bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Green's Function-Based Design for Deformation Control of a Microbeam With In-Domain Actuation
Authors: Badkoubeh Amir , Zhu Guchuan
Published: September 2013

This paper presents a Green's function-based design for deformation control of a microbeam described by an Euler-Bernoulli equation with in-domain pointwise actuation. The Green's function is first used in control design to construct the test function that enables the solvability of a map between the original nonhomogeneous partial differential equation and a target system in standard boundary control form. Then a regularized Green's function is employed in motion planning, leading to a computationally tractable implementation of the control scheme combined by a single feedback stabilizing loop and feedforward controls. The viability and the applicability of the proposed approach are demonstrated through numerical simulations of a representative microbeam.
LMI Based Sliding Mode Surface Design With Mixed H2/H∞ Optimization
Authors: Valiloo Shirin , Khosrowjerdi Mohammad J. , Salari Mohammad
Published: September 2013

In this paper sliding mode surface design is concerned with multi objective optimization for nonlinear continuous-time systems in the presence of matched and mismatched uncertainties and disturbances. In order to reduce the effect of uncertainties and disturbances on sliding motion, this problem is formulated as a well-motivated mixed H2/H∞ optimization problem and a constructive algorithm based on linear matrix inequality (LMI) is proposed. We also give an LMI-based sliding mode control law to direct the system trajectories onto the designed sliding surface. Finally, using a numerical example, we show the effectiveness of proposed method.
Experimental Investigation Into Thermal Behavior of Steam Turbine Components—Temperature Measurements With Optical Probes and Natural Cooling Analysis
Authors: Marinescu Gabriel , Mohr Wolfgang F. , Ehrsam Andreas , Ruffino Paolo , Sell Michael
Published: September 2013

The steam turbine cooldown has a significant impact on the cyclic fatigue life. A lower initial metal temperature after standstill results in a higher temperature difference to be overcome during the next start-up. Generally, lower initial metal temperatures result in higher start-up stress. In order to optimize steam turbines for cyclic operation, it is essential to fully understand natural cooling, which is especially challenging for rotors. This paper presents a first-in-time application of a 2D numerical procedure for the assessment of the thermal regime during natural cooling, including the rotors, casings, valves, and main pipes. The concept of the cooling calculation is to replace the fluid gross buoyancy during natural cooling by an equivalent fluid conductivity that gives the same thermal effect on the metal parts. The fluid equivalent conductivity is calculated based on experimental data. The turbine temperature was measured with pyrometric probes on the rotor and with standard thermocouples on inner and outer casings. The pyrometric probes were calibrated with standard temperature measurements on a thermo well, where the steam transmittance and the rotor metal transmissivity were measured.
Temperature Rise in Electroosmotic Flow of Typical Non-Newtonian Biofluids Through Rectangular Microchannels
Authors: Yavari Hadi , Sadeghi Arman , Hassan Saidi Mohammad , Chakraborty Suman
Published: September 2013

Electroosmosis is the main mechanism for flow generation in lab-on-a-chip (LOC) devices. The temperature rise due to the Joule heating phenomenon, associated with the electroosmosis, may be detrimental for samples being considered in LOCs. Hence, a complete understanding of the heat transfer physics associated with the electroosmotic flow is of high importance in design and active control of LOCs. The objective of the present study is to estimate the temperature rise and the thermal entry length in electroosmotic flow through rectangular microchannels, having potential applications in LOC devices. Along this line, the power-law rheological model is used to account for non-Newtonian behavior of the common biofluids encountered in these devices. A mixed type of thermal boundary condition is employed at the channel surface, instead of routinely presumed constant wall heat flux or constant wall temperature conditions. A finite difference-based numerical method is employed for solving the governing equations in dimensionless form. An approximate solution, based on the premise of a uniform temperature field throughout the channel cross section, is also obtained for the bulk mean temperature, which is found to be of high accuracy. This, accompanied by the assessments of the temperature profile, reveals that the temperature variations in the channel cross section are negligible, and as a result, the bulk mean temperature can be used as a very precise estimate of the maximum temperature in an LOC device. Moreover, the evaluation of the entry length shows that a thermally fully developed flow is hardly achieved in practical applications because of small length scales involved. Accordingly, the maximum temperature rise may significantly be smaller than what is calculated based on a thermally fully developed flow assumption.
Effect of Uncertainty in Blowing Ratio on Film Cooling Effectiveness
Authors: Babaee Hessam , Wan Xiaoliang , Acharya Sumanta
Published: September 2013

In this study, the effect of randomness of blowing ratio on film cooling performance is investigated by combining direct numerical simulations with a stochastic collocation approach. The geometry includes a 35-deg inclined jet with a plenum attached to it. The blowing ratio variations are assumed to have a truncated Gaussian distribution with mean of 0.3 and the standard variation of approximately 0.1. The parametric space is discretized using multi-element general polynomial chaos (ME-gPC) with five elements where general polynomial chaos of order 3 is used in each element. Direct numerical simulations were carried out using spectral element method to sample the governing equations in space and time. The probability density function of the film cooling effectiveness was obtained and the standard deviation of the adiabatic film cooling effectiveness on the blade surface was calculated. A maximum of 20% of variation in film cooling effectiveness was observed at 2.2 jet-diameter distance downstream of the exit hole. The spatially-averaged adiabatic film cooling effectiveness was 0.23 ± 0.02. The calculation of all the statistical properties were carried out as off-line post processing. A fast convergence of the polynomial expansion in the random space is observed which shows that the computational strategy is very cost-effective.
A Comprehensive Model for Laser Hardening of Carbon Steels
Authors: Fortunato Alessandro , Ascari Alessandro , Liverani Erica , Orazi Leonardo , Cuccolini Gabriele
Published: September 2013

This article illustrates the development of a complete and exhaustive mathematical model for the simulation of laser transformation hardening of hypo-eutectoid carbon steels. The authors propose an integrated approach aimed at taking into consideration all the phenomena involved in this manufacturing process, with particular attention to implementing easy mathematical models in order to optimize the trade-off between the accuracy of the predicted results and the computational times. The proposed models involve the calculation of the 3D thermal field occurring into the workpiece and predict the microstructural evolution of the target material exploiting an original approach based on the definition of thermodynamic thresholds, which can be considered as a physical constant of the material itself. Several parameters and phenomena are taken into consideration in order to accurately simulate the process: laser beam characteristics, fast austenization of the steel, and tempering effect due to mutually interacting beam trajectories. The accuracy of the model is presented by means of hardness comparisons between hardness predictions and measurements in single and double paths surface treating of AISI 1040.
Alternative Control of an Electrically Assisted Tensile Forming Process Using Current Modulation
Authors: Jones Joshua J. , Mears Laine
Published: September 2013

Electrically assisted forming is a technique whereby metal is deformed while simultaneously undergoing electric current flow. Using this process, electric current level becomes a new degree of freedom for process control. In this work, we present some alternative control architectures allowing for new avenues of control using such a process. The primary findings are architectures to allow for forming at constant force and forming at constant stress levels by modulating electric current to directly control material strength. These are demonstrated in a tensile forming operation, and found to produce the desired results. Combining these control approaches with previous and contemporary efforts in modeling of the process physics will allow for system identification of material response properties and model-based control of difficult-to-observe process parameters such as real time temperature gradients.
The Effect of Surface Roughness on Efficiency of Low Pressure Turbines
Authors: Vázquez Raúl , Torre Diego
Published: September 2013

The effect of surface roughness on the efficiency of low pressure turbines (LPTs) was experimentally investigated in a multistage turbine high-speed rig. The rig consisted of three stages of a state-of-the-art LPT. The stages were characterized by a very high wall-slope angle, reverse cut-off design, very high lift, and very high aspect ratio airfoils. Two sets of airfoils (both stators and rotors) were tested. The first set was made of airfoils with a roughness size of 0.7 μm Ra (25–35 × 10−5 ks/Cm), which was representative of LPT polished airfoils. The surface finish for the second set of airfoils was 1.8 μm Ra for blades and 2.5 μm Ra for stators (approximately 90 × 10−5 in terms of ks/Cm for both stators and blades). The resulting roughness of this set was representative of “as-cast” airfoils of low pressure turbines. The airfoil geometries, velocity triangles, leading and trailing edge locations, and flowpath were maintained between both sets. They were tested with the same instrumentation and at the same operating conditions with the intention of determining the isolated impact of the surface roughness on the overall efficiency. The turbine characteristics: sensitivity to speed, specific work, Reynolds number, and purge flows, were obtained for both sets. The comparison of the results suggests that the efficiency and capacity of both types of airfoils exhibit the same behavior. No significant differences in the results can be distinguished for the range of operating conditions in this study. The results agree with previous studies of distributed roughness in turbines: the use of as-cast rough airfoils in some low pressure turbines at high altitude does not introduce additional pressure losses.
On the Unsteady Formation of Secondary Flow Inside a Rotating Turbine Blade Passage
Authors: Schneider C. M. , Schrack D. , Kuerner M. , Rose M. G. , Staudacher S. , Guendogdu Y. , Freygang U.
Published: September 2013

This paper addresses the unsteady formation of secondary flow structures inside a turbine rotor passage. The first stage of a two-stage, low-pressure turbine is investigated at a Reynolds Number of 75,000. The design represents the third and the fourth stages of an engine-representative, low-pressure turbine. The flow field inside the rotor passage is discussed in the relative frame of reference using the streamwise vorticity. A multistage unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) prediction provides the time-resolved data set required. It is supported by steady and unsteady area traverse data acquired with five-hole probes and dual-film probes at rotor inlet and exit. The unsteady analysis reveals a nonclassical secondary flow field inside the rotor passage of this turbine. The secondary flow field is dominated by flow structures related to the upstream nozzle guide vane. The interaction processes at hub and casing appear to be mirror images and have characteristic forms in time and space. Distinct loss zones are identified, which are associated with vane-rotor interaction processes. The distribution of the measured isentropic stage efficiency at rotor exit is shown, which is reduced significantly by the secondary flow structures discussed. Their impacts on the steady as well as on the unsteady angle characteristics at rotor exit are presented to address the influences on the inlet conditions of the downstream nozzle guide vane. It is concluded that URANS should improve the optimization of rotor geometry and rotor loss can be controlled, to a degree, by nozzle guide vane (NGV) design.
An Analytical Model for Boundary Layer Control Via Steady Blowing and Its Application to NACA-65-410 Cascade
Authors: Sarimurat Mehmet N. , Dang Thong Q.
Published: September 2013

In this paper, boundary-layer flow-control technique via steady blowing for low-speed compressor cascade applications is investigated using an analytical model based on the integral method and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The integral method is developed and used to investigate the effect of the momentum, the velocity magnitude, and the angle of the blowing flow on the behavior of the boundary layer. It is found that the change in the boundary layer momentum thickness across the blowing location is a linear function of the blown-flow momentum coefficient and a decaying function of the blown-flow velocity ratio. For the case when the size of the blowing slot and the velocity magnitude of the blown-flow are kept constant and the blowing mass flow rate is increased by increasing the blowing angle, there is an “optimum” blowing angle that maximizes the benefit of the boundary layer blowing. This angle increases with increasing velocity ratio and reaches an asymptotic value of 45 deg. According to the model, the change in the momentum thickness across the blowing location is conveyed exponentially downstream; thus, a small change in the momentum thickness due to flow blowing can have significant effect downstream. The developed model is applied to the NACA-65-410 low speed cascade using CFD, and good agreement between theory and CFD is obtained.
Exploitation of Subharmonics for Separated Shear Layer Control on a High-Lift Low-Pressure Turbine Using Acoustic Forcing
Authors: Bernardini Chiara , Benton Stuart I. , Chen Jen-Ping , Bons Jeffrey P.
Published: September 2013

The mechanism of separation control by sound excitation is investigated on the aft-loaded low-pressure turbine (LPT) blade profile, the L1A, which experiences a large boundary layer separation at low Reynolds numbers. Previous work by the authors has shown that on a laminar separation bubble such as that experienced by the front-loaded L2F profile, sound excitation control has its best performance at the most unstable frequency of the shear layer due to the exploitation of the linear instability mechanism. The different loading distribution on the L1A increases the distance of the separated shear layer from the wall and the exploitation of the same linear mechanism is no longer effective in these conditions. However, significant control authority is found in the range of the first subharmonic of the natural unstable frequency. The amplitude of forced excitation required for significant wake loss reduction is higher than that needed when exploiting linear instability, but unlike the latter case, no threshold amplitude is found. The fluid-dynamics mechanisms under these conditions are investigated by particle image velocimetry (PIV) measurements. Phase-locked PIV data gives insight into the growth and development of structures as they are shed from the shear layer and merge to lock into the excited frequency. Unlike near-wall laminar separation sound control, it is found that when such large separated shear layers occur, sound excitation at subharmonics of the fundamental frequency is still effective with high-Tu levels.
Loeffler's endocarditis with biventricular mural thrombi
Authors: Eisa Naseem , Shaheen Khaldoon , Alraiyes Abdul Hamid , Alraies M Chadi
Published: September 2013

A 42-year-old man presented to clinic with 1-week history of cough, malaise, loss of appetite and fever. Symptoms started acutely with cough and generalised weakness followed by fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. He has been healthy before with no chronic illnesses. Further workup disclosed, leucocytosis with 87% eosinophilia, bilateral lung infiltrate, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism and both right and left biventricular mural thrombi. Extensive workup was done and was consistent with hypereosinophilic syndrome, which explained all his clinical findings. The patient was started on high-dose steroids and responded very well with a complete resolution of symptoms over the course of a few weeks.
Unilateral calf hypertrophy and focal myositis induced by S1 radiculopathy: dramatic response to steroid treatment
Authors: Hemmi Shoji , Shirakawa Shunichi , Kurokawa Katsumi , Sunada Yoshihide
Published: September 2013

Unilateral enlargement of the calf in a 57-year-old man with S1 radiculopathy is described in this case report. Short tau inversion recovery-weighted imaging provided evidence of selective hypertrophy and a high signal intensity of the gastrocnemius and soleus. Histopathological analysis of the gastrocnemius revealed an endomysial inflammatory infiltrate and marked denervation lesions. Marked signs of denervation are suggestive of focal myositis secondary to neurogenic damage. The patient was treated with an oral corticosteroid (30 mg/day) and the calf hypertrophy was dramatically reduced within 5 weeks. Our case indicates that steroid therapy should be tried because it may be a potentially treatable disease.
Changing patterns of cytomegalovirus seroprevalence among pregnant women in Norway between 1995 and 2009 examined in the Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study and two cohorts from Sør-Trøndelag County: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Odland Maria Lisa , Strand Kristin M , Nordbø Svein Arne , Forsmo Siri , Austgulen Rigmor , Iversen Ann-Charlotte
Published: September 2013

Objectives

To examine cytomegalovirus (CMV) seroprevalence and associated risk factors for CMV seropositivity in pregnant Norwegian women.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting

The Norwegian Mother and Child Cohort Study (MoBa) in addition to two random samples of pregnant women from Sør-Trøndelag County in Norway.

Participants

Study group 1 were 1000 pregnant women, randomly selected among 46 127 pregnancies in the MoBa (1999–2006) at 17/18 week of gestation. Non-ethnic Norwegian women were excluded. Study groups 2 (n=1013 from 1995) and 3 (n=979 from 2009) were pregnant women at 12 weeks of gestation from Sør-Trøndelag County.

Outcome measures

CMV seropositivity in blood samples from pregnant Norwegian women.

Results

CMV-IgG antibodies were detected in 59.9% and CMV-IgM antibodies in 1.3% of pregnant Norwegian women in study group 1. Women from North Norway demonstrated a higher CMV-IgG seroprevalence (72.1%) than women from South Norway (58.5%) (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.17 to 2.88). The CMV-IgG seroprevalence was higher among women with low education (70.5%) compared to women with higher education (OR 2.20, 95% CI 1.24 to 3.90). Between 1995 and 2009 the CMV-IgG seroprevalence increased from 63.1% to 71.4% in pregnant women from Sør-Trøndelag County (study groups 2 and 3; p<0.001). The highest CMV-IgG seroprevalence (79.0%) was observed among the youngest pregnant women (<25 years) from Sør-Trøndelag County in 2009 (study group 3).

Conclusions

The CMV-IgG seroprevalence of pregnant Norwegian women varies with geographic location and educational level. Additionally, the CMV-IgG seroprevalence appears to have increased over the last years, particularly among young pregnant women.
THE GEODESIC MOTION NEAR HYPERSURFACES IN THE WARPED PRODUCTS SPACETIME
Authors: CHOI JAEDONG , KIM YONG-WAN , PARK YOUNG-JAI
Published: September 2013

In the framework of Lorentzian multiply warped products we study the Gibbons–Maeda–Garfinkle–Horowitz–Strominger (GMGHS) spacetime near hypersurfaces in the interior of the event horizon. We also investigate the geodesic motion in hypersurfaces.
Reactivity of (oxo)manganese(V) corroles in one-electron redox state: insights from conceptual DFT and transition state calculations
Authors: He Jing , Xu Zhi-Guang , Xu Xuan , Gong Li-Zhen , Mahmood Mian HR , Liu Hai-Yang
Published: September 2013

The electronic and structural features of (oxo)manganese(V) corroles ( Mn ( V )-oxo(cor)) in different oxidation states and their oxygen atom transfer (OAT) reactivity towards dimethyl sulfide (DMS) have been investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Three Mn ( V )-oxo corroles with different β-substituents ( Br (1), H (2), CH 3(3)) were choosen as model complexes. The results revealed that Mn ( V )-oxo corrole bearing electron-withdrawing substituent ( Br ) is more reactive than those having electron-donating substituents. Moreover, the conceptual DFT descriptor ω for Mn ( V )-oxo corrole in one-electron oxidized state is always larger than the neutral or one-electron reduced state. These calculations for the transition state involved in OAT reaction also indicated that the radical cation formed after one-electron oxidation, Mn ( V )-oxo(cor+•), is the most reactive specie, while the neutral [ Mn ( V )-oxo(cor)] in the triplet states are more reactive than those in the singlet states.
Ene-thiol reaction of C3-vinylated chlorophyll derivatives in the presence of oxygen: synthesis of C3-formyl-chlorins under mild conditions
Authors: Fukusumi Takanori , Takei Natsuki , Tateno Yubi , Aoki Takuya , Ando Ai , Kozakai Kouhei , Shima Hiroko , Mizoguchi Tadashi , Ito Satoshi , Ikeda Tsukasa , Tamiaki Hitoshi , Oba Toru
Published: September 2013

Reactions of thiol with the C 3-vinyl group of various chlorophyll (Chl) derivatives were examined. The reactions resemble thiol-olefin co-oxidation, except that the vinyl C = C double bond was cleaved to afford a formyl group without any transition metal catalyst, and that the simple anti-Markovnikov adduct of thiol to olefin was obtained as a minor product. Peripheral substituents of Chl derivatives little affected the reaction, while the central metal atom of the chlorin macrocycle influenced the composition of the products. Oxygen and acid dissolved in the reaction mixture can facilitate the oxidation. Sufficiently mild conditions in this regioselective oxidation at the C 31-position are significant in bioorganic chemistry.
icarusLabs: An Adventure in Crowdsourcing
Authors: Jackson Kimberly , Li Justine , Timmons Eric , Wallace Jason
Published: September 2013

From September 2011 through May 2012, icarusLabs competed in the UAVForge Competition, sponsored by the United States Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The objective of the competition was to design and build a small unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that could complete a local surveillance mission. A unique feature of the competition was an experimental crowdsourcing model, in which competing teams were able to provide technical feedback to each other as part of the design process. The icarusLabs team's solution to the challenge combined a tricopter and blended wing body aircraft into a single hybrid airframe. This paper presents the rationale and theory behind the design as well as the lessons learned from the technical and logistical challenges faced. In addition, the authors reflect on the crowdsourcing aspect of the challenge from a competitor's perspective. Overall, incentives for individual teams' success directly conflicted with the essence of crowdsourcing, but the competition was successful at stimulating interest to fill a void in current UAV solutions, bringing together passionate individuals from the global unmanned systems community, and generating a broad range of novel approaches to address the presented challenges.
A Comparative Study of Dorsal Buccal Mucosa Graft Substitution Urethroplasty by Dorsal Urethrotomy Approach versus Ventral Sagittal Urethrotomy Approach
Authors: Pahwa Mrinal , Gupta Sanjeev , Pahwa Mayank , Jain Brig D. K. , Gupta Manu
Published: September 2013

Objectives. To compare the outcome of dorsal buccal mucosal graft (BMG) substitution urethroplasty by dorsal urethrotomy approach with ventral urethrotomy approach in management of stricture urethra.Methods and Materials. A total of 40 patients who underwent dorsal BMG substitution urethroplasty were randomized into two groups. 20 patients underwent dorsal onlay BMG urethroplasty as described by Barbagli, and the other 20 patients underwent dorsal BMG urethroplasty by ventral urethrotomy as described by Asopa. Operative time, success rate, satisfaction rate, and complications were compared between the two groups. Mean follow-up was 12 months (6–24 months).Results. Ventral urethrotomy group had considerably lesser operative time although the difference was not statistically significant. Patients in dorsal group had mean maximum flow rate of 19.6 mL/min and mean residual urine of 27 mL, whereas ventral group had a mean maximum flow rate of 18.8 and residual urine of 32 mL. Eighteen out of twenty patients voided well in each group, and postoperative imaging study in these patients showed a good lumen with no evidence of leak or extravasation.Conclusion. Though ventral sagittal urethrotomy preserves the blood supply of urethra and intraoperative time was less than dorsal urethrotomy technique, there was no statistically significant difference in final outcome using either technique.
A Review of the Pharmacological Effects of the Dried Root ofPolygonum cuspidatum(Hu Zhang) and Its Constituents
Authors: Zhang Huan , Li Chang , Kwok Sin-Tung , Zhang Qing-Wen , Chan Shun-Wan
Published: September 2013

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in China for thousands of years to treat and prevent diseases. TCM has been proven safe and effective, and it is being considered as one of the important types of complementary and alternative medicine and receives increasing attention worldwide. The dried root ofPolygonum cuspidatumSieb. et Zucc. (also known as “Hu Zhang” in Chinese) is one of the medicinal herbs listed in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Hu Zhang is widely distributed in the world. It can be found in Asia and North America and is used as folk medicine in countries such as Japan and Korea. In China, Hu Zhang is usually used in combination with other TCM herbs. The therapeutic uses of those Hu Zhang-containing TCM prescriptions or formulations are for treating cough, hepatitis, jaundice, amenorrhea, leucorrhea, arthralgia, burns and snake bites. Recent pharmacological and clinical studies have indicated that Hu Zhang has antiviral, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and cardioprotective functions. This review gives a summary of the reported therapeutic effects of the active compounds and the different extracts of Hu Zhang.
Unusual Spinal Dysraphic Lesions
Authors: Tude Melo Jose Roberto , Pacheco Pollyana , Wanderley Luiz Eduardo
Published: September 2013

Human tail and multiple spinal dysraphism are unusual congenital malformations. Human tail appeared as a prominent lesion from the lumbosacrococcygeal region, generally without connection between the tail and the neurospinal axis. Spinal dysraphisms are usually isolated, reaching 0.038% of incidence of multiple spinal dysraphisms in the same child. There were three cases described of unusual spinal dysraphic lesions: two cases of human tail and a case of a multiple thoracic myelomeningocele. The literature about diagnosis and treatment was reviewed. Microsurgical technique was performed to provide better exploration of the lesions, and resection could be done in those congenital malformations, without morbidity.
The Natural History of Uterine Leiomyomas: Morphometric Concordance with Concepts of Interstitial Ischemia and Inanosis
Authors: Flake Gordon P. , Moore Alicia B. , Flagler Norris , Wicker Benita , Clayton Natasha , Kissling Grace E. , Robboy Stanley J. , Dixon Darlene
Published: September 2013

Based upon our morphologic observations, we hypothesize and also provide morphometric evidence for the occurrence of progressive developmental changes in many uterine fibroids, which can be arbitrarily divided into 4 phases. These developmental phases are related to the ongoing production of extracellular collagenous matrix, which eventually exceeds the degree of angiogenesis, resulting in the progressive separation of myocytes from their blood supply and a condition of interstitial ischemia. The consequence of this process of slow ischemia with nutritional and oxygen deprivation is a progressive myocyte atrophy (or inanition), culminating in cell death, a process that we refer to as inanosis. The studies presented here provide quantitative and semiquantitative evidence to support the concept of the declining proliferative activity as the collagenous matrix increases and the microvascular density decreases.
A Novel Approach toℓ2-ℓ∞Filter Design for T-S Fuzzy Systems with Multiple Time-Varying Delays
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Gong Cheng , Zeng Zhen
Published: September 2013

This paper investigates theℓ2-ℓ∞filtering problem of T-S fuzzy systems with multiple time-varying delays. First, by the Lyapunov-Krasovskii functional approach and free-weighting matrix method, a delay-dependent sufficient condition onℓ2-ℓ∞-disturbance attenuation is presented, in which both stability and prescribedℓ2-ℓ∞performance are required to be achieved for the filtering-error systems. Then, based on the condition, the full-order and reduced-order delay-dependentℓ2-ℓ∞filter design schemes for T-S fuzzy multiple time-varying delays systems are developed in terms of linear matrix inequality (LMI). Finally, an example is given to illustrate the effectiveness of the result.
Seeking the Important Nodes of Complex Networks in Product R&D Team Based on Fuzzy AHP and TOPSIS
Authors: Zhang Wei , Zhang Qingpu , Karimi Hamidreza
Published: September 2013

How to seek the important nodes of complex networks in product research and development (R&D) team is particularly important for companies engaged in creativity and innovation. The previous literature mainly uses several single indicators to assess the node importance; this paper proposes a multiple attribute decision making model to tentatively solve these problems. Firstly, choose eight indicators as the evaluation criteria, four from centralization of complex networks: degree centrality, betweenness centrality, closeness centrality, and eigenvector centrality and four from structural holes of complex networks: effective size, efficiency, constraint, and hierarchy. Then, use fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to obtain the weights of these indicators and use technique for order preference by similarity to an ideal solution (TOPSIS) to assess the importance degree of each node of complex networks. Finally, taking a product R&D team of a game software company as a research example, test the effectiveness, operability, and efficiency of the method we established.
Reliabilities of Mental Rotation Tasks: Limits to the Assessment of Individual Differences
Authors: Hirschfeld Gerrit , Thielsch Meinald T. , Zernikow Boris
Published: September 2013

Mental rotation tasks with objects and body parts as targets are widely used in cognitive neuropsychology. Even though these tasks are well established to study between-groups differences, the reliability on an individual level is largely unknown. We present a systematic study on the internal consistency and test-retest reliability of individual differences in mental rotation tasks comparing different target types and orders of presentations. In totaln=99participants (n=63for the retest) completed the mental rotation tasks with hands, feet, faces, and cars as targets. Different target types were presented in either randomly mixed blocks or blocks of homogeneous targets. Across all target types, the consistency (split-half reliability) and stability (test-retest reliabilities) were good or acceptable both for intercepts and slopes. At the level of individual targets, only intercepts showed acceptable reliabilities. Blocked presentations resulted in significantly faster and numerically more consistent and stable responses. Mental rotation tasks—especially in blocked variants—can be used to reliably assess individual differences in global processing speed. However, the assessment of the theoretically important slope parameter for individual targets requires further adaptations to mental rotation tests.
Immunophenotyping in BK Virus Allograft Nephropathy Distinct from Acute Rejection
Authors: Li Xue , Sun Qiquan , Chen Jinsong , Ji Shuming , Wen Jiqiu , Cheng Dongrei , Liu Zhihong
Published: September 2013

Differentiating BK virus nephropathy (BKVN) from acute rejection (AR) is crucial in clinical practice, as both of them have interstitial inflammation in the grafts. The purpose of the study is to describe the inflammatory cellular constituents of BKVN and to determine the clinical utility of immunophenotyping findings in distinguishing BKVN from AR. In addition, the expression of the HLA-DR was investigated. Sixty-five renal allograft recipients were included in this study, including 22 cases of BKVN, 31 cases of AR, and 12 cases of stable allograft. Immunostaining for infiltrating lymphocytes showed that the number of CD20 cells (P<0.001) and the percentages of CD3 (P<0.001), CD4 (P=0.004), CD8 (P=0.005), and CD20 (P=0.002) cells were all significantly different between BKVN and AR. Moreover, there were no statistically significant differences in tubule cell HLA-DR expression (P=0.156). This observation suggests that the number of CD20 cells and the percentages of CD3, CD4, CD8, and CD20 cells in renal biopsies would aid the distinction between BKVN and AR. On the other hand, the presence of HLA-DR upregulation may not only be specific for acute rejection but also be a response to BKVN.
An Image Filter Based on Multiobjective Genetic Algorithm and Shearlet Transformation
Authors: Fan Zhi-yong , Sun Quan-sen , Ji Ze-xuan , Hu Kai
Published: September 2013

Rician noise pollutes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data, making data’s postprocessing difficult. In order to remove this noise and avoid loss of details as much as possible, we proposed a filter algorithm using both multiobjective genetic algorithm (MOGA) and Shearlet transformation. Firstly, the multiscale wavelet decomposition is applied to the target image. Secondly, the MOGA target function is constructed by evaluation methods, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and mean square error (MSE). Thirdly, MOGA is used with optimal coefficients of Shearlet wavelet threshold value in a different scale and a different orientation. Finally, the noise-free image could be obtained through inverse wavelet transform. At the end of the paper, experimental results show that this proposed algorithm eliminates Rician noise more effectively and yields better peak signal-to-noise ratio (PSNR) gains compared with other traditional filters.
Frequency of Macroprolactinemia in Hyperprolactinemic Women Presenting with Menstrual Irregularities, Galactorrhea, and/or Infertility: Etiology and Clinical Manifestations
Authors: Leaños-Miranda Alfredo , Ramírez-Valenzuela Karla Leticia , Campos-Galicia Inova , Chang-Verdugo Rosario , Chinolla-Arellano Lizbeth Zarela
Published: September 2013

Aim. To determine the frequency of macroprolactinemia, its etiology, and the clinical manifestations in patients with hyperprolactinemia presenting with menstrual irregularities, galactorrhea, and/or infertility who were attended by the gynecology-endocrinology service.Methods. In a cross-sectional study, 326 hyperprolactinemic women were tested for serum prolactin (PRL) concentrations before and after chromatographic separation (gel filtration and affinity with protein G) and extraction of free PRL with polyethylene glycol (PEG).Results. Sera from 57 patients (17.5%) were found to have macroprolactinemia. The presence of macroprolactinemia was attributable to anti-PRL autoantibodies in 54 (94.7%) patients. The median serum PRL levels were similar in patients with or without macroprolactinemia (42.0 versus 38.1 ng/mL). In contrast, patients with macroprolactinemia had lower serum-free PRL levels (median 9.2 versus 31.7 ng/mL, ). Patients without macroprolactinemia had a higher frequency of galactorrhea and abnormal pituitary imagine findings ().Conclusions. We can conclude that macroprolactinemia should be considered as a benign variant, and it must be ruled out in women presenting with menstrual irregularities, galactorrhea, and/or infertility in order to investigate other causes different than hyperprolactinemia. Serum PRL precipitated with PEG is a convenient and simple procedure to screen for the presence of macroprolactinemia.
Observer-Based Sliding Mode Control for Stabilization of a Dynamic System with Delayed Output Feedback
Authors: Wang Bo , Shi Peng , Karimi Hamid Reza , Lim Cheng Chew
Published: September 2013

This paper considers the sliding mode control problem for a kind of dynamic delay system. First by utilizing Lyapunov stability theory and a linear matrix inequality technique, an observer based on delayed output feedback is constructed. Then, an integral sliding surface is presented to realize the sliding mode control for the system with the more available stability condition. Finally, some numerical simulations are implemented to demonstrate the validity of the proposed control method.
Surface-Assisted Luminescence: The PL Yellow Band and the EL of n-GaN Devices
Authors: Izpura José Ignacio
Published: September 2013

Although everybody should know that measurements are never performed directly on materials but on devices, this is not generally true. Devices are physical systems able to exchange energy and thus subject to the laws of physics, which determine the information they provide. Hence, we should not overlook device effects in measurements as we do by assuming naively that photoluminescence (PL) is bulk emission free from surface effects. By replacing this unjustified assumption with a proper model for GaN surface devices, their yellow band PL becomes surface-assisted luminescence that allows for the prediction of the weak electroluminescence recently observed in n-GaN devices when holes are brought to their surfaces.
Examination of Perovskite Structure CaMnO3-δwith MgO Addition as Oxygen Carrier for Chemical Looping with Oxygen Uncoupling Using Methane and Syngas
Authors: Jing Dazheng , Mattisson Tobias , Leion Henrik , Rydén Magnus , Lyngfelt Anders
Published: September 2013

Perovskite structure oxygen carriers with the general formula CaMnxMg1-xO3-δwere spray-dried and examined in a batch fluidized bed reactor. The CLOU behavior, reactivity towards methane, and syngas were investigated at temperature 900°C to 1050°C. All particles showed CLOU behavior at these temperatures. For experiments with methane, a bed mass corresponding to 57 kg/MW was used in the reactor, and the average CH4to CO2conversion was above 97% for most materials. Full syngas conversion was achieved for all materials utilizing a bed mass corresponding to 178 kg/MW. SEM/EDX and XRD confirmed the presence of MgO in the fresh and used samples, indicating that the Mg cation is not incorporated into the perovskite structure and the active compound is likely pure CaMnO3-δ. The very high reactivity with fuel gases, comparable to that of baseline oxygen carriers of NiO, makes these perovskite particles highly interesting for commercial CLC application. Contrary to NiO, oxygen carriers based on CaMnO3-δhave no thermodynamic limitations for methane oxidation to CO2and H2O, not to mention that the materials are environmentally friendly and can utilize much cheaper raw materials for production. The physical properties, crystalline phases, and morphology information were also determined in this work.
Sclerosing Cholangitis in Behçet’s Disease
Authors: Ben Slama Trabelsi Aida , Issaoui Dhilel , Ksiaa Mehdi , Souguir Ahlem , Mama Nadia , Brahem Ahlem , Jmaa Ali , Ajmi Salem
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Sclerosing cholangitis is characterized by an inflammatory and fibrotic lesion of intra- and/or extrahepatic bile ducts. When a causal mechanism of a bile duct lesion is identified, the sclerosing cholangitis is considered secondary. The vasculitis, including the Behçet disease, is cited as a probable cause of the ischemia and the sclerosing cholangitis. No cases of extrahepatic secondary sclerosing cholangitis have been reported to date.Case Report. We report the first case of secondary sclerosing cholangitis of the extrahepatic bile ducts associated with Behçet disease in a male who is aged 43, with a previous history of the angio-Behçet followed by complications of thrombophlebitis and a cerebral thrombophlebitis, and who has a cholestatic jaundice. The diagnosis has been carried out by the MR cholangiopancreatography which has objectified a moderate distension of the intrahepatic bile ducts upstream of regular stacked parietal thickening of the main bile duct. The patient has been treated successfully with the ursodeoxycholic acid and the placement of a plastic stent.Conclusion. This diagnosis should be mentioned to any patient with vasculitis and who has a cholestatic jaundice.
Optimal Control of a Viscous Shallow Water Equation
Authors: Zhang Wenbin , Zhou Jiangbo
Published: September 2013

This paper is concerned with a viscous shallow water equation, which includes both the viscous Camassa-Holm equation and the viscous Degasperis-Procesi equation as its special cases. The optimal control under boundary conditions is given, and the existence of optimal solution to the equation is proved.
Friedreich's Ataxia, Frataxin, PIP5K1B: Echo of a Distant Fracas
Authors: Bayot Aurélien , Rustin Pierre
Published: September 2013

“Frataxin fracas” were the words used when referring to the frataxin-encoding gene (FXN) burst in as a motive to disqualify an alternative candidate gene,PIP5K1B, as an actor in Friedreich's ataxia (FRDA) (Campuzano et al., 1996; Cossee et al., 1997; Carvajal et al., 1996). The instrumental role in the disease of large triplet expansions in the first intron ofFXNhas been thereafter fully confirmed, and this no longer suffers any dispute (Koeppen, 2011). On the other hand, a recent study suggests that the consequences of these large expansions inFXNare wider than previously thought and that the expression of surrounding genes, includingPIP5K1B, could be concurrently modulated by these large expansions (Bayot et al., 2013). This recent observation raises a number of important and yet unanswered questions for scientists and clinicians working on FRDA; these questions are the substratum of this paper.
Impacts of Vegetation Change on the Regional Surface Climate: A Scenario-Based Analysis of Afforestation in Jiangxi Province, China
Authors: Ma Enjun , Liu Anping , Li Xing , Wu Feng , Zhan Jinyan
Published: September 2013

The afforestation is one of the most noticeable human activities that affect the climate through influencing not only the carbon sink but also the thermal properties of the land surface. This research accessed the potential effects of artificial vegetation change on the regional climate in Jiangxi Province, China. Based on simulation with the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model, a comparative analysis was carried out on the future temperature and precipitation under four hypothetical vegetation cover scenarios. The simulation results indicated that the vegetation change would have significant effects on the regional climate. The simulated effects of annual average temperature showed a decreasing order: evergreen broadleaf > evergreen needleleaf > deciduous needleleaf > deciduous broadleaf, and the effects of annual average precipitation of the evergreen forests would be bigger than those of the deciduous forests. The deciduous forests play a positive role in decreasing the annual average temperature, while the evergreen forests promote the annual average temperature rise. Besides, the expansion of deciduous forests may result in severe drought in the summer in Jiangxi Province. These conclusions are of important policy implication to the future afforestation in Jiangxi Province, China, and other regions of the world.
A Dopamine Sensor Based on Pre-Concentration by Magnetic Nanoparticles
Authors: Bagherzadeh Mojtaba , Ansari Somayeh , Riahi Fariborz , Farahbakhsh Anahita
Published: September 2013

Herein, Fe3O4magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized and characterized. Afterward, a magnetic carbon paste electrode (MCPE) was modified with MNPs via casting and drying MNPs on top of the MCPE (MCPE/MNP). Electrochemical behavior of the MCPE/MNP was studied by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of [Fe(CN)6]3−/4−as a redox probe, and surfacepKaof MNPs was evaluated as6.3±0.1. The behavior of MCPE/MNP towards dopamine (DA) and ascorbic acid (AA) has been investigated by electrochemical methods, and the obtained results showed that the MCPE/MNP has adsorption behavior towards only DA. Based on this behavior, the DA molecules were pre-concentrated on top of the MCPE/MNP and followed with stripping in DA free solution. Subsequent to experimental and instrumental optimization, a calibration curve from5.0×10-6to1.0×10-3 M DA withr2=0.999, DL =7.6×10-7 M DA, and RSD = 4.6%, was obtained in the presence of1.0×10-3 M AA. Performance of the MCPE/MNP was successfully tested in a pharmaceutical sample.
Successful Pregnancy in a Female with a Large Prolactinoma after Pituitary Tumor Apoplexy
Authors: Al-Sharafi Butheinah A. , Nassar Omar H.
Published: September 2013

Pituitary apoplexy is a rare condition which may cause death of the patient in severe cases and many times leads to hypopituitarism. We report a case of apoplexy in a large prolactinoma resulting in empty sella syndrome followed by a successful pregnancy. Our patient is a 32-year-old female with a history of a macroprolactinoma for approximately 17 years who presented to our hospital with a history of severe headache, decreased level of consciousness, fever, nausea, vomiting, and diplopia of 12 hours duration. Magnetic resonance imaging done on admission showed an increase in the size of the pituitary adenoma with a subtle hemorrhage. The patient was admitted to the intensive care unit and treated conservatively. The condition of the patient improved within a few days. A few months later, she started having regular menstrual periods. A magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary 1.5 years later was reported as empty sella syndrome, and approximately one year later she became pregnant. With the pituitary adenoma being resolved after developing pituitary apoplexy and continuing on cabergoline, the patient had a successful pregnancy with no recurrence of the adenoma after delivery and breastfeeding.
Heuristic for Stochastic Online Flowshop Problem with Preemption Penalties
Authors: Bayat Mohammad , Heydari Mehdi , Mahdavi Mazdeh Mohammad
Published: September 2013

The deterministic flowshop model is one of the most widely studied problems; whereas its stochastic equivalent has remained a challenge. Furthermore, the preemptive online stochastic flowshop problem has received much less attention, and most of the previous researches have considered a nonpreemptive version. Moreover, little attention has been devoted to the problems where a certain time penalty is incurred when preemption is allowed. This paper examines the preemptive stochastic online flowshop with the objective of minimizing the expected makespan. All the jobs arrive overtime, which means that the existence and the parameters of each job are unknown until its release date. The processing time of the jobs is stochastic and actual processing time is unknown until completion of the job. A heuristic procedure for this problem is presented, which is applicable whenever the job processing times are characterized by their means and standard deviation. The performance of the proposed heuristic method is explored using some numerical examples.