bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Phylogeography of the freshwater red alga Sirodotia (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) in Brazil
Authors: Paiano Monica O. , Necchi Orlando
Published: July 2013

Considering the lack of knowledge on genetic variation on members of the freshwater red algal of the order Batrachospermales in tropical regions, phylogeographic patterns in Sirodotia populations were investigated using two mitochondrial regions: the cox2‐3 spacer and partial cox1 gene (barcode). Individuals identified as Sirodotia delicatula were analyzed from 14 stream segments across its distribution in Brazil. Phylogenetic analyses based on the ribulose‐1,5‐bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase large sub‐unit gene showed three clades, one representing S. delicatula, from all locations in southeastern Brazil and other regions from Brazil. The remaining samples formed two clades, which were highly divergent and distantly positioned from those of S. delicatula: 2.5–2.7% and 3.4–3.7%. This level of variation would warrant the species split of these taxa from mid‐western Brazil. A total of eight cox2‐3 spacer and nine cox1 haplotypes were observed among the 122 individuals studied. One location had two cox2‐3 haplotypes and three locations had two cox1 haplotypes; all others had a single dominant haplotype each. The existence of high intraspecific genetic variation among individuals of distinct locations (several haplotypes), but little variation within a location seems to be a pattern for the Batrachospermales. Haplotype networks showed low variation among the haplotypes from southeastern Brazil (10 locations with divergence of 0.3–1.1% for cox2‐3, 0.1–0.3% for cox1) and high variation among the haplotypes from the mid‐west region (four locations, 4.0–9.3% for cox2‐3, 6.2–8.4% for cox1). Thus, the present data clearly suggest the existence of cryptic species in Sirodotia in Brazil.
Altering Scapular Position Reduces Isometric Shoulder Strength
Authors: Matthews Paul A. , Scott Martin
Published: July 2013

Background

Strength assessment is an integral part of many clinical tests and some outcome measures. However, shoulder strength may not only be influenced by pathology or treatment effect, but also by scapular position. The present study aimed to examine the influence of scapular positioning on shoulder strength.

Methods

Sixteen normal volunteers (seven males and nine females; mean age 35 years) conducted maximal isometric elevation strength tests in scapular positions of self-selected neutral (SN), maximal protraction (SP), maximal retraction (SR) and posterior tilt (ST), with all of these being assessed in the scapular plane. A prospective, repeated measure, balanced protocol was employed.

Results

Resultant strengths were SN = 6.5 kg, SP = 5.0 kg, SR = 5.3 kg and ST = 5.0 kg. Analysis of variance was significant ( p = 0.002) with post-hoc analysis revealing SN as being significantly stronger than SP ( p = 0.002), SR ( p = 0.004) and ST ( p = 0.001). There were no significant differences between SP, SR and ST. Test – retest analysis yielded intraclass correlation coefficients exceeding 0.85.

Conclusions

Altering scapula position may affect shoulder strength in asymptomatic individuals. This has implications for the validity and reliability of shoulder tests and outcome measures that are reliant upon shoulder strength, at the same time as supporting the premise that the application of scapula correction exercises should be based upon individual assessment rather than general prescription.
A Public T cell Receptor Recognized by a Monoclonal Antibody Specific for the D‐J Junction of the β‐chain
Authors: Frigstad T. , Løset G. Å. , Sandlie I. , Bogen B.
Published: July 2013

It is becoming increasingly clear that T cell responses against many antigens are dominated by public α/β T cell receptors (TCRs) with restricted heterogeneity. Because expression of public TCRs may be related to resistance, or predisposition to diseases, it is relevant to measure their frequencies. Although staining with tetrameric peptide/major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) molecules gives information about specificity, it does not give information about the TCR composition of the individual T cells that stain. Moreover, next‐generation sequencing of TCR does not yield information on pairing of α‐ and β‐chains in single T cells. In an effort to overcome these limitations, we have here investigated the possibility of raising a monoclonal antibody (moAb) that recognizes a public TCR. As a model system, we have used T cells responding to the 91–101 CDR3 peptide of an Ig L‐chain (λ2315), presented by the MHC class II molecule I‐Ed. The CD4+ T cell responses against this pMHC are dominated by a receptor composed of Vα3Jα1;Vβ6DβJβ1.1. Even the V(D)J junctions are to a large extent shared between T cell clones derived from different BALB/c mice. We here describe a murine moAb (AB10) of B10.D2 origin that recognizes this public TCR, while binding to peripheral T cells is negligible. Binding of the moAb is abrogated by introduction of two Gly residues in the D‐J junction of the CDR3 of the β‐chain. A model for the public TCR determinant is presented.
Disparity and Diversity: Their Use in EU Rural Policies
Authors: Saraceno Elena
Published: July 2013

EU rural policies have, in the past, used the twin concepts of disparity and diversity in alternative ways but have never really acknowledged the different assumptions that underlie them in terms of rural development and policy implementation. This, it is argued here, is the result of three different processes. The first is that by which scientific knowledge passes through several mediation stages as concepts that are adopted by policymakers leading to the subsequent modification of their original meaning. The second is that by which European Union (EU) rural policies are hosted in a variety of different policy areas for which they are not the main concern, leading to a degree of ambiguity that may nevertheless serve a political purpose. The third is that experience has shown that even though the concept of diversity might initially appear more suited to addressing the different needs of European rural areas in modern advanced economies, it has nevertheless proved particularly difficult and costly to implement. As a consequence, the simpler concept of disparity, with its one‐size‐fits‐all approach, has maintained its dominance as a policy concept; a dominance that has been considerably reinforced over the last decade. In the first section of the article the concepts of diversity and disparity are analysed and contrasted in their assumptions and policy implications. This is followed by an assessment of how these concepts are employed in EU rural policy. The final section discusses the governance implications of both concepts in rural policy and their link to the wider agenda of EU policies today.
Organic matter accumulation post‐mineral sands mining
Authors: Wick A. F. , Daniels W. L. , Orndorff Z. W. , Alley M. M.
Published: July 2013

Soil development and organic matter (OM) accumulation are vital for sustainability in reclaimed prime farmlands following mineral sands mining. Additionally, the effectiveness of soil reconstruction techniques on soil development greatly influences crop productivity. Soil development and management effects following mineral sands mining were evaluated in years 1 (2005), 4 (2009) and 6 (2011) at the Carraway‐Winn Reclamation Research Farm, VA, USA. Treatments for this full scale agricultural experiment are as follows: biosolids applied at a rate of 78 Mg/ha managed with conventional tillage (BIO‐CT) and no‐till (BIO‐NT), a 15‐cm topsoil cap (TS), and a lime + fertilized control. Crop yields were determined annually, and soils were collected and analysed for aggregate size distributions and OM pools (available, aggregate‐protected and mineral‐bound). Crop yields (Corn‐Zea mays and wheat/soybean‐Triticum aestivum/Glycine max) were generally larger in the biosolids treatments from 2005 to 2008, with no difference among treatments from 2009 to 2011. Whole soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) rapidly increased between 2005 and 2009, mainly in the large macroaggregate (2000–8000 μm) size fraction. Carbon accumulation rates in the whole soils ranged from 2.85 to 3.58 Mg C/ha in the first 4 yr of soil development (similar trends were observed for N). There were no differences for soil aggregate parameters among treatments until year 6, where biosolids treatments contained more microaggregate (53–250 μm) and mineral‐bound C and N relative to other treatments. Short‐term increases in crop yields and long‐term increases in stable soil C and N make biosolids applications a viable alternative to traditional TS replacement strategies for this mining land use scenario.
Slurry field management and ammonia emissions under Mediterranean conditions
Authors: Yagüe M. R. , Bosch‐Serra A. D.
Published: July 2013

In Spain, farmers are interested in applying pig (Sus scrofa domesticus) slurry (PS) to their fields throughout the year. During the spring and summer months, ammonia (NH3) volatilization may be high. We studied the potential range of NH3 losses under a warm and a hot period of the year, using available field practices, and two strategies: PS directly incorporated into the soil, in spring (I‐spring); and PS applied by splash‐plate, in summer time (SP‐summer), both to bare soil. Measurements were conducted, after PS application, using the micrometeorological mass balance integrated horizontal flux method. The cumulative NH3‐N volatilization was 35% (I‐spring) and 60% (SP‐summer) of total ammonium nitrogen applied, and half of the total NH3‐N losses happened by 17 h and 8 h, respectively, after application. Incorporation strategy was less effective in avoiding NH3 losses than is described in the literature. This fact has important consequences for the implementation of NH3 mitigation measures in Mediterranean agricultural systems.
‘I cry every day’: experiences of patients co‐infected with HIV and multidrug‐resistant tuberculosis
Authors: Isaakidis Petros , Rangan Sheela , Pradhan Anagha , Ladomirska Joanna , Reid Tony , Kielmann Karina
Published: July 2013

Objectives

To understand patients' challenges in adhering to treatment for MDR‐TB/HIV co‐infection within the context of their life circumstances and access to care and support.

Methods

Qualitative study using in‐depth interviews with 12 HIV/MDR‐TB co‐infected patients followed in a Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic in Mumbai, India, five lay caregivers and ten health professionals. The data were thematically analysed along three dimensions of patients' experience of being and staying on treatment: physiological, psycho‐social and structural.

Results

By the time patients and their families initiate treatment for co‐infection, their financial and emotional resources were often depleted. Side effects of the drugs were reported to be severe and debilitating, and patients expressed the burden of care and stigma on the social and financial viability of the household. Family caregivers were crucial to maintaining the mental and physical health of patients, but reported high levels of fatigue and stress. Médecins Sans Frontières providers recognised that the barriers to patient adherence were fundamentally social, rather than medical, yet were limited in their ability to support patients and their families.

Conclusions

The treatment of MDR‐TB among HIV‐infected patients on antiretroviral therapy is hugely demanding for patients, caregivers and families. Current treatment regimens and case‐holding strategies are resource intensive and require high levels of support from family and lay caregivers to encourage patient adherence and retention in care.
Focused ion beam induced Ga-contamination—An obstacle for UV-nanoimprint stamp repair?
Authors: Waid Simon , Wanzenboeck Heinz D. , Gavagnin Marco , Langegger Ruppert , Muehlberger Michael , Bertagnolli Emmerich
Published: July 2013

Ultravoilet (UV)-nanoimprint lithography (NIL) master stamps are subject to wear due to the mechanical nature of the imprint process. To extend the useful lifespan of expensive NIL master stamps, a focused ion beam repair process is highly desirable. Due to the inevitable Ga-staining induced by the focused ion beam processing the transmissivity of repaired NIL stamps is locally degraded. In this work, the authors investigate the impact of Ga-induced transmission losses on the imprint process. Experimental results indicate that the reduced transparency mainly impacts the amplitude of bow deformations in the imprint. These deformations are strongly enhanced by Ga-staining of the master stamp. The authors present a method for quantification of such bow-deformations. The introduced bowing-factor allows to make a qualified decision on whether the occurring deformation is acceptable for the target application. The authors have achieved control over the extent of the Ga-induced bow-deformation by tuning the UV-dose applied during NIL resist exposure. The bowing-factor provides excellent guidance for adapting the required exposure-dose of the NIL resist to reduce the bow-deformation to an acceptable level. With the presented approach, the mitigation of Ga-staining induced defects in the imprint is successfully achieved.
Near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy study of nitrogen incorporation in chemically reduced graphene oxide
Authors: Dennis Robert V. , Schultz Brian J. , Jaye Cherno , Wang Xi , Fischer Daniel A. , Cartwright Alexander N. , Banerjee Sarbajit
Published: July 2013

The chemical reduction of exfoliated graphene oxide (GO) has gained widespread acceptance as a scalable route for the preparation of chemically derived graphene albeit with remnant topological defects and residual functional groups that preclude realization of the conductance of single-layered graphene. Reduction of GO with hydrazine is substantially effective in restoring the π-conjugated framework of graphene and leads to about a five-to-six orders of magnitude decrease of sheet resistance, but has also been found to result in incidental nitrogen incorporation. Here, the authors use a combination of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and C, O, and N K-edge near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy to examine the local geometric and electronic structure of the incorporated nitrogen species. Both NEXAFS and XPS data suggest substantial recovery of the sp2-hybridized graphene framework upon chemical reduction and removal of epoxide, ketone, hydroxyl, and carboxylic acid species. Two distinct types of nitrogen atoms with pyridinic and pyrrolic character are identified in reduced graphene oxide. The N K-edge NEXAFS spectra suggest that the nitrogen atoms are stabilized within aromatic heterocycles such as pyrazole rings, which has been further corroborated by comparison to standards. The pyrazole fragments are thought to be stabilized by reaction of diketo groups on the edges of graphene sheets with hydrazine. The incorporation of nitrogen within reduced graphene oxide thus leads to local bonding configurations very distinct from substitutional doping observed for graphene grown by chemical vapor deposition in the presence of NH3.
Microstomia: entry made easy in no entry (with sectional tray and sectional denture)
Authors: Patel Avani , Sethuraman Rajesh , Prajapati Paranjay , Patel Jayanti R
Published: July 2013

Reduced mouth opening or microstomia is a frequently encountered condition in the field of prosthodontics. Microstomia is a challenge for prosthodontics right from impression making till the insertion of the prosthesis. Making impressions in patients with microstomia is often cumbersome for both patient and operator. Standard impression procedures are not of any help due to limited mouth opening, so the modification of standard impression procedure is often necessary while treating such patients. Modification in denture prosthesis in the form of split denture, flexible denture, hinged denture, spring denture etc is needed to fulfil patients’ demands. The present case displays the treatment of a patient with microstomia using modified impression tray design and maxillary split denture.
Orbital apex tumour caused by chronic lymphocytic leukaemia: an unlikely suspect
Authors: Garala Kanai , Jayaramachandran Pavitra , Knopp Michael , Critchley Peter
Published: July 2013

An 88-year-old woman with a background of chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and presented with unilateral ptosis and dull facial pains for 1 month. Examination revealed a complete right-sided ptosis and pupillary dilation. Vision in her right eye was limited to light perception. She had total external ophthalmoplegia. Her corneal reflex was not present in her right eye and she had lost sensation on the right side of her forehead. MRI revealed abnormal enhancement in the right orbital apex extending posteriorly to the sphenoid sinus. The mass invaded the superior orbital fissure, optic canal and cavernous sinus. The lumbar puncture was normal. Owing to the proximity of the mass to the cavernous sinus, it was deemed that surgical excision of the tumour was unsafe; however, it was amenable to biopsy. Histology of the biopsies was consistent with CLL.

The patient declined to undergo single high-dose radiotherapy followed by dexamethasone.
A MATHEMATICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE CRITICAL POINT IN PHASE TRANSITIONS
Authors: BILGE AYSE HUMEYRA , PEKCAN ONDER
Published: July 2013

Let y(x) be a smooth sigmoidal curve, y(n) be its nth derivative and {xm,i} and {xa,i}, i = 1,2,…, be the set of points where respectively the derivatives of odd and even order reach their extreme values. We argue that if the sigmoidal curve y(x) represents a phase transition, then the sequences {xm,i} and {xa,i} are both convergent and they have a common limit xc that we characterize as the critical point of the phase transition. In this study, we examine the logistic growth curve and the Susceptible-Infected-Removed (SIR) epidemic model as typical examples of symmetrical and asymmetrical transition curves. Numerical computations indicate that the critical point of the logistic growth curve that is symmetrical about the point (x0, y0) is always the point (x0, y0) but the critical point of the asymmetrical SIR model depends on the system parameters. We use the description of the sol–gel phase transition of polyacrylamide-sodium alginate (SA) composite (with low SA concentrations) in terms of the SIR epidemic model, to compare the location of the critical point as described above with the "gel point" determined by independent experiments. We show that the critical point tc is located in between the zero of the third derivative ta and the inflection point tm of the transition curve and as the strength of activation (measured by the parameter k/η of the SIR model) increases, the phase transition occurs earlier in time and the critical point, tc, moves toward ta.
VERTEX COVER IN COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: DA SILVA MARIANA O. , GIMENEZ-LUGO GUSTAVO A. , DA SILVA MURILO V. G.
Published: July 2013

A Minimum Vertex Cover is the smallest set of vertices whose removal completely disconnects a graph. In this paper, we perform experiments on a number of graphs from standard complex networks databases addressing the problem of finding a "good" vertex cover (finding an optimum is a NP-Hard problem). In particular, we take advantage of the ubiquitous power law distribution present on many complex networks. In our experiments, we show that running a greedy algorithm in a power law graph we can obtain a very small vertex cover typically about 1.02 times the theoretical optimum. This is an interesting practical result since theoretically we know that: (1) In a general graph, on n vertices a greedy approach cannot guarantee a factor better than ln n; (2) The best approximation algorithm known at the moment is very involved and has a much larger factor of [Formula: see text]. In fact, in the context of approximation within a constant factor, it is conjectured that there is no (2 – ϵ)-approximation algorithm for the problem; (3) Even restricted to power law graphs and probabilistic guarantees, the best known approximation rate is 1.5.
PRECISE SIMULATION OF THE INITIAL-STATE QCD ACTIVITY ASSOCIATED WITH Z-BOSON PRODUCTION IN HADRON COLLISIONS
Authors: ODAKA SHIGERU
Published: July 2013

The [Formula: see text] distribution of the Z/γ* → ℓ+ℓ- production in hadron collisions is simulated using a leading-order event generator, GR@PPA. The initial-state parton shower (PS), which simulates the multiple QCD-radiation effects in the initial state, plays the dominant role in this simulation. The simulation in the default setting agrees with the high-statistics measurement by ATLAS at LHC with the precision at the level of 5%. The observed systematic deviation, which can be attributed to the effects of ignored higher-order contributions, can be reduced by adjusting the arbitrary energy scales in the simulation. The agreement at the level of 1% can be achieved over a very wide range without introducing any modification in the implemented naive leading-logarithmic (LL) PS.
RELATIVE LOCALITY IN CURVED SPACETIME
Authors: KOWALSKI-GLIKMAN JERZY , ROSATI GIACOMO
Published: July 2013

In this paper we construct the action describing dynamics of the particle moving in curved spacetime, with a nontrivial momentum space geometry. Curved momentum space is the core feature of theories where relative locality effects are present. So far aspects of nonlinearities in momentum space have been studied only for flat or constantly expanding (de Sitter) spacetimes, relying on their maximally symmetric nature. The extension of curved momentum space frameworks to arbitrary spacetime geometries could be relevant for the opportunities to test Planck-scale curvature/deformation of particles momentum space. As a first example of this construction we describe the particle with κ-Poincaré momentum space on a circular orbit in Schwarzschild spacetime, where the contributes of momentum space curvature turn out to be negligible. The analysis of this problem relies crucially on the solution of the soccer ball problem.
GROUND STATE ENERGY OF A TWO-LEVEL SYSTEM INTERACTING WITH PHONONS
Authors: MUKHOPADHYAY SOMA , DEMIRCIOGLU BENGU , GANDIKOTA RAMESH , CHATTERJEE ASHOK
Published: July 2013

A two-level system interacting with a heat bath is considered. For simplicity the electron is assumed to interact with only two modes of the heat bath. The ground state energy of this system is obtained using a variational approach involving a series of canonical transformations. The present results are found to be more accurate than the previously reported variational results.
STUDY ON SMALL-SIGNAL IMPEDANCE OF SINGLE-WALLED ZIGZAG CARBON NANOTUBES IN TERAHERTZ FREQUENCY REGIME
Authors: WANG C. , CAO J. C.
Published: July 2013

We theoretically study the static and dynamic transport properties of Mott–Gurney diodes based on semiconducting single-walled zigzag carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The electric field and velocity distribution of the diode under dc voltage is obtained by solving the steady-state drift-diffusion equations, which involve the negative differential velocity. The current–voltage characteristic of CNT diode exhibits a distinctive positive differential resistance. The high-frequency impedance is calculated with the small-signal analysis method. A major feature of the proposed CNT diode is that the bias- and tube index-dependent impedance show several negative windows in terahertz frequency range despite the positivity of the dc differential resistance. This property makes the CNT-based Mott–Gurney diode a promising candidate for the generation and amplification of terahertz signals within the desired frequency region.
PROJECTIVE SYNCHRONIZATION OF TWO DIFFERENT DIMENSIONAL NONLINEAR SYSTEMS
Authors: NIAN FUZHONG , WANG XINGYUAN
Published: July 2013

Projective synchronization between two nonlinear systems with different dimension was investigated. The controllers were designed when the dimension of drive system greater than the one of response system. The opposite situation also was discussed. In addition, we found an approach to control the chaotic (hyperchaotic) system to exhibit the behaviors of hyperchaotic (chaotic) system. The numerical simulations were implemented on different chaotic (hyperchaotic) systems, and the results indicate that our methods are effective.
SELECTION OF SPIRAL WAVE IN THE COUPLED NETWORK UNDER GAUSSIAN COLORED NOISE
Authors: LI FAN , MA JUN
Published: July 2013

The selection and breakup of spiral wave in a coupled network is investigated by imposing Gaussian colored noise on the network, respectively. The dynamics of each node of the network is described by a simplified Chua circuit, and nodes are uniformly placed in a two-dimensional array with nearest-neighbor connection type. The transition of spiral wave is detected by changing the coupling intensity, intensity and correlation time τ in the noise. A statistical variable is used to discern the parameter region for breakup of spiral wave and robustness to external noise. Spiral waves emerge in the network when the network with structure of complex-periodic and chaotic properties. It is found that asymmetric coupling can induce deformation of spiral wave, stronger intensity or smaller correlation time in noise does cause breakup of the spiral wave.
THEORY AND EXPERIMENT OF A FIRST-ORDER CHAOTIC DELAY DYNAMICAL SYSTEM
Authors: BANERJEE TANMOY , BISWAS DEBABRATA
Published: July 2013

We report the theory and experiment of a new time-delayed chaotic (hyperchaotic) system with a single scalar time delay and a nonlinearity described by a closed form mathematical function. Detailed stability and bifurcation analyses establish that with the suitable delay and system parameters, the system shows a stable limit cycle through a supercritical Hopf bifurcation. Numerical simulations exemplify that the system depicts mono-scroll and double-scroll chaos and hyperchaos for a range of delay and other system parameters. Nonlinear behavior of the system is characterized by Lyapunov exponents and Kaplan–Yorke dimension. It is established that, for some suitably chosen system parameters, the system shows hyperchaos even for a small or moderate time delay. Finally, the system is implemented in an analogue electronic circuit using off-the-shelf circuit elements. It is shown that the behavior of the time delay chaotic electronic circuit qualitatively agrees well with our analytical and numerical results.
CHAOTIFICATION OF A NONLINEAR VIBRATION ISOLATION SYSTEM BY DUAL TIME DELAYED FEEDBACK CONTROL
Authors: LI YINGLI , XU DAOLIN , FU YIMING , ZHOU JIAXI
Published: July 2013

Line spectrum of noise radiated from machinery vibrations of underwater vehicles is one of the most harmful signals that expose the characteristics of vehicles and locations. In order to distort the features and restrain the intensity of the line spectra, we attempt to chaotify the vibration system by time delay control. To avoid blindly numerical testing of the control parameters, stability of a two-dimensional vibration isolation floating raft system with two time-delayed feedback control is studied in this paper, aiming to provide guidance for chaotification. The system with dual equal time delay is investigated by the generalized strum method and the polynomial eigenvalues are adopted to analyze the stability of the controlled vibration isolation system with two unequal time delays. The critical control gains and delays for stability switches are obtained. By adjusting the control parameters beyond stable region, it is feasible to chaotify the system. Numerical simulations are conducted to compare the effect of two time delay with different control parameters and different control scheme to complicate the vibration isolation system.
CHAOTIC DYNAMICS OF VOLTAGE-MODE CONTROLLED BUCK CONVERTER WITH PERIODIC INTERFERENCE SIGNALS
Authors: DEIVASUNDARI P. , UMA G. , MURALI K.
Published: July 2013

The undesirable intermittency in periodically driven nonlinear systems such as switching power converters is a more common problem in power electronic circuit design. Such operations are usually avoided by modifying the circuit parameters which necessitates a proper understanding of the effects of various spurious signals. In the present work, the effect of different types of periodic interference signals like sinusoidal, triangular and saw-tooth waveforms have been considered and the influence of these signals in the input, control and reference voltages of the buck converter has been investigated. It is found that the presence of sinusoidal or triangular interference signal whose frequency is comparable with the switching frequency of the converter or its rational multiples manifests as symmetrical period-doubling bifurcation in intermittent periods. However, the presence of either sinusoidal or triangular interference signal having irrational frequency ratios with the switching frequency of the converter leads to quasi-periodic route to chaos. Also it is observed that the influence of saw-tooth interference signal results in intermittent chaos in the dynamics of the system. Further, the effect of simultaneous presence of more than one interference signal has been considered. The dynamics of this converter system has been mathematically described and analyzed with a simple discrete map. The ordered and the chaotic dynamics of this system have been investigated with suitable analytical, numerical and experimental means.
REVERSIBILITY ALGORITHMS FOR 3-STATE HEXAGONAL CELLULAR AUTOMATA WITH PERIODIC BOUNDARIES
Authors: UGUZ SELMAN , AKIN HASAN , SIAP IRFAN
Published: July 2013

This paper presents a study of two-dimensional hexagonal cellular automata (CA) with periodic boundary. Although the basic construction of a cellular automaton is a discrete model, its global level behavior at large times and on large spatial scales can be a close approximation to a continuous system. Meanwhile CA is a model of dynamical phenomena that focuses on the local behavior which depends on the neighboring cells in order to express their global behavior. The mathematical structure of the model suggests the importance of the algebraic structure of cellular automata. After modeling the dynamical behaviors, it is sometimes an important problem to be able to move backwards on CAs in order to understand the behaviors better. This is only possible if cellular automaton is a reversible one. In the present paper, we study two-dimensional finite CA defined by hexagonal local rule with periodic boundary over the field ℤ3 (i.e. 3-state). We construct the rule matrix corresponding to the hexagonal periodic cellular automata. For some given coefficients and the number of columns of hexagonal information matrix, we prove that the hexagonal periodic cellular automata are reversible. Moreover, we present general algorithms to determine the reversibility of 2D 3-state cellular automata with periodic boundary. A well known fact is that the determination of the reversibility of a two-dimensional CA is a very difficult problem, in general. In this study, the reversibility problem of two-dimensional hexagonal periodic CA is resolved completely. Since CA are sufficiently simple to allow detailed mathematical analysis, also sufficiently complex to produce chaos in dynamical systems, we believe that our construction will be applied many areas related to these CA using any other transition rules.
LYAPUNOV-EXPONENT SPECTRUM FROM NOISY TIME SERIES
Authors: YAO TIAN-LIANG , LIU HAI-FENG , XU JIAN-LIANG , LI WEI-FENG
Published: July 2013

Since all kinds of noise exist in signals from real-world systems, it is very difficult to exactly estimate Lyapunov exponents from this time series. In this paper, a novel method for estimating the Lyapunov spectrum from a noisy chaotic time series is presented. We consider the higher-order mappings from neighbors into neighbors, rather than the mappings from small displacements into small displacements as usual. The influence of noise on the second-order mappings is researched, and an averaging method is proposed to cope with this noise. The mappings equations of the underlying deterministic system can be obtained from the noisy data via the method, and then the Lyapunov spectrum can be estimated. We demonstrate the performance of our algorithm for three familiar chaotic systems, Hénon map, the generalized Hénon map and Lorenz system. It is found that the proposed method provides a reasonable estimate of Lyapunov spectrum for these three systems when the noise level is less than 20%, 10% and 7%, respectively. Furthermore, our method is not sensitive to the distribution types of the noise, and the results of our method become more accurate with the increase of the length of time series.
CYCLICITY OF PERIOD ANNULUS OF A QUADRATIC REVERSIBLE SYSTEM WITH DEGENERATE CRITICAL POINT
Authors: LIANG HAIHUA , HUANG JIANFENG
Published: July 2013

This paper is concerned with the bifurcation of limit cycles from the period annulus of a quadratic reversible system. The outer boundary of the period annulus contains a degenerate critical point. The exact upper bound of the number of limit cycles is given. Our result shows that the conjecture on the cyclicity of (r4) system is correct.
DEVELOPMENTAL SIZE ESTIMATION FOR OBJECT-ORIENTED SOFTWARE BASED ON ANALYSIS MODEL
Authors: ARUMUGAM CHAMUNDESWARI , BABU CHITRA
Published: July 2013

Software size estimation at the early analysis phase of software development lifecycle is crucial for predicting the associated effort and cost. Analysis phase captures the functionality addressed in the software to be developed in object-oriented software development life-cycle. Unified modeling language captures the functionality of the software at the analysis phase based on use case model. This paper proposes a new method named as use case model function point to estimate the size of the object-oriented software at the analysis phase itself. While this approach is based on use case model, it also adapts the function point analysis technique to use case model. The various features such as actors, use cases, relationship, external reference, flows, and messages are extracted from use case model. Eleven rules have been derived as guidelines to identify the use case model components. The function point analysis components are appropriately mapped to use case model components and the complexity based on the weightage is specified to calculate use case model function point. This proposed size estimation approach has been evaluated with the object-oriented software developed in our software engineering laboratory to assess its ability to predict the developmental size. The results are empirically analysed based on statistical correlation for substantiating the proposed estimation method.
USING OCL IN THE FORMAL SPECIFICATION OF THE LIBRARY STANDARDS
Authors: RUDIĆ GORDANA , SURLA BOJANA DIMIĆ
Published: July 2013

The goal of the research was to check whether we can use a formal specification language such as OCL — Object Constraint Language to express all constraints on the library records proposed by the MARC 21 library standard. The main results are the classification and systematization of the constraints on the structure and the content of the MARC records as well as the specification of the constraints on the data model of MARC 21 in OCL. The obtained results are used in the implementation of the editor for MARC records for validation of the user input. The originality of the work is the adoption of the formal approach in specification of the constraints instead of writing source code in programming language.
SOFTWARE ENGINEERING JOB PRODUCTIVITY — A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW
Authors: HERNÁNDEZ-LÓPEZ ADRIÁN , COLOMO-PALACIOS RICARDO , GARCÍA-CRESPO ÁNGEL
Published: July 2013

Productivity is a key element in organizational management. Although it can be measured at different levels (country, sector, organization …) this research focuses on productivity at the job level. The aim of this paper is to obtain an overview of the state of the art in productivity measurement in software engineering, including the inputs and outputs of the production process used for this measurement at the job level in the workplace. To do so, a systematic literature review protocol was adapted from literature review protocol standards, and subsequently carried out. The objective is to assess the current inputs and outputs present in the literature in order to create new productivity measures for software practitioners. This paper reveals that two different measures are used to assess software engineering professionals: traditional SLOC/Time and planning projects units per time unit.
THE BRENKE TYPE GENERATING FUNCTIONS AND EXPLICIT FORMS OF MRM-TRIPLES BY MEANS OF Q-HYPERGEOMETRIC SERIES
Authors: ASAI NOBUHIRO , KUBO IZUMI , KUO HUI-HSIUNG
Published: July 2013

An MRM-triple (h(x), ρ(t), B(t)) gives a generating function B(t)h(ρ(t)x) of some orthogonal polynomials on ℝ. In particular, B(t)h(tx) is called the Brenke type.19 In this paper, we shall determine all MRM-triples and associated Jacobi-Szegö parameters of this type with showing very careful computations in detail. (h(x), t, B(t)) is classified into four categories. In any case, h(x) and B(t) can be expressed in terms of two kinds of q-hypergeometric series, old basic and basic hypergeometric series, rΦs and rϕs, respectively. As examples, our results contain generating functions of the Al-Salam-Carlitz (I and II), little q-Laguerre, q-Laguerre, and discrete q-Hermite (I and II) polynomials. Our results are more complete and general than those of Refs. 20 and 21 by Chihara. The following are special cases of our results in each class. Here {αn, ωn} are the Jacobi-Szegö parameters.

[Formula: see text]
DISTANCE-k GRAPHS OF HYPERCUBE AND q-HERMITE POLYNOMIALS
Authors: LEE HUN HEE , OBATA NOBUAKI
Published: July 2013

We will prove that some weighted graphs on the distance-k graph of hypercubes approximate the q-Hermite polynomial of a q-gaussian variable by providing an appropriate matrix model.
STOCHASTIC WAVE EQUATIONS WITH NONLINEAR DAMPING AND SOURCE TERMS
Authors: GAO HONGJUN , LIANG FEI , GUO BOLING
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we discuss an initial boundary value problem for the stochastic wave equation involving the nonlinear damping term |ut|q–2utand a source term of the type|u|p–2u. We firstly establish the local existence and uniqueness of solution by the Galerkin approximation method and show that the solution is global for q ≥ p. Secondly, by an appropriate energy inequality, the local solution of the stochastic equations will blow up with positive probability or explosive in energy sense for p > q.
NONCLASSICAL STATES IN INTERACTING FOCK SPACE
Authors: DAS P. K. , HALDAR PRASANTA
Published: July 2013

The time evolution of one mode interacting field which interacts with a vee-configuration three-level atom has been discussed. Generated nonclassical state has been utilized to study population inversion of atom and the total noise of the system. Also nonclassicality of the system is shown with the help of Mandel's parameter.
PROBABILISTIC DERIVATION OF A q-POLYNOMIALS TRANSFORMATION FORMULA
Authors: WANG MINGJIN
Published: July 2013

In this paper, we use the distribution W(x; q) and the Lebesgue's dominated convergence theorem to give a probabilistic derivation of a transformation formula for the Al-Salam-Carlitz polynomials. Some applications of the transformation are also given, which include an extension of the Heine's 2ϕ1 transformation formulas and an extension of the Bailey-Daum summation formula.
COMPARISON OF GAIT SYMMETRY INDICATORS IN OVERGROUND WALKING AND TREADMILL WALKING USING WIRELESS GYROSCOPES
Authors: GOUWANDA DARWIN
Published: July 2013

Gait symmetry has been considered as one of the primary indicators in gait analysis. A symmetrical gait offers several benefits. Among them is a stable and adaptive gait. With wide adoption of wireless inertial sensors i.e., the gyroscope in clinical and rehabilitation settings, this work aimed to investigate the application of symmetry index (SI), symmetry ratio (SR) and normalised symmetry index (SInorm) in defining gait symmetry using measurement collected from wireless gyroscope network. Thigh and shank angular rates during mid-swing, heel-strike and toe-off are used to determine SI, SR and SInorm. In this study, participants were not only instructed to walk naturally on the ground and on a treadmill, but were also requested to walk with restricted knee movement on the ground and on a treadmill to emulate asymmetrical gait. This study demonstrated that the gyroscope can be used to determine gait symmetry. It also shows that SI and SR are not the right indicators to examine gait symmetry using gyroscope data. SI can exceed more than 1,000% at several instances. SR exhibits similar behavior too i.e., it can be as high as 1,000. SInorm performs better in both overground walking and treadmill walking and there are significant difference between symmetrical and asymmetrical gait (p < 0.01).
AUTOMATIC CONTINUITY OF 3-HOMOMORPHISMS ON TERNARY BANACH ALGEBRAS
Authors: ESHAGHI GORDJI MADJID , JABBARI ALI , EBADIAN ALI , OSTADBASHI SAEID
Published: July 2013

In this paper we consider automatic continuity of 3-homomorphism and anti-3-homomorphism between non-unital ternary Banach algebras. We show that every surjective 3-homomorphism (anti-3-homomorphism) from ternary Banach algebra A into semisimple ternary Banach algebra B is continuous.
The Molecular Basis of Self-Avoidance
Authors: Lawrence Zipursky S. , Grueber Wesley B.
Published: July 2013

Self-avoidance, the tendency of neurites of the same cell to selectively avoid each other, is a property of both vertebrate and invertebrate neurons. In Drosophila, self-avoidance is mediated by a large family of cell recognition molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily encoded, via alternative splicing, by the Dscam1 locus. Dscam1 promotes self-avoidance in dendrites, axons, and prospective postsynaptic elements. Expression analysis suggests that each neuron expresses a unique combination of isoforms. Identical isoforms on sister neurites exhibit isoform-specific homophilic recognition and elicit repulsion between processes, thereby promoting self-avoidance. Although any isoform can promote self-avoidance, thousands are necessary to ensure that neurites readily discriminate between self and nonself. Recent studies indicate that a large family of cadherins in the mouse, i.e., the clustered protocadherins, functions in an analogous fashion to promote self-avoidance. These studies argue for the evolution of a common molecular strategy for self-avoidance.
Leucine pulses enhance skeletal muscle protein synthesis during continuous feeding in neonatal pigs
Authors: Boutry Claire , El-Kadi Samer W. , Suryawan Agus , Wheatley Scott M. , Orellana Renán A. , Kimball Scot R. , Nguyen Hanh V. , Davis Teresa A.
Published: July 2013

Infants unable to maintain oral feeding can be nourished by orogastric tube. We have shown that orogastric continuous feeding restricts muscle protein synthesis compared with intermittent bolus feeding in neonatal pigs. To determine whether leucine infusion can be used to enhance protein synthesis during continuous feeding, neonatal piglets received the same amount of formula enterally by orogastric tube for 25.25 h continuously (CON) with or without LEU or intermittently by bolus every 4 h (BOL). For the CON+LEU group, leucine pulses were administered parenterally (800 μmol·kg−1·h−1) every 4 h. Insulin and glucose concentrations increased after the BOL meal and were unchanged in groups fed continuously. LEU infusion during CON feeding increased plasma leucine after the leucine pulse and decreased essential amino acids compared with CON feeding. Protein synthesis in longissimus dorsi (LD), gastrocnemius, and soleus muscles, but not liver or heart, were greater in CON+LEU and BOL than in the CON group. BOL feeding increased protein synthesis in the small intestine. Muscle S6K1 and 4E-BP1 phosphorylation and active eIF4E·eIF4G complex formation were higher in CON+LEU and BOL than in CON but AMPKα, eIF2α, and eEF2 phosphorylation were unchanged. LC3-II-to-total LC3 ratio was lower in CON+LEU and BOL than in CON, but there were no differences in atrogin-1 and MuRF-1 abundance and FoxO3 phosphorylation. In conclusion, administration of leucine pulses during continuous orogastric feeding in neonates increases muscle protein synthesis by stimulating translation initiation and may reduce protein degradation via the autophagy-lysosome, but not the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway.
On Delay-Range-Dependent Stochastic Stability Conditions of Uncertain Neutral Delay Markovian Jump Systems
Authors: Liu Xinghua , Xi Hongsheng
Published: July 2013

The delay-range-dependent stochastic stability for uncertain neutral Markovian jump systems with interval time-varying delays is studied in this paper. The uncertainties under consideration are assumed to be time varying but norm bounded. To begin with the nominal systems, a novel augmented Lyapunov functional which contains some triple-integral terms is introduced. Then, by employing some integral inequalities and the nature of convex combination, some less conservative stochastic stability conditions are presented in terms of linear matrix inequalities without introducing any free-weighting matrices. Finally, numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness and to show that the proposed results significantly improve the allowed upper bounds of the delay size over some existing ones in the literature.
Robust Modeling of Low-Cost MEMS Sensor Errors in Mobile Devices Using Fast Orthogonal Search
Authors: Tamazin M. , Noureldin A. , Korenberg M. J.
Published: July 2013

Accessibility to inertial navigation systems (INS) has been severely limited by cost in the past. The introduction of low-cost microelectromechanical system-based INS to be integrated with GPS in order to provide a reliable positioning solution has provided more wide spread use in mobile devices. The random errors of the MEMS inertial sensors may deteriorate the overall system accuracy in mobile devices. These errors are modeled stochastically and are included in the error model of the estimated techniques used such as Kalman filter or Particle filter. First-order Gauss-Markov model is usually used to describe the stochastic nature of these errors. However, if the autocorrelation sequences of these random components are examined, it can be determined that first-order Gauss-Markov model is not adequate to describe such stochastic behavior. A robust modeling technique based on fast orthogonal search is introduced to remove MEMS-based inertial sensor errors inside mobile devices that are used for several location-based services. The proposed method is applied to MEMS-based gyroscopes and accelerometers. Results show that the proposed method models low-cost MEMS sensors errors with no need for denoising techniques and using smaller model order and less computation, outperforming traditional methods by two orders of magnitude.
Electrodynamics of Metallic Superconductors
Authors: Dressel M.
Published: July 2013

The theoretical and experimental aspects of the microwave, terahertz, and infrared properties of superconductors are discussed. Electrodynamics can provide information about the superconducting condensate as well as about the quasiparticles. The aim is to understand the frequency dependence of the complex conductivity, the change with temperature and time, and its dependence on material parameters. We confine ourselves to conventional metallic superconductors, in particular, Nb and related nitrides and review the seminal papers but also highlight latest developments and recent experimental achievements. The possibility to produce well-defined thin films of metallic superconductors that can be tuned in their properties allows the exploration of fundamental issues, such as the superconductor-insulator transition; furthermore it provides the basis for the development of novel and advanced applications, for instance, superconducting single-photon detectors.