle volume fraction parameter ɸ and types of nanofluid play an important role to significantly determine the flow behaviour.
Estrogen potentiates prostaglandin E2-stimulated duodenal mucosal HCO3− secretion in mice
Authors: Tuo Biguang , Wen Guorong , Wang Xue , Xu Jingyu , Xie Rui , Liu Xuemei , Dong Hui
Published: April 2012

The cause of lower prevalence of duodenal ulcer in young women compared with men is largely unknown. We recently found that sex difference in duodenal mucosal HCO3− secretion existed in humans and mice, but the mechanisms are not clear. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an important endogenous mediator that plays an important role in the regulation of duodenal HCO3− secretion. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the effect of estrogen on PGE2-stimulated duodenal HCO3− secretion and the underlying mechanisms. The results showed that 17β-estradiol at the physiological concentration (1 nM) had no significant effects on duodenal mucosal HCO3− secretion or short-circuit current ( Isc) in mice. However, the pretreatment of 17β-estradiol (1 nM) markedly potentiated PGE2-stimulated duodenal HCO3− secretion and Isc ( P < 0.01 and P < 0.05). Global estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist ICI-182,780 and ERα-specific antagonist MPP, but not the ERβ-specific antagonist PHTPP, abolished estrogen-potentiated PGE2-stimulated duodenal HCO3− secretion and Isc. 17β-Estradiol and PGE2 additively increased phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) activity and Akt phosphorylation. Wortmannin, a specific PI3K inhibitor, inhibited estrogen-potentiated PGE2-stimulated duodenal HCO3− secretion and Isc. In conclusion, estrogen at the physiological concentration potentiates PGE2-stimulated duodenal mucosal HCO3− secretion through the activation of ERα and the PI3K-dependent mechanism, which may contribute to the sex difference in duodenal mucosal HCO3− secretion and the lower prevalence of duodenal ulcer in young women.
Per-unit-living tissue normalization of real-time RT-PCR data in ischemic rat hearts
Authors: Ellefsen S. , Bliksøen M. , Rutkovskiy A. , Johansen I. B. , Kaljusto M.-L. , Nilsson G. E. , Vaage J. I. , Stensløkken K.-O.
Published: April 2012

In studies of gene expression in acute ischemic heart tissue, internal reference genes need to show stable expression per-unit-living tissue to hinder dead cells from biasing real-time RT-PCR data. Until now, this important issue has not been appropriately investigated. We hypothesized that the expression of seven internal reference genes would show stable per-unit-living tissue expression in Langendorff-perfused rat hearts subjected to ischemia-reperfusion. This was found for cyclophilin A, GAPDH, RPL-32, and PolR2A mRNA, with GAPDH showing the highest degree of stability ( R = 0.11), suggesting unchanged rates of mRNA transcription in live cells and complete degradation of mRNA from dead cells. The infarct size-dependent degradation of GAPDH was further supported by a close correlation between changes in GAPDH mRNA and changes in RNA quality measured as RNA integrity number (R = 0.90, P < 0.05). In contrast, β-actin and 18S rRNA showed stable expression per-unit-weight tissue and a positive correlation with infarct size (R = 0.61 and R = 0.77, P < 0.05 for both analyses). The amount of total RNA extracted per-unit-weight tissue did not differ between groups despite wide variation in infarct size (7.1–50.1%). When β-actin expression was assessed using four different normalization strategies, GAPDH and geNorm provided appropriate per-unit-living expression, while 18S and total RNA resulted in marked underestimations. In studies of ischemic tissues, we recommend using geometric averaging of carefully selected reference genes for normalization of real-time RT-PCR data. A marked shift in the mRNA/rRNA ratio renders rRNA as useless for normalization purposes.
Drug Management of Visceral Pain: Concepts from Basic Research
Authors: Davis Mellar P.
Published: April 2012

Visceral pain is experienced by 40% of the population, and 28% of cancer patients suffer from pain arising from intra- abdominal metastasis or from treatment. Neuroanatomy of visceral nociception and neurotransmitters, receptors, and ion channels that modulate visceral pain are qualitatively or quantitatively different from those that modulate somatic and neuropathic pain. Visceral pain should be recognized as distinct pain phenotype. TRPV1, Na 1.8, and ASIC3 ion channels and peripheral kappa opioid receptors are important mediators of visceral pain. Mu agonists, gabapentinoids, and GABAB agonists reduce pain by binding to central receptors and channels. Combinations of analgesics and adjuvants in animal models have supra-additive antinociception and should be considered in clinical trials. This paper will discuss the neuroanatomy, receptors, ion channels, and neurotransmitters important to visceral pain and provide a basic science rationale for analgesic trials and management.
Uniaxial Bond Stress-Slip Relationship of Reinforcing Bars in Concrete
Authors: Hong Sungnam , Park Sun-Kyu
Published: April 2012

This paper documents a study carried out on the estimation of the bond stress-slip relationship for reinforced concrete members under axial tension loading. An analytical model is proposed that utilizes the conventional bond stress-slip theories as well as the characteristics of deformed bar and concrete cross-sectional area. An equation for the estimation of the bond stress is formulated as the function of nondimensional factors (e.g., bond stress, slip, etc.). The validity, accuracy, and efficiency of the proposed model are established by comparing the analytical results with the experimental data and the JSCE design codes, as well as the analytical models given by Ikki et al. and Shima. The analytical results presented in this paper indicate that the proposed model can effectively estimate the bond stress-slip relationship of reinforced concrete members under axial tension loading.