bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spatial variability in adult brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) survival within two intensively surveyed headwater stream networks
Authors: Kanno Yoichiro , Letcher Benjamin H. , Vokoun Jason C. , Zipkin Elise F.
Published: March 2014

Headwater stream networks are considered heterogeneous riverscapes, but it is challenging to characterize spatial variability in demographic rates. We estimated site-scale (50 m) survival of adult (>age 1+) brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) within two intensively surveyed headwater stream networks by applying an open-population N-mixture approach to count data collected over two consecutive summers. The estimated annual apparent survival rate was 0.37 (95% CI: 0.28–0.46) in one network and 0.31 (95% CI: 0.15–0.45) in the other network. In both networks, trout survival was higher in stream sites characterized by more abundant pool habitats. Trout survival was negatively associated with mean depth in one network and positively associated with stream gradient in the other. Stream temperature was not related to trout survival in either network, possibly because the majority of sites were thermally suitable. A similar analytical approach can be useful for inferring survival rates when count data are available over space and time but individual tagging is not feasible.
Rapid in situ measures of phytoplankton communities using the bbe FluoroProbe: evaluation of spectral calibration, instrument intercompatibility, and performance range
Authors: Kring Stefanie A. , Figary Stephanie E. , Boyer Gregory L. , Watson Susan B. , Twiss Michael R.
Published: March 2014

The FluoroProbe (FP; bbe Moldaenke, GmbH) is increasingly deployed as a means to measure in situ abundance and composition of phytoplankton communities, yet few rigorous evaluations have been made of its performance. In this study, phytoplankton strains were grown under standardized conditions to test FP performance across a range of biomass concentrations (0.2 to 20 μg chlorophyll a (chl a)·L−1). FP estimates of in vivo chl a were compared with chl a values from acetone extraction analysis. Overall, in vivo chl a detected by the FP was well correlated with extracted values (r2 = 0.85, n = 409, p < 0.0001). However, the difference between in vivo FP measures and the acetone extracted method was high in some cases. Accuracy did not change over a range of chromophoric dissolved organic matter concentrations. Calibration with each laboratory strain improved FP accuracy over the standard instrument factory settings. The performance of two different instruments was not significantly different (p = 0.38), showing good data intercompatibility. In the majority of experiments involving multiple phytoplankton groups at various proportions and concentrations, the FP resolved all groups. The FP is a cost-effective and practical method for identifying trends in phytoplankton dynamics but has limitations with respect to accurate total chl a measurement.
Application of dynamic data driven application system in environmental science
Authors: Song Jingwei , Xiang Bo , Wang Xinyuan , Wu Li , Chang Chun
Published: March 2014

The paradigm of dynamic data driven application system (DDDAS) has been proposed as a framework to analyze and predict the character and behavior of complex systems that influence computational models significantly. Its accuracy and efficiency lies in its ability to integrate observations on different temporal and spatial scales from real-time sensors, and in its measurement steering and controlling capabilities. Many problems in environmental sciences are nonlinear and complex, impossible to solve by using input/output sequence flows without feedback control. Nonlinear system efficiency depends on measurement control and steering, on-line data assimilation, and model selection with dynamic optimization. Compared with traditional methods, DDDAS possesses the capacity to overcome these limitations. This paper discusses DDDAS and classifies typical cases of its application in environmental sciences into three levels of paradigm. Short reviews of multi-model simulation and data assimilation are provided for practical use. Recent developments and future perspectives are reviewed. Future work may address determining automatically where, when, and how to acquire real-time data, and its integration with GIS, to improve efficiency and accuracy. User-generated content will find wide application in the future. Considering the differences between DDDAS and other data-driven methods in solving the same nonlinear complex system problems, a combination of nonlinear science and chaos theory is advocated.
Investigation of the electron structure ofZnOby the GGA and mBJ calculations associated with the characterization techniques AES and EELS
Authors: Mokadem A. , Bouslama M. , Benhelal O. , Assali A. , Ghaffour M. , Chelahi Chikr Z. , Boulenouar K. , Boubaia A.
Published: March 2014

The semiconductor ZnO of large gap of 3,4 eV is of great interest for the technological applications as chemical sensors, UV light emission, optical memories, laser emission, solar cells, etc. These applications depend on the electron structure of material. We adopt the density functional theory (DFT) calculation by using the program Wien2K, within the Generalized Gradient Approximation (GGA) and modified Becke–Johnson (mBJ) for studying the electron behavior of ZnO . The features of the valence band derived from the hybridization of Zn -3d and O -2p states. The electron charge density calculated by these simulation methods indicates a charge transfer between zinc and oxygen inducing a difference in electronegativity between both species ( Zn and O ), responsible to ionic character of bonding in ZnO . The predictions based on the GGA and mBJ calculations are confirmed by the results of the experimental spectroscopic analysis Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) and Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS).
Coasts of Foxe Basin, Arctic Canada
Authors: Martini I. Peter , Morrison R. I. Guy
Published: March 2014

Foxe Basin is a down-faulted arctic basin floored by Palaeozoic carbonates, surrounded by metamorphic Precambrian terrains. Quaternary deposits consist of Pleistocene–Holocene glacial drift, and frost-shattered bedrock-clasts mostly reworked by sea waves during post-glacial emergence during the last 5000–6000 yr. The shallow, primarily micro- to meso-tidal sea is covered by ice for
c.
9–10 months each year. This ensures that the overall energy of the coasts is low, although strong storm waves develop during ice-free periods.
Puccinellia phryganodes
dominated salt marshes occur on muddy and sandy shores and grade into inland sedge-forb wetlands and
Dryas
-dominated tundra. Cold climate processes active on the emerged land have generated typical features such as frost heaving of bedrock blocks, solifluction lobes on slopes, frost boils in flatter areas, frost shattering and solution of surficial carbonate pebbles, thermokarst lakes, and shallow Cryosols.
Evolution of paraglacial coasts in response to changes in fluvial sediment supply
Authors: Hein Christopher J. , FitzGerald D. M. , Buynevich I. V. , Van Heteren S. , Kelley J. T.
Published: March 2014

Paraglacial coastal systems are formed on or proximal to formerly ice-covered terrain from sediments with direct or indirect glacial origin. This review addresses the roles of tectonic controls, glacial advances and retreats, sea-level changes, and coastal processes in sediment production, delivery and redistribution along the paraglacial Gulf of Maine coast (USA and Canada). Coastal accumulation forms are compositionally heterogeneous and found primarily at the seaward edge of the Gulf's largest estuaries; their existence is directly attributable to the availability of glacial sediments derived from erosion of weathered plutons within coastal river basins. Multiple post-glacial sea-level fluctuations drove the redistribution of these sediments across the modern lowland and inner shelf. Central to the formation of barrier systems was the paraglacial sand maximum, a time-transgressive phase of relative sea-level fall and enhanced fluvial sand export
c.
2000–4000 years following deglaciation. Vast quantities of sand and gravel were reworked landward during the subsequent transgression and combined with additional riverine sediments to form the modern barrier systems. Today, reduced fluvial sediment loads, anthropogenic modifications of barrier and river systems, and sea-level rise have combined to exacerbate long-term coastal erosion and may eventually force these barriers toward a state of rapid landward migration.
A kilometre-scale highly refractory harzburgite zone in the mantle section of the northern Oman Ophiolite (Fizh Block): implications for flux melting of oceanic lithospheric mantle
Authors: Kanke Nami , Takazawa Eiichi
Published: March 2014

We report the major element compositions of constituent minerals in 278 harzburgites and of 101 whole rocks from the northern Fizh mantle section in the northern Oman Ophiolite to investigate the formation and evolution of oceanic lithospheric mantle. Olivine Fo varies from 90 to 92 whereas spinel Cr# (= Cr/(Cr+Al) atomic ratio) varies from 0.15 to 0.78. The Cr# of spinels in a large number of harzburgites exceeds 0.6, which is the upper bound for abyssal peridotites. In the northern Fizh mantle section, highly refractory harzburgites with spinel Cr# greater than 0.7 are distributed in a 3-km-wide band along a NW–SE-striking shear zone. We infer a two-stage depletion process in the northern Fizh mantle section. In the first stage, asthenospheric mantle was partially melted beneath a mid-ocean ridge, producing a harzburgitic residual column. In the second stage during detachment of oceanic lithosphere an H
2
O-rich fluid, released from the metamorphic sole due to thermal metamorphism of altered oceanic crust, extensively infiltrated the northern Fizh mantle section where the ridge segment boundary region was previously located. The residual harzburgites were subjected to flux melting, resulting in a highly refractory harzburgite zone with spinel Cr# greater than 0.7.

Supplementary material:

Locality map, names of the wadis and UTM coordinates and further analytical data are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18679
.
The main structural styles of the hydrocarbon reservoirs in Oman
Authors: Al-Kindi Mohammed H. , Richard Pascal D.
Published: March 2014

The subsurface structural styles vary across Oman. Understanding this diversity has a strong impact on optimizing hydrocarbon exploration and production. This work is an attempt to summarize the main structural features that characterize the reservoir types in different tectonic domains in Oman in order to provide structural constraints on the interpretation of subsurface data, particularly in areas of poor data coverage or quality. In the South Oman Salt Basin, salt halokinesis dominated the deformation style and the orientation of local stresses. This has resulted in a tortuous framework of faults and folds. During the Palaeozoic, simultaneous differential loading of overlying sediments and salt dissolution were the main deformation mechanisms. The regional stresses are more defined in north Oman. Two structural orientations are observed within the Fahud and Ghaba Salt Basins: NW–SE and NE–SW. The first was formed during Late Cretaceous time, whereas the second developed during the Late Cenozoic. Pre-existing faults were reactivated in both tectonic episodes. The deformation within the north Oman salt basins is localized above pre-existing faults. Outside the salt basins, in the Lekhwair and Makarem highs, the faults mainly trend NW–SE. These tend to be uniformly distributed throughout the basins and have uniform orientation, throw and vertical continuity.
Palaeogene non-marine molluscs from Oman: implications for the timing of uplift of the Dhofar Plateau and the opening of the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden
Authors: Pickford Martin , Gheerbrant Emmanuel , Sen Sevket , Roger Jack , Sulaimani Zaher
Published: March 2014

A collection of terrestrial and freshwater snails from the Late Eocene to earliest Early Oligocene Zalumah Formation at Wadi Darbat, near Salalah, Oman is of importance on account of its taxonomic composition, its palaeoecological indications and its biogeographic affinities which are clearly tropical African; these are very different from the extant non-marine snail fauna of Oman which is typical of the Mediterranean belt. In addition, these fossil snails are by far the oldest-known representatives of their respective genera. The Late Eocene Zalumah deposits which yielded the molluscs accumulated just above sea level, as revealed by the admixture of marine, brackish water and freshwater taxa as well as fully terrestrial gastropods. These deposits now vary in altitude from near sea level at Taqah (Wadi Darbat) to over 930 m at Thaytiniti. Uplift of the Dhofar Plateau therefore must have occurred later than the Early Oligocene. The biogeographic affinities of the snails confirms that the Arabian Peninsula was part of the African continent at the time of deposition and that the opening of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden occurred later than the Early Oligocene.
Evolution of volcanism and magmatism during initial arc stage: constraints on the tectonic setting of the Oman Ophiolite
Authors: Kusano Yuki , Hayashi Maika , Adachi Yoshiko , Umino Susumu , Miyashita Sumio
Published: March 2014

Based on detailed stratigraphy, petrology and geochemistry, the initial arc magmatism of the Oman Ophiolite consisting of tholeiitic lavas followed by boninite flows and tephras is studied in the Wadi Bidi area, northern Oman Mountains. An 1110-m-thick V2 sequence is divided into the lower 970 m (LV2) and upper 140 m (UV2) thick subsequences by a 1.0-m-thick sedimentary layer. Pahoehoe flows dominate in the lower part of the LV2, while the upper part consists mainly of sheet flows with sparse interbedded pelagic sediments and a cylindrical plug. In addition to the presence of a feeder conduit, the flow-dominant lithofacies with a few thin sedimentary interbeds in the LV2 indicates that the study area was the centre of a volcano grown in a short period. The UV2 is composed of boninite sheet flows overlain by a 2.0-m-thick pyroclastic fall deposit. A small amount of boninite lavas at the end of the V2 sequence overlain by thick pelagic sediments suggests that the subduction-related arc volcanism was short lived and terminated long before the ophiolite obduction.

Supplementary material:

Locations, mode of occurrence, phenocryst assemblages and bulk-rock major and trace element compositions of lavas in the Wadi Bidi area are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18684
.
Phlebotomy eliminates the maximal cardiac output response to six weeks of exercise training
Authors: Bonne Thomas C. , Doucende Gregory , Flück Daniela , Jacobs Robert A. , Nordsborg Nikolai B. , Robach Paul , Walther Guillaume , Lundby Carsten
Published: March 2014

With this study we tested the hypothesis that 6 wk of endurance training increases maximal cardiac output (Q̇max) relatively more by elevating blood volume (BV) than by inducing structural and functional changes within the heart. Nine healthy but untrained volunteers (V̇o2max 47 ± 5 ml·min−1·kg−1) underwent supervised training (60 min; 4 times weekly at 65% V̇o2max for 6 wk), and Q̇max was determined by inert gas rebreathing during cycle ergometer exercise before and after the training period. After the training period, blood volume (determined in duplicates by CO rebreathing) was reestablished to pretraining values by phlebotomy and Q̇max was quantified again. Resting echography revealed no structural heart adaptations as a consequence of the training intervention. After the training period, plasma volume (PV), red blood cell volume (RBCV), and BV increased ( P < 0.05) by 147 ± 168 (5 ± 5%), 235 ± 64 (10 ± 3%), and 382 ± 204 ml (7 ± 4%), respectively. V̇o2max was augmented ( P < 0.05) by 10 ± 7% after the training period and decreased ( P < 0.05) by 8 ± 7% with phlebotomy. Concomitantly, Q̇max was increased ( P < 0.05) from 18.9 ± 2.1 to 20.4 ± 2.3 l/min (9 ± 6%) as a consequence of the training intervention, and after normalization of BV by phlebotomy Q̇max returned to pretraining values (18.1 ± 2.5 l/min; 12 ± 5% reversal). Thus the exercise training-induced increase in BV is the main mechanism increasing Q̇max after 6 wk of endurance training in previously untrained subjects.
Renal vasoconstriction by vasopressin V1a receptors is modulated by nitric oxide, prostanoids, and superoxide but not the ADP ribosyl cyclase CD38
Authors: Moss Nicholas G. , Kopple Tayler E. , Arendshorst William J.
Published: March 2014

Renal blood flow (RBF) responses to arginine vasopressin (AVP) were tested in anesthetized wild-type (WT) and CD38−/− mice that lack the major calcium-mobilizing second messenger cyclic ADP ribose. AVP (3–25 ng) injected intravenously produced dose-dependent decreases in RBF, reaching a maximum of 25 ± 2% below basal RBF in WT and 27 ± 2% in CD38−/− mice with 25 ng of AVP. Renal vascular resistance (RVR) increased 75 ± 6% and 78 ± 6% in WT and CD38−/− mice. Inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) synthase with nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) increased the maximum RVR response to AVP to 308 ± 76% in WT and 388 ± 81% in CD38−/− ( P < 0.001 for both). Cyclooxygenase inhibition with indomethacin increased the maximum RVR response to 125 ± 15% in WT and 120 ± 14% in CD38−/− mice ( P < 0.001, <0.05). Superoxide suppression with tempol inhibited the maximum RVR response to AVP by 38% in both strains ( P < 0.005) but was ineffective when administered after l-NAME. The rate of RBF recovery (relaxation) after AVP was slowed by l-NAME and indomethacin ( P < 0.001, <0.005) but was unchanged by tempol. All vascular responses to AVP were abolished by an AVP V1a receptor antagonist. A V2 receptor agonist or antagonist had no effect on AVP-induced renal vasoconstriction. Taken together, the results indicate that renal vasoconstriction by AVP in the mouse is strongly buffered by vasodilatory actions of NO and prostanoids. The vasoconstriction depends on V1a receptor activation without involvement of CD38 or concomitant vasodilatation by V2 receptors. The role of superoxide is to enhance the contractile response to AVP, most likely by reducing the availability of NO rather than directly stimulating intracellular contraction signaling pathways.
Modulatory effects of activation of metabotropic glutamate receptors on GABAergic circuits in the mouse cortex
Authors: Liu Tingting , Petrof Iraklis , Sherman S. Murray
Published: March 2014

Metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) have a ubiquitous distribution in the central nervous system and often serve to regulate the release of neurotransmitters. We have previously shown that activation of both presynaptic and postsynaptic mGluRs can affect the gain of glutamatergic inputs in both thalamus and cortex. In the present study, we sought to determine the effect of mGluR activation on GABAergic inputs in cortex. Using whole cell recordings in a mouse slice preparation of either primary visual or auditory cortex (V1 or A1), we tested the effects on mGluRs by applying various agonists to the slice. Two pathways were tested in each area: the GABAergic inputs in layers 2/3 activated from layer 4 and the GABAergic inputs in layer 4 activated from adjacent layer 4. In both of these pathways, we found that activation of mGluRs significantly reduced the amplitude of the evoked inhibitory postsynaptic currents. Because the effects were not blocked by the addition of GDPβS to the recording electrode, and because mGluR agonists did not affect responses to photostimulation of GABA in a low-Ca2+ and high-Mg2+ bathing solution, we concluded this reduction was due to activation of presynaptic mGluRs. Furthermore, using specific mGluR agonists, we found that group II mGluRs, but not group I mGluRs, were involved in these modulatory effects. Because similar results were found in both pathways in V1 and A1, a possible cortical pattern for these effects is suggested.
Robust Sliding Control of SEIR Epidemic Models
Authors: Ibeas Asier , de la Sen Manuel , Alonso-Quesada Santiago
Published: March 2014

This paper is aimed at designing a robust vaccination strategy capable of eradicating an infectious disease from a population regardless of the potential uncertainty in the parameters defining the disease. For this purpose, a control theoretic approach based on a sliding‐mode control law is used. Initially, the controller is designed assuming certain knowledge of an upper‐bound of the uncertainty signal. Afterwards, this condition is removed while an adaptive sliding control system is designed. The closed‐loop properties are proved mathematically in the nonadaptive and adaptive cases. Furthermore, the usual sign function appearing in the sliding‐mode control is substituted by the saturation function in order to prevent chattering. In addition, the properties achieved by the closed‐loop system under this variation are also stated and proved analytically. The closed‐loop system is able to attain the control objective regardless of the parametric uncertainties of the model and the lack of a priori knowledge on the system.
Significance of Urinary Proteome Pattern in Renal Allograft Recipients
Authors: Suhail Sufi M.
Published: March 2014

Urinary proteomics is developing as a platform of urinary biomarkers of immense potential in recent years. The definition of urinary proteome in the context of renal allograft and characterization of different proteome patterns in various graft dysfunctions have led to the development of a distinct science of this noninvasive tool. Substantial numbers of studies have shown that different renal allograft disease states, both acute and chronic, could portray unique urinary proteome pattern enabling early diagnosis of graft dysfunction and proper manipulation of immunosuppressive strategy that could impact graft prognosis. The methodology of the urinary proteome is nonetheless not more complex than that of other sophisticated assays of conventional urinary protein analysis. Moreover, the need for a centralized database is also felt by the researchers as more and more studies have been presenting their results from different corners and as systems of organizing these newly emerging data being developed at international and national levels. In this context concept of urinary proteomics in renal allograft recipients would be of significant importance in clinical transplantation.
Study on the Optically Transparent Near-Field and Far-Field RFID Reader Antenna
Authors: Yao Yuan , Yu Junsheng , Chen Xiaodong
Published: March 2014

A study on the optically transparent RFID reader antenna which can operate in both near-field and far-field is proposed in this paper. The antenna with a dimension of 45 mm × 45 mm is fabricated using Indium tin oxide film and can operate from 915 to 935 MHz covering the China UHF RFID band. The strong and uniform magnetic field is excited by magnetic dipole source. Both simulation and measurement results are shown to illustrate the performance of the proposed antenna. The measured reading distances are up to 40 mm and 100 mm for near-field and far-field applications, respectively.
A New Proof for the Description of Holomorphic Flows on Multiply Connected Domains
Authors: Jafari F. , Słodkowski Z. , Tonev T.
Published: March 2014

We provide a new proof for the description of holomorphic and biholomorphic flows on multiply connected domains in the complex plane. In contrast to the original proof of Heins (1941) we do this by the means of operator theory and by utilizing the techniques of universal coverings of the underlying domains of holomorphic flows and their liftings on the corresponding universal coverings.
Microstructural and Electrochemical Properties of rf-Sputtered LiFeO2Thin Films
Authors: Rosaiah P. , Hussain O. M.
Published: March 2014

Lithium iron oxide (LiFeO2) thin films have been deposited by rf-magnetron sputtering technique and microstructural and electrochemical properties were studied. The films deposited at a substrate temperature 250°C with subsequent post annealing at 500°C for 4 h exhibited cubic rock-salt structure with Fm3m space group. The films exhibited well-defined oxidation and reduction peaks suggesting complete reversibility upon cycling. The as-deposited films exhibited an initial discharge capacity 15 μAh/cm2·μm, whereas the films post annealed at 500°C for 4 h in controlled oxygen environment exhibited 31 μAh/cm2·μm.
A Directed Continuous Time Random Walk Model with Jump Length Depending on Waiting Time
Authors: Shi Long , Yu Zuguo , Mao Zhi , Xiao Aiguo
Published: March 2014

In continuum one-dimensional space, a coupled directed continuous time random walk model is proposed, where the random walker jumps toward one direction and the waiting time between jumps affects the subsequent jump. In the proposed model, the Laplace-Laplace transform of the probability density functionP(x,t)of finding the walker at positionxat timetis completely determined by the Laplace transform of the probability density functionφ(t)of the waiting time. In terms of the probability density function of the waiting time in the Laplace domain, the limit distribution of the random process and the corresponding evolving equations are derived.
Effectiveness of Stimulation of Acupoint KI 1 by Artemisia vulgaris (Moxa) for the Treatment of Essential Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials
Authors: Yang Xiaochen , Xiong Xingjiang , Yang Guoyan , Wang Jie
Published: March 2014

Objective. A systematic review of randomized controlled trials has been performed to assess the effectiveness of stimulation of acupoint KI 1 by Artemisia vulgaris (the Japanese name is moxa) to lower blood pressure compared to antihypertensive drugs. Methods and Findings. Articles published from 1980 to August 2013 in databases of CENTRAL, Pubmed, CBM, CNKI, VIP, and online clinical trial registry websites were searched. Studies included were randomized controlled trials (RCTs); moxibustion‐type intervention on KI 1 compared with antihypertensive drugs; meta‐analysis showed superior effects of moxibustion plus antihypertensive drugs on systolic blood pressure (WMD: −4.91 [−7.54, −2.28]; P = 0.0003) but no superior effects on diastolic blood pressure (WMD: −6.38 [−17.17, 4.41]; P = 0.25). Conclusions. Our systematic review of the current literature shows a beneficial effect of using moxibustion interventions on KI 1 to lower blood pressure compared to antihypertensive drugs. However, the results are influenced by the existing differences in design of the current trials.
Text Mining of the Classical Medical Literature for Medicines That Show Potential in Diabetic Nephropathy
Authors: Zhang Lei , Li Yin , Guo Xinfeng , May Brian H. , Xue Charlie C. L. , Yang Lihong , Liu Xusheng
Published: March 2014

Objectives. To apply modern text‐mining methods to identify candidate herbs and formulae for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. Methods. The method we developed includes three steps: (1) identification of candidate ancient terms; (2) systemic search and assessment of medical records written in classical Chinese; (3) preliminary evaluation of the effect and safety of candidates.
Results. Ancient terms Xia Xiao, Shen Xiao, and Xiao Shen were determined as the most likely to correspond with diabetic nephropathy and used in text mining. A total of 80 Chinese formulae for treating conditions congruent with diabetic nephropathy recorded in medical books from Tang Dynasty to Qing Dynasty were collected. Sao si tang (also called Reeling Silk Decoction) was chosen to show the process of preliminary evaluation of the candidates. It had promising potential for development as new agent for the treatment of diabetic nephropathy. However, further investigations about the safety to patients with renal insufficiency are still needed.
Conclusions. The methods developed in this study offer a targeted approach to identifying traditional herbs and/or formulae as candidates for further investigation in the search for new drugs for modern disease. However, more effort is still required to improve our techniques, especially with regard to compound formulae.
Ship Bow Force-Deformation Curves for Ship-Impact Demand of Bridges considering Effect of Pile-Cap Depth
Authors: Fan Wei , Yuan Wancheng
Published: March 2014

Since static analysis procedures in the vessel impact-resistant design codes neglect dynamic amplification effects related to bridge mass, ship-impact responses of bridges may be potentially underestimated. For this reason, several dynamic vessel-impact analysis techniques had been recently proposed, where a force-deformation curve was employed to model the vessel bow stiffness. Most of the recent works mainly focused on the force-deformation curves of the barge bows rather than the ship bows. In this paper, a high-resolution finite element model is developed to obtain the ship bow force-deformation curves. The global and local characteristics of the ship bow force-deformation curves are discussed based on the finite element crush analyses between the ship bows and the rigid walls. Effect of pile-cap depth on the force-deformation curves (rather than only impact forces) is studied in detail, and the corresponding empirical equations are developed using an energy ratio method. Finally, a practical example of ship-bridge collision is investigated to validate the force-deformation curves considering the effect of pile-cap depth. It is found from the case study that the effect of pile-cap depth plays an important role in quantifying structural demand under impact loads. The case study also indicates that the developed equations are reasonable in practical applications.
Evaluation of Trace Metal Content by ICP-MS Using Closed Vessel Microwave Digestion in Fresh Water Fish
Authors: Jarapala Sreenivasa Rao , Kandlakunta Bhaskarachary , Thingnganing Longvah
Published: March 2014

The objective of the present study was to investigate trace metal levels of different varieties of fresh water fish using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrophotometer after microwave digestion (MD-ICPMS). Fish samples were collected from the outlets of twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The trace metal content in different varieties of analyzed fish were ranged from 0.24 to 1.68 mg/kg for Chromium inCyprinus carpioandMasto symbollon, 0.20 to 7.52 mg/kg for Manganese inLabeo rohitaandMasto symbollon, 0.006 to 0.07 mg/kg for Cobalt inRastrelliger kanagurtaandPampus argenteus, 0.31 to 2.24 mg/kg for Copper inLabeo rohitaandPenaeus monodon, 3.25 to 14.56 mg/kg for Zinc inCyprinus carpioandMacrobrachium rosenbergii, and 0.01 to 2.05 mg/kg for Selenium inRastrelliger kanagurtaandPampus argenteus, respectively. Proximate composition data for the different fishes were also tabulated. Since the available data for different trace elements for fish is scanty, here an effort is made to present a precise data for the same as estimated on ICP-MS. Results were in accordance with recommended daily intake allowance by WHO/FAO.
Application ofT33-Stress to Predict the Lower Bound Fracture Toughness for Increasing the Test Specimen Thickness in the Transition Temperature Region
Authors: Lu Kai , Meshii Toshiyuki
Published: March 2014

This work was motivated by the fact that although fracture toughness of a material in the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature regionJcexhibits the test specimen thickness (TST) effect onJc, frequently described asJc∝(TST)-1/2, experiences a contradiction that is deduced from this empirical formulation; that is,Jc= 0 for large TST. On the other hand, our previous works have showed that the TST effect onJccould be explained as a difference in the out-of-plane constraint and correlated with the out-of-planeT33-stress. Thus, in this work, the TST effect onJcfor the decommissioned Shoreham reactor vessel steel A533B was demonstrated from the standpoint of out-of-plane constraint. The results validated thatT33was effective for describing theJcdecreasing tendency. Because the Shoreham data included a lower boundJcfor increasing TST, a new finding was made thatT33successfully predicted the lower bound ofJcwith increasing TST. This lower boundJcprediction withT33conquered the contradiction that the empiricalJc∝(TST)-1/2predictsJc= 0 for large TST.
A Modified D-K Iteration Approach for the Decentralized ℋ∞ Control of Civil Structures with Parametric Uncertainties
Authors: Qu Chunxu , Huo Linsheng , Li Hongnan
Published: March 2014

This paper presents a robust decentralized ℋ∞ controller design method to suppress the vibration of civil structures with the consideration of parametric uncertainties. The decentralized ℋ∞ controller design is motivated by the double homotopy approach, which approximates the bilinear matrix inequality (BMI) derived from bounded real lemma to linear matrix inequality (LMI), and gradually deforms a centralized controller to a decentralized controller. The centralized ℋ∞ controller can be designed for the civil structures with the parametric uncertainties through D-K iteration method in μ synthesis, which can consider the diagonal block pattern of the uncertain matrix. This paper combines the double homotopy approach and D-K iteration method to design the robust decentralized ℋ∞ controller for the civil structures with parametric uncertainties. The proposed method is validated numerically with a four‐story building example.
Psychosocial Functioning in Depressive Patients: A Comparative Study between Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Affective Disorder
Authors: Mehta Shubham , Mittal Pankaj Kumar , Swami Mukesh Kumar
Published: March 2014

Introduction. Major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar affective disorder (BAD) are among the leading causes of disability. These are often associated with widespread impairments in all domains of functioning including relational, occupational, and social. The main aim of the study was to examine and compare nature and extent of psychosocial impairment of patients with MDD and BAD during depressive phase.Methodology. 96 patients (48 in MDD group and 48 in BAD group) were included in the study. Patients were recruited in depressive phase (moderate to severe depression). Patients having age outside 18–45 years, psychotic symptoms, mental retardation, and current comorbid medical or axis-1 psychiatric disorder were excluded. Psychosocial functioning was assessed using Range of Impaired Functioning Tool (LIFE-RIFT).Results. Domains of work, interpersonal relationship, life satisfaction, and recreation were all affected in both groups, but the groups showed significant difference in global psychosocial functioning score only (P=0.031) with BAD group showing more severe impairment.Conclusion. Bipolar depression causes higher global psychosocial impairment than unipolar depression.
Investigation of Solar Drying of Ginger (Zingiber officinale): Emprical Modelling, Drying Characteristics, and Quality Study
Authors: Deshmukh A. Waheed , Varma Mahesh N. , Yoo Chang Kyoo , Wasewar Kailas L.
Published: March 2014

Drying is a simultaneous heat and mass transfer energy intensive operation, widely used as a food preservation technique. In view of improper postharvest methods, energy constraint, and environmental impact of conventional drying methods, solar drying could be a practical, economical, and environmentally reliable alternative. In the present paper applicability of mixed mode solar cabinet dryer was investigated for drying of commercially important and export oriented ginger. Freshly harvested ginger slices were successfully dried from initial moisture content of 621.50 to 12.19% (d.b.) and their drying characteristics, quality parameters, and kinetics were evaluated. The results showed that present solar dryer could be successfully applied for drying of ginger in view of quality, reduced drying time, and zero energy requirement as compared to conventional open sun drying and convective drying techniques, respectively. Drying curves showed that drying occurred in falling rate period and no constant period was observed. The effective moisture diffusivity was determined by using Fick’s second law and found to be 1.789×10-9 m2/s. The drying data was fitted to five thin layer drying models and compared using statistical criteria. Page model was found to be most suitable to describe the drying kinetics of ginger in solar dryer under natural convection among the tested models.
Downregulated GABA and BDNF-TrkB Pathway in Chronic Cyclothiazide Seizure Model
Authors: Kong Shuzhen , Cheng Zhihua , Liu Jianhui , Wang Yun
Published: March 2014

Cyclothiazide (CTZ) has been reported to simultaneously enhance glutamate receptor excitation and inhibit GABAA receptor inhibition, and in turn it evokes epileptiform activities in hippocampal neurons. It has also been shown to acutely induce epileptic seizure behavior in freely moving rats. However, whether CTZ induced seizure rats could develop to have recurrent seizure still remains unknown. In the current study, we demonstrated that 46% of the CTZ induced seizure rats developed to have recurrent seizure behavior as well as epileptic EEG with a starting latency between 2 weeks and several months. In those chronic seizure rats 6 months after the seizure induction by the CTZ, our immunohistochemistry results showed that both GAD and GAT-1 were significantly decreased across CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus area of the hippocampus studied. In addition, both BDNF and its receptor TrkB were also decreased in hippocampus of the chronic CTZ seizure rats. Our results indicate that CTZ induced seizure is capable of developing to have recurrent seizure, and the decreased GABA synthesis and transport as well as the impaired BDNF-TrkB signaling pathway may contribute to the development of the recurrent seizure. Thus, CTZ seizure rats may provide a novel animal model for epilepsy study and anticonvulsant drug testing in the future.
Distributed Estimation Fusion and Control with Packet Losses for Industrial Wireless Sensor and Actuator Networks
Authors: Ren Wen , Xu Bugong , Liu Yonggui
Published: March 2014

This paper is concerned with a reliable solution to the distributed estimation and control issues over hybrid two-tier industrial wireless sensor and actuator networks (IWSANs). It aims at applying wireless technology to industrial automation control domains in hash industrial environment. A main challenge in these application domains is that wireless communication channels must satisfy strict requirements of real time and reliability. Therefore, first, we propose a new interacting dual model (IDM) adaptive estimation algorithm to identify the unreliable wireless communication channels, and, second, to further enhance the accuracy and fault tolerance of state estimation for controlled plant, a federated multisensor estimation fusion approach is presented. Furthermore, considering that the IWSANs need commonly to be deployed over a vast geographical area, a distributed collaborative control strategy is adopted. Finally, an example of temperature control illustrates the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Strong Law of Large Numbers for Countable Markov Chains Indexed by an Infinite Tree with Uniformly Bounded Degree
Authors: Wang Bao , Yang Weiguo , Shi Zhiyan , Zang Qingpei
Published: March 2014

We study the strong law of large numbers for the frequencies of occurrence of states and ordered couples of states for countable Markov chains indexed by an infinite tree with uniformly bounded degree, which extends the corresponding results of countable Markov chains indexed by a Cayley tree and generalizes the relative results of finite Markov chains indexed by a uniformly bounded tree.
An Overview of Depression among Transgender Women
Authors: Hoffman Beth
Published: March 2014

Rates of depression are higher in transgender women than in the general population, warranting an understanding of the variables related to depression in this group. Results of the literature review of depression in transgender women reveal several variables influencing depression, including social support, violence, sex work, and gender identity. The theoretical constructs of minority stress, coping, and identity control theory are explored in terms of how they may predict depression in transgender women. Depression and depressive symptoms have been used to predict high-risk sexual behaviors with mixed results. The implications of the findings on treating depression in transgender women include taking into account the stress of transition and the importance of supportive peers and family. Future studies should explore a model of depression and high-risk behaviors in transgender women.
Entropy Spectrum of a KS Black Hole in IR Modified Hořava-Lifshitz Gravity
Authors: Zhou Shiwei , Chen Ge-Rui , Huang Yong-Chang
Published: March 2014

As a renormalizable theory of gravity, Hořava-Lifshitz gravity, might be an ultraviolet completion of general relativity and reduces to Einstein gravity with a nonvanishing cosmological constant in infrared. Kehagias and Sfetsos obtained a static spherically symmetric black hole solution called KS black hole in the IR modified Hořava-Lifshitz theory. In this paper, the entropy spectrum and area spectrum of a KS black hole are investigated based on the proposal of adiabatic invariant quantity. By calculating the action of producing a pair of particles near the horizon, it is obtained that the action of the system is exactly equivalent to the change of black hole entropy, which is an adiabatic invariant quantity. With the help of Bohr-Sommerfeld quantization rule, it is concluded that the entropy spectrum is discrete and equidistant spaced and the area spectrum is not equidistant spaced, which depends on the parameter of gravity theory. Some summary and discussion will be given in the last.
Towards a Unified Sentiment Lexicon Based on Graphics Processing Units
Authors: Barbosa-Santillán Liliana Ibeth , Álvarez-de-Mon y-Rego Inmaculada
Published: March 2014

This paper presents an approach to create what we have called a Unified Sentiment Lexicon (USL). This approach aims at aligning, unifying, and expanding the set of sentiment lexicons which are available on the web in order to increase their robustness of coverage. One problem related to the task of the automatic unification of different scores of sentiment lexicons is that there are multiple lexical entries for which the classification of positive, negative, or neutral {P, N, Z} depends on the unit of measurement used in the annotation methodology of the source sentiment lexicon. Our USL approach computes the unified strength of polarity of each lexical entry based on the Pearson correlation coefficient which measures how correlated lexical entries are with a value between 1 and −1, where 1 indicates that the lexical entries are perfectly correlated, 0 indicates no correlation, and −1 means they are perfectly inversely correlated and so is the UnifiedMetrics procedure for CPU and GPU, respectively. Another problem is the high processing time required for computing all the lexical entries in the unification task. Thus, the USL approach computes a subset of lexical entries in each of the 1344 GPU cores and uses parallel processing in order to unify 155802 lexical entries. The results of the analysis conducted using the USL approach show that the USL has 95.430 lexical entries, out of which there are 35.201 considered to be positive, 22.029 negative, and 38.200 neutral. Finally, the runtime was 10 minutes for 95.430 lexical entries; this allows a reduction of the time computing for the UnifiedMetrics by 3 times.
On Chebyshev Polynomials, Fibonacci Polynomials, and Their Derivatives
Authors: Li Yang
Published: March 2014

We study the relationship of the Chebyshev polynomials, Fibonacci polynomials, and theirrth derivatives. We get the formulas for therth derivatives of Chebyshev polynomials being represented by Chebyshev polynomials and Fibonacci polynomials. At last, we get several identities about the Fibonacci numbers and Lucas numbers.
Modeling and Analysis on Congestion Control for Data Transmission in Sensor Clouds
Authors: Huang Jun , Du Donggai , Duan Qiang , Zhang Yanguang , Zhao Yanxiao , Luo Hongshan , Mai Zhuoqi , Liu Qian
Published: March 2014

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) and Cloud computing are two emerging technologies, respectively, in the networking and computing fields. Sensor Cloud integrates WSNs and Clouds into an extended form of cloud infrastructure that manages sensors scattered throughout WSNs. Networking plays a crucial role in Cloud computing and becomes a particularly challenging issue in sensor Clouds due to resource limitation of WSNs as the underlying network of the Cloud infrastructure. Therefore, data transmission from sensors to servers in sensor Clouds must be carefully controlled to avoid network congestion. In this paper, we study Random Early Detection-Based (RED-based) congestion control for data transmission in sensor Clouds. Specifically we propose an improved RED (IRED) algorithm that meets sensor Cloud networking requirements better and develop a queueing model coupled with analysis technique to evaluate the performance of the proposed congestion control scheme. We also conduct extensive simulations to evaluate performance of IRED compared with the regular RED algorithm. Our analysis and simulation results demonstrate that the proposed IRED congestion control achieves comparable delay performance and preferable throughput performance in comparison with the standard RED for data transmission in sensor Clouds. The easily implemented control mechanism and low complexity of our proposed algorithm make it more suitable for sensor Clouds.
Properties of Concrete at Elevated Temperatures
Authors: Kodur Venkatesh
Published: March 2014

Fire response of concrete structural members is dependent on the thermal, mechanical, and deformation properties of concrete. These properties vary significantly with temperature and also depend on the composition and characteristics of concrete batch mix as well as heating rate and other environmental conditions. In this chapter, the key characteristics of concrete are outlined. The various properties that influence fire resistance performance, together with the role of these properties on fire resistance, are discussed. The variation of thermal, mechanical, deformation, and spalling properties with temperature for different types of concrete are presented.
Gravity/Fluid Correspondence and Its Application on Bulk Gravity withU(1)Gauge Field
Authors: Hu Ya-Peng , Zhang Jian-Hui
Published: March 2014

As the long wavelength limit of the AdS/CFT correspondence, the gravity/fluid correspondence has been shown to be a useful tool for extracting properties of the fluid on the boundary dual to the gravity in the bulk. In this paper, after briefly reviewing the algorithm of gravity/fluid correspondence, we discuss the results of its application on bulk gravity with aU(1)gauge field. In the presence of aU(1)gauge field, the dual fluid possesses more interesting properties such as its charge current. Furthermore, an external fieldAμextcould affect the charge current, and theU(1)Chern-Simons term also induces extra structures to the dual current giving anomalous transport coefficients.
Strong Convergence Theorems for a Common Fixed Point of a Finite Family of Bregman Weak Relativity Nonexpansive Mappings in Reflexive Banach Spaces
Authors: Zegeye Habtu , Shahzad Naseer
Published: March 2014

We introduce an iterative process for finding an element of a common fixed point of a finite family of Bregman weak relatively nonexpansive mappings. Our theorems improve and unify most of the results that have been proved for this important class of nonlinear operators.