bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ChemInform Abstract: Studies on Coordination Compounds. Part 6. Thermogravimetric, Differential Thermogravimetric, Differential Thermal Analysis and Mass Spectrometric Studies of Some Cobalt(II), Nickel(II) and Copper(II) Salicylaldoximates, 2‐Indolecarboxylates and 2‐Thiophenecarboxylates.
Authors: LUMME PAAVO , KORVOLA MARJA‐LEENA
Published: March 2016

Die trans‐quadratisch‐planaren Titelverbindungen wurden ‐ zum Teil als Hydrate ‐ durch Zugabe von Salicylaldoxim und 2‐Indol‐ bzw. 2‐Thiophencarbonsäure zu Lösungen der Metallchloride dargestellt.
ChemInform Abstract: (PENTAMETHYLCYCLOPENTADIENYL)RHODIUM AND ‐IRIDIUM COMPLEXES. X. KINETICS OF THE REACTIONS OF CYCLIC AND ACYCLIC DIENES WITH μ‐HYDRIDO COMPOUNDS
Authors: LEE HING‐BIU , MOSELEY KEITH , WHITE COLIN , MAITLIS PETER M.
Published: March 2016

Die u‐Hydrido‐Komplexe (I) reagieren schnell mit Cyclooctadien‐(1,3) (II) und ‐(1,5) (III), Cyclohexadien‐(1,3) sowie ‐(1,4) unter Bildung cyclischer n‐ Allylkomplexe wie (IV), die jedoch reduktiv zu den Dien‐Komplexen (V) und (VI) zersetzt werden.
ChemInform Abstract: CHEMISTRY OF TUNGSTEN OXIDE TETRAFLUORIDE
Authors: MEINERT HASSO , FRIEDRICH LUTZ , KOHL WOLFGANG
Published: March 2016

Es wird festgestellt, daß die Direktfluorierung des W in Gegenwart von Sauerstoff bei etwa 300°C und anschließende Sublimation die am besten geeignete Darstellungsmethode für WOF4 ist (Ausbeute 30%).
ChemInform Abstract: OXIDATION OF TERMINAL OLEFINS TO METHYL KETONES BY JONES REAGENT IS CATALYZED BY MERCURY(II)
Authors: ROGERS H. R. , MCDERMOTT J. X. , WHITESIDES G. M.
Published: March 2016

Endständige Olefine (I) werden durch Behandlung mit Hg(II)‐ Salzen über die Zwischenstufen (II) mit Jonesreagens über (III) zu den Methylketonen (IV) oxidiert.
ChemInform Abstract: 1,4‐CYCLOADDITION OF SINGLET OXYGEN TO 2‐VINYLTHIOPHENES
Authors: MATSUMOTO M. , DOBASHI S. , KONDO K.
Published: March 2016

Die Alkeny1thiophene (I) reagieren mit Singulett‐Sauerstoff in Tetrachlorkohlenstoff zu den cyclischen Peroxiden (II).
ChemInform Abstract: ALKYLAMINOBIS(DIIODOPHOSPHINES)
Authors: GORBATENKO ZH. K. , ROZHDESTVENSKAYA I. T. , FESHCHENKO N. G.
Published: March 2016

Aus Alkylamino‐bis‐dichlorphosphinen (Ia) bis (Ic) und NaJ entstehen die entsprechenden Bis‐dijodphosphine (IIa)‐(IIc).
ChemInform Abstract: CRYSTAL STRUCTURES OF TWO ISOMERS OF A MACROCYCLIC BINUCLEAR COMPOUND EACH CONTAINING BOTH DIVALENT AND TRIVALENT COBALT
Authors: HOSKINS BERNARD F. , WILLIAMS GEOFFREY A.
Published: March 2016

Anhand der Kristallstrukturbestim‐ mung wird den beiden kristallinen Formen der nach bekannter Methode erhaltenen Verbindungen der Zusammensetzung LCo2Br3 ‐ 2 H2O die verschiedenen geometrischen Strukturen (I) und (II) zuerkannt.
Intensity‐modulated radiotherapy reduces toxicity with similar biochemical control compared with 3‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy for prostate cancer: A randomized clinical trial
Authors: Viani Gustavo Arruda , Viana Bruno Silveira , Martin Jose Eduardo Chicareli , Rossi Bruno Tiago , Zuliani Gisele , Stefano Eduardo Jose
Published: March 2016

BACKGROUND

The objective of this article was to report the results from a randomized clinical trial comparing intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with 3‐dimensonal conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) for the treatment of prostate cancer on a hypofractionated schedule.

METHODS

The authors randomly assigned 215 men who had localized prostate cancer to receive hypofractionated radiotherapy to a total dose of 70 grays (Gy) in 25 fractions (at 2.8 Gy per fraction) using either IMRT or 3DCRT. Acute and late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicity were prospectively evaluated according to modified Radiation Therapy Oncology Group criteria. Biochemical control was defined according to the Phoenix criteria (prostate‐specific antigen nadir + 2 ng/mL).

RESULTS

In total, 215 patients were enrolled in the IMRT group (n = 109) or the 3DCRT group (n = 106). The 3DCRT arm had a 27% rate of grade ≥ 2 acute GU toxicity compared with a 9% rate in the IMRT arm (P = .001) and a 24% rate of grade ≥ 2 acute GI toxicity compared with a 7% rate in the IMRT arm (P = .001). The maximal rate of grade ≥2 late GU toxicity during the entire period of follow‐up was 3.7% in the IMRT group versus 12.3% in the 3DCRT group (P = .02). The maximal rate of grade ≥2 late GI toxicity during the entire follow‐up was 6.4% in the IMRT group versus 21.7% in the 3DCRT group (P = .001). The 5‐year rate of freedom from biochemical failure was 95.4% in the IMRT arm and 94.3% in the 3DCRT arm (P = .678).

CONCLUSIONS

IMRT reduced the delivery of significant radiation doses to the bladder and rectum using a similar target volume. This dosimetric advantage resulted in a lower rate of acute/late grade ≥ 2 GI and GU toxicity for IMRT compared with 3DCRT. Cancer 2016;122:2004–11. © 2016 American Cancer Society.
ExNa: an efficient search pattern for semantic search engines
Authors: Wei Xiao , Zeng Daniel Dajun
Published: March 2016

Recent years have witnessed the emergence of new types of semantic search engines which attempt to overcome the defects of the traditional search engines by providing different search patterns. A big question here is that in order to achieve the semantic search engines (SSEs), what type(s) of search patterns should SSEs support? To help seek one of the many possible answers, in this paper we start with classifying and comparing current search engines, particularly from the perspective of search patterns which consist of index structure, user profiles, and interaction mechanism. We then present a novel search pattern named ExNa by defining its model and basic operations in detail. To validate the ExNa search pattern, we develop a prototype search engine named KNOWLE, and the experimental results show that KNOWLE equipped with ExNa can improve both the efficiency of the entire system when compared with search engines of other search patterns. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Lipidation of Cysteine or Cysteine‐Containing Peptides Using the Thiol‐Ene Reaction (CLipPA)
Authors: Yang Sung‐Hyun , Harris Paul W. R. , Williams Geoffrey M. , Brimble Margaret A.
Published: March 2016

The efficient synthesis of Nα‐protected S‐palmitoylated cysteine building blocks using thiol‐ene coupling is described. These building blocks were incorporated into a resin‐bound peptide under racemisation‐suppressing conditions, and the degree of racemisation during the coupling process was assessed. The direct conjugation of vinyl palmitate with the sulfhydryl side‐chain of a cysteine residue on a semiprotected peptide was also studied. The reaction gave both mono‐ and bispalmitoylated cysteine residues in varying proportions, depending on the reaction conditions adopted.
The molecular mechanism of the cholesterol‐lowering effect of dill and kale: The influence of the food matrix components
Authors: Danesi Francesca , Govoni Marco , D'Antuono Luigi Filippo , Bordoni Alessandra
Published: March 2016

Foods are complex matrices containing many different compounds, all of which contribute to the overall effect of the food itself, although they have different mechanisms of action. While evaluating the effect of bioactive compounds, it is important to consider that the use of a single compound can hide the effects of the other molecules that can act synergistically or antagonistically in the same food. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the influence of food matrix components by comparing two edible plants (dill and kale) with cholesterol‐lowering potential and similar contents of their most representative bioactive, quercetin. The molecular effects of the extracts were evaluated in HepG2 cells by measuring the expression of sterol‐regulatory element‐binding proteins (SREBPs), 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐CoA reductase (HMGCR) and low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) at the mRNA and protein level. The results reported here show that both extracts reduced the cellular cholesterol level with a similar trend and magnitude. It is conceivable that the slightly different results are due to the diverse composition of minor bioactive compounds, indicating that only by considering food as a whole is it possible to understand the complex relationship between food, nutrition, and health in a foodomics vision.
Second‐order capillary electrophoresis diode array detector data modeled with the Tucker3 algorithm: A novel strategy for Argentinean white wine discrimination respect to grape variety
Authors: Azcarate Silvana M. , de Araújo Gomes Adriano , Vera‐Candioti Luciana , Cesar Ugulino de Araújo Mário , Camiña José M. , Goicoechea Héctor C.
Published: March 2016

Data obtained by capillary electrophoresis with diode array detection (CE‐DAD) were modeled with the purpose to discriminate Argentinean white wines samples produced from three grape varieties (Torrontés, Chardonnay, and Sauvignon blanc). Thirty‐eight samples of commercial white wine from four wine‐producing provinces of Argentina (Mendoza, San Juan, Salta, and Rio Negro) were analyzed. CE‐DAD matrices with dimensions of 421 elution times (from 1.17 to 7.39 minutes) × 71 wavelengths (from 227 to 367 nm) were joined in a three way data array and decomposed by Tucker3 method under non‐negativity constraint, employing 18, 18 and six factors in the modes 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Using the scores of Tucker model, it was possible to discriminate samples of Argentinean white wine by linear discriminant analysis and Kernel linear discriminant analysis. Core element analysis of the Tucker3 model allows identifying the loading profiles in spectral mode related to Argentinean white wine samples.
On user association and multiple access optimisation in 5G massive MIMO empowered ultra dense networks,
Authors: Gotsis Antonis G. , Panagopoulos Athanasios D.
Published: March 2016

Ultra network densification and massive multiple‐input and multiple‐output are considered major 5th generation technology enablers, promising huge capacity gains as they offer proximity, spectral and spatial reuse benefits. Towards succeeding in harnessing the anticipated gains, a systematic treatment of radio resources management challenges encountered in such network deployments is of utmost importance. In this respect, we introduce and study in detail the user‐association and multiple‐access optimisation aspects of massive multiple‐input and multiple‐output ultra dense networks. We derive for the first time to the best of our knowledge a series of mathematical programming models for computing the optimal user‐association decisions and assessing the impact of two multiple access candidate approaches, namely, frequency domain and spatial domain multiple access. We support the work with an extensive performance evaluation study, which reveals the rate scaling performance trends of the different approaches, considering various network operation conditions, as well as obtain useful design insights for future setups employing the particular technologies. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Geoarchaeological Survey of the Marine Extension of the Roman Archaeological Site Villa del Pezzolo, Vico Equense, on the Sorrento Peninsula, Italy
Authors: Aucelli Pietro , Cinque Aldo , Giordano Francesco , Mattei Gaia
Published: March 2016

The Roman Villa on the Marina di Equa (Vico Equense, Sorrento Peninsula, Italy), built in the first century A.D., is an important coastal site where the geological effects of the A.D. 79 eruption of Vesuvius are combined with archaeological remains, thus representing an interaction of both human and natural events. At this site, a patrician Roman villa, located at the outlet of a steep V‐shaped valley on the northern flank of a ridge in the Lattari Mountains, was completely destroyed by the A.D. 79 eruption and by subsequent mud/debris flows and floods. During these catastrophic events, the villa was rebuilt twice, in the second and third centuries A.D., as shown by archaeological evidence on the beach. A marine geophysical survey was conducted to study the unexplored portion of this archaeological site. A geographical information system (GIS) analysis of integrated geophysical survey data has identified and mapped (in two and three dimensions) the major underwater archaeological structures on and below the seabed in the villa harbor. A map of the ancient port of the Roman villa has been created by correlating the submerged remains with the construction phases of the villa.
Feasibility and relevance of level I substation node counts in oropharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Rassekh Christopher H. , O'Malley Bert W. , Bewley Arnaud F. , Montone Kathleen T. , Livolsi Virginia A. , Weinstein Gregory S.
Published: March 2016

Background

The inclusion of level I in neck dissections for oropharyngeal carcinoma remains controversial. Our objectives were to evaluate the feasibility and relevance of substation node counts in level I of the neck dissection and to determine the specific substation location of metastases in level I in oropharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods

Sixty specimens were retrospectively analyzed after an orientation using a new paradigm of demarcating level I specimens into 8 substations.

Results

Three of the specimens (5%) in this study showed nodal metastasis in level I, one each in 3 different substations. All positive nodes in level I were associated with N+ disease in level II with 2 being radiographically occult (3.3%). Average total node count for level I was 8.1 (range, 2–19).

Conclusion

In oropharyngeal carcinoma, substation level I node quantification is feasible and relevant. This study shows a 5% risk to level I with metastasis in 3 different substations. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38:1194–1200, 2016
Sound production by a recoiling system in the pempheridae and terapontidae
Authors: Parmentier Eric , Fine Michael L. , Mok Hin‐Kiu
Published: March 2016

Sound‐producing mechanisms in fishes are extraordinarily diversified. We report here original mechanisms of three species from two families: the pempherid Pempheris oualensis, and the terapontids Terapon jarbua and Pelates quadrilineatus. All sonic mechanisms are built on the same structures. The rostral part of the swimbladder is connected to a pair of large sonic muscles from the head whereas the posterior part is fused with bony widenings of vertebral bodies. Two bladder regions are separated by a stretchable fenestra that allows forward extension of the anterior bladder during muscle contraction. A recoiling apparatus runs between the inner face of the anterior swimbladder and a vertebral body expansion. The elastic nature of the recoiling apparatus supports its role in helping the swimbladder to recover its initial position during sonic muscle relaxation. This system should aid fast contraction (between 100 and 250Hz) of sonic muscles. There are many differences between species in terms of the swimbladder and its attachments to the vertebral column, muscle origins, and morphology of the recoiling apparatus. The recoiling apparatus found in the phylogenetically‐related families (Glaucosomatidae, Pempheridae, Terapontidae) could indicate a new character within the Percomorpharia. J. Morphol. 277:717–724, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Initial report of near‐infrared fluorescence imaging as an intraoperative adjunct for lymph node harvesting during robot‐assisted laparoscopic gastrectomy
Authors: Herrera‐Almario Gabriel , Patane Michael , Sarkaria Inderpal , Strong Vivian E.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Adequate lymphadenectomy is a fundamental aspect of oncologically sound gastrectomies. Robot‐assisted laparoscopic gastrectomy is a minimally invasive alternative that allows functional imaging to be easily integrated to the surgical field and may aid in intraoperative identification of lymphovascular bundles.

Methods

Indocyanine green application and near‐infrared fluorescence imaging were used during robot‐assisted laparoscopic gastrectomy as an adjunct for the identification of relevant lymph node basins in real time.

Results

A total of 31 patients were included. Twenty‐nine gastrectomies were performed for adenocarcinoma and two wedge resections for neuroendocrine tumors. The mean lymph node retrieval was twenty‐nine (range 17–61) for adenocarcinoma and five for neuroendocrine tumors. In all cases, at least five lymph nodes were seen along the main nodal basins, which provided real time intraoperative feedback regarding lymph node identification. Average time for indocyanine green application and functional imaging was less than 10 min.

Conclusions

Near‐infrared fluorescent imaging may provide an improved method to help visualize lymph nodes intraoperatively during robot‐assisted laparoscopic gastrectomy, thus adding a potentially valuable adjunct for lymphadenectomy and overall lymph node retrieval. J. Surg. Oncol. 2016;113:768–770. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Cost‐effective imprinting combining macromolecular crowding and a dummy template for the fast purification of punicalagin from pomegranate husk extract
Authors: Sun Guang‐Ying , Wang Chao , Luo Yu‐Qin , Zhao Yong‐Xin , Yang Jian , Liu Zhao‐Sheng , Aisa Haji Akber
Published: March 2016

The combination of molecular crowding and virtual imprinting was employed to develop a cost‐effective method to prepare molecularly imprinted polymers. By using linear polymer polystyrene as a macromolecular crowding agent, an imprinted polymer recognizable to punicalagin had been successfully synthesized with punicalin as the dummy template. The resulting punicalin‐imprinted polymer presented a remarkable selectivity to punicalagin with an imprinting factor of 3.17 even at extremely low consumption of the template (template/monomer ratio of 1:782). In contrast, the imprinted polymer synthesized without crowding agent, did not show any imprinting effect at so low template amount. The imprinted polymers made by combination of molecular crowding and virtual imprinting can be utilized for the fast separation of punicalagin from pomegranate husk extract after optimizing the protocol of solid‐phase extraction with the recovery of 85.3 ± 1.2%.
Seed Removal due to Overland Flow on Abandoned Slopes in the Chinese Hilly Gullied Loess Plateau Region
Authors: Yu Wei‐Jie , Jiao Ju‐Ying , Chen Yu , Wang Dong‐Li , Wang Ning , Zhao Heng‐Kang
Published: March 2016

Theories and empirical evidences suggest that seed removal due to overland flow can result two main spatial outcomes, seed redistribution and seed loss. However, it is not fully understood in some sensitive habitats, such as in abandoned cropland of the Chinese hilly gullied Loess Plateau region. This study evaluates seed redistribution patterns in major micro‐sites including eroded, deposited and trap micro‐sites, characterizes seed loss by using runoff plot, and explores the effect of vegetation coverage and rainfall on seed loss along three abandoned slopes in the Zhifanggou watershed. Soil seed bank densities in eroded, deposited and trap micro‐sites were recorded at 4,482, 7,697 and 5,649 seeds m−2, respectively. Seed density of loss due to overland flow in 2011 and 2012 were recorded at 52 and 27 seeds m−2, respectively. Seed loss rate, which was the ratio of seed loss density to the mean density of soil seed banks in the three micro‐sites due to soil erosion during the study period was 0 · 6%. Seed densities of loss exhibited an exponent relationship with natural erosive rainfalls, and significant correlations were not found between seed loss and vegetation coverage. Therefore, soil erosion resulted in seed redistribution and caused seeds to concentrate in soils or on soil surfaces in trap or deposited micro‐sites. Seed loss was affected by erosive rainfall significantly, but it could not cause the loss of large quantities of seeds. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Carbon and Nitrogen Losses from Soil Depend on Degradation of Tibetan Kobresia Pastures
Authors: Liu Shibin , Schleuss Per‐Marten , Kuzyakov Yakov
Published: March 2016

Degradation of Kobresia pygmaea pastures has strongly increased on the Tibetan Plateau over the last few decades and contributed to a high loss of soil organic carbon and nutrients. The pathways of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) losses from degraded K. pygmaea pastures are still unclear, but this is a prerequisite to assess the recovery of Tibetan grasslands. We investigated the response of day‐ and nighttime CO2 efflux and leaching of dissolved organic C and N, NH4+ and NO3‐ from K. pygmaea root mats in three degradation stages: living root mat, dying root mat and dead root mat. Dying root mat had the highest C loss as CO2 and as leached dissolved organic carbon. This indicates K. pygmaea pastures shift from a C sink to a C source following plant death. In contrast, living root mat had the lowest daytime CO2 efflux (0·38 ± 0·1 µg C g−1 h−1) because CO2 was assimilated via photosynthesis. Nighttime CO2 efflux positively correlated with soil moisture for living and dead root mats. It indicates that increasing precipitation might accelerate C losses due to enhanced soil organic carbon decomposition. Furthermore, dead root mat had the highest average NO3− loss (23 ± 2·6 mg N L−1) from leaching compared with other root mats. Consequently, leaching increases the negative impacts of pasture degradation on N availability in these often N limited ecosystems and thus impedes the recovery of K. pastures following degradation. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Power density dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy and Raman mapping of semi‐polar and polar InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well samples
Authors: Southern‐Holland Rachel , Halsall Matthew , Wang Tao , Gong Yipin
Published: March 2016

We present a study of polar and semi‐polar InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well (MQW) samples. Power density dependent photoluminescence (PL) was conducted on the samples. The polar sample exhibited a large blue shift of 65 nm in the peak PL from low to high power density compared to 10 nm for the semi polar sample. The semi‐polar sample displayed “chevron” shaped surface features. These chevrons were mapped using micro‐PL spectroscopy and showed a red shift of 10 nm at the “join” of the chevron. Raman mapping of the chevron also showed an increase in amplitude of the Raman shift in this area. Angle dependent polarised Raman measurements were conducted on the semi‐polar sample to potentially isolate the scattering from the InGaN layers. However, polarised mapping exhibited similar behaviour to the unpolarised maps at the chevron join, indicating that the GaN bulk layer is responsible for the observed scattering. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Comparative performance assessment of SiC and GaN power rectifier technologies
Authors: Chowdhury Sauvik , Chow T. Paul
Published: March 2016

Silicon carbide and gallium nitride based Schottky and pin junction power rectifiers offer different performance trade‐offs in terms of metrics such as forward voltage drop, switching energy loss and surge current capability. The goal of this paper is to identify the application space for different rectifier technologies. An analytical comparison between the performance of different power rectifier diodes for breakdown voltages ranging from 600V to over 8 kV is presented. It is shown that although GaN SBD offers some advantage over SiC diodes due to lower losses, low surge current capability of GaN may hinder its widespread adoption in applications. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
3.2 mΩcm2 enhancement‐mode GaN MOSFETs with breakdown voltage of 800 V
Authors: Saito Hisashi , Yumoto Miki , Fukatsu Shigeto , Kajiwara Yosuke , Shindome Aya , Oasa Kohei , Takada Yoshiharu , Tsuda Kunio , Kuraguchi Masahiko
Published: March 2016

Enhancement‐mode GaN metal‐oxide‐semiconductor field‐effect transistors (MOSFETs) have been reported. We utilized the atomic layer deposition (ALD) method for the fabrication process of the gate dielectric, in order to suppress plasma damage and obtain high‐quality dielectric film. In the fabricated devices, the specific on‐state resistance of 3.2 mΩcm2 and the breakdown voltage of 800 V were achieved. Moreover, a 10‐year lifetime with a cumulative failure rate of 0.1% was guaranteed at over 20 V. This voltage was twice the operation voltage of 10 V. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
High Performance Flexible Actuator of Urchin‐Like ZnO Nanostructure/Polyvinylenefluoride Hybrid Thin Film with Graphene Electrodes for Acoustic Generator and Analyzer
Authors: Cheong Oug Jae , Lee James S. , Kim Jae Hyun , Jang Jyongsik
Published: March 2016

A bass frequency response enhanced flexible polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) based thin film acoustic actuator is successfully fabricated. High concentrations of various zinc oxide (ZnO) is embedded in PVDF matrix, enhancing the β phase content and the dielectric property of the composite thin film. ZnO acts as a nucleation agent for the crystallization of PVDF. A chemical vapor deposition grown graphene is used as electrodes, enabling high electron mobility for the distortion free acoustic signals. The frequency response of the fabricated acoustic actuator is studied as a function of the film thickness and filler content. The optimized film has a thickness of 80 μm with 30 wt% filler content and shows 72% and 42% frequency response enhancement in bass and midrange compared to the commercial PVDF, respectively. Also, the total harmonic distortion decreases to 82% and 74% in the bass and midrange regions, respectively. Furthermore, the composite film shows a promising potential for microphone applications. Most of all, it is demonstrated that acoustic actuator performance is strongly influenced by degree of PVDF crystalline.
Optimal analysis of adhesive lightweight joints
Authors: Petrova Tatyana , Kirilova Elisaveta , Becker Wilfried , Vaklieva‐Bancheva Natasha , Ivanova Jordanka
Published: March 2016

In the present paper the behavior of the piezoelectric response of smart lightweight structures consisting in a piezoelectric patch over a host layer under static load and affected by electrical load at environment conditions is studied. The shear lag analysis is applied to investigate the possible interface delamination and to calculate analytically the interface debond length. It has been demonstrated that the roots of respective characteristic equation play a leading role for place of the interface delamination in the overlap zone of the structure under consideration. This leads to the conditions for the actual deboning existence and opens the possibility of an optimal analysis. The proposed approach consists in involving the shear lag model in a global optimization framework where simultaneously the investigation of all model parameters can be carried out. The solution of that problem gives the values of the parameters at which a vanishing/minimal debond length is ensured. The efficiency of the proposed method is proved on three different examples as the optimal geometrical characteristics and effects ensuring no delamination in the structures are obtained.
Preserving Parathyroid Gland Vasculature to Reduce Post‐thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia
Authors: Park Inhye , Rhu Jinsoo , Woo Jung‐Woo , Choi Jun‐Ho , Kim Jee Soo , Kim Jung‐Han
Published: March 2016

Background

The failure to preserve parathyroid function in patients who have undergone total thyroidectomy is of major concern, because hypocalcemia is difficult to prevent and remains a common postoperative complication. Here, we describe procedures designed to preserve the vasculature supplying the parathyroid glands and examine both recent outcomes and retrospective reports of results obtained prior to the application of these preservation techniques.

Methods

Our technique for preserving parathyroid function during thyroidectomy was adopted in 2009 and involves separating a relatively long segment of a vessel distally from the thyroid gland. We reviewed the medical records of 1,411 patients who underwent total thyroidectomy, with or without lateral neck dissection, at the Samsung Medical Center from January 2006 through June 2014 to determine outcomes. Patients were divided into three groups according to the time period during which the surgery took place: Group A, 2006–2008 (before the vasculature‐preserving technique was applied); Group B, 2009–2011 (the time when the technique was first adopted); and Group C, 2012–2014 (more recent results of the technique). We analyzed the incidence of hypoparathyroidism in the three groups, as well as risk factors that influenced its development.

Results

The rates of transient and permanent hypoparathyroidism in Group A were 25.4 and 4.3 %, respectively. However, the incidence of hypoparathyroidism decreased significantly over time after the vasculature‐preserving procedure was adopted. Transient hypoparathyroidism developed in 4.8 % of Group C patients, and only four (0.7 %) of the 565 patients in this group required calcium supplementation, despite the fact that a greater number of patients were included who underwent total thyroidectomy combined with lateral neck dissection. Although female sex and lateral neck dissection tended to increase the rate of transient hypoparathyroidism, multivariate analysis showed that the vasculature‐preserving procedure was the only significant risk factor related to postoperative hypoparathyroidism.

Conclusion

The blood flow of the final branch to the parathyroid gland is mostly in the lateral‐to‐medial direction; therefore, mobilization and preservation of the vessels lateral to the gland is essential to prevent devascularization of the parathyroid gland.
Improving Social Responsibility in RMG Industries Through a New Governance Approach in Laws
Authors: Rahim Mia Mahmudur
Published: March 2016

Developing countries need to reform legislation to ensure the global supply firms in ready-made garment (RMG) industry is adequately addressing obligations of social responsibility. Literature typically focuses on strategies for raising responsible standards in global buying firms within the RMG industry, but fails to focus on implementing strategies for suppliers in developing countries. This article addresses this gap by specifically focusing on the RMG industry in Bangladesh, the home of the third largest RMG supplier in the world. It concentrates on analysing how and to what extent the law can assist in developing social responsibility performance of the RMG manufacturing firms in developing countries. It ultimately concludes that a new governance approach in laws can effectively increase the social responsibility practice standards of an industry where global buying firms are profit-driven and governmental agencies are either inadequate or corrupt.
Acupuncture in Premenopausal Women With Hypoactive Sexual Desire Disorder: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study
Authors: Oakley Susan H. , Walther-Liu J. , Crisp C.C. , Pauls R.N.
Published: March 2016

Introduction

Female sexual dysfunction affects up to 43% of women in the United States and hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is the most common type; however, we lack treatment options showing improvement for this condition.

Aims

To investigate whether acupuncture therapy could improve HSDD.

Methods

Premenopausal women with a primary diagnosis of HSDD were included in a single-arm prospective pilot study that was approved by the institutional review board. After providing informed consent, subjects completed validated questionnaires. Participants underwent 25-minute twice-weekly acupuncture sessions for 5 weeks with one certified acupuncturist. Questionnaires were completed again 6 weeks after onset of treatment.

Main Outcome Measures

Based on a statistically significant change in the desire domain of the Female Sexual Function Index from 2.0 (at baseline) to 2.4 (after intervention with a specialist) in our population of patients diagnosed with HSDD, a sample of 13 was determined, with 90% power and α 0.05.

Results

Fifteen women were enrolled and 13 completed the study. Mean age was 36.9 ± 11.4 years. Most were white (n = 9, 60%), heterosexual (n = 15, 100%), and non-smokers (n = 14, 93%). Most were sexually active more than four times per month (n = 8, 53%) and none had a history of sexual abuse (n = 15, 100%). Participants received a mean acupuncture needle application of 17 ± 2 at each session. Sexual function improved after intervention, particularly desire (2.1 ± 0.6 to 3.3 ± 1.2, P < .0001), arousal (P < .0001), lubrication (P = .03), and orgasm (P = .005).

Conclusion

In this cohort of premenopausal women with HSDD, 5 weeks of acupuncture therapy was associated with significant improvements in sexual function, particularly desire. This supports a role for acupuncture as a therapeutic option for women with low desire.
Locke, the Law of Nature, and Polygamy
Authors: SREEDHAR SUSANNE , WALSH JULIE
Published: March 2016

When Locke mentions polygamy in his writings, he does not condemn the practice and even seems to endorse it under certain conditions. This attitude is out of step with that of many of his contemporaries. Identifying the philosophical reasons that lead Locke to have this attitude about polygamy motivates our project. Because Locke never wrote a treatise on ethics, we look to a number of different texts, but focus onAn Essay Concerning Human UnderstandingandEssays on the Law of Naturein order to outline his basic ethical theory. We argue that this theory, the elements of which include moral mixed modes, the law of nature, and the comparison of these modes with this law, is broad enough to accommodate practices such as polygamy. Our interpretation shows that Locke's line of thought on marriage is strikingly flexible for the seventeenth century and even compared to some public debates on marriage in our time.
The degree profile and weight in Apollonian networks and k-trees
Authors: Zhang Panpan , Mahmoud Hosam
Published: March 2016

We investigate the degree profile and total weight in Apollonian networks. We study the distribution of the degrees of vertices as they age in the evolutionary process. Asymptotically, the (suitably-scaled) degree of a node with a fixed label has a Mittag-Leffler-like limit distribution. The degrees of nodes of later ages have different asymptotic distributions, influenced by the time of their appearance. The very late arrivals have a degenerate distribution. The result is obtained via triangular Pólya urns. Also, via the Bagchi–Pal urn, we show that the number of terminal nodes asymptotically follows a Gaussian law. We prove that the total weight of the network asymptotically follows a Gaussian law, obtained via martingale methods. Similar results carry over to the sister structure of the k-trees, with minor modification in the proof methods, done mutatis mutandis.
The speed of a random walk excited by its recent history
Authors: Pinsky Ross G.
Published: March 2016

LetNandMbe positive integers satisfying 1≤M≤N, and let 0<p0<p1< 1. Define a process {Xn}n=0∞on ℤ as follows. At each step, the process jumps either one step to the right or one step to the left, according to the following mechanism. For the firstNsteps, the process behaves like a random walk that jumps to the right with probabilityp0and to the left with probability 1-p0. At subsequent steps the jump mechanism is defined as follows: if at leastMout of theNmost recent jumps were to the right, then the probability of jumping to the right isp1; however, if fewer thanMout of theNmost recent jumps were to the right then the probability of jumping to the right isp0. We calculate the speed of the process. Then we letN→ ∞ andM/N→r∈[0,1], and calculate the limiting speed. More generally, we consider the above questions for a random walk with a finite numberlof threshold levels, (Mi,pi)i=1l, above the pre-threshold levelp0, as well as for one model withl=Nsuch thresholds.
Optimal learning with non-Gaussian rewards
Authors: Ding Zi , Ryzhov Ilya O.
Published: March 2016

We propose a novel theoretical characterization of the optimal 'Gittins index' policy in multi-armed bandit problems with non-Gaussian, infinitely divisible reward distributions. We first construct a continuous-time, conditional Lévy process which probabilistically interpolates the sequence of discrete-time rewards. When the rewards are Gaussian, this approach enables an easy connection to the convenient time-change properties of a Brownian motion. Although no such device is available in general for the non-Gaussian case, we use optimal stopping theory to characterize the value of the optimal policy as the solution to a free-boundary partial integro-differential equation (PIDE). We provide the free-boundary PIDE in explicit form under the specific settings of exponential and Poisson rewards. We also prove continuity and monotonicity properties of the Gittins index in these two problems, and discuss how the PIDE can be solved numerically to find the optimal index value of a given belief state.
A local scattering theory for the effects of isolated roughness on boundary-layer instability and transition: transmission coefficient as an eigenvalue
Authors: Wu Xuesong , Dong Ming
Published: March 2016

This paper is concerned with the rather broad issue of the impact of abrupt changes (such as isolated roughness, gaps and local suctions) on boundary-layer transition. To fix the idea, we consider the influence of a two-dimensional localized hump (or indentation) on an oncoming Tollmien–Schlichting (T–S) wave. We show that when the length scale of the former is comparable with the characteristic wavelength of the latter, the key physical mechanism to affect transition is through scattering of T–S waves by the roughness-induced mean-flow distortion. An appropriate mathematical theory, consisting of the boundary-value problem governing the local scattering, is formulated based on triple deck formalism. The transmission coefficient, defined as the ratio of the amplitude of the T–S wave downstream of the roughness to that upstream, serves to characterize the impact on transition. The transmission coefficient appears as the eigenvalue of the discretized boundary-value problem. The latter is solved numerically, and the dependence of the eigenvalue on the height and width of the roughness and the frequency of the T–S wave is investigated. For a roughness element without causing separation, the transmission coefficient is found to be approximately 1.5 for typical frequencies, indicating a moderate but appreciable destabilizing effect. For a roughness causing incipient separation, the transmission coefficient can be as large as $O(10)$, suggesting that immediate transition may take place at the roughness site. A roughness element with a fixed height produces the strongest impact when its width is comparable with the T–S wavelength, in which case the traditional linear stability theory is invalid. The latter however holds approximately when the roughness width is sufficiently large. By studying the two hump case, a criterion when two roughness elements can be regarded as being isolated is suggested. The transmission coefficient can be converted to an equivalent $N$-factor increment, by making use of which the $\text{e}^{N}$-method can be extended to predict transition in the presence of multiple roughness elements.
The impact of imperfect heat transfer on the convective instability of a thermal boundary layer in a porous media
Authors: Hitchen Joseph , Wells Andrew J.
Published: March 2016

We consider convective instability in a deep porous medium cooled from above with a linearised thermal exchange at the upper surface, thus determining the impact of using a Robin boundary condition, in contrast to previous studies using a Dirichlet boundary condition. With the linearised surface exchange, the thermal flux out of the porous layer depends linearly on the temperature difference between the effective temperature of a heat sink at the upper boundary and the temperature at the surface of the porous layer. The rate of this exchange is characterised by a dimensionless Biot number, $\mathit{Bi}$, determined by the effective thermal conductivity of exchange with the heat sink relative to the physical thermal conductivity of the porous layer. For a given temperature difference between the heat sink at the upper boundary and deep in the porous medium, we find that imperfectly cooled layers with finite Biot numbers are more stable to convective instabilities than perfectly cooled layers which have large, effectively infinite Biot numbers. Two regimes of behaviour were determined with contrasting stability behaviour and characteristic scales. When the Biot number is large the near-perfect heat transfer produces small corrections of order $1/\mathit{Bi}$ to the perfectly conducting behaviour found when the Biot number is infinite. In the insulating limit as the Biot number approaches zero, a different behaviour was found with significantly larger scales for the critical wavelength and depth of convection both scaling proportional to $1/\sqrt{\mathit{Bi}}$.
Identification of liverCYP51as a gene responsive to circulating cholesterol in a hamster model
Authors: Huang Haiqiu , Xie Zhuohong , Yokoyama Wallace , Yu Liangli , Wang Thomas T. Y.
Published: March 2016

Hypercholesterolaemia is a risk factor for CVD, which is a leading cause of death in industrialised societies. The biosynthetic pathways for cholesterol metabolism are well understood; however, the regulation of circulating cholesterol by diet is still not fully elucidated. The present study aimed to gain more comprehensive understanding of the relationship between circulating cholesterol levels and molecular effects in target tissues using the hamster model. Male golden Syrian hamsters were fed with chow or diets containing 36 % energy from fat with or without 1 % cholesteyramine (CA) as a modulator of circulating cholesterol levels for 35 d. It was revealed that the expression of lanosterol 14α-demethylase (CYP51) instead of 3-hydroxy-3-methyl-glutaryl (HMG)-CoA reductase mRNA expression was responsive to circulating cholesterol in hamsters fed hypercholesterolaemic diets. The high-fat diet increased circulating cholesterol and down-regulatedCYP51, but not HMG-CoA reductase. The CA diet decreased cholesterol and increasedCYP51expression, but HMG-CoA reductase expression was not affected. The high-fat diet and CA diet altered the expression level of cholesterol, bile acids and lipid metabolism-associated genes (LDL receptor, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1), liver X receptor (LXR) α, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily G member 5/8 (ABCG5/8)) in the liver, which were significantly correlated with circulating cholesterol levels. Correlation analysis also showed that circulating cholesterol levels were regulated by LXR/retinoid X receptor and PPAR pathways in the liver. Using the hamster model, the present study provided additional molecular insights into the influence of circulating cholesterol on hepatic cholesterol metabolism pathways during hypercholesterolaemia.
Sticky Continuous Processes have Consistent Price Systems
Authors: Bender Christian , Pakkanen Mikko S. , Sayit Hasanjan
Published: March 2016

Under proportional transaction costs, a price process is said to have a consistent price system, if there is a semimartingale with an equivalent martingale measure that evolves within the bid-ask spread. We show that a continuous, multi-asset price process has a consistent price system, under arbitrarily small proportional transaction costs, if it satisfies a natural multi-dimensional generalization of the stickiness condition introduced by Guasoni (2006).
Applied probability before 1964, and after 2014
Authors: Kingman J. F. C.
Published: March 2016

This paper is an edited version of a talk given in Sheffield as part of the celebration of fifty years of the Applied Probability Trust and its journals. I sought to sketch the background to the Trust's formation in the development of different applications of probability during the previous century, and to draw lessons for the future of the discipline and therefore of its journals.
How did we get here?
Authors: Hamza Kais , Klebaner Fima C.
Published: March 2016

Looking at a large branching population we determine along which path the population that started at 1 at time 0 ended up in B at time N. The result describes the density process, that is, population numbers divided by the initial number K (where K is assumed to be large). The model considered is that of a Galton-Watson process. It is found that in some cases population paths exhibit the strange feature that population numbers go down and then increase. This phenomenon requires further investigation. The technique uses large deviations, and the rate function based on Cramer's theorem is given. It also involves analysis of existence of solutions of a certain algebraic equation.
Total internal and external lengths of the Bolthausen-Sznitman coalescent
Authors: Kersting Götz , Pardo Juan Carlos , Siri-Jégousse Arno
Published: March 2016

In this paper we study a weak law of large numbers for the total internal length of the Bolthausen-Sznitman coalescent, thereby obtaining the weak limit law of the centered and rescaled total external length; this extends results obtained in Dhersin and Möhle (2013). An application to population genetics dealing with the total number of mutations in the genealogical tree is also given.
Exact estimation for Markov chain equilibrium expectations
Authors: Glynn Peter W. , Rhee Chang-Han
Published: March 2016

We introduce a new class of Monte Carlo methods, which we call exact estimation algorithms. Such algorithms provide unbiased estimators for equilibrium expectations associated with real-valued functionals defined on a Markov chain. We provide easily implemented algorithms for the class of positive Harris recurrent Markov chains, and for chains that are contracting on average. We further argue that exact estimation in the Markov chain setting provides a significant theoretical relaxation relative to exact simulation methods.
On the optimal stopping problems with monotone thresholds
Authors: Tamaki Mitsushi
Published: March 2016

As a class of optimal stopping problems with monotone thresholds, we define the candidate-choice problem (CCP) and derive two formulae for calculating its expected payoff. We apply the first formula to a particular CCP, i.e. the best-choice duration problem treated by Ferguson et al. (1992). The recall case is also examined as a comparison. We also derive the distribution of the stopping time of the CCP and find, as a by-product, that the best-choice problem has a remarkable feature in that the optimal probability of choosing the best is just the expected value of the (proportional) stopping time. The similarity between the best-choice duration problem and the best-choice problem with uniform freeze studied by Samuel-Cahn (1996) is recognized.
Tollbooth tandem queues with infinite homogeneous servers
Authors: Chao Xiuli , He Qi-Ming , Ross Sheldon
Published: March 2016

In this paper we analyze a tollbooth tandem queueing problem with an infinite number of servers. A customer starts service immediately upon arrival but cannot leave the system before all customers who arrived before him/her have left, i.e. customers depart the system in the same order as they arrive. Distributions of the total number of customers in the system, the number of departure-delayed customers in the system, and the number of customers in service at time t are obtained in closed form. Distributions of the sojourn times and departure delays of customers are also obtained explicitly. Both transient and steady state solutions are derived first for Poisson arrivals, and then extended to cases with batch Poisson and nonstationary Poisson arrival processes. Finally, we report several stochastic ordering results on how system performance measures are affected by arrival and service processes.