bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Asthma in School Going Children in South India
Authors: Mathew Anil Chankaramangalam , Prince TG , Remees R , Saravanapandian N , Ramalingam S , Srikanth K , Mathai J
Published: June 2012

Background In India, the prevalence of asthma has increased over the last two decades especially in children and young adults. The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of asthma in school going children aged 5-10 and 11-15 years in the city of Coimbatore and determine the risk factors associated with it. Materials and methods A school based cross-sectional study was conducted at the urban field practice area of PSGIMSR, Coimbatore between 1st June 2011 and 31st August 2011.  The questionnaire was filled by the parents and collected from the children. The data were analyzed using SPSS (11.5version). Results The prevalence of asthma among children aged 5-10 years was 9.5% (95%  Confidence Interval (CI) 7.49 – 11.50) and among children aged 11-15 years was 7.27% (95% CI 5.40 – 9.14). The Risk factors significantly associated with asthma among children aged 5-10 years were positive family history of asthma (Odds Ratio (OR)=3.10, 95% CI 1.80 - 5.36), longer duration of time spent in front of television and computer (OR=2.75, 95% CI 1.44 - 5.25), having food allergies (OR=2.36, 95% CI 1.19 - 4.68), and low birth weight of the child (OR=1.79, 95% CI 1.08 - 2.98). The factors significantly associated with asthma among children aged 11-15 years were positive family history of asthma (OR=2.99, 95% CI 1.34 - 6.64), poor ventilation (OR= 4.94, 95% CI 2.72 – 8.93), and use of pillows made up of wool, foam or synthetic material (OR=2.7, 95% CI 1.31 - 5.58). Conclusion Our data suggests that there is a high prevalence of asthma among school going children in Coimbatore. Parental history of asthma was a risk factor in both age groups studied. Television viewing for more than 2 hours, low birth weight and food allergy are additional risk factors for children aged 5-10 years. Poor ventilation and use of pillows made up of wool/ foam/ synthetic material are other risk factors in 11-15 years old children. Appropriate preventive strategies may help reduce the risk of asthma. Children with low birth weight and a family history of asthma need careful evaluation and long term follow up.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/nje.v2i1.6378 Nepal Journal of Epidemiology 2012;2 (1):171-178
Babel’s Dawn and the Primeval Language. Between Translation and Narrative, or the Syriac Version of an Old Jewish Tradition
Authors: Monferrer-Sala Juan Pedro
Published: June 2012

The story of the Tower of Babel in Gn 11:1–9 gave rise to a rich literary tradition, in which the topos of the primeval language emerged. Whereas the interpretative tradition originating among the Jewish commentators upheld that the original language was Hebrew, in the heart of the Eastern Christian communities some authors supported this theory, but others stated it to be Aramaic. The aim of the present article is to show how a celebrated chronicler like Michael the Syrian (12th c. CE) composed his version of the account narrated in Gn 11:1–9 by echoing different textual sources, but at the same time by combining both translation and narrative techniques in composing his text.
Polyoxygenated Sterols from the South China Sea Soft Coral Sinularia sp.
Authors: Li Rui , Shao Chang-Lun , Qi Xin , Li Xiu-Bao , Li Jing , Sun Ling-Ling , Wang Chang-Yun
Published: June 2012

Chemical investigation of the ethanol extract of soft coral Sinularia sp. collected from the South China Sea led to the isolation of three new polyoxygenated sterols, (3S,23R,24S)-ergost-5-ene-3β,23α,25-triol (1), (24S)-ergostane-6-acetate-3β,5α,6β,25-tetraol (2), (24S)-ergostane-6-acetate-3β,6β,12β,25-tetraol (3) together with three known ones (4–6). The structures, including relative configurations of the new compounds (1–3), were elucidated by detailed analysis of spectroscopic data (IR, UV, NMR, MS) and by comparison with related reported compounds. The absolute configuration of 1 was further determined by modified Mosher’s method. Compound 5 exhibited moderate cytotoxicity against K562 cell line with an IC50 value of 3.18 μM, but also displayed strong lethality toward the brine shrimp Artemia salina with a LC50 value of 0.96 μM.
Recent Progress in Distributed Fiber Optic Sensors
Authors: Bao Xiaoyi , Chen Liang
Published: June 2012

Rayleigh, Brillouin and Raman scatterings in fibers result from the interaction of photons with local material characteristic features like density, temperature and strain. For example an acoustic/mechanical wave generates a dynamic density variation; such a variation may be affected by local temperature, strain, vibration and birefringence. By detecting changes in the amplitude, frequency and phase of light scattered along a fiber, one can realize a distributed fiber sensor for measuring localized temperature, strain, vibration and birefringence over lengths ranging from meters to one hundred kilometers. Such a measurement can be made in the time domain or frequency domain to resolve location information. With coherent detection of the scattered light one can observe changes in birefringence and beat length for fibers and devices. The progress on state of the art technology for sensing performance, in terms of spatial resolution and limitations on sensing length is reviewed. These distributed sensors can be used for disaster prevention in the civil structural monitoring of pipelines, bridges, dams and railroads. A sensor with centimeter spatial resolution and high precision measurement of temperature, strain, vibration and birefringence can find applications in aerospace smart structures, material processing, and the characterization of optical materials and devices.
From Confining to Sharing for Sustainable Flood Management
Authors: Huang Guangwei
Published: June 2012

It is widely accepted that sustainable development is the development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. However, the question of how to apply this principle to flood management remains insufficiently answered. This article outlines a new strategic concept termed as “Flood Sharing” as a means toward sustainable flood management. Contrary to the traditional concept of flood confinement or blocking, the new concept advocates the need to alleviate flood damage by reducing inundation depth via expanding flood inundation areas. It differs from other contemporary thinking such as “make space for water” and “room for the river” in its emphasis on using the urban fabric. Evidence from a case study was presented to support this new concept, and model/data analyses have been conducted to show that it could be realized through the wise use of infrastructure.
Supportive Care Treatments for Toxicities of Anti-EGFR and Other Targeted Agents
Authors: Melosky B.
Published: June 2012

Targeting of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway has become routine practice in the treatment of lung carcinoma. As more health authorities approve targeted compounds in a variety of treatment lines, use of this approach is expected only to increase. Gefitinib, an oral tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI), is approved by Health Canada in the first-line setting of advanced non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) for tumours that harbour the EGFR gene mutation. Erlotinib, another TKI, is currently approved in advanced NSCLC in the second- and third-line settings. The side-effect profile of this class of drugs is unique. Hematologic toxicity is seldom seen. The most frequent side effects are rash and diarrhea. Although no randomized trials have addressed treatment of the side effects of this class of drugs, some basic principles of management have been agreed on and can likely improve patient compliance and decrease inappropriate dose reduction. The prognostic and predictive implications of side effects are also evolving. Finally, the ALK fusion mutation is being recognized as a mutation driver. The use of crizotinib (again, a TKI) in this setting awaits approval. The side-effect profile of crizotinib is interesting and is also reviewed here.
Treatment Paradigms for Patients with Metastatic Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer: First-, Second-, and Third-Line
Authors: Leighl N.B.
Published: June 2012

Metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the leading cause of cancer mortality in Canada. Although treatment outcomes in advanced disease remain modest, with paradigm shifts in the approach to treatment, they are steadily improving. Customizing treatment based on histology and molecular typing has become the standard of care. EGFR genotyping and pathology subtyping should be considered routine in new diagnoses of metastatic NSCLC. Treatment options for those with somatic EGFR activating mutations include gefitinib until progression, followed by standard chemotherapy. For patients with wild-type EGFR, or in patients whose EGFR genotype is unknown, platinum-based chemotherapy remains the first-line standard, with single-agent chemotherapy as an option for older patients and those who are unfit for platinum-doublet therapy. Patients with nonsquamous histology may receive treatment regimens incorporating pemetrexed or bevacizumab. In patients with squamous cell carcinoma, the latter agents should be avoided because of concerns about enhanced toxicity or decreased efficacy. Second-line chemotherapy is offered to a selected subgroup of patients upon progression and may include pemetrexed in non-squamous histology and docetaxel or erlotinib (or both) in all histologies. Currently, only erlotinib is offered as a third-line option in unselected NSCLC patients after failure of first- and second-line chemotherapy. Maintenance therapy is emerging as a new option for patients, as are targeted therapies for particular molecular subtypes of NSCLC, such as crizotinib in tumours harbouring the EML4–ALK gene rearrangement.
Low-generation dendrimers with a calixarene core and based on a chiral C2-symmetric pyrrolidine as iminosugar mimics
Authors: Marradi Marco , Cicchi Stefano , Sansone Francesco , Casnati Alessandro , Goti Andrea
Published: June 2012

The preparation of low-generation dendrimers based on a simple calix[4]arene scaffold by insertion of the iminosugar-analogue C2-symmetric 3,4-dihydroxypyrrolidine is described. This methodology allows a rapid incorporation of a considerable number of iminosugar-like moieties in a reduced volume and in a well-defined geometry. The inclusion of alkali-metal ions (sodium and potassium) in the polar cavity defined by the acetamide moieties at the lower rim of the calixarene was demonstrated, which allows also the rigidification of the dendrimer structure and the iminosugar presentation in the clusters. The combination of the supramolecular properties of calixarenes with the advantage of a dendrimeric presentation of repetitive units opens up the possibility of generating well-defined multivalent and multifaceted systems with more complex and/or biologically relevant iminosugars.
THE METHOD TO SELECT THE TRANSPORT PATH BASED ON THE MULTIMODAL COST
Authors: Cheng Yaorong
Published: June 2012

To begin with, the current paper introduces the meaning of freight multimodal transport in order to select the best transport path in multimodal network. Secondly, the forming mechanism of freight multimodal transport cost has been illustrated. In addition to that the construction and the character of the freight multimodal cost have been analyzed carefully, and the mathematics model is set up so that to figure out the total cost of multimodal. Finally, a case of multimodal is given out and analyzed. The results indicate that the model and way to select the best multimodal path in the multimodal network are reasonable and effective.
COMPARATIVE INVESTIGATIONS INTO ENERGETIC AND ECOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF CAMELINA-BASED BIOFUEL USED IN THE 1Z DIESEL ENGINE
Authors: Lebedevas Sergejus , Pukalskas Saugirdas , Žaglinskis Justas , Matijošius Jonas
Published: June 2012

The paper presents the findings of comparative investigations into the operation of Audi 80 1.9l 4 cylinder diesel engine, TDI, type 1Z, 66 kW powered by new FAME (fatty acid methyl esters) mixtures of spring (SCME) and winter (WCME) camelina-based biofuel and mineral diesel. The article assesses the principles of operating electronic control over the diesel engine (ECS) and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) and looks at a positive impact of the system on energetic (be, ηe) and ecological (CH, NOx, CO2, SM) parameters. The ECS of the average and maximal power of the engine improve in-cylinder air injection that has an impact on an increase in ηe by approximately 30% and reduces the emission of the harmful components from incomplete combustion. It is accepted that in case diesel fuel is replaced by FAME biofuels (RME – rapeseed methyl ester; SCME – spring camelina methyl ester; WCME – winter camelina methyl ester), ECS control parameters shall not be retrofitted or additionally optimized. The properties of camelina-based biofuel mixtures B30 (SCME) and B30 (WCME) and diesel fuel are similar to the properties of the standard mixtures of RME biofuel B30 (RME). If compared to diesel fuel, the use of camelina-based biofuel mixtures B30 (SCME) and B30 (WCME) enables lower emissions of harmful components from exhaust gases, which makes approximately 15% of CH and 20÷25% of SM.
Challenges of a Multi-Polar Nuclear World
Authors: Socol Yehoshua , Yanovskiy Moshe , Bronshtein Michael
Published: June 2012

Nuclear warfare, being calamitous, is nevertheless, unlike popular perception, far from being apocalyptic. In the article, we consider possible scenarios of nuclear war in a multi-polar nuclear world, arguing that a democratic society has good chances of victory against a totalitarian nuclear-possessing state. Afterwards, we focus on two technical issues of primary importance targeting doctrine and civil defense. We conclude that a steadfast and determined stance together with properly conceived and well planned policies for dealing with aggression is the price democratic societies must be willing to pay in order to effectively battle aggression at all levels.
Radical Islam in Xinjiang Evolution and Current State
Authors: Suchanek Jiri
Published: June 2012

The article analyses the evolution and the current state of radical Islam in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. Chinese government considers Islamic radicalism as a serious threat, in particular in the Xinjiang region, which borders on some states in Central Asia as well as Pakistan and Afghanistan. The purpose of this article is to describe and evaluate roots and historical development of significant groups, in particular the East Turkestan Islamic Movement - ETIM. In its next part, the article deals with the contemporary situation as well as the cooperation between Uyghur radicals and other radical Islamic movements, in particular al-Qaeda and Taliban, and their activities. The article concludes that contemporary Uyghur Islamic radicalism cannot be considered as a major security threat, since the activities of these groups have largely shifted to Pakistan and rather have the nature of a propaganda war.
Cyber Attacks:Emerging Threats to the 21st Century Critical Information Infrastructures
Authors: Vasilescu Cezar
Published: June 2012

The paper explores the notion of cyber attack as a concept for understanding modern conflicts. It starts by elaborating a conceptual theoretical framework, observing that when it comes to cyber attacks, cyber war and cyber defense there are no internationally accepted definitions on the subject, mostly because of the relative recency of the terms. The second part analyzes the cyber realities of recent years, emphasizing the most advertised cyber attacks in the international mass media: Estonia (2007) and Georgia (2008), with a focus on two main lessons learned: how complicated is to define a cyber war and how difficult to defend against it. Crucial implications for world's countries and the role of NATO in assuring an effective collective cyber defense are analyzed in the third part. The need for the development of strategic cyber defense documents (e.g. NATO Cyber Defense Policy, NATO Strategic Concept) is further examined. It is suggested that particular attention should be paid to the development of a procedure for clearly discriminating between events (cyber attacks, cyber war, cyber crime, or cyber terrorism), and to a procedure for the conduct of nation's legitimate military/civil cyber response operations.
La topique grecque de l'âme et les addictions
Authors: Dufour Dany-Robert
Published: June 2012

Résumé La question de l’âme est au centre d’un des deux grands récits fondateurs de la civilisation occidentale, le Logos grec. Chez les Grecs, l’âme est tripartite. Il y a l’âme d’en bas, l’épithumia, l’âme d’en haut, le noûs, et l’âme intermédiaire, le thumos. Le pire qui pouvait arriver à un Grec de cette période était de tomber sous l’emprise de ses passions. Il fallait les maîtriser pour ne pas se laisser embarquer et se perdre. La topique grecque peut être très éclairante pour une approche actuelle de l’addiction. En effet, nous vivons dans une culture qui exalte et excite le fonctionnement pulsionnel. Le capitalisme a pris le tournant de la consommation, il fonctionne désormais par une exploitation industrielle et addictive des pulsions. Tout peut être addictif. Et il existe de moins en moins de lieux, dans notre culture, où les pulsions rencontrent des obstacles, où l’on apprend à ne plus pâtir de ses passions, où l’on s’astreint à les domestiquer, non pour les réprimer, mais pour les rendre plus productives.
Pratique psychanalytique et addictions
Authors: Pedinielli Jean-Louis , Bonnet Agnès
Published: June 2012

Résumé L’opposition entre psychanalyse et dispositif de soin des addictions, même si elle repose sur la différence des objets et des épistémès, n’est pas radicale. La psychanalyse en tant que théorie, méthode et pratique est compatible avec les dispositifs de soins. Elle construit un objet théorique – l’Addiction – en s’interrogeant sur la position du sujet qui en est victime et sur sa jouissance. Elle propose une méthode d’écoute qui s’intéresse aux discours des patients compris, non comme des recueils de faits, mais bien comme une construction individuelle, subjective, de l’addiction et une expression de dimensions psychiques qui dépassent le discours banal sur le comportement et ses effets pour s’intéresser au désir. Elle développe une pratique qui repose sur le transfert et pose différemment la question de la guérison, du soin, de la dépendance. La psychanalyse joue aussi un rôle dans la discussion et l’analyse des conceptions sociétales, psychologiques, médicales des addictions. Et, avec les équipes, elle participe, en soutenant les questions autour du discours, de la subjectivité, du transfert et de l’éthique, à la réflexion sur les choix et conduites thérapeutiques.
Bundling Commodities and Attached Services with Nonlinear Pricing
Authors: Podesta Marion , Poudou Jean-Christophe
Published: June 2012

Résumé Cet article analyse la tarification non linéaire optimale pour un monopole offrant un package comprenant un bien et un service attaché au bien, lorsque ce dernier augmente l’utilité marginale que les consommateurs accordent au bien. Nous examinons les mécanismes d’incitation de révélation des préférences dans le cas où l’information privée est représentée par un paramètre unidimensionnel. Sous l’hypothèse de coûts constants nous retrouvons le résultat standard où il est profitable pour les consommateurs d’acheter le bien et le service attaché sous forme de package plutôt que séparément. Cependant, avec des coûts croissants, lorsque le degré de complémentarité entre le bien et le service est suffisamment élevé, le prix marginal du bien séparé est plus faible que comme élément du package. Contrairement à Martimort (1992), lorsque le bien et le service sont parfaitement complémentaires, nous ne pouvons pas conclure qu’il est plus coûteux pour les consommateurs de signer deux contrats aux différents magasins que d’acquérir le package. Du fait des asymétries prises en compte dans la fonction d’utilité, la profitabilité d’une stratégie de ventes liées dépend, d’une part du degré de complémentarité entre le bien et le service attaché, et d’autre part du degré d’optionalité du service lié. Classification JEL : D42, L12, Q4.
Autonomies tactiques : créativité, libération et insertion professionnelle juvénile à Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Mendes de Almeida Maria Isabel , Eugenio Fernanda
Published: June 2012

Résumé Le présent article propose une interprétation des cultures professionnelles et des pratiques créatives chez de jeunes publics brésiliens dans la ville de Rio de Janeiro. L’enjeu est de comprendre comment ces publics développent des tactiques permettant à la fois une expression de leur créativité, sans se soumettre à des contraintes liées aux contingences économiques et professionnelles. Il s’agit d’un double jeu singulier qui substitue des valeurs d’expérimentation à celles de la performance, et qui pourrait constituer une nouvelle culture du travail et de la création.
Imaginaire du hasard et prévention des risques
Authors: Vidal Bertrand
Published: June 2012

Résumé Des prévisions magico-religieuses à la prophylaxie la plus technique et scientifique, en passant, aussi bien, par la superstition ou la simulation, l’Homme, malgré ses désirs d’aventures, au quotidien, ne cesse de vouloir se prévenir des risques et des aléas. Comme le suggère Roger Caillois en parlant d’instinct d’aléa, si l’on retrouve cette attitude dans le fond archaïque de l’Homme, il faut noter l’importance voire même la primauté sociologique de l’imaginaire dans ces tentatives d’élimination sociale de l’aléa : l’imaginaire de l’aléa est à la fois source de la désignation du bouc émissaire, du responsable de ce qui arrive, et, à la fois moteur des pratiques de prévention.
« Non-art » au musée ou revisiter les enjeux des pratiques artistiques urbaines contemporaines
Authors: do Nascimento Gonçalves Fernando
Published: June 2012

Résumé Le présent texte a pour objet d’analyser des pratiques artistiques dans des espaces urbains, caractérisées, curieusement, par le fait de pousser l’art à un seuil au-delà duquel sa condition établie d’« œuvre » perd son sens ou, tout au moins, devient moins importante que d’autres types d’expériences esthétiques. Il s’agit de la mise en œuvre « non artistique » de formes d’occupation et d’utilisation des espaces de la ville par Louise Ganz et Breno Silva, artistes et architectes brésiliens. Les buts en seront d’analyser la construction du sens de ces expressions contemporaines de création avec les espaces urbains et d’examiner ses correspondances avec le processus que Félix Guattari a nommé « réinvestissement subjectif » des espaces urbains.
Communication et imaginaire : savoirs archaïques, pratiques contemporaines
Authors: Martins Portanova Barros Ana Taís
Published: June 2012

Résumé La communication actualise le besoin ancestral qu’a l’homme de raconter le monde. En ces temps d’innovations technologiques quotidiennes, les phénomènes communicatifs sont stimulés par l’imaginaire et vice-versa. En vertu du besoin de maîtriser le chaos et de l’organiser en cosmos, l’homme cherche à partager les informations, les idées et les connaissances afin de pouvoir attribuer un sens au monde grâce à une symbolisation dont l’espace privilégié est celui de l’imaginaire. Sous cette perspective, de nouvelles équations surgissent pour répondre à d’anciennes questions : les rapports entre le réel et l’imaginaire, les démythifications et re-mythifications encouragées par les technologies de l’information, le stéréotype et le préjugé, de même que les dégradations d’images archétypiques qui circulent au sein des produits de la communication.
Une question de goût ?
Authors: Pitombo Cidreira Renata
Published: June 2012

Résumé Cet article vise à comprendre les mécanismes d’adhésion et d’identification qu’offre et encourage l’univers de la mode, en tenant compte de la notion de goût . Pour ce faire, il sera nécessaire de reconnaître tout au moins deux dimensions : l’attitude réceptive du consommateur et l’attitude d’imposition de la part des stylistes, qui établissent et provoquent les jeux de tendances. Ceci implique qu’il faut comprendre comment s’opèrent les choix personnels : existe-t-il quelque chose qui lie le goût personnel au goût collectif ou est-ce que « le goût ne se discute pas » ?
Multimodal Imaging in a Case of Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Following Renal Transplantation
Authors: Sabet-Peyman Jason , Salehi-Had Hani , Fawzi Amani A.
Published: June 2012

A 33-year-old woman with a medical history of deceased donor renal transplant receiving immunosuppressive therapy with prednisone and sirolimus complained of progressive visual loss during hospitalization for an episode of recurrent transplant rejection a few months following transplantation. Dilated fundus examination revealed bilateral retinal pigment epithelium mottling, focal pigment epithelial detachments within the macula, and inferior serous retinal detachments. Fluorescein angiogram revealed multifocal expansile dots of leakage, consistent with multifocal central serous chorioretinopathy. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography showed neurosensory detachments with subretinal deposits and well-defined hyperreflective membrane underlying elongated photoreceptor outer segments. This subretinal membrane, seen in the detached portion of retina, has not been described before in organ transplant patients with central serous chorioretinopathy. This finding may have relevance to the fibrinous deposits and septations described in patients with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome.
Positively Curved Riemannian Locally Symmetric Spaces are Positively Squared Distance Curved
Authors: Delanoë Philippe , Rouvière François
Published: June 2012

The squared distance curvature is a kind of two-point curvature the sign of which turned out to be crucial for the smoothness of optimal transportation maps on Riemannian manifolds. Positivity properties of that new curvature have been established recently for all the simply connected compact rank one symmetric spaces, except the Cayley plane. Direct proofs were given for the sphere, and an indirect one (via the Hopf fibrations) for the complex and quaternionic projective spaces. Here, we present a direct proof of a property implying all the preceding ones, valid on every positively curved Riemannian locally symmetric space.
Correction of Proofs in “Purely Infinite Simple C*-algebras Arising from Free Product Constructions“ and a Subsequent Paper
Authors: Ara Pere , Dykema Kenneth J. , Rørdam Mikael
Published: June 2012

The proofs of Theorem 2.2 of K. J. Dykema and M. Rørdam, Purely infinite simple C*-algebras arising from free product constructions, Canad. J. Math. 50 (1998), 323–341 and of Theorem 3.1 of K J. Dykema, Purely infinite simple C*-algebras arising from free product constructions, II,Math. Scand. 90 (2002), 73–86 are corrected.
On Hessian Limit Directions along Gradient Trajectories
Authors: Grandjean Vincent
Published: June 2012

Given a non-oscillating gradient trajectory |γ|of a real analytic function f, we show that the limit v of the secants at the limit point 0of |γ|along the trajectory |γ| is an eigenvector of the limit of the direction of the Hessian matrix Hess(f) at 0along |γ|. The same holds true at infinity if the function is globally sub-analytic. We also deduce some interesting estimates along the trajectory. Away from the ends of the ambient space, this property is of metric nature and still holds in a general Riemannian analytic setting.
Distance Sets of Urysohn Metric Spaces
Authors: Sauer N.W.
Published: June 2012

A metric space M = (M; d) is homogeneous if for every isometry f of a finite subspace of M to a subspace of M there exists an isometry of M onto M extending f . The space M is universal if it isometrically embeds every finite metric space F with dist(F) ⊆ dist(M) (with dist(M) being the set of distances between points in M).

A metric space U is a Urysohn metric space if it is homogeneous, universal, separable, and complete. (We deduce as a corollary that a Urysohn metric space U isometrically embeds every separable metric space M with dist(M) ⊆ dist(U).)

The main results are: (1) A characterization of the sets dist(U) for Urysohn metric spaces U. (2) If R is the distance set of a Urysohn metric space and M and N are two metric spaces, of any cardinality with distances in R, then they amalgamate disjointly to a metric space with distances in R. (3) The completion of every homogeneous, universal, separable metric space M is homogeneous.
Sharkovskii order for non-wandering points
Authors: de Carvalho Maria Pires , Moreira Fernando Jorge
Published: June 2012

For a map

f\colon I \rightarrow I

, a point

x \in I

is periodic with period

p \in \mathbb{N}

if

f^p(x)=x

and

f^j(x)\not=x

for all

0<j<p

. When

f

is continuous and

I

is an interval, a theorem due to Sharkovskii ([1]) states that there is an order in

\mathbb{N}

, say

\lhd

, such that if

f

has a periodic point of period

p

and

p \lhd q

, then

f

also has a periodic point of period

q

. In this work, we will see how an extension of the order

\lhd

to sequences of positive integers yields a Sharkovskii-type result for non-wandering points of

f

.
Computation of Two-Phase Biomembranes with Phase DependentMaterial Parameters Using Surface Finite Elements
Authors: Elliott Charles M. , Stinner Björn
Published: June 2012

The shapes of vesicles formed by lipid bilayers with phase separation are governed by a bending energy with phase dependent material parameters together with a line energy associated with the phase interfaces. We present a numerical method to approximate solutions to the Euler-Lagrange equations featuring triangulated surfaces, isoparametric quadratic surface finite elements and the phase field approach for the phase separation. Furthermore, the method involves an iterative solution scheme that is based on a relaxation dynamics coupling a geometric evolution equation for the membrane surface with a surface Allen-Cahn equation. Remeshing and grid adaptivity are discussed, and in various simulations the influence of several physical parameters is investigated.
A h-Adaptive Algorithm Using Residual Error Estimates for Fluid Flows
Authors: Ganesh N. , Balakrishnan N.
Published: June 2012

Algorithms for adaptive mesh refinement using a residual error estimator are proposed for fluid flow problems in a finite volume framework. The residual error estimator, referred to as the ℜ-parameter is used to derive refinement and coarsening criteria for the adaptive algorithms. An adaptive strategy based on the ℜ-parameter is proposed for continuous flows, while a hybrid adaptive algorithm employing a combination of error indicators and the ℜ-parameter is developed for discontinuous flows. Numerical experiments for inviscid and viscous flows on different grid topologies demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms on arbitrary polygonal grids.
Flow in Collapsible Tubes with Discontinuous Mechanical Properties: Mathematical Model and Exact Solutions
Authors: Toro Eleuterio F. , Siviglia Annunziato
Published: June 2012

We formulate a one-dimensional time-dependent non-linear mathematical model for some types of physiological fluid flow in collapsible tubes with discontinuous material properties. The resulting 6 × 6 hyperbolic system is analysed and the associated Riemann problem is solved exactly. Although the solution algorithm deals with idealised cases, it is nonetheless uniquely well-suited for assessing the performance of numerical methods intended for simulating more general situations. Moreover, our model may be a useful starting point for numerical calculations of realistic flows involving rapid and discontinuous material property variations. One important example in mind is the simulation of blood flow in medium-to-large veins in humans. Finally, we also discuss some peculiarities of the model regarding the loss of strict hyperbolicity and uniqueness. In particular we show an example in which the solution of the Riemann problem is non unique.
Non-Traditional Practice Placements: A Starting Point for Service Development
Authors: Kearsley Candia
Published: June 2012

In a climate of economic uncertainty, occupational therapists should consider creative approaches to practice to secure the future of the profession and to offer people alternative routes to access its services. If it is argued that non-traditional practice is becoming a viable choice for occupational therapists, then practice placements must reflect this trend. This opinion piece explores one such non-traditional role-emerging placement at an inner-city charity for children and young people, and how a continuing presence of students has led to a whole-service development.
Estimation of seismic ground motions using deterministic approach for major cities of Gujarat
Authors: Shukla J. , Choudhury D.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. A deterministic seismic hazard analysis has been carried out for various sites of the major cities (Ahmedabad, Surat, Bhuj, Jamnagar and Junagadh) of the Gujarat region in India to compute the seismic hazard exceeding a certain level in terms of peak ground acceleration (PGA) and to estimate maximum possible PGA at each site at bed rock level. The seismic sources in Gujarat are very uncertain and recurrence intervals of regional large earthquakes are not well defined. Because the instrumental records of India specifically in the Gujarat region are far from being satisfactory for modeling the seismic hazard using the probabilistic approach, an attempt has been made in this study to accomplish it through the deterministic approach. In this regard, all small and large faults of the Gujarat region were evaluated to obtain major fault systems. The empirical relations suggested by earlier researchers for the estimation of maximum magnitude of earthquake motion with various properties of faults like length, surface area, slip rate, etc. have been applied to those faults to obtain the maximum earthquake magnitude. For the analysis, seven different ground motion attenuation relations (GMARs) of strong ground motion have been utilized to calculate the maximum horizontal ground accelerations for each major city of Gujarat. Epistemic uncertainties in the hazard computations are accounted for within a logic-tree framework by considering the controlling parameters like b-value, maximum magnitude and ground motion attenuation relations (GMARs). The corresponding deterministic spectra have been prepared for each major city for the 50th and 84th percentiles of ground motion occurrence. These deterministic spectra are further compared with the specified spectra of Indian design code IS:1893-Part I (2002) to validate them for further practical use. Close examination of the developed spectra reveals that the expected ground motion values become high for the Kachchh region i.e. Bhuj city and moderate in the Mainland Gujarat, i.e. cities of Surat and Ahmedabad. The seismic ground motion level in the Saurashtra is moderate but marginally differs from that as presently specified in IS:1893-Part I (2002). Based on the present study, the recommended PGA values for the cities studied are 0.13 g, 0.15 g, 0.64 g, 0.14 g and 0.2 g for Ahmedabad city, Surat City, Bhuj City, Jamnagar City and Junagadh city, respectively. The prepared spectra can be further used for seismic resistant design of structures within the above major city boundaries of Gujarat to quantify seismic loading on structures.
Building an 18 000-year-long paleo-earthquake record from detailed deep-sea turbidite characterisation in Poverty Bay, New Zealand
Authors: Pouderoux H. , Lamarche G. , Proust J.-N.
Published: June 2012

Abstract. Two ~20 m-long sedimentary cores collected in two neighbouring mid-slope basins of the Paritu Turbidite System in Poverty Bay, east of New Zealand, show a high concentration of turbidites (5 to 6 turbidites per meter), interlaid with hemipelagites, tephras and a few debrites. Turbidites occur as both stacked and single, and exhibit a range of facies from muddy to sandy turbidites. The age of each turbidite is estimated using the statistical approach developed in the OxCal software from an exceptionally dense set of tephrochronology and radiocarbon ages (~1 age per meter). The age, together with the facies and the petrophysical properties of the sediment (density, magnetic susceptibility and P-wave velocity), allows the correlation of turbidites across the continental slope (1400–2300 m water depth). We identify 73 synchronous turbidites, named basin events, across the two cores between 819 ± 191 and 17 729 ± 701 yr BP. Compositional, foraminiferal and geochemical signatures of the turbidites are used to characterise the source area of the sediment, the origin of the turbidity currents, and their triggering mechanism. Sixty-seven basin events are interpreted as originated from slope failures on the upper continental slope in water depth ranging from 150 to 1200 m. Their earthquake trigger is inferred from the heavily gullied morphology of the source area and the water depth at which slope failures originated. We derive an earthquake mean return time of ~230 yr, with a 90% probability range from 10 to 570 yr. The earthquake chronology indicates cycles of progressive decrease of earthquake return times from ~400 yr to ~150 yr at 0–7 kyr, 8.2–13.5 kyr, 14.7–18 kyr. The two 1.2 kyr-long intervals in between (7–8.2 kyr and 13.5–14.7 kyr) correspond to basin-wide reorganisations with anomalous turbidite deposition (finer deposits and/or non deposition) reflecting the emplacement of two large mass transport deposits much more voluminous than the "classical" earthquake-triggered turbidites. Our results show that the progressive characterisation of a turbidite record from a single sedimentary system can provide a continuous paleo-earthquake history in regions of short historical record and incomplete onland paleo-earthquake evidences. The systematic description of each turbidite enables us to infer the triggering mechanism.
Determination of An Optimal Return-Path on Road Attributes for Mobile Robot Recharging
Authors: Liu Fei , Liang Shan , Xian Xiaodong
Published: June 2012

Optimal path-planning for mobile robot recharging is a very vital requirement in real applications. This paper proposes a strategy of determining an optimal return-path in consideration of road attributes which include length, surface roughness, road grade and the setting of speed-control hump. The road in the environment is partitioned into multiple segments, and for each one, a model of cost that the robot will pay for is established under the constraints of the attributes. The cost consists of energy consumption and the influence of vibration on mobile robot that is induced by motion. The return-path is constituted by multiple segments and its cost is defined to be the sum of the cost of each segment. The idle time, deduced from the cost, is firstly used as the decision factor for determining the optimal return-path. Finally, the simulation is given and the results prove the effectiveness and superiority of the strategy.
Inverse Displacement Analysis of a General 6R Manipulator Based on the Hyper-Chaotic Least Square Method
Authors: Luo Youxin , Yi Wei , Liu Qiyuan
Published: June 2012

The hyper-chaotic least square method for finding all real solutions of nonlinear equations was proposed and the inverse displacement analysis of a general 6R manipulator was completed. Applying the D-H method, a 4 × 4 matrix transform was obtained and the first type twelve constrained equations were established. Analysing the characteristics of the matrix, the second type twelve constrained equations were established by adding variables and restriction. Combining the least square method with hyper-chaotic sequences, the hyper-chaotic least square method based on utilizing a hyper-chaotic discrete system to obtain and locate initial points to find all the real solutions of the nonlinear questions was proposed. The numerical example was given for two type constrained equations. The results show that all the real solutions have been obtained, and it proves the correctness and validity of the proposed method.
State Generation Method for Humanoid Motion Planning Based on Genetic Algorithm
Authors: Wang Xuyang , Lu Tiansheng , Zhang Peiyan
Published: June 2012

A new approach to generate the original motion data for humanoid motion planning is presented in this paper. And a state generator is developed based on the genetic algorithm, which enables users to generate various motion states without using any reference motion data. By specifying various types of constraints such as configuration constraints and contact constraints, the state generator can generate stable states that satisfy the constraint conditions for humanoid robots. To deal with the multiple constraints and inverse kinematics, the state generation is finally simplified as a problem of optimizing and searching. In our method, we introduce a convenient mathematic representation for the constraints involved in the state generator, and solve the optimization problem with the genetic algorithm to acquire a desired state. To demonstrate the effectiveness and advantage of the method, a number of motion states are generated according to the requirements of the motion.
Managing Returnable Containers Logistics – A Case Study
Authors: Maleki Reza A. , Meiser Gretchen
Published: June 2012

Abstract This case study is the result of a project conducted on behalf of a company that uses its own returnable containers to transport purchased parts from suppliers. The objective of this project was to develop a proposal to enable the company to more effectively track and manage its returnable containers. The research activities in support of this project included (1) the analysis and documentation of the physical flow and the information flow associated with the containers and (2) the investigation of new technologies to improve the automatic identification and tracking of containers. This paper explains the automatic identification technologies and important criteria for selection. A companion paper details the flow of information and containers within the logistics chain, and it identifies areas for improving the management of the containers.
Study on Effect of Functional Competency on Performance of Indian Manufacturing Sector
Authors: Dubey Rameshwar , Ali Sadia Samar
Published: June 2012

India is one of the fastest emerging global manufacturing hub with a large number of firms shifting their manufacturing base to the country due to cheap labor and good supplier(s) base. Over the years, India has the largest number of companies, outside of Japan, that have been recognized for excellence in quality. As many as 21 companies have received the Deming Excellence awards; 153 companies have achieved Total Productive Maintenance (TPM) Excellence Award for their total productivity management practices by the Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM) committee (Source: IBEF, 2010). Here in this research article author(s) conducted an empirical survey among Indian manufacturing firms to understand how manufacturing competency effect the firm performance. It has been observed that manufacturing competency has negative impact on firm performance which is contradicting with the so far empirical studies conducted in European, Japanese and American countries. Here in this study authors provides in depth analysis to explain this negative impact and how this can lead to positive impact.
Minimum and Full Fluidization Velocity for Alumina Used in the Aluminum Smelter
Authors: de Vasconcelos Paulo Douglas S. , Mesquita André L. Amarante
Published: June 2012

Fluidization is an engineering unit operation that occurs when a fluid (liquid or gas) ascends through a bed of particles, and these particles get a velocity of minimum fluidization Vmf enough to stay in suspension, but without carrying them in the ascending flow. As from this moment the powder behaves as liquid at boiling point, hence the term “fluidization”. This operation is widely used in the aluminum smelter processes, for gas dry scrubbing (mass transfer) and in a modern plant for continuous alumina pot feeding (particles' momentum transfer). The understanding of the alumina fluoride rheology is of vital importance in the design of fluidized beds for gas treatment and fluidized pipelines for pot feeding.

This paper shows the results of the experimental and theoretical values of the minimum and full fluidization velocities for the alumina fluoride used to project the state of the art round non-metallic air-fluidized conveyor of multiples outlets.
Synthesis and in vitro Cytotoxicity of Glycans-Capped Silver Nanoparticles
Authors: Dini Luciana , Panzarini Elisa , Serra Antonio , Buccolieri Alessandro , Manno Daniela
Published: June 2012

Silver nanostructures were successfully synthesized through a simple and “green” method using saccharides as reducing and capping agent. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–Vis absorption were used to certify the quality of the silver nanoparticles obtained: firstly, size and dispersion.

In this work Silver NanoParticles (AgNPs) cytotoxicity related to saccharides capping (Glucose and Glucose-Sucrose) was explored in human epitheloid cervix carcinoma cells (HeLa). The cells were incubated with increasing AgNPs number/cell and HeLa cells viability was monitored for a period of 48 h compared with the positive and negative controls.

We observed that the toxicity increases with incubation time and with AgNPs number/cell. In particular, the different cytotoxic degree of the AgNPs, i.e. AgNP-G are more toxic than AgNP-GS, suggests that the cytotoxic effects are largely depended on the capping agent. The highest concentration of AgNP-G number/cell is able to induce extensive cell death of HeLa cells soon after 1 hr of incubation; conversely the lowest concentration of Ag NP-GS number/cell, surprisingly, is able to induce cell proliferation.
Magnetic Au Nanoparticles on Archaeal S-Layer Ghosts as Templates
Authors: Selenska-Pobell Sonja , Reitz Thomas , Schönemann Rico , Herrmansdörfer Thomas , Merroun Mohamed , Geißler Andrea , Bartolomé Juan , Bartolomé Fernando , García Luis Miguel , Wilhelm Fabrice , Rogalev Andrei
Published: June 2012

Cell-ghosts representing empty cells of the archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius, consisting only of their highly ordered and unusually stable outermost proteinaceous surface layer (S-layer), were used as templates for Au nanoparticles fabrication. The properties of these archaeal Au nanoparticles differ significantly from those produced earlier by us onto bacterial S-layer sheets. The archaeal Au nanoparticles, with a size of about 2.5 nm, consist exclusively of metallic Au(0), while those produced on the bacterial S-layer had a size of about 4 nm and represented a mixture of Au(0) and Au(III) in the ratio of 40 to 60 %.

The most impressive feature of the archaeal Au nanoparticles is that they are strongly paramagnetic, in contrast to the bacterial ones and also to bulk gold. SQUID magnetometry and XMCD measurements demonstrated that the archaeal Au nanoparticles possess a rather large magnetic moment of about 0.1μB/atom. HR-TEM-EDX analysis revealed that the archaeal Au nanoparticles are linked to the sulfur atoms of the thiol groups of the amino acid cysteine, characteristic only for archaeal S-layers. This is the first study demonstrating the formation of such unusually strong magnetic Au nanoparticles on a non-modified archaeal S-layer.