bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Hearing Loss in Patients with Shunt-Treated Hydrocephalus
Authors: Panova Margarita V. , Geneva Ina E. , Madjarova Kalina I. , Bosheva Miroslava N.
Published: May 2016

Hearing loss is a common manifestation of the long-term complications in patients with shunt treated hydrocephalus along with motor development disturbance, cognitive and visual impairment, epilepsy and endocrine disorders.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the alterations of hearing in patients with shunt treated hydrocephalus of non-tumor etiology and at least one year after implantation of ventriculo-peritoneal shunt, as well as their impact on the quality of life of patients.

The study included 70 patients (age range 1.25 years - 21.25 years) with shunted non-tumor hydrocephalus and at least one year after placement of the shunt system. Hearing alterations were proved by measuring the brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP) for children up to 5 years of age and children with mental retardation; audiograms was used for children older than 5 years with normal neuro-psychological development (NPD).

Of the 70 studied patients 17 (24%) had hearing loss (10 bilateral and 7-unilateral) and all of them had sensorineural hearing loss, which is associated with low weight at birth, posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus and brainstem symptoms at the time of diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Hearing pathology was found more often in shunt-treated patients with NPD retardation, poor functional status and low quality of life.

Children with shunt-treated hydrocephalus have hearing loss of sensorineural type. Children with brain stem symptomatology at diagnosing hydrocephalus and children with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus show higher risk of hearing loss. Children with shunted hydrocephalus and hearing loss show lower NPD, lower quality of life and lower functional status.
Clinical Effect of Dental Adhesive on Marginal Integrity in Class I And Class II Resin-Composite Restorations
Authors: Manchorova-Veleva Neshka A. , Vladimirov Stoyan B. , Keskinova Donka А.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND: Dental adhesives are believed to influence marginal adaptation and marginal discoloration when used under posterior resin-based composite restorations. Studies on the latest adhesive systems reveal that the group of the three-step etch-and-rinse adhesive (3-E&RA) and the one-step self-etch adhesive (1-SEA) have entirely different bonding mechanisms, as well as different bond strength and resistance to chemical, thermal and mechanical factors. STUDY OBJECTIVES: A hypothesis that a 1-SEA would result in greater enamel marginal discoloration and poorer marginal adaptation than a 3-E&RA was tested. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred restorations were placed with a 1-SEA and 100 restorations with a 3-E&RA. Teeth were restored with Filtek Supreme nanofilled resin-composite and were evaluated for marginal adaptation and marginal discoloration at baseline, and 6 months, 12 months, and 36 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The statistical analysis revealed significant differences in marginal integrity between test groups. The 1-SEA resulted in greater enamel marginal discoloration and poorer marginal adaptation than the 3-E&RA at any recall time. CONCLUSIONS: Marginal adaptation and marginal discoloration depend on the type of dentin adhesive used. The restorations with Filtek Supreme and Scotchbond MP are better than the restorations with Adper Prompt L-Pop with regard to the marginal adaptation and marginal discoloration at 6-, 12- and 36-month evaluations.
Polypharmacy May Be the Cause of Acute Lithium Intoxication at the Second Day of Treatment
Authors: Tursun Irfan , Tazegul Gokhan , Karhan Ogur , Gunes Neslihan , Ulukal Ece , Atcakarlar Muge Arpali , Akca Tolgahan , Coban Erkan
Published: May 2016

Lithium is frequently used as a mood stabilizer in patients with mood disorders. Lithium has a narrow therapeutic index and high toxicity. Predisposing factors for intoxication are advanced age, diet disturbances, comorbid medical conditions affecting heart, kidneys or central nervous system and polypharmacy. CASE REPORT: Here we present a case of a 74-year-old woman with a history of Parkinson’s disease, hypertension and bipolar disorder. She was using quetiapine, valsartan with hydrochlorothiazide and levodopa with carbidopa. She presented with altered mental status and muscle rigidity. The patient was admitted with acute lithium intoxication after her second dose of treatment. Blood lithium level increased to 3.58 mEq/L. The woman was hospitalized in the Internal Medicine Intensive Care Unit. With hydration, her symptoms resolved and her lithium level returned to normal after 118 hours. CONCLUSIONS: Prescribing physicians and emergency room physicians should be aware of conditions which may cause a decreased threshold for intoxication.
Burden of Sleep Disturbance Due to Traffic Noise in Bulgaria
Authors: Dzhambov Angel M. , Dimitrova Donka D. , Mihaylova-Alakidi Vanina K.
Published: May 2016

BACKGROUND: Sleep disturbance is a risk factor for somatic, psycho-social and spiritual dysfunction. It is also arguably the most deleterious effect of traffic noise pollution. Quantification of its burden is an anchor element of environmental policy making but no data are currently available for Bulgaria where the preponderance of dangerous nighttime noise exposure is highest in Europe. AIM: The aim of this study was to quantify the socio-economic burden of severe sleep disturbance due to traffic noise (road, aircraft and railway) in Bulgaria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The official World Health Organization methodology used in Europe was applied in order to estimate this annual loss expressed as disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) and their corresponding monetary value (assuming € 12 000 per DALY). RESULTS: Results showed that severe sleep disturbance due to all traffic sources was associated conservatively with 15 468 DALYs (8 839 - 22 097) and € 185 615 861 (€ 106 066 206 - € 265 165 516) lost in 2012, with road traffic being the single most important noise source. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, severe sleep disturbance due to traffic noise bears a heavy environmental and socio-economic burden in Bulgaria which prompts vigorous political action and greater involvement in environmental research. In order to increase the accuracy of future burden of disease analyses other studies would need to establish exposure-response functions based on population-based socio-acoustic surveys in the country.
Erratum
Authors: Gaj Kazimierz
Published: May 2016

This paper presents a method for estimating the balance of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission and absorption by Polish forest ecosystems. Based on the existing literature, a method for estimating the net absorption of CO2 and a synthetic index to assess this amount per hectare per year was developed. The calculation was derived using two alternative methodologies. The first is based on estimating the amount of CO2 sequestered over a trees’ life, and the second based on estimating the age-dependent biomass growth of trees. Obtained results indicate that total CO2 sequestration by Polish forest ecosystems is the equivalent of approximately 25% of Polish anthropogenic carbon emissions and suggest that previous calculations may have been underestimated.
The Schwarzhorn Amphibolite (Eastern Rätikon, Austria): an Early Cambrian intrusion in the Lower Austroalpine basement
Authors: Nilius Nils-Peter , Froitzheim Nikolaus , Nagel Thorsten Joachim , Tomaschek Frank , Heuser Alexander
Published: May 2016

The Alpine nappe stack in the Penninic-Austroalpine boundary zone in the Rätikon (Austria) contains a 4×1 km tectonic sliver of meta-diorite, known as the Schwarzhorn Amphibolite. It was deformed and metamorphosed in the amphibolite facies and is unconformably overlain by unmetamorphic Lower Triassic sandstone, indicating pre-Triassic metamorphism. Cataclastic deformation and brecciation of the amphibolite is related to normal faulting and block tilting during Jurassic rifting. Zircon dating of the Schwarzhorn Amphibolite using LA-ICP-MS gave a U-Pb age of 529+9/-8 Ma, interpreted as the crystallization age of the protolith. Geochemical characteristics indicate formation of the magmatic protolith in a supra-subduction zone setting. The Cambrian protolith age identifies the Schwarzhorn Amphibolite as a pre-Variscan element within the Austroalpine basement. Similar calc-alkaline igneous rocks of Late Neoproterozoic to Early Cambrian age are found in the Upper Austroalpine Silvretta Nappe nearby and in several other Variscan basement units of the Alps, interpreted to have formed in a peri-Gondwanan active-margin or island-arc setting.
Perovskite, reaction product of a harzburgite with Jurassic– Cretaceous accretionary wedge fluids (Western Carpathians, Slovakia): evidence from the whole-rock and mineral trace element data
Authors: Putiš Marián , Yang Yue-Heng , Vaculovič Tomáš , Koppa Matúš , Li Xian-Hua , Uher Pavel
Published: May 2016

Perovskite (Prv) was discovered in an abyssal harzburgite from a “mélange” type blueschist-bearing accretionary wedge of the Western Carpathians (Meliata Unit, Slovakia). Perovskite-1 formation in serpentinized orthopyroxene may be simplified by the mass-balance reaction: Ca2Si2O6 (Ca-pyroxene-member)+2Fe2TiO4 (ulvöspinel molecule in spinel)+2H2O+O2=2CaTiO3 (Prv)+2SiO2+4FeOOH (goethite). Perovskite-2 occurs in a chlorite-rich blackwall zone separating serpentinite and rodingite veins, and in rodingite veins alone. The bulk-rock trace-element patterns suggest negligible differences from visually and microscopically less (“core”) to strongly serpentinized harzburgite due to serpentinization and rodingitization: an enrichment in LREE(La,Ce), Cs, ±Ba, U, Nb, Pb, As, Sb, ±Nd and Li in comparison with HREE, Rb and Sr. The U/Pb perovskite ages at ~135 Ma are interpreted to record the interaction of metamorphic fluids with harzburgite blocks in the Neotethyan Meliatic accretionary wedge. Our LA-ICP-MS mineral study provides a complex view on trace element behaviour during the two stages of rodingitization connected with Prv genesis. The positive anomalies of Cs, U, Ta, Pb, As, Sb, Pr and Nd in Cpx, Opx and Ol are combined with the negative anomalies of Rb, Ba, Th, Nb and Sr in these minerals. The similar positive anomalies of Cs, U, Ta, ±Be, As, Sb found in typical serpentinization and rodingitization minerals, with variable contents of La, Ce and Nd, and negative anomalies of Rb, Ba, Th, Nb and Sr suggest involvement of crustal fluids during MP-LP/LT accretionary wedge metamorphism. LA-ICP-MS study revealed strong depletion in LREE from Prv-1 to Prv-2, and a typically negative Eu (and Ti) anomaly for Prv-1, while a positive Eu (and Ti) anomaly for Prv-2. Our multi-element diagram depicts enrichment in U, Nb, La, Ce, As, Sb, Pr, Nd and decreased Rb, Ba, Th, Ta, Pb, Sr, Zr in both Prv generations. In general, both Prv generations are very close to the end-member composition. In spite of low concentrations of isomorphic constituents, Prv-1 and Prv-2 display the A(La,Ce)3++B(Fe,Cr)3+=ACa2++BTi4+ heterovalent couple substitution. A decrease of ferric iron in Prv-2 indicates increasing reduction conditions during rodingitization.
The Upper Cretaceous Ostravice Sandstone in the Polish sector of the Silesian Nappe, Outer Western Carpathians
Authors: Cieszkowski Marek , Waśkowska Anna , Kowal-Kasprzyk Justyna , Golonka Jan , Słomka Tadeusz , Ślączka Andrzej , Wójcik-Tabol Patrycja , Chodyń Rafał
Published: May 2016

The Ostravice Sandstone Member was identified and described as a lithostratigraphic unit in the Polish part of the Outer Carpathians. This division occurs in the lowermost part of the Godula Formation, is underlain by variegated deposits of the Mazák Formation or directly by the Barnasiówka and Lhoty formations, and overlain by the Czernichów Member of the Godula Formation. Domination by thick- and very thick-bedded sandstones, conglomeratic sandstones and conglomerates rich in calcareous clasts, mostly of the Štramberk-type limestones, is typical for the Ostravice Sandstone Member. These deposits are widespread between the Moravskoslezské Beskydy Mountains in the Czech Republic and the Ciężkowice Foothills in Poland. The documentation of the Ostravice Sandstone Member occurrence as well as the petrological, sedimentological features, and inventory of the carbonate clasts are presented here.
Testing of multidimensional tectonomagmatic discrimination diagrams on fresh and altered rocks
Authors: Rivera-Gómez M. Abdelaly , Verma Surendra P.
Published: May 2016

We evaluated 55 multidimensional diagrams proposed during 2004-2013 for the tectonic discrimination of ultrabasic, basic, intermediate, and acid magmas. The Miocene to Recent rock samples for testing the diagrams had not been used for constructing them. Eighteen test studies (2 from ocean island; 2 from ocean island/continental rift; 6 from continental rift; 4 from continental arc; 2 from island arc; 1 from mid-ocean ridge, and 1 from collision) of relatively fresh rocks fully confirmed the satisfactory functioning of these diagrams for all tectonic fields for which they were proposed. Eight additional case studies on hydrothermally altered or moderately to highly weathered rocks were also presented to achieve further understanding of the functioning of these diagrams. For these rocks as well, the diagrams indicated the expected tectonic setting. We also show that for testing or using these diagrams the freely-available geochemistry databases should be used with caution but certainly after ascertaining the correct magma types to select the appropriate diagram sets. The results encourage us to recommend these diagrams for deciphering the tectonic setting of older terranes or areas with complex or transitional tectonic settings.
Tetraspanin 8 is an interactor of the metalloprotease meprin β within tetraspanin-enriched microdomains
Authors: Schmidt Frederike , Müller Miryam , Prox Johannes , Arnold Philipp , Schönherr Caroline , Tredup Claudia , Minder Petra , Ebsen Henriette , Janssen Ottmar , Annaert Wim , Pietrzik Claus , Schmidt-Arras Dirk , Sterchi Erwin E. , Becker-Pauly Christoph
Published: May 2016

Meprin β is a dimeric type I transmembrane protein and acts as an ectodomain sheddase at the cell surface. It has been shown that meprin β cleaves the amyloid precursor protein (APP), thereby releasing neurotoxic amyloid β peptides and implicating a role of meprin β in Alzheimer’s disease. In order to identify non-proteolytic regulators of meprin β, we performed a split ubiquitin yeast two-hybrid screen using a small intestinal cDNA library. In this screen we identified tetraspanin 8 (TSPAN8) as interaction partner for meprin β. As several members of the tetraspanin family were described to interact with metalloproteases thereby affecting their localization and/or activity, we hypothesized similar functions of TSPAN8 in the regulation of meprin β. We employed cell biological methods to confirm direct binding of TSPAN8 to meprin β. Surprisingly, we did not observe an effect of TSPAN8 on the catalytic activity of meprin β nor on the specific cleavage of its substrate APP. However, both proteins were identified as present in tetraspanin-enriched microdomains. Therefore we hypothesize that TSPAN8 might be important for the orchestration of meprin β at the cell surface with impact on certain proteolytic processes that have to be further identified.
Photodegradation Efficiencies in a Photo-CREC Water-II Reactor Using Several TiO2 Based Catalysts
Authors: Rosales Benito Serrano , Moreira del Rio Jesus , Guayaquil Jesus Fabricio , de Lasa Hugo
Published: May 2016

This study reports phenol degradation using several TiO2 photocatalysts (DP25, Anatase 1, Hombikat UV-100, Anatase 2) in a Photo-CREC Water-II Reactor. The physicochemical properties of the photocatalysts used, such as crystallinity, superficial area, and pore size distribution are reported. Reactor efficiencies are calculated using both Quantum Yields (QYs) and Photochemical and Thermodynamic Efficiency Factors (PTEFs). This is accomplished using phenol and phenol intermediate photoconversion rates. This allows the determination of hydroxyl radical consumption rates, at every step of the photodegradation process. With these data, and with the absorbed photon rates, energy efficiencies are calculated. It is shown that for the best performing photo catalysts the maximum QYs reach 50 % levels. These favourable photoconversion efficiencies confirm the critical importance of having available highly performing photocatalysts and photoreactors, such is the case of Photo-CREC Water-II Reactor unit.
Cosmic ray (neutron) activity and air pollution nanoparticles – cardiovascular disease risk factors – separate or together?
Authors: Stoupel Eliyahu G.
Published: May 2016

Background:

In the last decade, a number of studies were published showing links between cardiovascular events such as stroke (CVA), acute myocardial infarction (AMI), sudden cardiac death (SCD) and cosmic ray activity (CRA) marker neutron activity on the Earth’s surface (imp/min). A number of concomitant studies described air pollution fine particles as a similar risk factor. It is not clear which way each of the mentioned factors acts on the way of affecting the human body. The aim of this study is to present separate data of these two factors as risk factors and to discuss the possibility of seeing the nanoparticles polluting our air as carriers of neutrons on their way to the human cardiovascular system.

Methods:

Many studies of our groups and groups studying air pollution effects were revised, and the possibility of combined action of both factors was considered.

Results:

It is known that neutrons on the Earth surface are the markers of CRA. CRA is inversely related to space weather parameters such as solar (SA) and geomagnetic activity. The presumed way of biological action of neutrons is connection with H+ and, as protons, attack on our cells and tissues. The way of action of nanoparticles is explained by specific physical and chemical action of the materials they represent. It is a strong possibility that one way to connect H radicals in the human body is that particles are neutron carriers and can be absorbed in different parts of the body and then affect the systems of human body.

Conclusions:

The combined action of CRA (neutron) activity is a possible way of affecting the environment. The precise mechanism of this cooperative action demands additional studies.
Oral administration of green plant-derived chemicals and antioxidants alleviates stress-induced cellular oxidative challenge
Authors: Beaven Elizabeth A. , Colthorpe Kay L. , Spiers Jereme G. , Chen Hsiao-Jou Cortina , Lavidis Nickolas A. , Albrecht Julie
Published: May 2016

Background:

This study examined the efficacy of the combination antioxidant, Formula 42 (F42), on cellular stress indicators in animal and human models of stress-induced oxidative stress.

Methods:

A sub-chronic psychological stress model in rodents was used to induce stress and oxidative stress indicators over a 10-day period during which animals received oral doses of F42 or water. Following treatment, body weight, plasma stress hormone corticosterone, and oxidative capacity were evaluated. In healthy human subjects, a randomized double-blind crossover study was used to examine the antioxidant effect of F42 or placebo in an exercise-induced oxidative stress model. Erythrocyte and plasma oxidative status was evaluated using the fluorescent activation of 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescin (DCF) as an indicator.

Results:

Oral administration of F42 reduced the corticosterone response to acute stress compared to vehicle but did not differ at the conclusion of the 10-day study. However, F42 administration did reduce stress-induced growth restriction and alleviate DCF activation in circulating erythrocytes by approximately 10% following 10 days of stress exposure. Oral administration of F42 also significantly reduced DCF activation by approximately 10% in healthy human subjects undergoing exercise-induced oxidative stress.

Conclusions:

Oral administration of F42 in rodents produces transient reductions in stress hormones and reduces stress indicators following sub-chronic psychological stress exposure. In humans, F42 acts as an early and potent antioxidant capable of scavenging free radicals within 30 min of ingestion.
Splicing Model and Hyper–Chaotic System for Image Encryption
Authors: Niu Hongye , Zhou Changjun , Wang Bin , Zheng Xuedong , Zhou Shihua
Published: May 2016

Encryption is an effective way to protect the image information from attacking by intruders in the transmission applications through the Internet. This study presents an image encryption scheme on the basics of the formal model of DNA computing-splicing system and hyper-chaotic system, which utilizes the instinct properties of hyper-chaotic system and splicing model while programming the method. In our proposed algorithm, the quaternary coding is used to split the plain image into four sub-sections so that we can’t get the cipher image without any one sub-section. This new method can be used to change the plain image information drastically. The experimental results and security analysis show that our method not only has a good security but also increases the resistance to common attacks such as exhaustive attacks, statistical attacks and differential attacks.
Output Feedback Control of Switched Nonlinear Systems: A Gain Scheduling Approach
Authors: Veselý Vojtech , Ilka Adrian
Published: May 2016

Switched controller design for nonlinear continuous and discrete-time systems under an arbitrary switching signal using the gain scheduling approach is addressed in this paper. The obtained controller design procedures for continuous and discrete-time systems are in the bilinear matrix inequality form. The proposed design procedure ensures multi parameter-dependent quadratic stability of the switched gain scheduled plant which is associative to a nonlinear plant model and optimal performance defined by quadratic gain scheduled parameters weighting cost function. Example demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
Traffic Simulation of GSM Cells with Half–Rate Connection Realization Possibility
Authors: Mitić Dragan , Lebl Aleksandar , Mileusnić Mladen , Trenkić Branimir , Markov Žarko
Published: May 2016

This paper presents simulation model for the analysis of characteristics of base station, which may establish half-rate connections. Accuracy of realized simulation model is analyzed comparing its results to a number of corresponding results, which are obtained by calculation or presented in referenced literature. These corresponding results are obtained, in the first case, analytically, solving the system of equations, which are modelling the system and, in the second case, from the literature, which deals with the similar systems. At the end, simulation model is implemented to analyze in detail several systems with different total number of traffic channels. The results of simulation pointed out how much probability of connection loss decreases in the case of great traffic load, when half-rate connections realization is implemented.
A Synchrophasor Assisted Hybrid State Estimator
Authors: Kirincic Vedran , Skok Srdjan , Frankovic Dubravko
Published: May 2016

The paper presents a Synchrophasor Assisted Hybrid State Estimator that utilizes the conventional SCADA measurements and the synchrophasors obtained from Phasor Measurement Units (PMUs). To take advantage of the high sampling frequency of the multiple sets of synchrophasors they are preprocessed in a recursive algorithm that provides the state estimate for the power system part observable by PMUs. The results are forwarded to an iterative procedure in which they are combined with SCADA measurements. The given solution was applied on the IEEE test systems with 14, 30 and 57 buses and its performance was compared with other state estimators. The filtering of measurement errors and convergence, while providing improved accuracy of the final state estimates of the developed methodology can be compared with other hybrid state estimators.
Discovering Block–Structured Parallel Process Models from Causally Complete Event Logs
Authors: Lekić Julijana , Milićev Dragan
Published: May 2016

α-algorithm is suitable to discover a large class of workflow (WF) nets based on the behaviour recorded in event logs, with the main limiting assumption that the event log is complete. Our research has been aimed at finding ways of discovering business process models based on examples of traces, ie, logs of workflow actions that do not meet the requirement of completeness. In this aim, we have modified the existing and introduced a new relation between activities recorded in the event log, which has led to a partial correction of the process models discovering technique, including the α-algorithm. We have also introduced the notion of causally complete logs, from which our modified algorithm can produce the same result as the α-algorithm from complete logs. The effect of these modifications on the efficiency of the process model discovering is mostly evident for business processes in which many activities can be performed in parallel. The application of the modified method for discovering block-structured models of parallel business processes is presented in this paper.
Domain Adaptation of Deep Neural Networks for Automatic Speech Recognition via Wireless Sensors
Authors: Gosztolya Gábor , Grósz Tamás
Published: May 2016

Wireless sensors are recent, portable, low-powered devices, designed to record and transmit observations of their environment such as speech. To allow portability they are designed to have a small size and weight; this, however, along with their low power consumption, usually means that they have only quite basic recording equipment (e.g. microphone) installed. Recent speech technology applications typically require several dozen hours of audio recordings (nowadays even hundreds of hours is common), which is usually not available as recorded material by such sensors. Since systems trained with studio-level utterances tend to perform suboptimally for such recordings, a sensible idea is to adapt models which were trained on existing, larger, noise-free corpora. In this study, we experimented with adapting Deep Neural Network-based acoustic models trained on noise-free speech data to perform speech recognition on utterances recorded by wireless sensors. In the end, we were able to achieve a 5% gain in terms of relative error reduction compared to training only on the sensor-recorded, restricted utterance subset.
Design and Experimental Evaluation of Quadrature Oscillator Employing Single FB–VDBA
Authors: Yesil Abdullah , Kacar Firat , Gurkan Koray
Published: May 2016

This paper presents an attractive and a new voltage-mode quadrature oscillator using a single Fully Balanced-Voltage Differencing Buffer Amplifier (FB-VDBA) as the active element. The circuit structure is very simple, consisting of merely one FB-VDBA, one resistor and two capacitors. The circuit is implemented using the commonly available OPA860 which results in low output impedance and high current drive capability. The proposed circuit also has a suitable architecture for IC production. Experimental results which are matched well with the theoretical assumptions are given.
Design of Gigahertz Tuning Range 5 GHz LC Digitally Controlled Oscillator in 0.18 μm CMOS
Authors: Jurgo Marijan , Navickas Romualdas
Published: May 2016

In this paper design and simulation of a 4.3 - 5.4 GHz LC digitally controlled oscillator (LC DCO) in IBM 7RF 0.18 μm CMOS technology are presented. Wide gigahertz tuning range is achieved by using two LC DCOs, sharing same structure. DCO is made of one NMOS negative impedance transistor pair and LC tank, which consists of high quality inductor and two switched capacitor arrays for coarse and fine frequency tuning. Coarse and fine tuning switched capacitor arrays are controlled using 6-bit and 3-bit binary words. To increase available frequency values, frequency divider is used. Structure of frequency divider is based on extended-true-single-phase-clock flip-flops. Divider is made of eight divide-by-2 cells connected in daisy chain, thus division values from 2 to 256 are available. Wide tuning range and high division values allows using such DCO with frequency divider in multi-standart transceivers. Whole device is supplied from a single 1.8 V voltage source. At highest frequency proposed device draws 90 mA current including all buffers. Phase noise is −116.4 dBc/Hz at 1 MHz offset from 5.44 GHz carrier. Designed dual DCO and frequency divider occupies about 0.4mm×0.5mm of chip space and whole chip, including pads, occupies 1.5mm × 1.5mm area of silicon.
Synthesis of Graphene on Ni/SiC Structure
Authors: Machac Petr , Hrebicek Tomas
Published: May 2016

graphene is a promising material with excellent electrical, thermal, optical and mechanical properties. Therefore, it is a material of high relevance for various applications in many branches of technique. Graphene has received much attention recently in scientific community. The contribution reports formation and characterization of few-layer graphene (FLG) films on a SiC substrate from nickel silicide supersaturated with carbon by annealing at a favourable low temperature.
Determination of finite difference coefficients for the acoustic wave equation using regularized least-squares inversion
Authors: Wang Yanfei , Liang Wenquan , Nashed Zuhair , Yang Changchun
Published: May 2016

Finite difference (FD) solutions of wave equations have been proven useful in exploration seismology. To yield reliable and interpretable results, the numerically induced error should be minimized over a range of frequencies and angles of propagation. Grid dispersion is one of the key numerical problems and there exist some methods to solve this problem in the literature. Traditionally, the spatial FD operator coefficients are only determined in the spatial domain; however, the wave equation is solved in the temporal and spatial domain simultaneously. Recently, some methods based on the joint temporal-spatial domains have been proposed to address this problem. Variable length coefficients methods are proposed in the literature to improve efficiency while preserving accuracy by using longer operators in the low velocity regions and shorter operators in the high velocity regions. To cope with the ill-conditioning of the linear system induced by long stencil FD operators, we study in this paper a regularizing simplified least-squares model to minimize the phase velocity error in the joint temporal-spatial domain with a variable length of coefficients. Different from our previous study, we determine FD coefficients on the regular grid instead of on the staggered grid. Though the regular grid FD methods are less precise, however, with a little increase of the operator length, the precision can be improved. Stability of the numerical solutions is enhanced by the regularization. Numerical simulations made on one-dimensional to three-dimensional examples show that our scheme needs shorter operators and preserves accuracy compared with the previous methods.
Direct and inverse source problems for a space fractional advection dispersion equation
Authors: Aldoghaither Abeer , Laleg-Kirati Taous-Meriem , Liu Da-Yan
Published: May 2016

In this paper, direct and inverse problems for a space fractional advection dispersion equation on a finite domain are studied. The inverse problem consists in determining the source term from final observations. We first derive the analytic solution to the direct problem which we use to prove the uniqueness and the unstability of the inverse source problem using final measurements. Finally, we illustrate the results with a numerical example.
Analysis of Single-Mode Fiber Link Performance for Attenuation in Long-Haul Optical Networks
Authors: Kaur Karamjit , Singh Hardeep
Published: May 2016

In the past decades, optical fiber has been widely used in communication system owing to low transmission losses, large information carrying capacity, small size, immunity to electrical interference and increased signal security. Focusing on increasing the network transmission capacity, control on the quality of transmission was the field that withdraws attention of research community. For this reason, fiber losses and their compensation remain the important design issue. In the present work, an effort is put in to design a system capable of doing error analysis of system for power losses taking place in the presence of attenuation effect. Attenuation is one of the important phenomena that determine the maximum possible distance between a transmitter and receiver or quantity and position of amplifiers and repeaters in optical networks. The mathematical model equations are obtained representing variation trends of bit error rate BER and
An Optical Packet Switch with Recirculation Limited Range Wavelength Converter Groups and Recirculation Optical Buffers
Authors: Li Jie
Published: May 2016

This paper focuses on performances of limited range wavelength converters (LRWCs) in resolving optical packet contentions. An optical packet switch is proposed, which uses recirculation LRWC groups and recirculation fiber delay lines (FDLs) to resolve optical packet contentions. In order to make full use of the LRWCs and the FDLs, a control algorithm is also proposed. Packet loss probability of the proposed switch versus the number of FDLs, the wavelength conversion range, and the number of LRWC groups are evaluated in detail.
Unusual phenotype of congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) with a novel mutation of the CYP21A2 gene
Authors: Raisingani Manish , Contreras Maria F. , Prasad Kris , Pappas John G. , Kluge Michelle L. , Shah Bina , David Raphael
Published: May 2016

Gonadotropin independent sexual precocity (SP) may be due to congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), and its timing usually depends on the type of mutation in the
A novel splice site mutation in the GNPTAB gene in an Iranian patient with mucolipidosis II α/β
Authors: Hashemi-Gorji Feyzollah , Ghafouri-Fard Soudeh , Salehpour Shadab , Yassaee Vahid Reza , Miryounesi Mohammad
Published: May 2016

Mucolipidosis type II α/β (ML II α/β) and mucolipidosis type III α/β (ML III α/β) have been shown to be caused by an absence or reduced level of uridine diphosphate (UDP)-N-acetylglucosamine-1-phosphotransferase enzyme (EC 2.7.8.17) activity, respectively. Both disorders are caused by mutations in the GNPTAB gene and are inherited in an autosomal recessive manner. Here we report a 2-year-old female patient being diagnosed as a case of ML II α/β due to coarse face, severe developmental delay, multiple dysostosis, noticeable increase of multiple lysosomal enzymes activity in plasma and normal acid mucopolysaccharides in urine. Mutational analysis of the GNPTAB gene has revealed a novel homozygous mutation in the patient (c.3250-2A>G) with both parents being heterozygote. Transcript analyses showed that this novel splice site mutation leads to exon 17 skipping and a frameshift afterwards (p.P1084_R1112del F1113Vfs*1). Consequently, we confirmed the association of this mutation with ML II α/β. Our finding expands the number of reported cases of this rare metabolic disorder and adds to the GNPTAB mutation database.
Reference intervals for iron-related blood parameters: results from a population-based cohort study (LIFE Child)
Authors: Rieger Kristin , Vogel Mandy , Engel Christoph , Ceglarek Uta , Thiery Joachim , Kratzsch Jürgen , Harms Kristian , Glock Fabian , Hiemisch Andreas , Kiess Wieland
Published: May 2016

Background: Pediatric reference intervals for iron-related parameters are determined continuously over time from a highly standardized sample collection by application of the R-package generalized additive models for location, scale and shape (GAMLSS), which is little known in laboratory medicine.

Methods: Two thousand seven hundred and seventy-eight samples from Leipzig research center for civilization diseases (LIFE) Child participants at the age of 2.5–19 years were analyzed on a Sysmex XN-9000 for hemoglobin and reticulocytes and on a Roche Cobas 8000 for transferrin and ferritin. Reference intervals were established by repeated model calculation by use of the LMS (λ-µ-σ) method from Cole with specifically weighted subsamples.

Results: Continuous and gender-specific reference intervals as well as smoothed percentile curves were established for hemoglobin, ferritin, reticulocytes and transferrin. In the case of repeated model calculations, single curves and averaged percentile curves were shown. The single curves outlined potential variations of the different parameter trends. The averaged percentile curves submitted a stable assessment of curve trends over time for iron-related parameters in childhood and adolescence.

Conclusions: For the first time current age- and gender- specific reference intervals are available by application of the R-package GAMLSS and the laboratory techniques applied here. Compared to earlier studies, previous findings can be completed and discrepancies related to different methodical approaches, can be pointed out. Relevant findings for the diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, such as gender-dependent assessment of hemoglobin starting at the age of 11 instead of 15 [according to the World Health Organization (WHO)], are presented.
Tracking sub-atomic particles through the
Attribute Space
Authors: Babai M. , Kalantar-Nayestanaki N. , Messchendorp J. G. , Wilkinson M. H. F.
Published: May 2016

In this paper, we present the results of an application of attribute space morphological filters for
tracking sub-atomic particles in magnetic fields. For this purpose, we have applied the concept of attribute
space and connectivity to the binary images produced by charged particles passing through the tracking
detector for the future experiment PANDA. This detector could be considered as an undirected graph with
irregular neighbourhood relations. For this project, we rely only on the detector geometry. In addition, we
have extended the graph to estimate the z-coordinates of the particle paths. The result is an O(n2), proof
of concept algorithm with a total error of approximately 0.17; this value depends on track multiplicity and
particle type and its parameters. The results look promising; however, more work needs to be done to make
this algorithm applicable for the real-life case.
Efficient Computation of Greyscale Path
Openings
Authors: Schubert Herman , van de Gronde Jasper J. , Roerdink Jos B. T. M.
Published: May 2016

Path openings are morphological operators that are used to preserve long, thin, and curved structures
in images. They have the ability to adapt to local image structures,which allows them to detect lines that
are not perfectly straight. They are applicable in extracting cracks, roads, and similar structures. Although
path openings are very efficient to implement for binary images, the greyscale case is more problematic. This
study provides an analysis of the main existing greyscale algorithm, and shows that although its time complexity
can be quadratic in the number of pixels, this is optimal in terms of the output (if the full opening
transform is created). Also, it is shown that under many circumstances the worst-case running time is much
less than quadratic. Finally, a new algorithm is provided,which has the same time complexity, but is simpler,
faster in practice and more amenable to parallelization
Local 2D Pattern Spectra as Connected
Region Descriptors
Authors: Bosilj Petra , Wilkinson Michael H. F. , Kijak Ewa , Lefèvre Sébastien
Published: May 2016

We validate the usage of augmented 2D shape-size pattern spectra, calculated on arbitrary connected
regions. The evaluation is performed on MSER regions and competitive performance with SIFT descriptors
achieved in a simple retrieval system, by combining the local pattern spectra with normalized central
moments. An additional advantage of the proposed descriptors is their size: being half the size of SIFT,
they can handle larger databases in a time-efficient manner. We focus in this paper on presenting the challenges
faced when transitioning from global pattern spectra to the local ones. An exhaustive study on the
parameters and the properties of the newly constructed descriptor is offered, as well as performance results
from preliminary experiments, validating the usage of the descriptor. We also consider possible improvements
to the quality and computation efficiency of the proposed local descriptors.
Exceptional Tl-bearing manganese oxides from Zalas, Krakow area, southern Poland
Authors: Gołębiowska Bożena , Rzepa Grzegorz , Pieczka Adam
Published: May 2016

In the Permian rhyodacite quarry at Zalas near Krakow, southern Poland, thallium-bearing Mn oxides occur in a small fault zone cutting Middle Jurassic sandy limestone poorly encrusted by an oxidized polymetallic mineralization. The encrustation comprises sulphides (pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, covellite, galena, marcasite), native bismuth, hematite, goethite, cuprite, mottramite, iodargyrite, unrecognized Cu sulphates and Bi oxychlorides as supergene minerals, barite and rare tiny grains of gold. It is most likely connected with rejuvenation of Early-Paleozoic faults during the Alpine orogeny on the Oligocene–Miocene boundary. Rare Tlbearing Mn oxides occur in an outside zone of the encrustations, filling small fractures and voids in limestone forming the fault breccia. Tl contents, reaching 20.82wt% as Tl2O, exceed by more than two orders of magnitude those reported in similar minerals before, making the oxides unique on a world scale. The Tl-bearing Mn oxides from Zalas reflect intensive weathering of an older Tl-bearing sulphide mineralization in an arid climate, involving saline fluids delivered to the groundwater system as the nappe structure of the Carpathians was developing during the Sava tectonic phase Oligocene/Miocene boundary.
Crystal structure of 4,4′-bipiperidinium dichloride 0.12 hydrate, C10H22N2Cl2 · 0.12 H2O
Authors: Socha Paweƚ , Dobrzycki Lukasz
Published: May 2016

C10H22.24Cl2N2O0.12, orthorhombic, Cmca (no. 64), a = 9.6661(8) Å, b = 7.3063(6) Å, c = 19.3270(15) Å, V = 1364.94(19) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt
(F) = 0.0359, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.1009, T = 170 K.
Crystal structure of trans-dichlorido[1,3-bis(9-methyl-9H-fluoren-9-yl) benzimidazol-2-ylidene](pyridine)palladium(II) – a compound with anagostic CH–Pd interactions, C40H31Cl2N3Pd
Authors: Teci Matthieu , Brenner Eric , Matt Dominique , Toupet Loïc
Published: May 2016

C40H31Cl2N3Pd, orthorhombic, Pnma (no. 62), a = 16.7821(7), b = 14.1436(8), c = 11.1431(5) Å, V = 3205.9(2) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt
(F) = 0.0394, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.0817, T = 150 K.
Crystal structure of 3,6-di-2-pyridinyl-4-pyridazine carbonitrile, C15H9N5
Authors: Gichumbi Joel M. , Friedrich Holger B. , Omondi Bernard
Published: May 2016

C15H9N5, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 8.9817(4) Å, b = 11.5791(19) Å, c = 12.065(2) Å, β = 102.289(4)°, V = 1226.03(3) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt
(F) = 0.0533, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.1512, T = 173(2) K.
Crystal structure of 5-((4-bromophenyl)(2-hydroxy-6-oxocyclohex-1-en-1-yl)methyl)-6-hydroxy-1,3-dimethylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione, C19H19BrN2O5
Authors: Barakat Assem , Ali M. , Al-Majid Abdullah Mohammed , Islam Mohammad Shahidul , Ghabbour Hazem A.
Published: May 2016

C19H19BrN2O5, monoclinic, P21/c (no. 14), a = 10.2634(5) Å, b = 10.7951(4) Å, c = 17.0558(8) Å, β = 104.474(2)°, V = 1829.71(14) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt
(F) = 0.0360, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.0772, T = 100 K.
Crystal structure of poly-[μ-1,4-bis(2-ethylbenzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)benzene-κ2
N:N′)-bis(μ4-4,4′-sulfonyldibenzoato-κ4
O:O′:O′′:O′′′)dicadmium(II)] monohydrate, C52H42N4O14Cd2
Authors: Xu Chunying , Tang Siye , Chu Wenjuan
Published: May 2016

C52H42N4O14Cd2, triclinic, P1̅ (no. 2), a = 9.0684(18) Å, b = 12.585(3) Å, c = 12.697(3) Å, α = 101.14(3)°, β = 106.98(3)°, γ = 102.06(3)°, V = 1304.3(5) Å3, Z = 1, R
gt
(F) = 0.0276, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.0853, T = 293(2) K.
Crystal structure of (2-(4-bromophenyl)-5-ethyl-1,3-dioxan-5-yl)methanol, C13H17BrO3
Authors: Zhang Xing-Yu , Yuan Lin , Zhang Min , Yuan Xian-You
Published: May 2016

C13H17BrO3, triclinic, P1̅ (No. 2), a = 9.8235(7) Å, b = 10.3354(7) Å, c = 13.9981(10) Å, α = 99.853(3)°, β = 95.106(3)°, γ = 108.139(3)°, V = 1315.22(16) Å3, Z = 4, R
gt
(F) = 0.0340, wR
ref
(F
2
) = 0.1245, T = 296(2) K.
DYNAMAP – Development of low cost sensors
networks for real time noise mapping
Authors: Sevillano Xavier , Socoró Joan Claudi , Alías Francesc , Bellucci Patrizia , Peruzzi Laura , Radaelli Simone , Coppi Paola , Nencini Luca , Cerniglia Andrea , Bisceglie Alessandro , Benocci Roberto , Zambon Giovanni
Published: May 2016

The Environmental Noise Directive (END) requires
that regular updating of noise maps is implemented
every five years to check and report about the changes occurred
during the reference period. The updating process
is usually achieved using a standardized approach, consisting
in collating and processing information through
acoustic models to produce the updated maps. This procedure
is time consuming and costly, and has a significant
impact on the budget of the authorities responsible for providing
the maps. Furthermore, END requires that simplified
and easy-to-read noise maps are made available to inform
the public about noise levels and actions to be undertaken
by local and central authorities to reduce noise impacts.
To make the updating of noisemaps easier and more
cost effective, there is a need for integrated systems that incorporate
real-time measurement and processing to assess
the acoustic impact of noise sources. To that end, a dedicated
project, named DYNAMAP (DYNamic Acoustic MAPping),
has been proposed and co-financed in the framework
of the LIFE 2013 program, with the aim to develop
a dynamic noise mapping system able to detect and represent
in real time the acoustic impact of road infrastructures.
In this paper, after a comprehensive description of
the project idea, objectives and expected results, the most
important steps to achieve the ultimate goal are described.
Sustainable biomass supply and demand:
a scenario analysis
Authors: Piotrowski Stephan , Carus Michael , Essel Roland
Published: May 2016

This paper provides a concise summary and dis-
cussion of key results of the study “Sustainable biomass
potentials for biofuels in competition to food, feed, bioen-
ergy and industrial material use in Germany, Europe and
the world”. The scenario-analysis developed in this paper
differentiates between the global level and the European
Union level, providing a perspective on future trends and
developments. Specifically, results of the present study
provide a detailed view of possible scenarios for a sus-
tainable supply of biomass until the year 2050, and of the
development of demand in all biomass sectors: food, feed,
chemicals and materials, bioenergy and biofuels. Due to
this approach, one can clearly see under which assump-
tions global supply shortages or a sufficient coverage of
demand may occur.