bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
QLRU: NCQ‐aware write buffer management algorithm for SSDs
Authors: Kim S. , Kim T.
Published: August 2013

A novel management scheme for the write buffer in solid‐state drives (SSDs) is presented. The proposed scheme exploits the future buffer reference pattern by using I/O commands information in native command queuing (NCQ) of SATA SSDs. Through the trace‐driven simulations, it is shown that the proposed scheme improves the performance of the write buffer significantly in terms of several metrics including the hit ratio.
Dual‐band superconducting bandpass filter with embedded resonator structure
Authors: Heng Yong , Guo Xubo , Cao Bisong , Ying Zhijun , Wei Bin , Zhang Xiaoping , Zhang Guoyong , Song Xiaoke , Wang Jingchen
Published: August 2013

A dual‐band superconducting microstrip filter with two passbands of 2.985–3.015 GHz and 3.045–3.075 GHz, respectively, is synthesised by a frequency transformation method. Open‐loop resonators with embedded single spiral resonators are proposed to realise the synthesised resonator frequencies and coupling coefficients. This structure has the advantages of compact size and weak parasitic couplings, which benefit the implementation of the dual‐band planar filter. The filter is successfully designed and fabricated on an MgO substrate. The measured results show high performance and match well with the simulations.
Compact polarisation reconfigurable printed monopole antenna at 2.4 GHz
Authors: Amini M.H. , Hassani H.R.
Published: August 2013

A single feed printed monopole antenna with switchable polarisation with reduced antenna size is proposed. The radiating element is in the form of two monopole rectangular patches fed by a single microstrip line. To reduce the size of the patches and to provide dual polarised operation, each patch is perturbed by two L‐shaped slots. Such a structure can produce two orthogonal linear polarisations by switching only one pin diode, which is the most interesting feature of the design. To further reduce the size of the antenna a meandered stub attached to the transmission line is employed. The antenna is fabricated on the low‐cost FR4 substrate with an overall size of 26 × 19 mm2.
Prediction of monthly rainfall statistics from data with long integration time
Authors: Luini L. , Capsoni C.
Published: August 2013

Conversion models, originally devised to turn yearly rainfall statistics from long (e.g. 30 or 60 min) to short integration time T (i.e. 1 min), are assessed for their ability to also predict monthly 1‐min integrated statistics, P(R)1m, knowledge of which may be beneficial for specific services (e.g. reconfigurable systems) and for the definition of a reliable approach to estimate monthly (hence worst month) rain attenuation statistics. Tests, performed for 5 ≤ T ≤ 60 min against monthly raingauge‐derived rainfall data collected in some sites worldwide, indicate that the EXponential CELL rainfall statistics conversion (EXCELL RSC) and Lavergnat‐Golé models, in force of their physical soundness, provide a good performance when used to predict 1‐min integrated rainfall statistics both on yearly and on monthly bases.
Translational and rotational diffusion of gold nanorods near a wall
Authors: Haghighi Maryam , Tahir Muhammad Nawaz , Tremel Wolfgang , Butt Hans-Jürgen , Steffen Werner
Published: August 2013

We measured the rotational and translational diffusivity of dilute gold nanorods in aqueous suspension close to a hard planar wall. Therefore, resonance enhanced dynamic light scattering, an evanescent technique, was applied, making use of the strong scattering intensity near the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance frequency of the particle. We observed a slowing down beyond the known hydrodynamic models.
Electronic and optical properties of ScN and (Sc,Mn)N thin films deposited by reactive DC-magnetron sputtering
Authors: Saha Bivas , Naik Gururaj , Drachev Vladimir P. , Boltasseva Alexandra , Marinero Ernesto E. , Sands Timothy D.
Published: August 2013

Scandium nitride (ScN) is a rocksalt semiconductor that has attracted significant attention from various researchers for a diverse range of applications. Motivated by the prospect of using its interesting electronic structure for optoelectronic and dilute magnetic semiconductor applications, we present detailed studies of the electronic transport and optical properties of ScN and its alloys with manganese nitride (MnN). Our results suggest (a) dilute manganese doping in ScN compensates for the high n-type carrier concentrations arising due to oxygen impurities and (b) an n-type to p-type carrier type transition occurs at a composition between 5.8% and 11% Mn on Sc sites. In terms of its optical properties, our analysis clearly indicates direct and indirect bandgap absorption edges of ScN located at 2.04 eV and 1.18 eV, respectively. In addition to the direct gap absorption edge, (Sc,Mn)N samples also show Mn-defect induced electronic absorption. Photoluminescence measurements at room temperature from ScN films exhibit a yellowish-green emission corresponding to direct gap radiative recombination. Direct gap recombination is not expected given the smaller indirect gap. A possible role of high excitation intensities in suppressing relaxation and recombination across the indirect bandgap is suspected. Raman spectroscopic and ellipsometric characterization of the dielectric permittivities of ScN and (Sc,Mn)N are also presented to assist in understanding the potential of ScN for optoelectronic applications.
Pullback attractors for reaction-diffusion delay equations on unbounded domains with non-autonomous deterministic and stochastic forcing terms
Authors: Wang Jingyu , Wang Yejuan
Published: August 2013

The existence of a pullback attractor in a space of higher regularity is established for the non-autonomous non-compact dynamical system associated with the reaction-diffusion delay equation with both non-autonomous deterministic and stochastic forcing terms defined on all n-dimensional space. The asymptotical compactness of the solutions is demonstrated by using the uniform estimates for far-field values of solutions and a new method.
Analytical study in the mechanism of flame movement in horizontal tubes. II. Flame acceleration in smooth open tubes
Authors: Kazakov Kirill A.
Published: August 2013

The problem of spontaneous acceleration of premixed flames propagating in open horizontal tubes with smooth walls is revisited. It is proved that in long tubes, this process can be considered quasi-steady, and an equation for the flame front position is derived using the on-shell description. Numerical solutions of this equation are found which show that as in the case of uniform flame movement, there are two essentially different regimes of flame propagation. In the type I regime, the flame speed and its acceleration are comparatively low, whereas the type II regime is characterized by significant flame acceleration that rapidly increases as the flame travels along the tube. A detailed comparison of the obtained results with the experimental data on flame acceleration in methane-air mixtures is given. In particular, it is confirmed that flames propagating in near-stoichiometric mixtures and mixtures near the limits of inflammability belong to the types II and I, respectively, whereas flames in transient mixtures undergo transitions between the two regimes during their travel.
A humidity-sensitive hydrogel-Bacillus spore composite for micropatterning of biomolecular gradients
Authors: Gieseck Richard L. , Chan Bin-Da , Savran Cagri A.
Published: August 2013

A composite material consisting of Bacillus subtilis spores suspended in a humidity sensitive hydrogel can be used to pattern biomolecules in different concentrations directly onto glass surfaces using a mechanical micromanipulator. By altering the relative humidity surrounding the composite gel during deposition, surface concentration of patterned biomolecules can be controlled and varied to create user-defined, biomolecular surface concentrations.
Highlighting short-lived excited electronic states with pump-degenerate-four-wave-mixing
Authors: Marek Marie S. , Buckup Tiago , Southall June , Cogdell Richard J. , Motzkus Marcus
Published: August 2013

Detection of short-lived transient species is a major challenge in femtosecond spectroscopy, especially when third-order techniques like transient absorption are used. Higher order methods employ additional interactions between light and matter to highlight such transient species. In this work we address numerically and experimentally the detection of ultrafast species with pump-Degenerate Four Wave Mixing (pump-DFWM). In this respect, conclusive identification of ultrafast species requires the proper determination of time-zero between all four laser pulses (pump pulse and the DFWM sequence). This is addressed here under the light of experimental parameters as well as molecular properties: The role of pulse durations, amount of pulse chirp as well as excited state life time is investigated by measuring a row of natural pigments differing mainly in the number of conjugated double bonds (N = 9 to 13). A comparison of the different signals reveals a strikingly unusual behavior of spheroidene (N = 10). Complete analysis of the pump-DFWM signal illustrates the power of the method and clearly assigns the uniqueness of spheroidene to a mixing of the initially excited state with a dark excited electronic state.
On the identification of deeper defect levels in organic photovoltaic devices
Authors: Carr John A. , Chaudhary Sumit
Published: August 2013

Defect levels play a significant role in altering organic photovoltaic (OPV) performance, affecting device aspects such as recombination, carrier transport, and Fermi-level pinning. In the ongoing effort to optimize the promising OPV technology, the identification, characterization, and potential mitigation or enhancement of such defect states remain important regions of interest. Herein, low frequency admittance spectroscopy is coupled with a high frequency, point-by-point capacitance versus voltage measurement to reveal a previously unknown deep-defect distribution in poly(3-hexylthiophene) based OPVs. The capacitance models of Cohen and Lang, Walter et al. and Kimmerling are employed alongside a trap-free dark current model to give good characterization and substantiation to the discovered band. Repetitions of the measurements on devices with and without a fullerene acceptor show the measured distribution to contain acceptor-like traps spatially located in the polymer bulk. The findings presented here are important for the understanding and optimization of organic solar cells and we expect the presented methods to be generally applicable to other OPV material sets.
A density functional for strong correlation in atoms
Authors: Johnson Erin R.
Published: August 2013

In this work, a strong-correlation model is developed for use with the Becke-Roussel exchange and dynamical correlation functionals. The model is free of empirical parameters and is exact for the hydrogen atom. It significantly improves on results from conventional functionals for the relative energies of spin-polarized and spin-averaged atoms through the first three rows of the periodic table, giving a mean absolute error of only 4 kcal/mol. The dissociation curve for the H2 molecule is also considered.
Domain formation due to surface steps in topological insulator Bi2Te3 thin films grown on Si (111) by molecular beam epitaxy
Authors: Borisova S. , Kampmeier J. , Luysberg M. , Mussler G. , Grützmacher D.
Published: August 2013

The atomic structure of topological insulators Bi2Te3 thin films on Si (111) substrates grown in van der Waals mode by molecular beam epitaxy has been investigated by in situ scanning tunneling microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy. Besides single and multiple quintuple layer (QL) steps, which are typical for the step-flow mode of growth, a number of 0.4 QL steps is observed. We determine that these steps originate from single steps at the substrate surface causing domain boundaries in the Bi2Te3 film. Due to the peculiar structure of these domain boundaries the domains are stable and penetrate throughout the entire film.
Martensitic phase transition, inverse magnetocaloric effect, and magnetostrain in Ni50Mn37-xFexIn13 Heusler alloys
Authors: Jing C. , Wang X. L. , Liao P. , Li Z. , Yang Y. J. , Kang B. J. , Deng D. M. , Cao S. X. , Zhang J. C. , Zhu J.
Published: August 2013

In this paper, we have performed the martensitic phase transition, inverse magnetocaloric effect, and magnetostrain in Ni50Mn37-xFexIn13 (x = 1–4) Heusler alloys. Experimental results indicate that the martensitic phase transition temperature in these materials decreases dramatically with increasing Fe substitution for Mn, which can be explained by the hybridization between Ni and Mn atoms. Large magnetic entropy for Ni50Mn35Fe2In13 could be achieved above room temperature under the applied magnetic field up to 80 kOe. In addition, an enhanced magnetostrain (0.28%) at 110 K associated with the phase transition in Ni50Mn33Fe4In13 was observed after the martensitic phase transformation induced by demagnetization at 100 K. The reason for the enhanced strain has been discussed in detail.
Creases and wrinkles on the surface of a swollen gel
Authors: Weiss François , Cai Shengqiang , Hu Yuhang , Kyoo Kang Min , Huang Rui , Suo Zhigang
Published: August 2013

Consider a layer of a gel attached to a rigid substrate, immersed in a solvent, and swelling in the thickness direction. The flat surface of the gel remains stable if the swelling ratio is small, but becomes unstable if the swelling ratio is large. While creases have been commonly observed, wrinkles have also been observed under certain conditions. We compare the critical conditions for the onset of creases and wrinkles by using a nonlinear field theory of gels. The critical swelling ratio for the onset of creases is calculated by using a finite element method, and that for wrinkles is calculated by using an analytical method. We find that the critical swelling ratio for the onset of creases is significantly lower than that for wrinkles.
Valuing the soil natural capital: a New Zealand case study
Authors: Samarasinghe Oshadhi , Greenhalgh Suzie
Published: August 2013

Inherent characteristics of soil and land valuation data are used to examine the relationship between soil characteristics and rural farmland values to value soil natural capital in the 6000 km2 Manawatu catchment in New Zealand. The study applies a widely used economic valuation method to determine whether the value of inherent characteristics of soils is reflected in land values. We find empirical evidence that the characteristics used to describe soil natural capital stock, e.g. gravel class, drainage class, potential rooting depth, and profile available water, are reflected in rural land values. Moreover, we find that these characteristics of soil stocks do not behave simply as independent variables but that there are complex relationships between them influencing their value.
Monitoring post-fire vegetation recovery in the Mediterranean using SPOT and ERS imagery
Authors: Polychronaki A. , Gitas I. Z. , Minchella A.
Published: August 2013

This study examined the effect of two different forest fires 19 and 23 years ago on the Mediterranean island of Thasos. An object-based classification scheme was developed to map the major land-cover types using multi-temporal Système Pour l’Observation de la Terre (SPOT) and European Remote-Sensing (ERS) (C-band VV) images covering the time period from 1993 to 2007. The developed scheme mapped the post-fire land-cover types accurately: 0.84 Kappa coefficient and 90.5% overall accuracy. The use of the ERS backscatter coefficient contributed to decreasing the commission errors related to the mapping of forested areas and to overcoming misclassifications that occurred between forested areas and shrublands located in shadowed areas. Results indicated that the forest regeneration rate is rather slow, especially in areas where the degree of burn severity was high while the largest part of the burned area is, to date, covered by low vegetation and shrubs. Nevertheless, a gradual shift from low vegetation to shrubland was observed. A preliminary investigation on the use of the ERS backscatter coefficient and the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index to monitor forest regeneration revealed that the backscatter coefficient could provide information related to changes in dense regenerating pine forests for the first 18 years after the fire event, whereas the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index was found to be sensitive to the regenerating forest understorey vegetation. However, further investigation is needed to confirm these findings.
Water Body Type Influences Climate–Growth Relationships of Freshwater Drum
Authors: Richard Jordan C. , Rypel Andrew L.
Published: August 2013

Climate–growth relationships of fish are of increasing research interest. However, few studies have attempted to characterize the extent to which climate–growth relationships may diverge across fundamentally different types of environments. The goal of this study was to examine the effects of climate variability (i.e., temperature, precipitation, global climate indices) on the growth of Freshwater Drum Aplodinotus grunniens and determine the extent to which these relationships differ between lotic and lentic habitats. Freshwater Drum were collected from five river and five reservoir environments in Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. Tree‐ring techniques were used to standardize annual growth for age (measured using interannual growth increments from otolith sagittae) and growth indices were correlated to annual thermal, hydrologic, and global climate indices. Freshwater Drum expressed distinct and significant climate–growth relationships by water body type. The general pattern observed was that annual drum growth in rivers was significantly correlated to days of year of maximum flow while annual drum growth in reservoirs was significantly correlated to annual variation in number of growing degree‐days (GDD). Furthermore, the strength of growth–GDD correlations for drum increased predictably alongside hydraulic retention time of reservoirs. This study reveals that water body type can govern climate–growth relationships in fish and suggests biologists need to be wary of assuming that patterns documented in one population would be wholly applicable to another.
Shalika periods on 𝐺𝑈(2,2)
Authors: Furusawa Masaaki , Morimoto Kazuki
Published: August 2013

In this paper we consider a certain Rankin-Selberg integral on a quasi-split similitude unitary group

G
U

(
2
,
2
)

\mathrm {GU}\left (2,2\right )

, which is an analogue of Jacquet-Shalika’s integral for the exterior square

L
L

-function for

G
L

(
2
n
)

\mathrm {GL}(2n)

when

n
=
2

n=2

. It indeed represents the twisted exterior square

L
L

-function, and we study the relationship between the existence of a pole at

s
=
1

s=1

and the non-vanishing of a unitary analogue of the Shalika period.
On identities of infinite dimensional Lie superalgebras
Authors: Repovš Dušan , Zaicev Mikhail
Published: August 2013

We study codimension growth of infinite dimensional Lie super- algebras over an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. We prove that if a Lie superalgebra

L
L

is a Grassmann envelope of a finite dimensional simple Lie algebra, then the PI-exponent of

L
L

exists and is a positive integer.
New Uses of Old Tools? Greenhouse Gas Mitigation with Agriculture Sector Policies
Authors: Jones Carol Adaire , Nickerson Cynthia J. , Heisey Paul W.
Published: August 2013

Following the failure of legislative proposals for a multi‐sector greenhouse gas (GHG) cap‐and‐trade policy, the shift in focus to energy sector policies ignores the perhaps substantial potential for GHG mitigation from agriculture/forestry. We review estimates of the current U.S. agriculture sector contribution to GHG mitigation from a portfolio of existing sector policies in bioenergy, conservation, and research and development to compare accomplishments across programs. We then consider what opportunities and challenges may exist for increasing sector GHG mitigation by retargeting and/or expanding current programs—or for bioenergy‐related mitigation, implementing proposed new programs—to serve as an alternative to cap‐and‐trade.
The Transitional Costs of Sectoral Reallocation: Evidence From the Clean Air Act and the Workforce*
Authors: Walker W. Reed
Published: August 2013

This article uses linked worker-firm data in the United States to estimate the transitional costs associated with reallocating workers from newly regulated industries to other sectors of the economy in the context of new environmental regulations. The focus on workers rather than industries as the unit of analysis allows me to examine previously unobserved economic outcomes such as nonemployment and long-run earnings losses from job transitions, both of which are critical to understanding the reallocative costs associated with these policies. Using plant-level panel variation induced by the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments (CAAA), I find that the reallocative costs of environmental policy are significant. Workers in newly regulated plants experienced, in aggregate, more than $5.4 billion in forgone earnings for the years after the change in policy. Most of these costs are driven by nonemployment and lower earnings in future employment, highlighting the importance of longitudinal data for characterizing the costs and consequences of labor market adjustment. Relative to the estimated benefits of the 1990 CAAA, these one-time transitional costs are small.
Molecular and evolutionary analysis of HPV16 E6 and E7 genes in Greek women
Authors: Tsakogiannis D. , Papadopoulou A. , Kontostathi G. , Ruether I. G. A. , Kyriakopoulou Z. , Dimitriou T. G. , Orfanoudakis G. , Markoulatos P.
Published: August 2013

Human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV16) non-European variants have been associated with persistent infection and cervical cancer development, while the L83V variant of the E6 gene has been correlated with the progression of cervical malignancy. The present study investigated the presence of the HPV16 L83V variant in Greek women. Molecular evolutionary analysis of the HPV16 E6 and E7 oncogenes was conducted in order to estimate the evolution of the HPV16 genome in the Greek population. The E6 L83V variant was found in 78.2 % of high- and 64.28 % of low-grade specimens. Moreover, the prototype and E6 L83V variants were both prevalent in high- and low-grade malignancies in Greek women. Selective pressure analysis of the individual amino acid residues of HPV16 sequences from the Greek population indicates that codon 83 of the E6 protein, as well as codon 85 of the E7 protein, are undergoing positive selection. Novel sequence variations were recorded within the E6 and E7 genes in cervical samples, characterized as (T350G) European variants. However, no signal of intratypic recombination event was identified within the E6–E7 region. Molecular and evolutionary analyses of HPV16 genomes from distinct geographical locations might provide valuable information about viral evolution and oncogenecity.
Expression analysis of Foxp3 in T cells from bovine leukemia virus infected cattle
Authors: Suzuki Saori , Konnai Satoru , Okagawa Tomohiro , Ikebuchi Ryoyo , Shirai Tatsuya , Sunden Yuji , Mingala Claro N. , Murata Shiro , Ohashi Kazuhiko
Published: August 2013

In the present study, we monitored Foxp3+ T cells in bovine leukemia virus (BLV)‐infected cattle. By flow cytometric analysis, the proportion of Foxp3+CD4+ cells from persistent lymphocytotic cattle was significantly increased compared to control and AL cattle. Interestingly, the proportion of Foxp3+CD4+ cells correlated positively with the increased number of lymphocytes, virus titer and virus load, whereas it inversely correlated with IFN‐γ mRNA expression, suggesting that Foxp3+CD4+ T cells in cattle have a potentially immunosuppressive function. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the detailed mechanism behind the increased Treg during BLV infection.
Microbial alginate production, modification and its applications
Authors: Hay Iain D. , Rehman Zahid Ur , Moradali M. Fata , Wang Yajie , Rehm Bernd H. A.
Published: August 2013

Alginate is an important polysaccharide used widely in the food, textile, printing and pharmaceutical industries for its viscosifying, and gelling properties. All commercially produced alginates are isolated from farmed brown seaweeds. These algal alginates suffer from heterogeneity in composition and material properties. Here, we will discuss alginates produced by bacteria; the molecular mechanisms involved in their biosynthesis; and the potential to utilize these bacterially produced or modified alginates for high‐value applications where defined material properties are required.
Is Politics Behind Trade? The Impact of International Trends and Diplomatic Action on Brazil's Exports during Globalisation
Authors: VIEIRA VINÍCIUS RODRIGUES
Published: August 2013

Although it is well known that domestic and international factors converge to affect a nation's foreign policy orientation and trade, their actual weights vary. Brazil's situation during globalisation sheds light on this issue. Through statistical and qualitative analysis, this article shows how structural factors, rather than diplomatic action, influenced the direction of Brazil's exports as the country became more integrated into the world economy. It was only under Cardoso's presidency that trade had an impact on bilateral diplomacy. The findings contradict conventional wisdom, which emphasises the state's role in driving Brazilian integration into the global economy.
Gerstmann‐Sträussler‐Scheinker Syndrome with Variable Phenotype in a New Kindred with PRNP‐P102L Mutation
Authors: Riudavets Miguel A. , Sraka María Alejandra , Schultz Marcelo , Rojas Estefanía , Martinetto Horacio , Begué Christian , de Halac Inés Noher , Poleggi Anna , Equestre Michele , Pocchiari Maurizio , Sevlever Gustavo , Taratuto Ana Lía
Published: August 2013

Gerstmann‐Sträussler‐Scheinker syndrome (GSS) is a dominantly inherited disorder belonging to the group of transmissible human spongiform encephalopathies or prion diseases. Several families affected by GSS with patients carrying mutations in the prion protein gene have been described worldwide. We report clinical, genealogical, neuropathology and molecular study results from two members of the first Argentine kindred affected by GSS. Both family members presented a frontotemporal‐like syndrome, one with and the other without ataxia, with different lesions on neuropathology. A Pro to Leu point mutation at codon 102 (P102L) of the prion protein gene was detected in one of the subjects studied. The pathogenic basis of phenotypic variability observed in this family remains unclear, but resembles that observed in other P102L GSS patients from the same family.
Puzzling Skills: Feminist Political Economy Approaches
Authors: Armstrong Pat
Published: August 2013

Je m'appuie sur l'économie politique féministe pour argumenter qu'il nous faut changer notre approche. Au lieu de nous concentrer sur les structures du travail axées sur la déqualification et le contrôle de la maind'œuvre ou sur les individus et leur apprentissage formel, nous devons nous interroger sur les conditions qui empêchent les individus d'acquérir et d'utiliser les compétences voulues et réfléchir aux différents moyens de tenir compte du facteur temps dans la façon d'évaluer les compétences. Notre article se veut d'abord une intervention théorique dans le débat sur les compétences, mais qui prend racine dans une préoccupation très concrète : les compétences requises dans le domaine des soins de santé.

Using a feminist political economy lens, I argue that there is a need to change how we approach skills in political economy. Instead of focusing solely on labor processes that deskill and limit control (as much of the rich political economy literature does, in this journal and elsewhere), or on individualized formal learning (as much of the management literature does), we need to ask what prevents people from developing and using the skills they need for their work, and how time can be factored into skill assessment. The argument is theoretical, but grows out of a practical concern with skills in health care.
Five Decades of Class Analysis in the Canadian Review of Sociology
Authors: Langford Tom
Published: August 2013

Cet article discute les grandes trajectoires de l'analyse de classe publiées par La Revue canadienne de sociologie au cours des premières cinq décennies, y compris la recherche aux sujets de la structure de classe, de la classe capitaliste et de la classe ouvrière. Depuis les années 1960s, trois interventions intellectuelles – (1) féministe et antiraciste, (2) poststructuraliste et (3) personnalisation – ont suscité une réorientation et fragmentation de la sous‐discipline de l'analyse de classe. Pour conclure, l'article évalue la mesure à laquelle chaqun de ces interventions ont influencé les chemins de l'analyse de classe publiés par RCS; de plus, il offre trois pensées à propos des futures directions de l'analyse de classe dans la sociologie canadienne.

This article discusses the main trajectories of class analysis that have been published by the Canadian Review of Sociology (CRS) over its first five decades, including research on class structure, the capitalist class, and the working class. Since the 1960s, three major intellectual challenges—(1) feminist/antiracist, (2) poststructuralist, and (3) individualization—have reoriented and fragmented the subdiscipline of class analysis. The article concludes by assessing the extent to which each of these intellectual challenges has impacted the streams of class analysis published in the CRS, and offers three thoughts on future directions for class analysis in Canadian sociology.
Weak Convex Decomposition by Lines‐of‐sight
Authors: Asafi Shmuel , Goren Avi , Cohen‐Or Daniel
Published: August 2013

We define the convexity rank of a set of points to be the portion of mutually visible pairs of points out of the total number of pairs. Based on this definition of weak convexity, we introduce a spectral method that decomposes a given shape into weakly convex regions. The decomposition is applied without explicitly measuring the convexity rank. The method merely amounts to a spectral clustering of a matrix representing the all‐pairs line of sight. Our method can be directly applied on an oriented point cloud and does not require any topological information, nor explicit concavity or convexity measures. We demonstrate the efficiency of our algorithm on a large number of examples and compare them qualitatively with competitive approaches.
The New Normal: The Figure of the Condo Owner inToronto'sRegentPark
Authors: KELLY SHARON
Published: August 2013

In this paper, I explore the newly emergent figure of the condo owner inToronto'sRegentPark,Canada's first and largest government housing project, which is being razed and rebuilt in a $1 billion redevelopment. The revitalized neighborhood will contain a mix of subsidized and condominium housing, and commercial development. Against this backdrop of massive change, the figure of the condo owner is perceived both as a salve and a threat. The redevelopment is premised upon the need to “normalize”RegentPark through the creation of a mixed‐income neighborhood, and the figure of the condo owner is deployed as a paragon of this “new normal.” However, the presence of the condo owner also evokes fears of privatization and a diminished voice for low‐income residents. Drawing on fieldwork conducted withinRegentPark, I examine how the figure of the condo owner is constituted in service to the redemption of a devalorized neighborhood, and how the condo owners negotiate this subject position. [urban revitalization, social mix, poverty, gentrification, Toronto].
Smoking increases the risk of pre‐ and postoperative complications in patients with pilonidal disease
Authors: Iesalnieks Igors , Deimel Sina , Zülke Carl , Schlitt Hans J.
Published: August 2013

Background

Smoking has a negative impact on the natural history and on treatment results of many dermatological conditions. However, there are no data demonstrating a similar effect in patients with pilonidal disease.

Patients and Methods

Consecutive patients undergoing surgery for pilonidal disease between 1/2004 and 3/2012 were analyzed retrospectively. Two surgical methods were used: a minimally invasive “pit‐picking” surgery for smaller primary disease and Karydakis flap for patients presenting with larger primary disease or those who have been operated previously. The aim of the present study was to analyze the impact of smoking on the natural history and on treatment results.

Results

Six hundred and ten patients underwent 660 surgeries: 475 pit‐picking operations and 185 Karydakis procedures. Smokers had developed a pilonidal abscess at least once during their disease significantly more often than non‐smokers (48% vs. 26%, p = 0.00001). The recurrence rate following the pit‐picking procedure was significantly increased in smokers (1‐year recurrence rate: 36% vs. 21%, p = 0.008). After the Karydakis procedure, smokers developed more wound complications than non‐smokers (29% vs. 10%, p = 0.005). The recurrence rate after the Karydakis flap was non‐significantly increased in smokers (9% vs. 7% at 1 year, p = 0.07).

Conclusions

Smoking has a detrimental effect on the natural history and on treatment results of pilonidal disease. Patients should be encouraged to cease smoking prior to pilonidal surgery.
Bacteriological pathogen spectrum of chronic leg ulcers: Results of a multicenter trial in dermatologic wound care centers differentiated by regions
Authors: Jockenhöfer Finja , Gollnick Harald , Herberger Katharina , Isbary Georg , Renner Regina , Stücker Markus , Valesky Eva , Wollina Uwe , Weichenthal Michael , Karrer Sigrid , Klode Joachim , Dissemond Joachim
Published: August 2013

Background

In almost every chronic wound different bacteria species can be detected.

Patients and methods

Retrospective, multicenter evaluation of bacterial swab results from 2010 and 2011 in patients with chronic leg ulcer treated in 10 dermatologic wound care centers from 5 regions in Germany.

Results

Data of 970 patients were analyzed. Staphylococcus aureus was detected in 47.6 % of the patients, 8.6% of these were methicillin‐resistant (MRSA). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was found in 31.1 %, enterobacteria in 28.6 % and Proteus mirabilis in 13.7 % of the patients. The regional comparison showed a significant south‐north gradient for S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and enterobacteria. Moreover, a highly significant west‐east gradient for MRSA was found with detection rates of 13.5 % in the west to 4.0 % in the east. Furthermore, nationally there was a significant negative correlation between S. aureus and P. aeruginosa or P. mirabilis, respectively, as well as a positive correlation of P. aeruginosa with respect to wound size and duration. In addition to climatic and therapeutic conditions, different regional health care structures are discussed as potentially relevant reasons for these significantly different regional detection rates.

Conclusions

Our data show the regional variability of the spectrum of currently detected bacteria in patients with chronic leg ulcers in Germany.
The Effects of Strategic and Structural Supply Chain Orientation on Operational and Customer‐Focused Performance
Authors: Patel Pankaj C. , Azadegan Arash , Ellram Lisa M.
Published: August 2013

Supply chain orientation (SCO), or the implementation of a supply chain management philosophy, consists of two distinct, yet interdependent elements, namely strategic SCO and structural SCO. Strategic SCO involves integrating an SCM philosophy into the firm's strategy development, while structural SCO encompasses operational‐level behaviors and actions that reflect such a philosophy. This study extends the research on SCO by developing hypotheses on the contingent effects of strategic SCO and structural SCO on a firm's operational and customer‐focused performance. Drawing on the strategy‐structure‐performance framework, the study proposes that strategic SCO and structural SCO positively affect different dimensions of performance and that structural SCO plays a mediating role in the relationship between strategic SCO and performance. These relationships are tested using primary survey data and archival data from 183 manufacturers in the Midwestern US. Results confirm that strategic SCO is associated with both operational performance and customer‐focused performance, but structural SCO is only related to operational performance. Structural SCO acts as a mediator in linking strategic SCO with operational performance and customer‐focused performance and mediation effects are strengthened at higher levels of environmental dynamism.
Influence of peripheral vascular calcification on efficiency of screening tests for peripheral arterial occlusive disease in diabetes—a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Aubert C. E. , Cluzel P. , Kemel S. , Michel P.‐L. , Lajat‐Kiss F. , Dadon M. , Hartemann A. , Bourron O.
Published: August 2013

Aims

Pulse palpation and ankle brachial index are recommended to screen for peripheral arterial occlusive disease in people with diabetes. However, vascular calcification can be associated with false negative tests (arteriopathy present despite normal screening tests). We therefore studied the impact of peripheral vascular calcification on the performance of these tests.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study included 200 people with diabetes at high risk of cardiovascular disease. The main exclusion factor was an estimated glomerular filtration rate < 30ml/min. Peripheral arterial occlusive disease was diagnosed by colour duplex ultrasonography and peripheral vascular calcification scored by computed tomography scan. We measured sensitivity, specificity, predictive values, accuracy and likelihood ratios of pulse palpation and ankle brachial index, and looked for the impact of calcification on false negative tests (arteriopathy present despite normal screening tests).

Results

Ankle brachial index alone had poor sensitivity and negative predictive value and high negative likelihood ratio. Pulse palpation had higher sensitivity and negative predictive value. An abnormal pulse palpation, defined by weak or missing pulses, combined with an abnormal ankle brachial index, had the highest sensitivity and negative predictive value (92.3 and 89.8%, respectively). Vascular calcification score was higher in patients with false negative tests, for both pulse palpation and ankle brachial index (P < 0.0001 for all). Ankle systolic blood pressure was higher in patients with false negative tests for pulse palpation (P = 0.004).

Conclusions

Below‐knee vascular calcification gave a high rate of false negative results for ankle brachial index. Refined pulse palpation combined with ankle brachial index remained the best strategy to screen for peripheral arteriopathy.
Architecture‐driven assistance for fault‐localization tasks
Authors: Soria Álvaro , Díaz‐Pace J. Andrés , Campo Marcelo R.
Published: August 2013

Finding software faults is a problematic activity in many systems. Existing approaches usually work close to the system implementation and require developers to perform different code analyses. Although these approaches are effective, the amount of information to be managed by developers is often overwhelming. This problem calls for complementary approaches able to work at higher levels of abstraction than code, helping developers to keep intellectual control over the system when analyzing faults. In this context, we present an expert‐system approach, called FLABot, which assists developers in fault‐localization tasks by reasoning about faults using software architecture models. We have evaluated a prototype of FLABot in two medium‐size case studies, involving novice and non‐novice developers. We compared time consumed, code browsed and faults found by these developers, with and without the support of FLABot, observing interesting effort reductions when applying FLABot. The results and lessons learned have shown that our approach is practical and reduces the efforts for finding individual faults.
Probabilistic cumulative damage model to estimate fatigue life
Authors: Pinto J. M. A. , Pujol J. C. F. , Cimini C. A.
Published: August 2013

This paper introduces a numerical model to estimate fatigue life under step‐stress conditions, using the Weibull and lognormal distributions. The maximum likelihood method was used to estimate the free parameters of the distributions. The model was fitted to an experimental data on fatigue life in the specimens of steel SAE 8620, by using evolutionary computation to optimize the likelihood function. Results are reported on the values of the parameters and their confidence interval. Also, a validation of the model is discussed using analysis of residuals.
On the application of the stochastic approach in predicting fatigue reliability using Miner's damage rule
Authors: Paolino D. S. , Cavatorta M. P.
Published: August 2013

The present paper investigates the application of the stochastic approach when the commonly adopted Miner's linear damage rule is implemented, both in its traditional and modified forms to include the presence of a random stress threshold (random fatigue limit), below which the rate of damage accumulation is reduced.

Main steps are provided to obtain the simulated distribution of the accumulated damage under variable amplitude loading. When the stochastic approach is applied in the presence of a random fatigue limit, an additional correlation structure, which takes into account the fatigue limit value, must be introduced in the analysis. If the number of cycles to failure under constant amplitude loading is Weibull (Log‐Normal) distributed, then the corresponding accumulated damage is Fréchet (Log‐Normal) distributed.

The effects of the correlation structure on reliability prediction under variable amplitude loading are also investigated. To this aim, several experimental datasets are taken from the literature, covering various metallic materials and variable amplitude block sequences.

The results show that the choice of the damage accumulation model is a key factor to value the improvement in the accuracy of reliability predictions introduced by the stochastic approach.

Comparison of the predicted number of cycles to failure with experimental data shows that larger errors are non‐conservative, regardless of the adopted correlation structure. When the analysis is limited to reliability levels above 80%, for these large non‐conservative errors, it is the quantile approach to be closer to actual experimental data, thus limiting the overestimation of component's life. For the experimental datasets considered in the paper, adoption of a stochastic approach would improve the accuracy of Miner's predictions in 10% of cases.
Approach to prophylactic measures for central venous catheter‐related infections in hemodialysis: A critical review
Authors: Silva Tricya N. V. , de Marchi Daniel , Mendes Marcela L. , Barretti Pasqual , Ponce Daniela
Published: August 2013

Vascular access is the major risk factor for bacteremia, hospitalization, and mortality among hemodialysis (HD) patients. The type of vascular access most associated with bloodstream infection is central venous catheter (CVC). The incidence of catheter‐related bacteremia ranges between 0.6 and 6.5 episodes per 1000 catheter days and increases linearly with the duration of catheter use. Given the high prevalence of CVC use and its direct association with catheter‐related bacteremia, which adversely impacts morbidity and mortality rates and costs among HD patients, several prevention measures aimed at reducing the rates of CVC‐related infections have been proposed and implemented. As a result, a large number of clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta‐analyses have been conducted in order to assess the effectiveness, clinical applicability, and long‐term adverse effects of such measures. In the following article, prophylactic measures against CVC‐related infections in HD patients and their possible advantages and limitations will be discussed, and the more recent literature on clinical experience with prophylactic antimicrobial lock therapy in HD CVCs will be reviewed.
Hypophosphatemia in patients with hepatitis B virus infection undergoing long‐term adefovir dipivoxil therapy
Authors: Shimizu Yuko , Hiraoka Atsushi , Yamago Hiroka , Shiraishi Akiko , Imai Yusuke , Tatsukawa Haruka , Tanihira Tetsuya , Miyata Hideki , Ninomiya Tomoyuki , Tokumoto Yoshio , Abe Masanori , Hiasa Yoichi , Michitaka Kojiro
Published: August 2013

Aim

The purpose of this study was to clarify the frequency of hypophosphatemia and other clinical features in patients with hepatitis B undergoing long‐term therapy with adefovir dipivoxil (ADF).

Methods

Seventeen hepatitis B patients treated with a combination of lamivudine and ADF were analyzed. They were divided into two groups: patients who developed hypophosphatemia (P < 2.5 mg/dL) (group A) and those who did not (group B). The frequency of hypophosphatemia and other clinical features were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

There were six patients (35.3%) in group A. The treatment period was 57.3 ± 15.6 and 61.8 ± 25.7 months in groups A and B, respectively. No differences were found between the groups prior to treatment. Among the six patients in group A, osteomalacia was observed in two, while a pathological fracture of the scapula was found in one. Decreases in phosphate (96 weeks after starting ADF), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (48 weeks) and uric acid (24 weeks) levels, and increases in creatinine and alkaline phosphatase were noted in group A.

Conclusion

Hypophosphatemia occurred in 35% of the patients under the long‐term treatment with ADF. Although it was not possible to predict the decrease in phosphate before ADF therapy, decreases in uric acid and eGFR may be the early events relating to low phosphatemia.
Characterization and Mechanical Properties of Calcium Silicate/Citric Acid–Based Polymer Composite Materials
Authors: Shirazi Farid Seyed , Mehrali Mehdi , Oshkour Azim Ataollahi , Metselaar Hendrik Simon Cornelis , Kadri Nahrizul Adib , Abu Osman Noor Azuan
Published: August 2013

Optimal implants for bone tissue engineering require sufficient mechanical strength as well as apt bioactivity and biodegradability. Calcium silicate (CaSiO3 ‐ CS) ceramics have been studied for tissue engineering and implantation for their good bioactivity properties. Elastomer poly (1.8‐octanediol citrate) (POC), one of the most biocompatible polymer, is used for biomedical application. The objective of this study is to fabricate a novel composite of calcium silicate with different ratios of POC to enhance the mechanical properties. The results showed that the compressive and the bending strengths of calcium silicate/POC biocomposite were improved remarkably at 40 wt% POC.
Efficiency and safety evaluation of photodegradation of Aflatoxin B1 on peanut surface
Authors: Chang Ming , Jin Qingzhe , Liu Yuanfa , Liu Ruijie , Wang Xingguo
Published: August 2013

A photodegradation study of Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on peanut surface was performed under UV irradiation at different UV irradiation intensities. With an initial quantity of 10 ng of AFB1, it can be degraded thoroughly within 80 min under the intensity of 800 μw cm−2. The photodegradation pathway of AFB1 on the peanut surface was proposed. Mutagenesis and cytotoxicity were assessed after exposure to different concentrations of AFB1 and the mixtures of photodegradation products on the peanut surface. The results of the Ames and in vitro cytotoxicity assay, providing clues to the assessment of safety issues of UV method applied in AFB1 decontamination, indicate that photodegradation products on the peanut surface has no toxicity, which can be explained by the differences in the chemical nature of the test compounds before and after UV irradiation.