bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Twenty-first-Century Left in El Salvador and Nicaragua
Authors: Perla Héctor , Cruz-Feliciano Héctor
Published: March 2013

For the first time, two former guerrilla organizations simultaneously hold power in Central America: the Salvadoran Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front and the Nicaraguan Sandinista National Liberation Front. Both parties’ preference for leftist policies is constrained by the lack of development of the productive forces in both countries and the imperatives of the neoliberal model under which they are forced to operate, often yielding behaviors that are ostensibly contradictory to their revolutionary origins. The apparent contradictions are best understood as the result of strategic party choices, diverging conceptions about the appropriate policies for the construction of socialism, and the transformation of the leftist agenda in the twenty-first century.

Por primera vez, dos organizaciones de ex-guerrilleros tienen el poder simultáneamente en Centroamérica: el Frente Farabundo Martí para la Liberación Nacional en El Salvador y el Frente Sandinista de Liberación Nacional en Nicaragua. La preferencia de ambos partidos por una política izquierdista está limitada por la falta de desarrollo de las fuerzas productivas y por los imperativos del modelo neoliberal en el que se ven obligados a operar, a menudo dando lugar a comportamientos que aparentemente contradicen sus orígenes revolucionarios. Las aparentes contradicciones se entienden mejor como resultado de decisiones partidistas estratégicas, concepciones divergentes sobre las políticas adecuadas para construir el socialismo y la transformación de la agenda izquierdista en el siglo veintiuno.
An initial appraisal of waste decomposition by microbial processes within roadside gully pots
Authors: Scott Karen M , Coulthard Thomas J , Adams John DW
Published: March 2013

Despite their importance in urban drainage systems, gully pot internal processes have received little scientific study. Therefore, gully pot contents were examined to gain a basic understanding of these processes and to establish the decomposition characteristics of the contents ex situ. Moisture content, organic matter content, enzyme activity and pH were measured to investigate seasonal and geographical effects, in addition to a 5-week composting trial to determine the rate and characteristics of decomposition. Little difference was observed in the content processes, especially between seasons, and the composting trial illustrated organic content decreased at an average rate of 0.1 g of organic matter per 13 g of organic matter per day. The results from this study indicate an as yet unknown initial decomposition rate. Activity monitored between gully pots also suggests they are relatively similar systems across space and time; enabling gully contents to be evaluated universally in future research.
Assessing political agency across the Taiwan Strait: The case of the taishang
Authors: Schubert Gunter
Published: March 2013

The migration of Taiwanese to the Chinese mainland is one of the most striking features of the deepening interaction and integration across the Taiwan Strait. Among these newcomers, Taiwanese businesspeople ( taishang) have long since been considered an important ‘linkage community’ that profoundly affects the dynamics of cross-Strait relations. However, to what extent can and do they exert political agency in cross-Strait relations? Drawing on recent literature, as well as fieldwork conducted between 2006 and 2009 in Taiwan, the Pearl River Delta (Dongguan), and the Kunshan–Shanghai metropolitan area, this article begins by analysing the political mindset of the taishang, most notably with respect to their understanding of themselves as political actors. It then looks at different dimensions of political agency exercised by the taishang in both China and Taiwan. Since little is known about their strategies to politically safeguard their group-specific interests, the findings and assessments presented here can only be preliminary. Nevertheless, the article contributes to a better understanding of the concept of linkage community and provides a useful foundation for further investigations of the taishang’s political role in shaping cross-Strait relations.
Long‐term effectiveness of endoscopic screening on incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer: A randomized trial
Authors: Thiis‐Evensen Espen , Kalager Mette , Bretthauer Michael , Hoff Geir
Published: March 2013

Background

Due to few randomized trials, there is uncertainty about the long‐time effect of endoscopic screening on colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality.

Aim

To evaluate the long‐term effect of endoscopic screening on CRC incidence and mortality, we performed a population‐based randomized controlled trial in Norway.

Materials and methods

In 1983, 799 Norwegian men and women, age 50–59 years were drawn from the population registry and randomly assigned to flexible sigmoidoscopy screening (400 individuals), or no screening (399 individuals). Colonoscopy surveillance was offered after two and six years for all polyp‐bearers in the screening group. In 1996, both groups were offered colonoscopy. Only individuals with advanced adenomas at colonoscopy in 1996 were recommended surveillance. All individuals were followed through Norwegian registries until 2008. Hazard ratios (HR) for CRC incidence, and CRC and overall mortality rates were calculated.

Results

During 26 years of follow up (17,327 person‐years), 26 colorectal cancers were observed: seven in the screening group and 19 in the control group (HR in screening group 0.40, 95% CI 0.17–0.95, p  = 0.04). Eight individuals died of colorectal cancer; one in the screening group and seven in the control group (HR 0.16, 95% CI 0.02–1.28, p  = 0.08).

Conclusions

This first randomized trial on the long‐term effect of endoscopic screening shows reduced CRC incidence and mortality if screening is combined with rigorous surveillance for individuals with polyps. Colonoscopy screening without such surveillance may not be effective.
5'-Serial Analysis of Gene Expression studies reveal a transcriptomic switch during fruiting body development in Coprinopsis cinerea
Authors: Cheng Chi Keung , Au Chun Hang , Wilke Sarah K , Stajich Jason E , Zolan Miriam E , Pukkila Patricia J , Kwan Hoi Shan
Published: March 2013

Background

The transition from the vegetative mycelium to the primordium during fruiting body development is the most complex and critical developmental event in the life cycle of many basidiomycete fungi. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying this process has long been a goal of research on basidiomycetes. Large scale assessment of the expressed transcriptomes of these developmental stages will facilitate the generation of a more comprehensive picture of the mushroom fruiting process. In this study, we coupled 5'-Serial Analysis of Gene Expression (5'-SAGE) to high-throughput pyrosequencing from 454 Life Sciences to analyze the transcriptomes and identify up-regulated genes among vegetative mycelium (Myc) and stage 1 primordium (S1-Pri) of Coprinopsis cinerea during fruiting body development.

Results

We evaluated the expression of >3,000 genes in the two respective growth stages and discovered that almost one-third of these genes were preferentially expressed in either stage. This identified a significant turnover of the transcriptome during the course of fruiting body development. Additionally, we annotated more than 79,000 transcription start sites (TSSs) based on the transcriptomes of the mycelium and stage 1 primoridum stages. Patterns of enrichment based on gene annotations from the GO and KEGG databases indicated that various structural and functional protein families were uniquely employed in either stage and that during primordial growth, cellular metabolism is highly up-regulated. Various signaling pathways such as the cAMP-PKA, MAPK and TOR pathways were also identified as up-regulated, consistent with the model that sensing of nutrient levels and the environment are important in this developmental transition. More than 100 up-regulated genes were also found to be unique to mushroom forming basidiomycetes, highlighting the novelty of fruiting body development in the fungal kingdom.

Conclusions

We implicated a wealth of new candidate genes important to early stages of mushroom fruiting development, though their precise molecular functions and biological roles are not yet fully known. This study serves to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of fruiting body development in the model mushroom C. cinerea.
Colonic involvement in disseminated histoplasmosis of an immunocompetent adult: case report and literature review
Authors: Yang Biwei , Lu Lixia , Li Dajiang , Liu Li , Huang Libin , Chen Liyu , Tang Hong , Wang Lichun
Published: March 2013

Background

Histoplasmosis is a common opportunistic fungal infection that is observed almost exclusively in immunodeficient patients, especially those with AIDS. Immunocompetent individuals that suffer from histoplasmosis are rarely reported, especially those with disseminated lesions, such as disseminated histoplasmosis. The observation of disseminated histoplasmosis with prominent gastrointestinal involvement, no respiratory symptoms (which is presumed to be the portal of infection), gastrointestinal pathological changes, and minor digestive system disorders make this case study exceedingly rare.

Case presentation

We report the case of a 33-year-old immunocompetent male who presented with fever and weight loss. Based on investigations, the patient showed pancytopenia, hepatosplenomegaly, bone marrow involvement and marked colonic involvement. Finally, disseminated histoplasmosis was diagnosed and confirmed by stained smears of fine needle aspirates and biopsy from lesions in the bone marrow and colon. The patient showed appreciable regression of lesions following prompt treatment with amphotericin B deoxycholate, and was treated thereafter with oral itraconazole following discharge from hospital.

Conclusion

Disseminated histoplasmosis could be underestimated in immunocompetent patients. A high degree of clinical suspicion is essential in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients, regardless of pulmonary symptoms, and whether in endemic or non-endemic areas. Early and accurate diagnosis is extremely important for the appropriate treatment of infection and to improve disease outcome.
A genome-wide search for common SNP x SNP interactions on the risk of venous thrombosis
Authors: Greliche Nicolas , Germain Marine , Lambert Jean-Charles , Cohen William , Bertrand Marion , Dupuis Anne-Marie , Letenneur Luc , Lathrop Mark , Amouyel Philippe , Morange Pierre-Emmanuel , Trégouët David-Alexandre
Published: March 2013

Background

Venous Thrombosis (VT) is a common multifactorial disease with an estimated heritability between 35% and 60%. Known genetic polymorphisms identified so far only explain ~5% of the genetic variance of the disease. This study was aimed to investigate whether pair-wise interactions between common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) could exist and modulate the risk of VT.

Methods

A genome-wide SNP x SNP interaction analysis on VT risk was conducted in a French case–control study and the most significant findings were tested for replication in a second independent French case–control sample. The results obtained in the two studies totaling 1,953 cases and 2,338 healthy subjects were combined into a meta-analysis.

Results

The smallest observed p-value for interaction was p = 6.00 10-11 but it did not pass the Bonferroni significance threshold of 1.69 10-12 correcting for the number of investigated interactions that was 2.96 1010. Among the 37 suggestive pair-wise interactions with p-value less than 10-8, one was further shown to involve two SNPs, rs9804128 (IGFS21 locus) and rs4784379 (IRX3 locus) that demonstrated significant interactive effects (p = 4.83 10-5) on the variability of plasma Factor VIII levels, a quantitative biomarker of VT risk, in a sample of 1,091 VT patients.

Conclusion

This study, the first genome-wide SNP interaction analysis conducted so far on VT risk, suggests that common SNPs are unlikely exerting strong interactive effects on the risk of disease.
Heme iron polypeptide for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia in non-dialysis chronic kidney disease patients: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Nagaraju Shankar P , Cohn Adam , Akbari Ayub , Davis Janet L , Zimmerman Deborah L
Published: March 2013

Background

Anemia secondary to iron deficiency is common in patients with non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease (ND-CKD) but it is unclear if oral supplementation is as effective as intravenous (IV) supplementation in re-establishing iron stores. The purpose of this study was to determine if oral Heme Iron Polypeptide (HIP) is as effective as IV iron sucrose in the treatment of iron-deficiency anemia for patients with ND-CKD.

Methods

Forty ND-CKD patients were randomized; 18 to HIP 11 mg orally 3 times per day and 22 to IV iron sucrose 200 mg monthly for 6 months. Baseline clinical and laboratory data were collected for all patients. The primary and secondary outcomes for the study were hemoglobin (Hgb) concentration and iron indices [ferritin and percentage transferrin saturation (TSAT)] at the end of 6 months respectively. Adverse events were also compared.

Results

The baseline demographic characteristics and laboratory values were similar for the two groups. After 6 months of treatment, Hb in the HIP group was 117 g/L and 113 g/L in the IV sucrose group (p = 0.37). The TSAT at 6 months was not different between the two groups {p = 0.82}but the serum ferritin was significantly higher in the IV iron sucrose group {85.5 ug/L in HIP and 244 ug/L; p = 0.004}. Overall adverse events were not different between the groups.

Conclusion

HIP is similar in efficacy to IV iron sucrose in maintaining hemoglobin in ND-CKD patients with no differences in adverse events over 6 months. It is unclear if the greater ferritin values in the IV iron sucrose group are clinically significant.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT00318812
Potential effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine for cardiac syndrome X (CSX): a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Jia-ying , Xiao Lu , Chen Jing , Zhai Jing-bo , Mu Wei , Mao Jing-yuan , Shang Hongcai
Published: March 2013

Background

Treatment of cardiac syndrome X with unknown pathological mechanism remains a big challenge for clinicians. Complementary and alternative medicine may bring a new choice for its management. The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical effects of traditional Chinese medicine on cardiac syndrome X patients.

Methods

We systematically searched databases such as Cochrane CENTRAL, PubMed, EMBASE, CBM, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), WanFang and VIP, and handsearched relevant journals to identify randomized controlled trials. Following the steps of systematic review recommended by the Cochrane group, we assessed the quality of included studies, extracted valid data and undertook meta-analysis.

Results

Twenty one moderate-to low-quality randomized controlled trials involving 1143 patients were included. The results showed that traditional Chinese medicine could improve angina [OR=1.34, 95% CI: 1.2 to 1.50], electrocardiogram (ECG), endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels, prolong exercise duration in treadmill tests, and reduce angina frequency per week compared with routine treatment. No other side effect was reported except two cases of stomach pain.

Conclusion

Compared with conventional treatment, traditional Chinese medicine shows the potential of optimizing symptomatic outcomes and improving ECG and exercise duration. The efficacy of TCM may find explanation in its pharmacological activity of adjusting the endothelial function. TCM, as a kind of alternative and complementary medicine, may provide another choice for CSX patients.
An extension of generalized Apostol-Euler polynomials
Authors: Chen Si , Cai Yi , Luo Qiu-Ming
Published: March 2013

Recently, Tremblay, Gaboury and Fugère introduced a class of the generalized Bernoulli polynomials (see Tremblay in Appl. Math. Let. 24:1888-1893, 2011). In this paper, we introduce and investigate an extension of the generalized Apostol-Euler polynomials. We state some properties for these polynomials and obtain some relationships between the polynomials and Apostol-Bernoulli polynomials, Stirling numbers of the second kind, Jacobi polynomials, Laguerre polynomials, Hermite polynomials and generalized Bernoulli polynomials.

MSC:11B68, 11B73, 33C45.
Proposed new mechanism for food and exercise induced anaphylaxis based on case studies
Authors: Chen Jennifer Yan Fei , Quirt Jaclyn , Lee Kihyuk Jason
Published: March 2013

We present two cases of food and exercise-induced anaphylaxis (FEIA) in patients with a diagnosis of oral allergy syndrome (OAS) to the implicated foods. Patient A had FEIA attributed to fresh coriander and tomato and Patient B to fresh celery. These food allergens have been implicated in OAS and have structural antigenic similarity to that of birch and/or grass. Both patients’ allergies were confirmed by fresh skin prick tests. In both cases, strenuous exercise was antecedent to the systemic anaphylaxis reaction and subsequent ingestion without exercise produced only local symptoms of perioral pruritus. We review the current proposed mechanisms for food and exercise induced anaphylaxis to oral allergens and propose a novel and more biologically plausible mechanism. We hypothesize that the inhibitory effects of exercise on gastric acid secretion decreases the digestion of oral allergens and preserves structural integrity, thereby allowing continued systemic absorption of the allergen whether it be profilins, lipid transfer proteins, or other antigenic determinants.
Drug-induced dyskinesia in Parkinson's disease. Should success in clinical management be a function of improvement of motor repertoire rather than amplitude of dyskinesia?
Authors: Daneault Jean-François , Carignan Benoit , Sadikot Abbas F , Panisset Michel , Duval Christian
Published: March 2013

Background

Dyskinesia, a major complication in the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD), can require prolonged monitoring and complex medical management.

Discussion

The current paper proposes a new way to view the management of dyskinesia in an integrated fashion. We suggest that dyskinesia be considered as a factor in a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) equation where the signal is the voluntary movement and the noise is PD symptomatology, including dyskinesia. The goal of clinicians should be to ensure a high SNR in order to maintain or enhance the motor repertoire of patients. To understand why such an approach would be beneficial, we first review mechanisms of dyskinesia, as well as their impact on the quality of life of patients and on the health-care system. Theoretical and practical bases for the SNR approach are then discussed.

Clinicians should not only consider the level of motor symptomatology when assessing the efficacy of their treatment strategy, but also breadth of the motor repertoire available to patients.
Influence of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol on coronary collateral formation in a population with significant coronary artery disease
Authors: Hsu Po-Chao , Su Ho-Ming , Juo Suh-Hang , Yen Hsueh-Wei , Voon Wen-Chol , Lai Wen-Ter , Sheu Sheng-Hsiung , Lin Tsung-Hsien
Published: March 2013

Background

Coronary collateral circulation plays an important role in protecting myocardium from ischemia and reducing cardiovascular events. Low High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) level is a strong risk factor for coronary artery disease (CAD) and is associated with poor cardiovascular outcome. It was recently reported to be associated with poor coronary collateral development in Turkish population. Hence, we investigated the influence of HDL-C on coronary collateral formation in Chinese population.

Methods

We evaluated 970 consecutive patients undergoing coronary angiography, and 501 patients with significant coronary artery disease (SCAD) were finally analyzed. The collateral scoring system developed by Rentrop was used to classify patient groups as those with poor or good collaterals.

Results

The patients with poor collaterals had fewer diseased vessels (1.97 ± 0.84 vs 2.47 ± 0.68, p < 0.001) and lower diffuse score (2.65 ± 1.63 vs 3.76 ± 1.78, p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in HDL-C and other variables between good and poor collaterals. Multivariate analysis showed only number of diseased vessels (odd ratio 0.411, p < 0.001) was a significant predictor of poor collateral development.

Conclusions

The extent of CAD severity but not HDL-C level was the most powerful predictor of coronary collateral formation in our Chinese population with SCAD.
Monitoring cartilage loss in the hands and wrists in rheumatoid arthritis with magnetic resonance imaging in a multi-center clinical trial: IMPRESS (NCT00425932)
Authors: Peterfy Charles G , Olech Ewa , DiCarlo Julie C , Merrill Joan T , Countryman Peter J , Gaylis Norman B
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is increasingly being used in clinical trials of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) because of its superiority over x-ray radiography (XR) in detecting and monitoring change in bone erosion, osteitis and synovitis. However, in contrast to XR, the MRI scoring method that was used in most clinical trials did not include cartilage loss. This limitation has been an obstacle to accepting MRI as a potential alternative to XR in clinical trials. Cross-sectional studies have shown MRI to be sensitive for cartilage loss in the hands and wrist; although, longitudinal sensitivity to change has not yet been confirmed. In this study we examined the ability of MRI to monitor change in cartilage loss in patients with RA in a multi-site clinical trial setting.

Methods

Thirty-one active RA patients from a clinical trial (IMPRESS) who were randomized equally into treatment with either rituximab + methotrexate or placebo + methotrexate had MRI of the dominant hand/wrist at baseline, 12 weeks and 24 weeks at 3 clinical sites in the US. Twenty-seven of these patients also had XR of both hands/wrists and both feet at baseline and 24 weeks. One radiologist scored all XR images using the van der Heijde-modified Sharp method blinded to visit order. The same radiologist scored MR images for cartilage loss using a previously validated 9-point scale, and bone erosion using the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology Clinical Trials (OMERACT) RA MRI Score (RAMRIS) blinded to visit order and XR scores. Data from the two treatment arms were pooled for this analysis.

Results

Mean MRI cartilage score increased at 12 and 24 weeks, and reached statistical significance at 24 weeks. XR total Sharp score, XR erosion score and XR joint-space narrowing (JSN) score all increased at 24 weeks, but only XR total Sharp score increased significantly.

Conclusions

To our knowledge, this is the first publication of a study demonstrating MRI's ability to monitor cartilage loss in a multi-site clinical trial. Combined with MRI's established performance in monitoring bone erosions in RA, these findings suggest that MRI may offer a superior alternative to XR in multi-site clinical trials of RA.
Prospective cohort study of the circadian rhythm pattern in allogeneic sibling donors undergoing standard granulocyte colony-stimulating factor mobilization
Authors: Shi Patricia A , Isola Luis M , Gabrilove Janice L , Moshier Erin L , Godbold James H , Miller Lorraine K , Frenette Paul S
Published: March 2013

Introduction

Prior in vivo murine studies suggest circadian oscillations for hematopoietic stem cell release, which are maintained following administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) or plerixafor. Furthermore, retrospective data analysis of healthy donors who underwent G-CSF-induced mobilization demonstrated significantly increased CD34+ cell yields when collected in the afternoon compared with the morning.

Methods

A prospective study was conducted to directly examine the number of peripheral blood CD34+ and CD34+CD38– progenitor/stem cells at baseline and then every 6 hours for 24 hours on days 4 to 5 of G-CSF (10 μg/kg/day in the morning) mobilization in 11 allogeneic donors. Data were analyzed using mixed-model analysis of repeated measures.

Results

Whereas we observed a significant increase in CD34+ cell counts toward the evening, counts were then sustained on the morning of day 5. The correlation between CD34+CD38– cell counts and the less defined CD34+ populations was weak.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that the pharmacodynamic activity and timing of G-CSF may alter endogenous progenitor rhythms. Donor age, medical history, and medications may also impact circadian rhythm. Further studies should examine the circadian rhythm at the peak of G-CSF mobilization and should consider potential confounders such as the time of G-CSF administration and the age of the subjects.
First application of Green’s theorem-derived source and receiver deghosting on deep-water Gulf of Mexico synthetic (SEAM) and field data
Authors: Mayhan James D. , Weglein Arthur B.
Published: March 2013

Deghosting benefits traditional seismic processing and is a prerequisite to all inverse-scattering-series based processing. The freedom of choosing a convenient reference medium (and associated Green’s function) means Green’s theorem offers a flexible framework for deriving useful algorithms including deghosting. Among advantages over traditional deghosting methods are: (1) no need for Fourier transforms over receivers and sources, and (2) can accommodate a horizontal or non-horizontal measurement surface, the latter of particular interest for ocean bottom and onshore applications. The theory of Green’s theorem-derived deghosting is presented, and its first application on deep-water Gulf of Mexico synthetic (SEAM) and field data is reported. The source and receiver deghosting algorithms work with positive and encouraging results.
Optimal Sequential Change Detection for Fractional Diffusion-Type Processes
Authors: Chronopoulou Alexandra , Fellouris Georgios
Published: March 2013

The problem of detecting an abrupt change in the distribution of an arbitrary, sequentially observed, continuous-path stochastic process is considered and the optimality of the CUSUM test is established with respect to a modified version of Lorden's criterion. We apply this result to the case that a random drift emerges in a fractional Brownian motion and we show that the CUSUM test optimizes Lorden's original criterion when a fractional Brownian motion with Hurst indexHadopts a polynomial drift term with exponentH+1/2.
Limit Theorems for a Generalized Feller Game
Authors: Matsumoto Keisuke , Nakata Toshio
Published: March 2013

In this paper we study limit theorems forthe Feller gamewhich is constructed from one-dimensional simple symmetric random walks, and corresponds to theSt. Petersburg game. Motivated by a generalization of the St. Petersburg game which was investigated by Gut (2010), we generalize the Feller game by introducing the parameter α. We investigate limit distributions of the generalized Feller game corresponding to the results of Gut. Firstly, we give the weak law of large numbers for α=1. Moreover, for 0<α≤1, we have convergence in distribution to a stable law with index α. Finally, some limit theorems for a polynomial size and a geometric size deviation are given.
Heavy Tails in Queueing Systems: Impact of Parallelism on Tail Performance
Authors: Jiang Bo , Tan Jian , Wei Wei , Shroff Ness , Towsley Don
Published: March 2013

In this paper we quantify the efficiency of parallelism in systems that are prone to failures and exhibit power law processing delays. We characterize the performance of two prototype schemes of parallelism, redundant and split, in terms of both the power law exponent and exact asymptotics of the delay distribution tail. We also develop the optimal splitting scheme which ensures that split always outperforms redundant.
Regular Perturbation of V-Geometrically Ergodic Markov Chains
Authors: Ferré Déborah , Hervé Loïc , Ledoux James
Published: March 2013

In this paper, new conditions for the stability of V-geometrically ergodic Markov chains are introduced. The results are based on an extension of the standard perturbation theory formulated by Keller and Liverani. The continuity and higher regularity properties are investigated. As an illustration, an asymptotic expansion of the invariant probability measure for an autoregressive model with independent and identically distributed noises (with a nonstandard probability density function) is obtained.
A Time-Homogeneous Diffusion Model with Tax
Authors: Li Bin , Tang Qihe , Zhou Xiaowen
Published: March 2013

We study the two-sided exit problem of a time-homogeneous diffusion process with tax payments of loss-carry-forward type and obtain explicit formulae for the Laplace transforms associated with the two-sided exit problem. The expected present value of tax payments until default, the two-sided exit probabilities, and, hence, the nondefault probability with the default threshold equal to the lower bound are solved as immediate corollaries. A sufficient and necessary condition for the tax identity in ruin theory is discovered.
Splitting Trees Stopped when the First Clock Rings and Vervaat's Transformation
Authors: Lambert Amaury , Trapman Pieter
Published: March 2013

We consider a branching population where individuals have independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) life lengths (not necessarily exponential) and constant birth rates. We let Nt denote the population size at time t. We further assume that all individuals, at their birth times, are equipped with independent exponential clocks with parameter δ. We are interested in the genealogical tree stopped at the first time T when one of these clocks rings. This question has applications in epidemiology, population genetics, ecology, and queueing theory. We show that, conditional on {T<∞}, the joint law of (Nt, T, X(T)), where X(T) is the jumping contour process of the tree truncated at time T, is equal to that of (M, -IM, Y′M) conditional on {M≠0}. Here M+1 is the number of visits of 0, before some single, independent exponential clock e with parameter δ rings, by some specified Lévy process Y without negative jumps reflected below its supremum; IM is the infimum of the path YM, which in turn is defined as Y killed at its last visit of 0 before e; and Y′M is the Vervaat transform of YM. This identity yields an explanation for the geometric distribution of NT (see Kitaev (1993) and Trapman and Bootsma (2009)) and has numerous other applications. In particular, conditional on {NT=n}, and also on {NT=n,T<a}, the ages and residual lifetimes of the n alive individuals at time T are i.i.d. and independent of n. We provide explicit formulae for this distribution and give a more general application to outbreaks of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in the hospital.
Formation of Rectangular Plate-like α-MnOOH and Sheet-like γ-MnOOH by Slow Diffusion of Ammonia Vapor
Authors: Kajiyama Satoshi , Kumagai Hiromu , Nishimura Tatsuya , Kato Takashi
Published: March 2013

The formation of rectangular plate-like α-MnOOH and sheet-like γ-MnOOH crystals has been achieved under ambient conditions. A gradual crystallization of manganese compounds with the diffusion of ammonia vapor inhibits random oxidization of divalent manganese ions and the formation of aggregates of Mn3O4 crystals. The simple method using ammonia vapor is applicable to the development of manganese-based compounds with ordered structures.
Application of the Surface Complexation Model to the Biosorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) Ions onto Pseudomonas Pseudoalcaligenes Biomass
Authors: Liu Ruixia , Song Yonghui , Tang Hongxiao
Published: March 2013

In this study, a potentiometric titration was performed to investigate the surface acid–base properties of Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes isolated from activated sludge. Batch sorption as a function of pH was performed to explain the sorption behaviour of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions onto the bacterial surface. The surface complexation approach in the frame of constant capacitance model was applied to determine the deprotonation constants, site concentrations and metal stability constants for the important surface-functional groups on the biomass. The optimized results showed that the three discrete sites–three pKas model, involving three distinct types of functional groups, namely, carboxyl, phosphate and hydroxyl, could actually fit the protonation of the bacterial functional groups, with average pKa values of 4.18, 6.31 and 9.18, and site concentrations of 0.526, 0.525 and 0.478 mmol/g, respectively. The two sites model provided the best fit for the biosorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions onto the biomass by forming complexes with carboxyl and phosphate surface sites, with average log stability constants of 5.95 and 6.94 for Cu(II), and 6.64 and 8.08 for Pb(II), respectively. These results suggested that the surface complexation model yielded the accurate prediction for the biosorption behaviour of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions on the bacterial biomass and the affinity of P. pseudoalcaligenes biomass for the adsorption of Cu(II) and Pb(II) ions was high enough to remove the metal ions from water.
Comparative Study of the Competitive Adsorption of Mg, Ca and Sr Ions onto Resins
Authors: Gao Xiaolei , Hu Yaoqiang , Guo Tan , Ye Xiushen , Li Quan , Guo Min , Liu Haining , Wu Zhijian
Published: March 2013

Existing studies on the adsorption of alkaline earth metal ions have mainly focused on the adsorption of one alkaline earth metal ion. However, under natural conditions, alkaline earth metal ions usually co-exist. While separating them using an adsorbent, they compete with each other for adsorption onto the adsorbent. In this work, comparative and competitive adsorption of Mg, Ca and Sr ions onto four resins (D001, DJH003, LSC-100 and LSC-500) of sodium form were investigated in batch experiments at 25 °C. Our results showed that in all the experiments, the equilibrium point was attained in approximately 4 hours. In general, the pseudo-first-order model is more suitable to describe the adsorption kinetic data than the pseudo-second-order model. For both D001 and DJH003 resins, there are bigger differences in the adsorption amounts of Mg, Ca and Sr ions for the competitive adsorption than for the non-competitive adsorption. Under competitive adsorption conditions, the separation factor follows the order of βSr/Mg > βCa/Mg, and the order of preference for adsorption is Sr2+ > Ca2+ > Mg2+. Therefore, it can be seen that there is a clear inhibitory effect for the adsorption of Mg ions owing to the competition of other ions. However, for both LSC-100 and LSC-500 resins, the competitive adsorption of Mg, Ca and Sr ions does not show obvious differences. The competitive adsorption results for all the resins were explained by considering hydration of the metal ions, electrostatic attractions and complexation between the metal ions and the resins. The results obtained would be helpful for understanding the competitive adsorption processes and the recovery or removal of one or more alkaline earth metal ions from aqueous solutions.
Development of Adsorbent Hollow Fibres for Environmental Applications
Authors: Tai Chin-Chih , Wang Yun-Hsin
Published: March 2013

In this paper, a new generic synthesis route for the single-step production of adsorbent hollow fibres, based on polymer dry/wet spinning followed by a phase inversion process, is presented. This main advantage of this preparation technique is that it avoids impregnation of precursors or the use of chemicals for zeolite deposition, while dramatically reducing production times and costs. Primary factors (polymer, solvent and temperature) affecting the structure and adsorption performance of adsorbent hollow fibres are studied. The adsorptive properties of HiSiv 3000 hollow fibres and their commercial particulate counterpart have been obtained in a laboratory-scale flow system using n-butane as the adsorbate. The fibres prepared from solvents such as N, N-dimethylformamide, N, N-dimethylacetamide and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and from three types of polymers, namely, polysulfone, polyethersulfone (PESF) and polyvinylidenefluoride, are compared. The adsorbent hollow fibre prepared from NMP/PESF gave the sharpest breakthrough curve and the longest breakthrough time compared with others including commercial adsorbent pellets. By applying this novel technique, fibres with unique adsorbent properties and a high surface area per unit volume ratio can be prepared with a range of adsorbents to target a range of pollutants. The proposed method is not just limited to HiSiv 3000; in principle, many adsorbents or catalysts may be used, which means that this method can pave the way for a new generation of energy-efficient low-pressure-drop adsorbent fibres with low mass transfer resistance.
A Review of the Effects of Ice Accretion on the Structural Behavior of Wind Turbines
Authors: Alsabagh Abdel Salam Y. , Tiu William , Xu Yigeng , Virk Muhammad S.
Published: March 2013

Icing of wind turbines happens occasionally at different latitudes and locations in the world and consequently affects the wind turbine fatigue loads. Large ice accretion may cause wind turbine vibration due to uneven ice shedding, which could lead to structural failures in addition to hazardous issues accompanied with ice being shed off wind turbine blades. In this paper, a review study of the effects of ice accretion on the structural behavior of the wind turbines is presented.
Experimental Study of Atmospheric Ice Detection on Wind Turbine Blade Using Thermal Infrared Technique
Authors: Ghani Rizwan , Muhammad S. Virk
Published: March 2013

Various techniques have been used by researchers to detect and estimate the associated parameters of atmospheric ice accretion on structures like wind turbine blades in cold regions. Most of these techniques did not perform well in harsh weather conditions. This paper describes a passive thermal Infrared based technique to detect ice on wind turbine blades. To validate the concept and perform this lab based study, a comprehensive lab setup at cold room chamber of Narvik University College was designed, that consists of a very long wavelength thermal infrared camera (λ = 17 μm), frequency controlled low speed ice generator, data acquisition system, associated electronics and computational resources. Thermal infrared images of scaled wind turbine model in cold environment were processed using image processing techniques to study the temperature and emissivity distribution along wind turbine blade, which provided more accurate results as compared to the point sensors, where extensive computation and material degradation under freezing temperatures is a constant problem.
Construction Innovation: Addressing the Project-Product Gap in the Swedish Construction Sector
Authors: Rundquist Jonas , Emmitt Stephen , Halila Fawzi , Hjort Bengt , Larsson Bengt
Published: March 2013

The construction sector is often accused of being inefficient, conservative and non-innovative, although some commentators have suggested that the construction sector is not backward, it is merely different to other industries. One of these differences is the uniqueness of construction projects, which are determined by the characteristics of the site, interaction of project participants (also partly site specific) and the relationship between contractors and building product producers (which changes from one project to another). These factors are known to colour construction innovation. Previous research into the Swedish construction sector has identified a significant gap between the building product producers who are ‘product focused’ and the contractors who are ‘project focused’, with concerns expressed about effectiveness of communication between two. The findings of previous research imply, both implicitly and explicitly, that this gap may be hindering innovation within the construction sector. This appears to have implications for those concerned with construction, the building users and society as a whole. In this paper the authors provide an extensive review of the literature and research findings from which a number of unique insights are offered. The reasons for the gap between producers and contractors are discussed and a number of innovative measures are proposed that may help to bridge the gap, and hence improve innovation systems. The paper concludes with some practical findings for producers and contractors as well as some thoughts on where future research should be targeted.
Commercializing Work Life Balance Outlining a Model for Analyzing and Promoting Social Science Innovation
Authors: Nahnfeldt Cecilia , Lindberg Malin
Published: March 2013

Innovations have hitherto mostly been acknowledged in terms of new technical products in both theories and policies on innovation. The public support to the transformation of research results and new ideas into new goods and services, provided by the state as well as by several universities, has thus primarily been adapted to the conditions prevalent in technological and manufacturing industries. Since the Nordic countries have a long tradition in policy and research focusing social aspects of societal development, there ought to be a potential in supporting innovations emanating from the social sciences as well. Social science innovations could then better serve to solve the great economic and social challenges identified on the global level by OECD, on the European level by EU and on the national level by the EU member states, not least the Nordic countries. But as the public support system for innovations is adapted to technological standards and conditions, what possibilities are there to promote and enhance ideas coming out social science driven innovations? Based on an empirical example of a specific social science innovation, this article explores how existing support systems could be adapted to enhance innovation in other disciplines and spheres outside or beyond technological ones. The empirical example emanates from a university in the middle parts of Sweden, where the Grants and Innovation Office engaged themselves in a process of intense adaptation of their services to meet the need of a social science researcher who presented on the idea of an innovation based on research on the area of gender equality. The article describes this particular innovation process step by step from research result to commercialized service using a participatory research design, autobiographical method and experimental method. Based on this empirical example of realizing a specific social science innovation, this article outlines a model for analyzing and promoting and recognizing these type of innovations. The model enables an analysis of the innovation process by its power dimensions, affecting the prospects of realizing the original idea and pinpointing key aspects for promoting social science innovations.
A Teaching Case Study: Innovation, Product Development, and Organizational Transformation at the Sunnic Group
Authors: Chang Sheng-Yen , Lu Hsi-Peng , Liang Chiung-Ju
Published: March 2013

The following teaching case study details an exciting and modern case of an integrated circuit distribution company in Taiwan (the Sunnic Group) as it transitions through several major innovation initiatives creating new products and a new role for itself in the industry while simultaneously fending off market forces, competition, and degrading profits. This case study delivers important lessons about conducting innovation via four major areas. The first area details how market forces, intense competitions, entry barriers, and corporate growth can create situations where innovating on a large scale has strong advantages over the alternatives. The second area shows how theories on innovation and customer value propositions are used to create realistic strategies for new products and feasible plans for organizational change. Topics like knowledge management, creating new capabilities, and key performance indicators are discussed. Next, the actual implementations of several innovation initiatives are explained in dramatic fashion with characters demonstrating resistance to innovation, competitor's reactions, and conflicts of interest; more importantly, it demonstrates how product development strategies can actually play out. This section also captures how transforming an organization can be stressful, leadership intensive, and difficult. Finally, the case reviews the results of the transformation and innovation efforts via the patent and financial results. This case is designed to teach students a mix of theory and practical skills. A lengthy list of questions for students is also provided and a teacher's edition from page 21 onwards of this text contains lecture notes that help in guiding class discussions and aid in creating assignments.
Examining University-Industry Collaboration as a Source of Innovation in the Emerging Economy of Turkey
Authors: Temel Serdal , Glassman Brian
Published: March 2013

Companies in developed countries have clearly benefited from university-industry collaborations but emerging nations around the world have a different series of challenges and barriers to overcome in establishing strong university-industry collaborations. The following article discusses the barrier that 202 Turkish companies experienced while collaborating with local universities. Establishing trust and awareness were found to be major barriers preventing deep research collaborations. Interestingly, Turkish companies did take great advantage of universities' technical infrastructures being their equipment and laboratory facilities to test products, conduct research, and run experiments without formally collaborating, the authors term this "light collaboration." To accelerate university-industry collaborations in Turkey and other emerging nations a simple three tiered model is presented herein and is composed of: building awareness, building trust and exposure, and transitioning companies to full research projects. It is hoped that the ideas proposed herein will positively generate new concepts for grants and programs for emerging countries to support their university-industry innovation collaborations efforts.
Comparison of the VOF and CLSVOF Methods in Interface Capturing of a Rising Bubble
Authors: Keshavarzi Gholamreza , Yeoh Guan Heng , Barber Tracie
Published: March 2013

The VOF (Volume of Fluids) and CLSVOF (Coupled Level Set and VOF) methods are both methodologies in capturing the interface of two phase fluids. Despite some comparison on the rising velocity and interface capturing for certain simple cases of bubbles at certain times of the simulation, no full comparison of the interface capturing for cases of breakups and coalescence along with the stage by stage interface comparison has been completed. In this paper, the shape and deformation of buoyancy driven spherical bubble rising in a 2D channel is numerically investigated. The VOF and CLSVOF models have been used in the numerical simulation and the results were compared both qualitatively and numerically for both models. This specific bubble size and case was chosen since it involves breaking up, coalescence and deformation which is essential in examining the ability of accurate interface capturing of different methodologies. The results show the effectiveness and faster mesh convergence of the CLSVOF method; however higher computational time is required for this method. The results show that while the VOF method required a finer mesh to capture the bubble accurately, the CLSVOF has effect on the shape of the bubble, and significant effects on the velocity field and wake pressure.