bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Recent switch by the Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias fannini in the Pacific northwest to associative nesting with Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) to gain predator protection
Authors: Jones I.M. , Butler R.W. , Ydenberg R.C.
Published: May 2013

The Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias fannini Chapman, 1901 in the Pacific northwest appears to have modified nesting behaviour in response to the strong recent recovery of the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus (L., 1766)) population. Previously undescribed, herons now often nest in close association with some breeding eagles, even though eagles depredate heron nestlings, are implicated in the recent reproductive decline of herons, and may induce abandonment of heron breeding colonies. We tested the hypothesis that breeding herons gain protection from the territorial behaviour of eagles. Natural observations and simulated incursions showed that nesting eagles actively repel other eagles within at least 250 m around the nest site, thereby establishing a relatively safe place for herons to nest. Surveys showed that 70% of heron nests and 19% of heron colonies were located within 200 m of eagle nests with high reproductive success. These herons had greater reproductive success than those nesting far from eagle nests.
Body mass and mast abundance influence foraging ecology of the American black bear (Ursus americanus) in Maine
Authors: Seger R.L. , Servello F.A. , Cross R.A. , Keisler D.H.
Published: May 2013

We studied nutritional ecology of American black bears (Ursus americanus Pallas, 1780) in Maine, including active and hibernating bears during 5 years, across three study areas, using nitrogen stable isotope analyses of blood samples (n = 152). Our central finding, in two study areas, is positive correlation between body mass and δ15N. This suggests use of large body size to acquire or guard food resources that have relatively high δ15N, consistent with importance of ungulates as food for the largest bears in Maine. In these two study areas, hibernating bears across the spectrum of body mass showed greater δ15N during 2 years of beechnut (Fagus grandifolia Ehrh.) scarcity compared with 2 years of beechnut abundance. Adiposity, measured by serum leptin, was greater in hibernating bears following a season of beechnut abundance compared with one of beechnut scarcity. Total litter mass correlated positively with maternal serum leptin and negatively with maternal δ15N, supporting the importance of mast, including beechnuts, to reproductive success of bears in Maine. In the third study area, bears across the spectrum of body mass had greater δ15N in all years, consistent with food resources relatively high in15N that were available to bears of all sizes.
ACCURATE ROVIBRATIONAL STATE ENERGIES OF BOSONIC VAN DER WAAL DIMERS
Authors: MOODLEY MERVLYN
Published: May 2013

Over the past few decades many new and improved techniques have been developed to calculate ground and excited states of atomic clusters with varying degrees of accuracy. Together with progressively enhanced computer capabilities and the development of sophisticated techniques, the accuracy of results obtained from ab initio methods are closely approximating machine precision. In this paper, we use the finite difference method, whose precision is only governed by the machine precision, together with an optimization criterion to calculate the spectrum of two-body van der Waal clusters. This method is also shown to be robust enough to calculate energies close to the unbinding transition.
FINITE-TIME SYNCHRONIZATION OF DYNAMICAL NETWORKS COUPLED WITH COMPLEX-VARIABLE CHAOTIC SYSTEMS
Authors: WU ZHAOYAN , YE QINGLING , LIU DANFENG
Published: May 2013

In this paper, finite-time synchronization of dynamical networks coupled with complex-variable chaotic systems is investigated. According to Lyapunov function method and finite-time stability theory, both the dynamical networks without and with coupling delay are considered through designing proper finite-time controllers. Several sufficient conditions for finite-time synchronization are derived and verified to be effective by some numerical examples.
INFLUENCE OF INTER-COMMUNITY LINK STRENGTH ON COMMUNITY NETWORKS
Authors: PENG QIAN-JIN , ZHAO MING , ZHANG HAI-FENG
Published: May 2013

This paper mainly discusses how the strength of inter-community links affects the synchronization state of the whole network and the individual community. It is found, when the inter-community link number is neither too small nor too large and the overall coupling strength takes right values, there will be an optimal inter-community link strength value, in which the community networks are in a balance region where the individual community is maximally independent, while the information transmission remains effective among different communities. Combining the result of this paper and that of the number of inter-community links, it is easy to help us find the most effective community networks.
EXACT GROUND STATES OF CORRELATED ELECTRONS ON PENTAGON CHAINS
Authors: GULÁCSI ZSOLT
Published: May 2013

We construct a class of exact ground states for correlated electrons on pentagon chains in the high density region and discuss their physical properties. In this procedure the Hamiltonian is first cast in a positive semidefinite form using composite operators as a linear combination of creation operators acting on the sites of finite blocks. In the same step, the interaction is also transformed to obtain terms which require for their minimum eigenvalue zero at least one electron on each site. The transformed Hamiltonian matches the original Hamiltonian through a nonlinear system of equations whose solutions place the deduced ground states in restricted regions of the parameter space. In the second step, nonlocal product wave functions in position space are constructed. They are proven to be unique ground states which describe non-saturated ferromagnetic and correlated half metallic states. These solutions emerge when the strength of the Hubbard interaction Ui is site-dependent inside the unit cell. In the deduced phases, the interactions tune the bare dispersive band structure such to develop an effective upper flat band. We show that this band flattening effect emerges for a broader class of chains and is not restricted to pentagon chains. For the characterization of the deduced solutions, uniqueness proofs, exact ground state expectation values for long-range hopping amplitudes and correlation functions are also calculated.

The study of physical reasons which lead to the appearance of ferromagnetism has revealed a new mechanism for the emergence of an ordered phase, described here in detail. This works as follows: starting from a completely dispersive bare band structure, the interactions quench the kinetic energy, hence the ordered phase is obtained solely by a drastic decrease of the interaction energy. Since Ui are site dependent, this determinative decrease is obtained by a redistribution of the double occupancy di such to attain small di where the on-site Coulomb repulsion Ui is high, and vice versa. The kinetic energy quench leads to the upper effective flat band, whose role is to enhance by its degeneracy the switching to the ordered phase dictated and stabilized by the interactions present. It is shown that for this phenomenon to occur, a given degree of complexity is needed for the chain, and the mechanism becomes inactive when the Ui interactions are homogeneous, or are missing from the ground state wave function.
CSP DICHOTOMY FOR SPECIAL POLYADS
Authors: BARTO LIBOR , BULÍN JAKUB
Published: May 2013

For a digraph ℍ, the Constraint Satisfaction Problem with template ℍ, or CSP(ℍ), is the problem of deciding whether a given input digraph 𝔾 admits a homomorphism to ℍ. The CSP dichotomy conjecture of Feder and Vardi states that for any digraph ℍ, CSP(ℍ) is either in P or NP-complete. Barto, Kozik, Maróti and Niven (Proc. Amer. Math. Soc.137 (2009) 2921–2934) confirmed the conjecture for a class of oriented trees called special triads. We generalize this result, establishing the dichotomy for a class of oriented trees which we call special polyads. We prove that every tractable special polyad has bounded width and provide the description of special polyads of width 1. We also construct a tractable special polyad which neither has width 1 nor admits any near-unanimity polymorphism.
DARK AND BRIGHT SOLITARY WAVE SOLUTIONS OF THE HIGHER ORDER NONLINEAR SCHRÖDINGER EQUATION WITH SELF-STEEPENING AND SELF-FREQUENCY SHIFT EFFECTS
Authors: KUMAR HITENDER , CHAND FAKIR
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we obtain the exact bright and dark soliton solutions for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation (NLSE) which describes the propagation of femtosecond light pulses in optical fibers in the presence of self-steepening and a self-frequency shift terms. The solitary wave ansatz method is used to carry out the derivations of the solitons. The parametric conditions for the formation of soliton pulses are determined. Using the one-soliton solution, a number of conserved quantities have been calculated for Hirota and Sasa–Satsuma cases and finally, we have constructed some periodic wave solutions by reducing the higher order nonlinear Schrödinger equation (HNLS) to quartic anharmonic oscillator equation. The obtained exact solutions may be useful to understand the mechanism of the complicated nonlinear physical phenomena which are related to wave propagation in a HNLS model equation.
NON-RESONANT TWO-PHOTON ABSORPTION CONTROL BY TWO TIME-DELAYED LASER PULSES
Authors: LU CHENHUI , ZHANG SHIAN , JIA TIANQING , QIU JIANRONG , SUN ZHENRONG
Published: May 2013

In this paper, we theoretically investigate the control of the non-resonant two-photon absorption induced by two time-delayed laser pulses, and an analytical solution for the dependence of the two-photon transition probability on the time delay and relative carrier-envelope phase of the two laser pulses is achieved. We show that the two-photon absorption can be significantly enhanced or completely suppressed by varying the time delay between the two laser pulses or their relative carrier-envelope phase. We also show that the two-photon absorption can be selectively excited when two excited states are simultaneously excited. Furthermore, we discuss the two-photon absorption control in the molecular system and analyze the effect of the absorption bandwidth on the control efficiency of the two-photon absorption.
CALCULATION OF EFFECTIVE NONLINEAR COEFFICIENT IN BIBO FOR SPONTANEOUS PARAMETRIC DOWN CONVERSION
Authors: HUO GUANGWEN , ZHANG TONGYI , CHENG GUANGHUA , ZHAO WEI
Published: May 2013

We theoretically investigate the effective nonlinear coefficient d eff of spontaneous parametric down-conversion (SPDC) process in biaxial nonlinear crystal BiB3O6 (BIBO). We solve the Fresnel equations in the collinear degenerate down-converted configuration, and get the relations of phase-matching angles. Considering the double phase-matching, we compute the phase-matching angles with different wavelength. Furthermore, we simplify the expression of effective nonlinear coefficient out of the principal planes, and numerically calculate it varying with the angle and wavelength. These results indicate that there are three effective phase-matching schemes for SPDC which can be used to construct a system to generate entangled photon pairs.
Metallophthalocyanines for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy: an overview of our experience
Authors: Mantareva Vanya N. , Angelov Ivan , Wöhrle Dieter , Borisova Ekaterina , Kussovski Vesselin
Published: May 2013

Metal phthalocyanine complexes with different charges, hydrophobicity and metal ions were synthesized and studied for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy of pathogenic bacterial and fungal model strains. Ten positively charged complexes with the metals Zn ( II ), Al ( III ), Ga ( III ), In ( III ), Si ( IV ) and Ge ( IV ) in the center of the ligand and substituents at the ligand bearing four or eight N-alkylpyridyloxy groups were prepared. In addition, a negatively charged Zn ( II )-phthalocyanine with four sulfophenoxy-groups was synthesized. The absorption spectra showed low intensity of the Soret band in the UV part of the spectrum and the intense Q-band in the red to far red region (λ = 671–697 nm). The fluorescence was determined with quantum yields between 0.1–0.33 and life-times 2.8–4.9 ns in dependence of the kind of metal ion and the substituents. In organic solvents all complexes exist in a monomeric state but in aqueous solution they show aggregation with the exception of Ga ( III ) phthalocyanines. The singlet oxygen quantum yields were evaluated in dependence on the metals, substituents and the media with values between 0.16–0.68. The cationic metal phthalocyanines were taken-up by pathogenic cells in a higher amount as compared to the anionic complex. Three of the studied phthalocyanines namely tetra-N-methylpyridyloxy-phthalocyanine Zn ( II ) and tetra- and octa-N-methylpyridyloxy- Ga ( III ) phthalocyanines showed a high photodynamic efficacy towards most of the studied microorganisms in suspensions.
SPIN-DEPENDENT GOOS–HANCHEN EFFECT IN SEMICONDUCTING QUANTUM DOTS
Authors: ABDELRAZEK AHMED S. , ZEIN WALID A. , PHILLIPS ADEL H.
Published: May 2013

The present research is devoted to the investigation of the spin-dependant Goos–Hanchen phase shift in quantum nanodevice. This nanodevice is modeled as semiconducting quantum dot coupled to two ferromagnetic leads. The spin transport through such nanodevice is conducted under the effect of both magnetic field and the photon energy of the induced ac-field. The angle of incidence of electrons is taken into account. Results show that the Goos–Hanchen phase shift of spin-up electrons is different from that of spin-down electron. Also, spin polarization and giant magneto-resistance are strongly depending on the angle of incidence of electrons and the photon energy of the induced ac-field. The present model could realize experimentally the spin beam splitter and spin filter needed for spin qubits and quantum information processing.
Effect of pH on Absorption and Reductive Desorption Processes for Self-Assembled Monolayer of 4-Pyridinethiol Studied by Surface Enhanced IR Spectroscopy
Authors: Nishiyama Katsuhiko , Kumatabara Akira , Ueda Hiroyuki , Yoshimoto Soichiro
Published: May 2013

Stable Au electrodes for surface enhanced infrared spectroscopy (SEIRAS) were prepared using H-terminated Si as substrates. The prepared electrodes were stable even in strong alkaline solutions and enabled us to measure SEIRA spectra repeatedly. By injection the solution containing 4-PySH from the outside of the SEIRAS cell, adsorbed processes were observed easily and precisely. After injecting the solution, vibration bands corresponding to 4-PySH were observed at ca. 5-10 min, 1-3 min, and 0-1 min in DCl, NaClO4, and KOD, respectively. Analyzing the SEIRA spectra, the desorption potential of 4-PyS SAM in an acidic solution was evaluated to be – 1.2 V vs. Ag/AgCl.
Enhanced Antidepressant-Like Effects of Electroacupuncture Combined with Citalopram in a Rat Model of Depression
Authors: Yang Jian , Pei Yu , Pan Yan-Li , Jia Jun , Shi Chen , Yu Yan , Deng Jia-Hui , Li Bo , Gong Xiao-Li , Wang Xuan , Wang Xiao-Min , Ma Xin
Published: May 2013

Currently, antidepressants are the dominative treatment for depression, but they have limitations in efficacy and may even produce troublesome side effects. Electroacupuncture (EA) has been reported to have therapeutic benefits in the treatment of depressive disorders. The present study was conducted to determine whether EA could enhance the antidepressant efficacy of a low dose of citalopram (an SSRI antidepressant) in the chronic unpredictable stress-induced depression model rats. Here, we show that a combined treatment with 2 Hz EA and 5 mg/kg citalopram for three weeks induces a significant improvement in depressive-like symptoms as detected by sucrose preference test, open field test, and forced swimming test, whereas these effects were not observed with either of the treatments alone. Further investigations revealed that 2 Hz EA plus 5 mg/kg citalopram produced a remarkably increased expression of BDNF and its receptor TrkB in the hippocampus compared with those measured in the vehicle group. Our findings suggest that EA combined with a low dose of citalopram could produce greater therapeutic effects, thereby, predictive of a reduction in drug side effects.
Treatment of Nail Psoriasis: Common Concepts and New Trends
Authors: Oram Yasemin , Akkaya A. Deniz
Published: May 2013

The lifetime incidence of nail involvement in psoriatic patients is estimated to be 80–90%, and the nails can be affected in 10% to 55% of psoriatic patients. Psoriasis may also solely involve the nails, without any other skin findings, in which the treatment can be more challenging. Nail psoriasis may lead to considerable impairment in quality of life due to aesthetic concerns and more importantly limitations in daily activities resulting from the associated pain, which may be overlooked by the physicians. Several topical and systemic treatment modalities, as well as radiation and light systems, have been used in the treatment of nail psoriasis. In the last decade, the introduction of biologic agents and the utilization of laser systems have brought a new insight into the treatment of nail psoriasis. This paper focuses on the recent advances, as well as the conventional methods, in treating nail psoriasis in adults and children, in reference to an extensive literature search.
Wireless Connection between Guide Wires and Bone Cement: Extravasated Methyl Methacrylate Mimicking a Retained Guide Wire
Authors: Ching Kevin C. , Medsinge Avinash , Agarwal Vikas , Short Robert F. , Amesur Nikhil B.
Published: May 2013

We present the case of a 56-year-old double lung transplant recipient with chest pain who underwent an attempted endovascular retrieval of what was described as a retained guide wire in the azygos vein. After successfully grasping the tip, the object further migrated to the right pulmonary artery complicating the retrieval. It was realized that the “wire” was extravasated methyl methacrylate from a recent percutaneous kyphoplasty. This is believed to be the first report of attempted endovascular retrieval of extravasated methyl methacrylate in the azygos system. We include the details of this case and briefly review the current literature on the management of extravasated methyl methacrylate from vertebral augmentation procedures. Extravasated methyl methacrylate in the venous system is a common finding after vertebral augmentation procedures and any radiopaque stripe arising from a cemented vertebral body should be first described as probable cement leakage.
Fractional-OrderPIControl of First Order Plants with Guaranteed Time Specifications
Authors: Castillo-Garcia F. J. , Millan-Rodriguez A. San , Feliu-Batlle V. , Sanchez-Rodriguez L.
Published: May 2013

Cardiospheres (CSs) are self-assembling multicellular clusters from the cellular outgrowth from cardiac explants cultured in nonadhesive substrates. They contain a core of primitive, proliferating cells, and an outer layer of mesenchymal/stromal cells and differentiating cells that express cardiomyocyte proteins and connexin 43. Because CSs contain both primitive cells and committed progenitors for the three major cell types present in the heart, that is, cardiomyocytes, endothelial cells, and smooth muscle cells, and because they are derived from percutaneous endomyocardial biopsies, they represent an attractive cell source for cardiac regeneration. In preclinical studies, CS-derived cells (CDCs) delivered to infarcted hearts resulted in improved cardiac function. CDCs have been tested safely in an initial phase-1 clinical trial in patients after myocardial infarction. Whether or not CDCs are superior to purified populations, for example, c-kit+ cardiac stem cells, or to gene therapy approaches for cardiac regeneration remains to be evaluated.
Transplant Tolerance: New Insights and Strategies for Long-Term Allograft Acceptance
Authors: Ruiz Paulina , Maldonado Paula , Hidalgo Yessia , Gleisner Alejandra , Sauma Daniela , Silva Cinthia , Saez Juan Jose , Nuñez Sarah , Rosemblatt Mario , Bono Maria Rosa
Published: May 2013

One of the greatest advances in medicine during the past century is the introduction of organ transplantation. This therapeutic strategy designed to treat organ failure and organ dysfunction allows to prolong the survival of many patients that are faced with no other treatment option. Today, organ transplantation between genetically dissimilar individuals (allogeneic grafting) is a procedure widely used as a therapeutic alternative in cases of organ failure, hematological disease treatment, and some malignancies. Despite the potential of organ transplantation, the administration of immunosuppressive drugs required for allograft acceptance induces severe immunosuppression in transplanted patients, which leads to serious side effects such as infection with opportunistic pathogens and the occurrence of neoplasias, in addition to the known intrinsic toxicity of these drugs. To solve this setback in allotransplantation, researchers have focused on manipulating the immune response in order to create a state of tolerance rather than unspecific immunosuppression. Here, we describe the different treatments and some of the novel immunotherapeutic strategies undertaken to induce transplantation tolerance.
Stability and Uniform Boundedness in Multidelay Functional Differential Equations of Third Order
Authors: Tunç Cemil , Gözen Melek
Published: May 2013

We consider a nonautonomous functional differential equation of the third order with multiple deviating arguments. Using the Lyapunov-Krasovskiì functional approach, we give certain sufficient conditions to guarantee the asymptotic stability and uniform boundedness of the solutions.
False Passage to the Trachea after Emergency Intubation in a Victim of Near Hanging
Authors: Pourmand Ali , Shokoohi Hamid
Published: May 2013

Emergency medicine physicians should have enough knowledge and experience to deal with emergent and traumatic difficult airway. In this paper, we present a case of near hanging with neck soft tissue injury, tracheal and esophageal rupture that is complicated by a displaced intubation and false passage to the trachea.
Three‐Dimensional Gait Analysis Can Shed New Light on Walking in Patients with Haemophilia
Authors: Lobet Sébastien , Detrembleur Christine , Massaad Firas , Hermans Cedric
Published: May 2013

In patients with haemophilia (PWH) (from Greek “blood love”), the long‐term consequences of repeated haemarthrosis include cartilage damage and irreversible arthropathy, resulting in severe impairments in locomotion. Quantifying the extent of joint damage is therefore important in order to prevent disease progression and compare the efficacy of treatment strategies. Musculoskeletal impairments in PWH may stem from structural and functional abnormalities, which have traditionally been evaluated radiologically or clinically. However, these examinations are performed in a supine position (i.e., non‐weight‐bearing condition). We therefore suggest three‐dimensional gait analysis (3DGA) as an innovative approach designed to focus on the functional component of the joint during the act of walking. This is of the utmost importance, as pain induced by weight‐bearing activities influences the functional performance of the arthropathic joints significantly. This review endeavors to improve our knowledge of the biomechanical consequences of multiple arthropathies on gait pattern in adult patients with haemophilia using 3DGA. In PWH with arthropathy, the more the joint function was altered, the more the metabolic energy was consumed. 3DGA analysis could highlight the effect of an orthopedic disorder in PWH during walking. Indeed, mechanical and metabolic impairments were correlated to the progressive loss of active mobility into the joints.
GC/MS Evaluation and In Vitro Antioxidant Activity of Essential Oil and Solvent Extracts of an Endemic Plant Used as Folk Remedy in Turkey:Phlomis bourgaeiBoiss.
Authors: Sarikurkcu Cengiz , Sabih Ozer M. , Cakir Ahmet , Eskici Mustafa , Mete Ebru
Published: May 2013

This study was outlined to examine the chemical composition of hydrodistilled essential oil and in vitro antioxidant potentials of the essential oil and different solvent extracts of endemicPhlomis bourgaeiBoiss. used as folk remedy in Turkey. The chemical composition of the oil was analyzed by GC and GC-MS, and the predominant components in the oil were found to beβ-caryophyllene (37.37%),(Z)-β-farnesene (15.88%), and germacrene D (10.97%). Antioxidant potentials of the solvent extracts and the oil were determined by four testing systems includingβ-carotene/linoleic acid, DPPH, reducing power, and chelating effect. Inβ-carotene/linoleic acid assay, all extracts showed the inhibition of more than 50% at all concentrations. In DPPH, chelating effect, and reducing power test systems, the water extract with 88.68%, 77.45%, and 1.857 (absorbance at 700 nm), respectively, exhibited more excellent activity potential than other extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) and the essential oil at 1.0 mg/mL concentration. The amount of the total phenolics and flavonoids was the highest in this extract (139.50 ± 3.98 μg gallic acid equivalents (GAEs)/mg extract and 22.71 ± 0.05μg quercetin equivalents (QEs)/mg extract).
Stability of Fractional Order Systems
Authors: Rivero Margarita , Rogosin Sergei V. , Tenreiro Machado José A. , Trujillo Juan J.
Published: May 2013

The theory and applications of fractional calculus (FC) had a considerable progress during the last years. Dynamical systems and control are one of the most active areas, and several authors focused on the stability of fractional order systems. Nevertheless, due to the multitude of efforts in a short period of time, contributions are scattered along the literature, and it becomes difficult for researchers to have a complete and systematic picture of the present day knowledge. This paper is an attempt to overcome this situation by reviewing the state of the art and putting this topic in a systematic form. While the problem is formulated with rigour, from the mathematical point of view, the exposition intends to be easy to read by the applied researchers. Different types of systems are considered, namely, linear/nonlinear, positive, with delay, distributed, and continuous/discrete. Several possible routes of future progress that emerge are also tackled.
Fatal DisseminatedFusariumInfection in a Human Immunodeficiency Virus Positive Patient
Authors: Esnakula Ashwini K. , Summers Irorere , Naab Tammey J.
Published: May 2013

Systemic mycotic infections have been increasing in incidence in immunocompromised patients. Although yeasts are most often isolated, opportunistic fungal infections may also be caused by filamentous fungi, includingAspergillusandFusarium. LikeAspergillus,Fusariumis angioinvasive with an ability to disseminate widely. Disseminated fusariosis is most commonly linked to prolonged neutropenia. Disseminated infections due toFusariumare rare in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive patients but have been reported in HIV positive patients with neutropenia and lymphoma. We describe an HIV positive patient without neutropenia, skin lesions, or concomitant malignancy, who developed fatal disseminated infection with possible endocarditis due toFusarium solani. Early identification ofFusariumis important because of its high level of resistance to several antifungal drugs, with response often requiring combination therapy.
Performance of Networked Control Systems
Authors: Zhang Yingwei , Chen Xue , Lu Renquan
Published: May 2013

Data packet dropout is a special kind of time delay problem. In this paper, predictive controllers for networked control systems (NCSs) with dual-network are designed by model predictive control method. The contributions are as follows. (1) The predictive control problem of the dual-network is considered. (2) The predictive performance of the dual-network is evaluated. (3) Compared to the popular networked control systems, the optimal controller of the new NCSs with data packets dropout is designed, which can minimize infinite performance index at each sampling time and guarantee the closed-loop system stability. Finally, the simulation results show the feasibility and effectiveness of the controllers designed.
Study on Tensile Properties of Nanoreinforced Epoxy Polymer: Macroscopic Experiments and Nanoscale FEM Simulation Prediction
Authors: Wang Zhenqing , Liu Fang , Liang Wenyan , Zhou Limin
Published: May 2013

The effect of nanosilica contents on mechanical properties of the epoxy matrix with some nanoparticle aggregations was studied in macroscopic experiments and nanoscale simulation, particularly with regard to the effective modulus and ultimate stress. Three analytical models were used to obtain the effective elastic modulus of nanoparticle-reinforced composites. Based on Monte-Carlo method, the special program for the automatic generation of 2D random distribution particles without overlapping was developed for nanocomposite modeling. Weight fractions of nanoparticles were converted to volume fractions, in order to coordinate the content unit in the simulation. In numerical analysis, the weak interface strengthening and toughening mechanism was adopted. Virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) and extended finite element method (XFEM) were used to simulate phenomena of nanoparticle debonding and matrix crack growth. Experimental and simulation results show a good agreement with each other. By way of simulation, the weak interface toughening and strengthening mechanism of nanocomposites is confirmed.
Structural and Morphological Characterization of Micro and Nanofibers Produced by Electrospinning and Solution Blow Spinning: A Comparative Study
Authors: Oliveira Juliano E. , Mattoso Luiz H. C. , Orts William J. , Medeiros Eliton S.
Published: May 2013

Nonwoven mats of poly(lactic acid) (PLA), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), and poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) were prepared at a nano- and submicron scale by solution blow spinning (SBS) and electrospinning in order to compare crystalline structure and morphology developed by both processes during fiber formation. Polymer solutions were characterized by rheometry and tensiometry. Spun fibers were characterized by several analytical steps. SEM analyses showed that both solution blow spun and electrospun fibers had similar morphology. Absence of residual solvents and characteristic infrared bands in the solution blow spun fibers for PLA, PCL, and PEO was confirmed by FTIR studies. XRD diffraction patterns for solution blow spun and electrospun mats revealed some differences related to distinct mechanisms of fiber formation developed by each process. Significant differences in thermal behavior by DSC were observed between cast films of PLA, PCL, and PEO and their corresponding spun nanofibers. Furthermore, the average contact angles for spun PLA and PCL were higher than for electrospun mats, whereas it was slightly lower for PEO. When comparing electrospun and solution blow spun fibers, it was possible to verify that fiber morphology and physical properties depended both on the spinning technique and type of polymer.
Hospitalization Rates and Discharge Status in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Nusrat Sanober , Levinthal David , Bielefeldt Klaus
Published: May 2013

Management of multiple sclerosis (MS) has shifted from supportive to disease modifying therapy. Considering the increasingly widespread adoption of this approach in managing MS patients, we hypothesized that hospitalizations and surrogates of disease-related complications should have declined during the last decade.Methods. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, hospitalizations for MS and associated secondary diagnoses and procedures as well as discharge status were examined. Time trends were examined for different age cohorts focusing on the period from 2001 to 2010.Results. During the preceding decade, annual hospitalizations for MS increased by 40%, with stable rates in all age groups except geriatric patients, who accounted for a significantly higher fraction of admissions. Nursing home transfers as a surrogate marker of disability remained unchanged for all age groups. Similarly, urinary tract infections, the need for skin debridement, or gastrostomy tube placement did not vary during the decade.Conclusion. During a time of increased adoption of disease modifying therapy, MS-related hospitalizations continued to increase and surrogate measures of disability in admitted patients remained stable, demonstrating the still significant impact of the disease on affected individuals.
Multiple-Observation-Based Robust Channel and Doppler Estimation in High Mobility Applications
Authors: Rahman Md. Jahidur , Yang Jiaxin
Published: May 2013

Channel estimation is a challenging task, especially in high mobility applications due to the rapid variation of the propagation environment. This paper presents a new technique that exploits past channel impulse responses (CIRs) in order to trace and compensate Doppler frequency in mobile applications, enabling robust estimation of time-varying channel. Based on the fact that channel taps at different time instants can be fitted with a sinusoidal wave, a joint estimator is proposed to estimate the channel parameters. Therefore, the efficiency of the channel estimation can be improved and stringent delay requirements for the communication systems can also be satisfied. Simulation results show that system performance in terms of bit error rate (BER) is significantly improved with the proposed algorithm.
Full Static Output Feedback Equivalence
Authors: Yannakoudakis Aristotle G.
Published: May 2013

We present a constructive solution to the problem of full output feedback equivalence, of linear, minimal, time-invariant systems. The equivalence relation on the set of systems is transformed to another on the set of invertible block Bezout/Hankel matrices using the isotropy subgroups of the full state feedback group and the full output injection group. The transformation achieving equivalence is calculated solving linear systems of equations. We give a polynomial version of the results proving that two systems are full output feedback equivalent, if and only if they have the same family of generalized Bezoutians. We present a new set of output feedback invariant polynomials that generalize the breakaway polynomial of scalar systems.
Nonlinear Analysis of Electrocardiography Signals for Atrial Fibrillation
Authors: Sezgin Necmettin
Published: May 2013

This paper aims to analyze the electrocardiography (ECG) signals for patient with atrial fibrillation (AF) by using bispectrum and extreme learning machine (ELM). AF is the most common irregular heart beat disease which may cause many cardiac diseases as well. Bispectral analysis was used to extract the nonlinear information in the ECG signals. The bispectral features of each ECG episode were determined and fed to the ELM classifier. The classification accuracy of ELM to distinguish nonterminating, terminating AF, and terminating immediately AF was 96.25%. In this study, the normal ECG signal was also compared with AF ECG signal due to the nonlinearity which was determined by bispectrum. The classification result of ELM was 99.15% to distinguish AF ECGs from normal ECGs.
Rotationally Symmetric Harmonic Diffeomorphisms between Surfaces
Authors: Chen Li , Du Shi-Zhong , Fan Xu-Qian
Published: May 2013

We show the nonexistence of rotationally symmetric harmonic diffeomorphism between the unit disk without the origin and a punctured disc with hyperbolic metric on the target.
Relaxed Viscosity Approximation Methods with Regularization for Constrained Minimization Problems
Authors: Ceng Lu-Chuan , Xu Hong-Kun , Wen Ching-Feng
Published: May 2013

We introduce a new relaxed viscosity approximation method with regularization and prove the strong convergence of the method to a common fixed point of finitely many nonexpansive mappings and a strict pseudocontraction that also solves a convex minimization problem and a suitable equilibrium problem.
Ruminal Degradability and Summative Models Evaluation for Total Digestible Nutrients Prediction of Some Forages and Byproducts in Goats
Authors: Rosendo Oswaldo , Freitez Luis , López Rafael
Published: May 2013

In in vitro true dry matter degradability (IVTDMD), in situ dry matter degradability, and neutral detergent fiber degradability, both in vitro (IVNDFD) and in situ (ISNDFD) techniques were used with crossbred goats to determine dry matter and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) ruminal degradability in eight forages and four industrial byproducts. Total digestible nutrients (TDN) content obtained with five different summative models (summative equations) were studied to compare the precision of estimates. All these models included digestible fractions of crude protein, ether extract, and nonfiber carbohydrates that were calculated from chemical composition, but digestible NDF (dNDF) was obtained from IVNDFD (IVdNDF), ISNDFD (ISdNDF), or by using the Surface Law approach. On the basis of the coefficient of determination (R2) of the simple lineal regression of predicted TDN (y-axes) and observed IVTDMD (x-axes), the precision of models was tested. The predicted TDN by the National Research Council model exclusively based on chemical composition only explains up to 41% of observed IVTDMD values, whereas the model based on IVdNDF had a high precision (96%) to predict TDN from forage and byproducts fiber when used in goats.
A Performance and Usability Aware Secure Two-Factor User Authentication Scheme for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Yoo Sang Guun , Lee Hyukjun , Kim Juho
Published: May 2013

Recently, several user authentication schemes for wireless sensor networks based on two-factor concept using the smart card technology were proposed. However, they have serious limitations in terms of security and usability. First, even though they are enhancements of other works, they still have several security flaws, such as vulnerability against parallel session, privileged-insider, and gateway-node bypassing attacks and lack of mutual authentication between user station and gateway node. On the other hand, they also present a usability constraint, in a sense that they do not consider the use case when sensor nodes cannot communicate with gateway node. In this case, data collected by isolated sensor nodes could not be accessed until they recover such communication, which is in many times not recoverable rapidly or forever (e.g., military applications, natural disaster monitoring). Due to all these reasons, this paper proposes a robust user authentication scheme which fixes the security weaknesses of previous solutions and provides wider usability considering the use case when the sensor nodes cannot communicate with the gateway node. Once the solution is described, its security is ensured by formal proof and analysis against attacks. Additionally, performance and cost analysis are executed to determine its level of feasibility for real implementation.
Finite Element Analysis of the Deformation of Functionally Graded Plates under Thermomechanical Loads
Authors: Alshorbagy A. E. , Alieldin S. S. , Shaat M. , Mahmoud F. F.
Published: May 2013

The first-order shear deformation plate model, accounting for the exact neutral plane position, is exploited to investigate the uncoupled thermomechanical behavior of functionally graded (FG) plates. Functionally graded materials are mainly constructed to operate in high temperature environments. Also, FG plates are used in many applications (such as mechanical, electrical, and magnetic), where an amount of heat may be generated into the FG plate whenever other forms of energy (electrical, magnetic, etc.) are converted into thermal energy. Several simulations are performed to study the behavior of FG plates, subjected to thermomechanical loadings, and focus the attention on the effect of the heat source intensity. Most of the previous studies have considered the midplane neutral one, while the actual position of neutral plane for functionally graded plates is shifted and should be firstly determined. A comparative study is performed to illustrate the effect of considering the neutral plane position. The volume fraction of the two constituent materials of the FG plate is varied smoothly and continuously, as a continuous power function of the material position, along the thickness of the plate.
Inflammatory Factors and Exercise in Chronic Kidney Disease
Authors: Dungey Maurice , Hull Katherine L. , Smith Alice C. , Burton James O. , Bishop Nicolette C.
Published: May 2013

Patients with chronic kidney disease frequently present with chronic elevations in markers of inflammation, a condition that appears to be exacerbated by disease progression and onset of haemodialysis. Systemic inflammation is interlinked with malnutrition and muscle protein wasting and is implicated in a number of morbidities including cardiovascular disease: the most common cause of mortality in this population. Research in the general population and other chronic disease cohorts suggests that an increase in habitual activity levels over a prolonged period may help redress basal increases in systemic inflammation. Furthermore, those populations with the highest baseline levels of systemic inflammation appear to have the greatest improvements from training. On the whole, the activity levels of the chronic kidney disease population reflect a sedentary lifestyle, indicating the potential for increasing physical activity and observing health benefits. This review explores the current literature investigating exercise and inflammatory factors in the chronic kidney disease population and then attempts to explain the contradictory findings and suggests where future research is required.
On Bondage Numbers of Graphs: A Survey with Some Comments
Authors: Xu Jun-Ming
Published: May 2013

The domination number of a graph is the smallest number of vertices which dominate all remaining vertices by edges of . The bondage number of a nonempty graph is the smallest number of edges whose removal from results in a graph with domination number greater than the domination number of . The concept of the bondage number was formally introduced by Fink et al. in 1990. Since then, this topic has received considerable research attention and made some progress, variations, and generalizations. This paper gives a survey on the bondage number, including known results, conjectures, problems, and some comments, also selectively summarizes other types of bondage numbers.
Physicochemical, Thermomechanical, and Swelling Properties of Radiation Vulcanised Natural Rubber Latex Film: Effect of Diospyros peregrina Fruit Extracts
Authors: Hossain Kazi Md Zakir , Sharif Nashid , Dafader N. C. , Haque M. E. , Chowdhury A. M. Sarwaruddin
Published: May 2013

A range of radiation vulcanised natural rubber latex (RVNRL) films were prepared using various concentrations of aqueous extracts of mature Diospyros peregrina fruit, which acted as a cross-linking agent. The surface of the RVNRL films exhibited an aggregated morphology of the rubber hydrocarbon with increasing roughness due to increasing fruit extract contents in the latex. An improvement in tensile strength, tensile modulus, and storage modulus of RVNRL films was observed with the addition of fruit extracts compared to the control film due to their cross-linking effect. The glass transition (Tg) temperature of all the RVNRL films was found to be at around −61.5°C. The films were also observed to be thermally stable up to 325°C, while the maximum decomposition temperature appeared at around 375°C. The incorporation of fruit extracts further revealed a significant influence on increasing the crystallinity, gel content, and physical cross-link density of the RVNRL films.
Entropy Generation Analysis in a Variable Viscosity MHD Channel Flow with Permeable Walls and Convective Heating
Authors: Eegunjobi A. S. , Makinde O. D.
Published: May 2013

This paper examines the effects of the thermodynamic second law on steady flow of an incompressible variable viscosity electrically conducting fluid in a channel with permeable walls and convective surface boundary conditions. The nonlinear model governing equations are solved numerically using shooting quadrature. Numerical results of the velocity and temperature profiles are utilised to compute the entropy generation number and the Bejan number. The results revealed that entropy generation minimization can be achieved by appropriate combination of the regulated values of thermophysical parameters controlling the flow systems.
Correlation Effects in Kinetics of One‐Dimensional Atomic Systems
Authors: Borman V. D. , Tronin I. V. , Tronin V. N. , Troyan V. I. , Vasiliev O. S.
Published: May 2013

The paper is devoted to the analysis of the correlation effects and manifestations of general
properties of 1D systems (such as spatial heterogeneity that is associated with strong density fluctuations, the lack of phase transitions, the presence of frozen disorder, confinement, and blocked movement of nuclear particle by its neighbours) in nonequilibrium phenomena by considering the four examples. The anomalous transport in zeolite channels is considered. The mechanism of the transport may appear in carbon nanotubes and MOF structures, relaxation, mechanical properties, and stability of nonequilibrium states of free chains of metal atoms, non‐Einstein atomic mobility in 1D atomic systems. Also we discuss atomic transport and separation of two‐component mixture of atoms in a 1D system—a zeolite membrane with subnanometer channels. We discuss the atomic transport and separation of two‐component mixture of atoms in a 1D system—zeolite membrane with subnanometer channels. These phenomena are described by the response function method for nonequilibrium systems of arbitrary density that allows us to calculate the dynamic response function and the spectrum of relaxation of density fluctuations 1D atomic system.
High-Dose Interleukin-2 (HD IL-2) Therapy Should Be Considered for Treatment of Patients with Melanoma Brain Metastases
Authors: Chu Melinda B. , Fesler Mark J. , Armbrecht Eric S. , Fosko Scott W. , Hsueh Eddy , Richart John M.
Published: May 2013

A retrospective review was performed on patients with stable melanoma brain metastases treated with HD IL-2 therapy (720,000 IU/kg per dose intravenously; 14 doses, 2 cycles per course, maximum 2 courses) from January 1999 to June 2011 at Saint Louis University. There were 5 men and 3 women; median age was 52.2 years (26.8–61.1 years). One patient started treatment with lung lesions only (after resection of melanoma brain disease) and experienced partial response. Seven patients had brain metastases at treatment initiation. Median overall survival (mOS) for entire cohort () was 8.7 months (2.1 to 19.0 months). All patients with brain metastases at first dose () showed progressive disease; mOS was 6.7 months (range 2.1–18.2 months) for this group. Patients received radiosurgery and whole brain radiation before and after HD IL-2 therapy. One patient had symptoms suggestive of neurotoxicity. A history of alcohol abuse was revealed during admission. The patient's symptoms improved with initiation of an alcohol withdrawal protocol. In this analysis, patients with melanoma brain metastases received HD IL-2 without treatment-related mortality. We think that HD IL-2 should be considered as a treatment option in patients with melanoma brain metastases who are otherwise eligible for therapy.