bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Limited interlaboratory comparison of Schmallenberg virus antibody detection in serum samples
Authors: van der Poel W. H. M. , Cay B. , Zientara S. , Steinbach F. , Valarcher J. F. , Bøtner A. , Mars M. H. , Hakze‐van der Honing R. , Schirrmeier H. , Beer M.
Published: March 2014

Eight veterinary institutes in seven different countries in Europe participated in a limited interlaboratory comparison trial to evaluate laboratory performances of Schmallenberg virus (SBV) antibody detection in serum. Seven different sheep sera and three different cattle sera were circulated, and all participating institutes were asked to test these sera using SBV antibody detection assay(s) in place in their laboratories. All laboratories within the trial performed a virus neutralisation test (VNT) as well as one or two ELISAs on all samples, and swiftly detected SBV antibodies using these assays. VNT was more sensitive in detecting SBV antibodies than several of the used ELISA assays. Based on the test results, one cattle and one sheep SBV antibody‐positive serum were selected to serve as reference sera, which now can be supplied to other laboratories on request.
The cation−anion interaction in ionic liquids studied by extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry
Authors: Zhou Yafei , Zhan Junfeng , Gao Xiang , Li Cao , Chingin Konstantin , Le Zhanggao
Published: March 2014

Ionic liquids, known as green solvents, are of sustainable interest in modern chemistry, industry, and many other fields. Here, extractive electrospray ionization has been applied to transfer various room temperature ionic liquids into the gas phase for mass spectrometry analysis. Generated mass spectra display free cations (C+), anions (A–), and small salt clusters, such as C2A+ and CA2–, from strongly diluted ionic liquid samples (<10−8 mol/L) with high sensitivity and tolerance to chemical contamination. The eight ionic liquids based on the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation with different anions (OH–, HSO4–, Cl–, BF4–, AlCl4–, NO3–, Ac–, and PF6–) are investigated in the present work. Interestingly, the 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium cation signal intensity is inversely correlated with the hydrogen bonding strength between the anion and cation. Our study indicates that the direct extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis is a convenient method to screen ionic liquid libraries with regard to chemical composition, physicochemical properties, and supramolecular organization of ionic liquids.
INCOME INEQUALITY, POVERTY AND LABOR MIGRATION IN THAILAND
Authors: JITSUCHON SOMCHAI
Published: March 2014

This paper explores the dynamics of economic growth, poverty, inequality and migration in Thailand, and evaluates the relevance of Lewis model to Thailand's long-term development. Thai economy seems to follow the latter part of the Kuznets curve since mid-1990s, amidst the global trend of rising internal inequality. Also, Lewis model's predictions were not present, both in the overall pattern of internal migration and the labor market conditions in either urban or rural areas. Dualism in Thailand is better characterized by formal/informal dichotomy. However, the Lewis model can be relevant if modified by including the role of foreign workers.
Optical band gap of SrTcO3 from first-principles calculations
Authors: Dai Cheng-Min , Ma Chun-Lan
Published: March 2014

Although there are intensive studies on technetium oxide SrTcO 3 recently, its ground-state band structure has never been given and no consensus on its band gap is obtained. We use the generalized gradient approximation (GGA) with on-site Coulomb corrections (GGA + U) method to study its band structure and the optical band gap. A series of on-site interaction U and J values are employed in the calculations and the concomitant evolutions of the electronic structure, local magnetic moment of technetium ( Tc ), the exchange constant and the Néel temperature are investigated. The inter-site exchange constant between antiferromagnetic Tc atoms through medium oxygen is found to increase firstly and then decrease with an increasing U, in agreement with the trend obtained by tight-binding method. The appropriate on-site U and J values are calibrated by comparing the calculated local magnetic moment of Tc with the experimental value. It is found that when U = 2.3 eV, J = 0.3 eV are included for Tc 4d in GGA + U calculations, the local magnetic moment of Tc in orthorhombic SrTcO 3 is 2.01 μB, the same as the experimental value obtained at 4 K. The calculated band structure shows that the band gap is a direct band gap with a magnitude of 1.61 eV.
DOUBLE GLOW PLASMA SURFACE ALLOYING ANTIBACTERIAL SILVER COATING ON PURE TITANIUM
Authors: LIN NAIMING , GUO JUNWEN , HANG RUIQIANG , ZOU JIAOJUAN , TANG BIN
Published: March 2014

In order to endow the commercial pure titanium dental implant material with antibacterial property and aimed at avoiding the invalidation that is caused by bacterial adhesion on the surface, a silver coating was fabricated via double glow plasma surface alloying. The antibacterial property of the silver coating was assessed via in vitro estimation. The results showed that a continuous and compact coating was formed. The silver coating had absolute superiority in antibacterial property to raw commercial pure titanium. Double glow plasma surface alloying with silver on commercial pure titanium dental implant material could be considered as a potentially effective method for preventing bacterial adhesion.
Atomistic Studies on Tensile Mechanics of BN Nanotubes in the Presence of Defects
Authors: Sarma J. V. N. , Chowdhury Rajib , Jayaganthan R. , Scarpa F.
Published: March 2014

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) are of immense importance due to their many interesting functional features, notably biocompatibility and piezoelectricity and dominant mechanical strength as compared to carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The reliable implementation of these structures in an application is inherently related to its mechanical characteristics under external loads. The presence of defects in these structures severely affects the tensile properties. The effect of presence of point, line and Stone–Wales (SW) defects on the tensile behavior of BNNTs is systematically investigated by applying reactive force fields in molecular dynamics (MD) framework. Reactive force fields effectively describe the bond breaking and bond forming mechanism for BNNTs that are important for a practical situation. The Young's modulus of single-walled (10,0) BNNTs of length 100 nm has been found to be nearly 1.098 TPa, in good agreement with the available reports. The presence of defects has been shown to significantly reduce the tensile strength of the tube, while the number and separation of the defects effectively contribute to the percentage reduction. In addition, the effect of tube diameter and also the initial temperature are observed to strongly influence the tensile characteristics of BNNTs, indicating increased auxetic behavior than CNTs.
On the Erdős–Ginzburg–Ziv invariant and zero-sum Ramsey number for intersecting families
Authors: Zhang Haiyan , Wang Guoqing
Published: March 2014

Let G be a finite abelian group, and let m > 0 with exp (G) | m. Let sm(G) be the generalized Erdős–Ginzburg–Ziv invariant which denotes the smallest positive integer d such that any sequence of elements in G of length d contains a subsequence of length m with sum zero in G. For any integer r > 0, let [Formula: see text] be the collection of all r-uniform intersecting families of size m. Let [Formula: see text] be the smallest positive integer d such that any G-coloring of the edges of the complete r-uniform hypergraph [Formula: see text] yields a zero-sum copy of some intersecting family in [Formula: see text]. Among other results, we mainly prove that [Formula: see text], where Ω(sm(G)) denotes the least positive integer n such that [Formula: see text], and we show that if r | Ω(sm(G)) – 1 then [Formula: see text].
Constructions of diagonal quartic and sextic surfaces with infinitely many rational points
Authors: Bremner Andrew , Choudhry Ajai , Ulas Maciej
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we construct several infinite families of diagonal quartic surfaces ax4 + by4 + cz4 + dw4 = 0 (where a, b, c, d are non-zero integers) with infinitely many rational points and satisfying the condition abcd is not a square. In particular, we present an infinite family of diagonal quartic surfaces defined over ℚ with Picard number equal to one and possessing infinitely many rational points. Further, we present some sextic surfaces of type ax6 + by6 + cz6 + dwi = 0, i = 2, 3, or 6, with infinitely many rational points.
ELECTROCHEMILUMINESCENCE AND ELECTROCHEMISTRY FROM ZnO NANOPARTICLES IN ALKALINE AQUEOUS SOLUTION WITH PEROXYDISULFATE
Authors: SHEN LIHUA , YAN BEI , LI XIAOXIA , ZHANG CHENGXIAO
Published: March 2014

A strong electrochemiluminescence (ECL) emission from ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) suspended in aqueous solution at a Pt electrode or in NPs layers modified on a Pt or graphite electrode, which occurred between -1.0 V(versus Ag / AgCl , Sat. KCl ) and -2.0 V, was observed in 0.25 M NaOH in the presence of peroxydisulfate. The ECL intensity was linear to the concentration of suspended ZnO NPs in the range from 1.0 × 10-5 to 1.0 × 10-3 g/mL. The ECL spectrum of ZnO NPs revealed that both ZnO and peroxydisulfate-dissolved oxygen have been involved in the ECL process, and ECL spectrum has a red shift compared with photoluminescence (PL). The electrochemical redox behavior of ZnO NPs was also studied at a ZnO NPs modified carbon paste electrode by entrapping ZnO NPs in carbon paste, which reveals that the alkaline medium changed the surface state of ZnO NPs. The surface passivation has a significant effect on the ZnO NPs'electrochemical behaviors.
A nondestructive method for estimating the total green leaf area of individual rice plants using multi-angle color images
Authors: Jiang Ni , Yang Wanneng , Duan Lingfeng , Chen Guoxing , Fang Wei , Xiong Lizhong , Liu Qian
Published: March 2014

Total green leaf area (GLA) is an important trait for agronomic studies. However, existing methods for estimating the GLA of individual rice plants are destructive and labor-intensive. A nondestructive method for estimating the total GLA of individual rice plants based on multi-angle color images is presented. Using projected areas of the plant in images, linear, quadratic, exponential and power regression models for estimating total GLA were evaluated. Tests demonstrated that the side-view projected area had a stronger relationship with the actual total leaf area than the top-projected area. And power models fit better than other models. In addition, the use of multiple side-view images was an efficient method for reducing the estimation error. The inclusion of the top-view projected area as a second predictor provided only a slight improvement of the total leaf area estimation. When the projected areas from multi-angle images were used, the estimated leaf area (ELA) using the power model and the actual leaf area had a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.98), and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) was about 6%. The method was capable of estimating the total leaf area in a nondestructive, accurate and efficient manner, and it may be used for monitoring rice plant growth.
New dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells and photocatalysis: Verifying thermodynamic requirements for electron transfer
Authors: Gusiak N. B. , Kobasa I. M. , Kurek S. S.
Published: March 2014

Three polymethine dyes of various structures were checked for their potential to be used as sensitising dyes for TiO 2. Based on the absorption spectral data and cyclic voltammetric redox potential, the lower unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy was calculated. It was higher than the conductance band edge energy of anatase TiO 2 for all the studied dyes, meaning that they all may act as efficient sensitizers for various functional materials to be used in the broad spectrum visible-light solar cells, energy conversion systems and other similar applications.
Faraday instability-based micro droplet ejection for inhalation drug delivery
Authors: Tsai C.S. , Mao R.W. , Lin S.K. , Zhu Y. , Tsai S.C.
Published: March 2014

We report here the technology and the underlying science of a new device for inhalation (pulmonary) drug delivery which is capable of fulfilling needs unmet by current commercial devices. The core of the new device is a centimeter-size clog-free silicon-based ultrasonic nozzle with multiple Fourier horns in resonance at megahertz (MHz) frequency. The dramatic resonance effect among the multiple horns and high growth rate of the MHz Faraday waves excited on a medicinal liquid layer together facilitate ejection of monodisperse droplets of desirable size range (2–5 μm) at low electrical drive power (<1.0 W). The small nozzle requiring low drive power has enabled realization of a pocket-size (8.6 × 5.6 × 1.5 cm3) ultrasonic nebulizer. A variety of common pulmonary drugs have been nebulized using the pocket-size unit with desirable aerosol sizes and output rate. These results clearly provide proof-of-principle for the new device and confirm its potential for commercialization.
Setting the stage for the genesis of the giant Bendigo ore system
Authors: Bull Stuart W. , Large Ross R.
Published: March 2014

The Ordovician sediments that host the giant Bendigo saddle reef gold deposits consist of a 3 km-thick sequence of turbiditic sandstones and interbedded siltstones and mudstones. Sedimentological studies suggest the succession formed within a major deep marine channel–levee complex similar to those described from contemporary continental margin to basin plain settings outboard of major river systems (e.g. the Amazon, Mississippi and Congo). Black shales, which are commonly the immediate host rocks to the epigenetic gold reefs, are interpreted to be over-bank deposits or abandoned channel fills, developed adjacent to active channels which were sandstone-dominated and had an incised axial thalweg marked by the coarsest-grained sediments present.

Organic carbon content of the black shales at Bendigo varies from 0.2 to 2 wt%, compared with the grey shales, siltstones and sandstones, which vary from 0.05 to 0.2 wt%. Trace elements fall into two main groups: (a) elements that have a linear relationship with aluminium, and are controlled by the detrital clay content (Sn, Ba, Rb, Li, Cs, Mn, Cr and Tl); and (b) elements that show relationships with both aluminium and organic carbon (V, U, Ni, Zn, Cu, Bi, Pb, Se, Ag and Au) and are controlled by both the clay and organic matter content in the carbonaceous shales. The elements in the second group are enriched in the black shale facies.

The background gold content of the black shales in the drill holes distal from mineralization averages 8.9 ppb, compared with the sandstones with 1.5 ppb. Most of the gold in the shales is present in diagenetic pyrite and marcasite, which laser ablation inductively coupled mass spectrometer (LA-ICPMS) analyses indicate varies from 5 to 3850 ppb and averages 370 ppb Au. The geochemical data suggest that this syngenetic gold was most likely sourced by erosion of the hinterland, and transported attached to detrital clay particles or as colloidal gold, by a high-volume feeder river system. High Rb/K ratios in the shales support a highly weathered source typical of a giant river system. By analogy with modern systems, following transport into deep marine channel–levee complexes via continental margin canyons, gold and other redox sensitive trace elements were ultimately trapped by reduction, adsorption and complexation with organic matter in the sub-oxic to anoxic over-bank deposits. Oxidation of much of the organic matter during diagenesis released the gold and certain trace elements (Ni, Co, Se, Ag, Cu, Bi, Pb), which became incorporated into diagenetic pyrite. Enrichment of gold in diagenetic pyrite of the black shale facies of the Ordovician turbidites at Bendigo was the first stage in a two-stage process that produced the world-class quartz–gold saddle reef deposits.

Supplementary material:

Whole rock analyses for sedimentary rocks in drill holes NBD005 and NBD186, Kangaroo Flat Mine, Bendigo, are available at
http://www.geolsoc.org.uk/SUP18732
Non-finite axiomatizability of dynamic topological logic
Authors: Fernández-Duque David
Published: March 2014

Dynamic topological logic
(DTL) is a polymodal logic designed for reasoning about
dynamic topological systems
. These are pairs 〈
X
,
f
〉, where
X
is a topological space and
f
:
X
→
X
is continuous. DTL uses a language L which combines the topological S4 modality □ with temporal operators from linear temporal logic.

Recently, we gave a sound and complete axiomatization DTL
*
for an extension of the logic to the language L
*
, where ◊ is allowed to act on finite sets of formulas and is interpreted as a tangled closure operator. No complete axiomatization is known in the language L, although one proof system, which we shall call KM, was conjectured to be complete by Kremer and Mints.

In this article, we show that given any language L' such that L ⊆ L' ⊆ L
*
, the set of valid formulas of L' is not finitely axiomatizable. It follows, in particular, that KM is incomplete.
Software testing with an operational profile
Authors: Smidts Carol , Mutha Chetan , Rodríguez Manuel , Gerber Matthew J.
Published: March 2014

This article is devoted to the survey, analysis, and classification of operational profiles (OP) that characterize the type and frequency of software inputs and are used in software testing techniques. The survey follows a mixed method based on systematic maps and qualitative analysis. This article is articulated around a main dimension, that is, OP classes, which are a characterization of the OP model and the basis for generating test cases. The classes are organized as a taxonomy composed of common OP features (e.g., profiles, structure, and scenarios), software boundaries (which define the scope of the OP), OP dependencies (such as those of the code or in the field of interest), and OP development (which specifies when and how an OP is developed). To facilitate understanding of the relationships between OP classes and their elements, a meta-model was developed that can be used to support OP standardization. Many open research questions related to OP definition and development are identified based on the survey and classification.
Designing interfaces for multiple-goal environments
Authors: Truschin Sergej , Schermann Michael , Goswami Suparna , Krcmar Helmut
Published: March 2014

Designing computer-human interfaces for multiple-goal environments is challenging because people pursue multiple goals with conflicting priorities. Safety-critical environments, such as driving, aggravate the need for a more nuanced understanding of interfaces that may reconcile conflicting tasks. Speech interfaces are prime examples of such interfaces. In this article, we investigate how design variations of an in-vehicle speech interface influence performance of a primary task (driving safely) and a secondary task (e-mailing). In a controlled experiment, we test the performance implications of using single computer-generated Text-To-Speech (TTS) voice and multiple matching TTS voices while users respond to e-mails with varying levels of complexity during driving. Our results indicate that the number of voices used has a significant effect on both driving performance and handling e-mail--related activities. We discuss potentially unintended consequences of making the interface too naturalistic and too engaging for the driver and conclude with theoretical and practical implications.
Improved witnessing and local improvement principles for second-order bounded arithmetic
Authors: Beckmann Arnold , Buss Samuel R.
Published: March 2014

This article concerns the second-order systems U
1
2
and V
1
2
of bounded arithmetic, which have proof-theoretic strengths corresponding to polynomial-space and exponential-time computation. We formulate improved witnessing theorems for these two theories by using S
1
2
as a base theory for proving the correctness of the polynomial-space or exponential-time witnessing functions. We develop the theory of nondeterministic polynomial-space computation, including Savitch's theorem, in U
1
2
. Kołodziejczyk et al. [2011] have introduced local improvement properties to characterize the provably total NP functions of these second-order theories. We show that the strengths of their local improvement principles over U
1
2
and V
1
2
depend primarily on the topology of the underlying graph, not the number of rounds in the local improvement games. The theory U
1
2
proves the local improvement principle for linear graphs even without restricting to logarithmically many rounds. The local improvement principle for grid graphs with only logarithmically-many rounds is complete for the provably total NP search problems of V
1
2
. Related results are obtained for local improvement principles with one improvement round and for local improvement over rectangular grids.
Questioning assumptions
Authors: Dray Susan M.
Published: March 2014

This forum addresses conceptual, methodological, and professional issues that arise in the UX field's continuing effort to contribute robust information about users to product planning and design. ---
David Siegel and Susan Dray, Editors
Ubiquity symposium: The science in computer science: natural computation
Authors: Gelenbe Erol
Published: March 2014

In this twelfth piece of the Ubiquity symposium discussing science in computer science, Erol Gelenbe reviews computation in natural systems, focusing mainly on biology and citing examples of the computation that is inherent in chemistry, natural selection, gene regulatory networks, and neuronal systems. This article originally appeared as part of the "What is Computation" symposium.
Report from the second workshop on scalable workflow enactment engines and technology (SWEET'13)
Authors: Sroka Jacek , Hidders Jan , Missier Paolo
Published: March 2014

This report summarizes the Second International Workshop on ScalableWorkflow Enactment Engines and Technologies (SWEET'13). This workshop was held in conjunction with the 2013 SIGMOD conference in New York, NY, USA on June 23th, 2013. The goal of the workshop was to bring together researchers and practitioners to explore the state of the art in workflow-based programming for data-intensive applications, and the potential of cloud-based computing in this area. The program featured 4 paper presentations and two very well attended invited talks by Prof. Paul Watson, Newcastle University, UK and Dr Jelena Pjesivac-Grbovic from Google, Inc.
Don't mind the gap
Authors: Chin Wynne W. , Junglas Iris A. , Schwarz Andrew , Sundie Jill M.
Published: March 2014

When researchers are interested in capturing perceived discrepancies--for example, the perceived alignment between organizational and business-unit strategies, or the perceived gap between expected and received service delivery--many different measurement approaches are available. This paper presents a psychometric analysis of the various measures available to capture perceived discrepancies or gaps. More specifically, a set of comparative survey-based measures, drawn from published research across various disciplines, including marketing, information systems, and organizational behavior, are examined for their applicability.
Evaluation of security solutions in the SCADA environment
Authors: Larkin Robert D. , Lopez Juan , Butts Jonathan W. , Grimaila Michael R.
Published: March 2014

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems control and monitor the electric power grid, water treatment facilities, oil and gas pipelines, railways, and other critical infrastructure assets. With the advent of greater connectivity via the Internet, organizations that own and operate these systems have increasingly interconnected them with their enterprise network to take advantage of cost savings and operational benefits. Now, these once isolated systems are susceptible to a wider range of threats resulting from new pathways into the network that previously did not exist. Recommendations for safeguarding SCADA systems include employment of traditional information technology (IT) security solutions; however, mitigation strategies designed for IT systems must first be evaluated prior to deployment on a SCADA system to quantify and to minimize the risk of adverse operational impacts. This article examines the employment of traditional IT security mechanisms in the SCADA environment. We provide considerations that should be evaluated prior to deploying security controls to mitigate negative impacts on operations. A case study is provided that evaluates a host-based intrusion detection system and a petrochemical fuels management SCADA system.
An Unusual Case of Adult-Onset Still’s Disease with Hemophagocytic Syndrome, Necrotic Leukoencephalopathy and Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Namas Rajaie , Nannapaneni Naveen , Venkatram Malini , Altinok Gulcin , Levine Miriam , Dhar J. Patricia
Published: March 2014

Case. A 34-year-old African-American female with a history of adult-onset Still’s disease presented to an outside hospital with oligoarthritis. She experienced a generalized tonic-clonic seizureen routevia ambulance, was intubated upon arrival, and transferred to the intensive care unit for treatment of suspected pneumonia and sepsis. She subsequently developed generalized cutaneous desquamation that progressed despite the cessation of antibiotics and other potential offending drugs which required transfer to our hospital’s burn unit. She was suspected to have reactive hemophagocytic syndrome based on her clinical presentation of fever, rash, polyarthritis, elevated liver enzymes, coagulopathy, splenomegaly, normocytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, hyperferritinemia, and hemophagocytosis visualized in bone marrow biopsy specimen. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated necrotic demyelination of the deep white matter and corona radiata. The patient developed multiorgan dysfunction and DIC without any other attributable etiology. Despite aggressive broad spectrum therapy and high dose of steroids she progressively deteriorated and eventually expired.Conclusion. Previous publications have highlighted the prevalence of necrotic leukoencephalopathy in children with familial hemophagocytic syndrome. Our patient demonstrated some uncommon features complicating her HLH including DIC and necrotic leukoencephalopathy, which are very rare entities in AOSD.
Contextual Awareness in a WSN/RFID Fusion Navigation System
Authors: Enriquez Guillermo , Park Sunhong , Hashimoto Shuji
Published: March 2014

We present insight into how contextual awareness can be derived from, and improve, a fusion algorithm combing a WSN and a passive RFID for autonomous mobile robot navigation. Contextual awareness of not where the robot is, but rather the context in which it exists in relation to the environment and human user serves to improve accuracy in navigation, alters the speed of the robot, and modifies its behavior. The WSN system, using a virtual potential field, provides fast general navigation in open areas and the RFID provides precision navigation near static obstacles and in narrow areas. We verified the effectiveness of our approaches through navigational and guidance experiments.
Fibrin Sealant: The Only Approved Hemostat, Sealant, and Adhesive—a Laboratory and Clinical Perspective
Authors: Spotnitz William D.
Published: March 2014

Background.Fibrin sealant became the first modern era material approved as a hemostat in the United States in 1998. It is the only agent presently approved as a hemostat, sealant, and adhesive by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product is now supplied as patches in addition to the original liquid formulations. Both laboratory and clinical uses of fibrin sealant continue to grow. The new literature on this material also continues to proliferate rapidly (approximately 200 papers/year).Methods.An overview of current fibrin sealant products and their approved uses and a comprehensive PubMed based review of the recent literature (February 2012, through March 2013) on the laboratory and clinical use of fibrin sealant are provided. Product information is organized into sections based on a classification system for commercially available materials. Publications are presented in sections based on both laboratory research and clinical topics are listed in order of decreasing frequency.Results.Fibrin sealant remains useful hemostat, sealant, and adhesive. New formulations and applications continue to be developed.Conclusions.This agent remains clinically important with the recent introduction of new commercially available products. Fibrin sealant has multiple new uses that should result in further improvements in patient care.
Compound Tension Control of an Optical-Fiber Coil System: A Cyber-Physical System View
Authors: Peng Zhang , Rui-Feng Yang , Xue-Liang Zhang
Published: March 2014

The full-automatic optical-fiber coil winding equipment is a complex electromechanical system which contains signal acquisition, data processing, communications, and motor control. In the complex electromechanical system, the subsystems rely on wired or wireless network technology to complete the real-time perception, coordinate, accurate, and dynamitic control, and information exchange services. The paper points to the full-automatic optical-fiber coil winding equipment with the characteristics of cyber-physical system to research its numerical design. We present a novel compound tension control system based on the experimental platform dSPACE to achieve semiphysical simulation of compound tension control system and examine the functions of control system.
Prevalence and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Pattern of Bacteria Isolated from Mobile Phones of Health Care Professionals Working in Gondar Town Health Centers
Authors: Gashaw Muktar , Abtew Daniel , Addis Zelalem
Published: March 2014

Background. Mobile phones of health professionals can harbor various potential pathogens and become exogenous sources of infection for the patients, self, and family members. This study assessed the frequency and antimicrobial susceptibility pattern of bacteria from mobile phones of health care workers. Methods. In this crosssectional study a total of 58 health care professionals mobile phones were swabbed before and after decontamination with 70% alcohol and assessed for contamination with bacteria. Bacterial isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility test was done as per the standard procedures. Results. About 98% of the mobile phones assessed in this study were contaminated with bacteria. Coagulase negative Staphylococci, S. aureus, and E. coli were the most frequently isolated bacteria. Decontamination with 70% alcohol significantly decreased the rate of contamination from 98.3% to 55.2% (χ2=30.17;P-value<0.0001). About 17% of the isolates were resistant to two drugs. Conclusion. Appropriate infection prevention measures should be taken to minimize the risk that could be associated with mobile phones since the rate of contamination was high. Decontamination with 70% alcohol was effective in minimizing bacterial contamination of mobile phones so it should be used as a decontaminant agent for these apparatuses.
Development and Implementation of Wireless Multigas Concentration Cloud System
Authors: Tien Sheng-Chung , Lin Robert , Lee Tsung-Yu , Lee Ren-Guey , Huang Shu-Ying
Published: March 2014

According to the report “Global Health Risks of 2004” issued by WHO (World Health Organization) in Geneva 2009 (WHO, 2012), the mortality rate of the diseases and cause of death which results from the smoke produced by burning solid fuel is ranked tenth, occupying 3.3% of the global amounts, and the DALYs (Disability Adjusted Life Years) is ranked the ninth, occupying 2.7% of the world. Once the pollution occurred in an insufficient ventilation location, the womankind and children will be the most directly affected; therefore, we hoped to focus the measurement environment on indoor surroundings in this paper. This paper proposes a pointing at several kinds of indoor pollutants and integrating multigas sensors, which includes carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide total volatile organic compounds, and so forth. Our paper combines gas sensors with WSN (Wireless Sensor Networks) nodes; we provide users with optional monitoring subjects for constructing and also adapt ZigBee and Wi-Fi modules to get united with uploading real-time sensor messages. Moreover, for the reason of decreasing installation cost of sensors and setting up easily, this paper builds a cloud data-viewing platform additionally, enabling users to observe air quality through the cloud server everywhere.
Relapse of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma Involving the Trachea: Acute Subglottic Obstruction
Authors: Wang Allen Y. , Wang Jeffrey T. , Shen Yi , Levin Brett
Published: March 2014

Relapsing lymphoma involving the trachea causing tracheal obstruction is exceedingly uncommon. Despite its rarity, it should be considered in the differential diagnosis when a patient with known lymphoma presents with signs of airway obstruction such as stridor. We report an unusual case of relapsing non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma with tracheal involvement in a 57-year-old female and review the relevant literature. It is highly unusual for relapsing lymphoma to involve the trachea causing tracheal obstruction. Despite its rarity, it can present with life-threatening airway obstruction which may be rapidly progressive requiring immediate surgical intervention such as tracheostomy.
Simultaneous Estimation of Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Hydrochloride in Pharmaceutical Tablet Dosage Form by Simultaneous Equation Spectrophotometric Method: A Quality Control Tool for Dissolution Studies
Authors: Sharma Deepak , Singh Mankaran , Kumar Dinesh , Singh Gurmeet
Published: March 2014

Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Hydrochloride are used for the treatment of bronchitis, cough, and allergy. A simple, economical, accurate, and precise method for simultaneous estimation of Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Hydrochloride in tablet dosage form has been developed. Simultaneous equation method based on measurement of absorbance at two wavelengths, that is, 244 nm and 230 nm, λmax of Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Hydrochloride in pH 6.8 phosphate buffer. Both of these drugs obeyed Beer-Lambert’s law in the concentration range of 2–18 µg/mL for Ambroxol Hydrochloride and 2–20 µg/mL for Cetirizine Hydrochloride. The high values of correlation coefficient (R) indicated good linearity of calibration curve for both the drugs. The accuracy and precision of method were determined and the method was validated statistically. Result of percentage recovery study confirms the accuracy of proposed method. As per the ICH guidelines, the method validation parameters checked were linearity, accuracy, precision, and assay of drug formulation. Based on the results obtained, it can be concluded that the proposed simultaneous equation spectrophotometric method for simultaneous estimation of Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Hydrochloride is rapid, economical, accurate, precise, and reproducible. Hence, the proposed method can be employed for quantitative estimation of Ambroxol Hydrochloride and Cetirizine Hydrochloride from their tablet dosage form.
Development of Polyps and Cancer in Patients with a Negative Colonoscopy: A Follow-Up Study of More Than 20 Years
Authors: Loffeld R. J. L. F.
Published: March 2014

Background. Adenomas are missed during colonoscopy. Aim. Assess the occurrence of colorectal cancer (CRC) and polyps in patients with a negative index colonoscopy (IC). Patients and Methods. All patients with a IC in 1992–1994, aged 40 and 60 years, were included. Exclusion criterion was presence of abnormalities, a family history, or surveillance. At the end of 2013 all records were studied in order to gather follow-up information. Results. 394 patients were included in four groups: group 1 patients who died, group 2 patients who were not in the hospital systems anymore, group 3 patients still visiting the hospital but not the department of gastroenterology, and group 4 patients undergoing new colonoscopies. In group 1, 2 patients died of CRC and 4 developed a polyp. No data were available from the patients in group 2. Patients in group 3 visited the outpatient clinics but did not undergo new colonoscopy. Patients in group 4 underwent additional colonoscopies. The yield was 35 patients polyps and three CRCs. Five patients (1.3%) developed CRC, and 39 (9%) developed a polyp. Conclusion. Given these results the number of potentially missed adenomas in IC is very low and the consequences of missed adenomas are highly exaggerated.
Homoclinic Orbits for a Class of Subquadratic Second Order Hamiltonian Systems
Authors: Wan Li-Li
Published: March 2014

The existence and multiplicity of homoclinic orbits are considered for a class of subquadratic second order Hamiltonian systems q¨t-Ltqt+∇Wt,qt=0. Recent results from the literature are generalized and significantly improved. Examples are also given in this paper to illustrate our main results.
On Nonsmooth Semi-Infinite Minimax Programming Problem with(Φ,ρ)-Invexity
Authors: Liu X. L. , Lai G. M. , Xu C. Q. , Yuan D. H.
Published: March 2014

We are interested in a nonsmooth minimax programming Problem (SIP). Firstly, we establish the necessary optimality conditions theorems for Problem (SIP) when using the well-known Caratheodory's theorem. Under the Lipschitz(Φ,ρ)-invexity assumptions, we derive the sufficiency of the necessary optimality conditions for the same problem. We also formulate dual and establish weak, strong, and strict converse duality theorems for Problem (SIP) and its dual. These results extend several known results to a wider class of problems.
Antibodies to Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria in Young Children with Different Propensity to Develop Islet Autoimmunity
Authors: Talja Ija , Kubo Anna-Liisa , Veijola Riitta , Knip Mikael , Simell Olli , Ilonen Jorma , Vähä-Mäkilä Mari , Sepp Epp , Mikelsaar Marika , Utt Meeme , Uibo Raivo
Published: March 2014

The intestinal microbiota is essential to the maturation and homeostasis of the immune system. Immunoblot assays were used to establish the prevalence of serum IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies specific forBifidobacterium adolescentis,Bifidobacterium longum, andLactobacillus rhamnosusGG proteins in young children presenting with or without type 1 diabetes (T1D). We demonstrated that children between the ages of 6 and 12 months had a substantial increase in the frequency of IgG antibodies specific forL. rhamnosusGG proteins. We measured IgG, IgM, and IgA class antibody reactivity againstB. adolescentisDSM 20083,B. adolescentisDSM 20086, andB. longumDSM 20088 proteins demonstrating significantly higher IgA responses againstB. adolescentisDSM 20083 strain proteins in children who developed islet autoimmunity and T1D later in life.B. adolescentisstrains showed more IgM type antibodies in children who developed T1D later in life, but the difference was not statistically significant.B. longumproteins were recognized by IgG and IgA antibodies to a higher extent compared to other bacteria studied. These results confirm that differences in immune reactivity against some commensal strains in young children may represent a different risk factor for developing T1D.
Three Different Morphologies of Inferior Vena Cava Thrombosis: Case Reports
Authors: Okayama Satoshi , Nakada Yasuki , Uemura Shiro , Saito Yoshihiko
Published: March 2014

Inferior vena cava (IVC) thrombosis is a rare but significant complication in hospitalized patients. However, relevant information regarding IVC thrombosis, especially on its morphology, remains scarce. We present three cases of IVC thrombosis, with each showing a different morphology: mural, floating, and small polyp-like thrombus.
A New Sampling Method for Spleen Stiffness Measurement Based on Quantitative Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography for Noninvasive Assessment of Esophageal Varices in Newly Diagnosed HCV-Related Cirrhosis
Authors: Rizzo Leonardo , Attanasio Massimo , Pinzone Marilia Rita , Berretta Massimiliano , Malaguarnera Michele , Morra Aldo , L'Abbate Luca , Balestreri Luca , Nunnari Giuseppe , Cacopardo Bruno
Published: March 2014

In our study, we evaluated the feasibility of a new sampling method for splenic stiffness (SS) measurement by Quantitative Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Elastography (Virtual Touch Tissue Quantification (VTTQ)).We measured SS in 54 patients with HCV-related cirrhosis of whom 28 with esophageal varices (EV), 27 with Chronic Hepatitis C (CHC) F1–F3, and 63 healthy controls. VTTQ-SS was significantly higher among cirrhotic patients with EV (3.37 m/s) in comparison with controls (2.19 m/s,P<0.001), CHC patients (2.37 m/s,P<0.001), and cirrhotic patients without EV (2.7 m/s,P<0.001). Moreover, VTTQ-SS was significantly higher among cirrhotic patients without EV in comparison with both controls (P<0.001) and CHC patients (P<0.01). The optimal VTTQ-SS cut-off value for predicting EV was 3.1 m/s (AUROC = 0.96, sensitivity 96.4%, specificity 88.5%, positive predictive value 90%, negative predictive value 96%, positive likelihood ratio 8.36, and negative likelihood ratio 0.04). In conclusion, VTTQ-SS is a promising noninvasive and reliable diagnostic tool to screen cirrhotic patients for EV and reduce the need for upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. By using our cut-off value of 3.1 m/s, we would avoid endoscopy in around 45% of cirrhotic subjects, with significant time and cost savings.
Replacement of Missing Anterior Teeth in a Patient with Temporomandibular Disorder
Authors: Haralur Satheesh B. , Saeed Al-Shahrani Omar
Published: March 2014

The loss of anterior teeth leads to extreme psychological trauma, along with functional and esthetic debilitations. Healthy anterior teeth play an important role of protecting the posterior teeth during excursive mandibular movement. Loss of anterior teeth induces posterior interference with extended disocclusion time. Posterior disocclusion is critical to remove the harmful force on the teeth temporomandibular joint and eliminate muscle hypertonicity. Occlusal interference is considered as contributing factor to temporomandibular disorder (TMD) symptoms. Prosthesis design should eliminate deleterious tooth contacts. Establishing optimum anterior guidance is a key to establishing harmonious functional occlusion in addition to the correction of the esthetic and phonetic disabilities. This case report explains the steps involved in the rehabilitation of the TMD patient with loss of maxillary anterior teeth.
Research on the Food Security Condition and Food Supply Capacity of Egypt
Authors: Deng Jian , Xiang Youzhen , Hao Wenhui , Feng Yongzhong , Yang Gaihe , Ren Guangxin , Han Xinhui
Published: March 2014

Food security is chronically guaranteed in Egypt because of the food subsidy policy of the country. However, the increasing Egyptian population is straining the food supply. To study changes in Egyptian food security and future food supply capacity, we analysed the historical grain production, yield per unit, grain-cultivated area, and per capita grain possession of Egypt. The GM(1,1)model of the grey system was used to predict the future population. Thereafter, the result was combined with scenario analysis to forecast the grain possession and population carrying capacity of Egypt under different scenarios. Results show that the increasing population and limitations in cultivated land will strain Egyptian food security. Only in high cultivated areas and high grain yield scenarios before 2020, or in high cultivated areas and mid grain yield scenarios before 2015, can food supply be basically satisfied (assurance rate ≥ 80%) under a standard of 400 kg per capita. Population carrying capacity in 2030 is between 51.45 and 89.35 million. Thus, we propose the use of advanced technologies in agriculture and the adjustment of plant structure and cropping systems to improve land utilization efficiency. Furthermore, urbanization and other uses of cultivated land should be strictly controlled to ensure the planting of grains.
Constrained Layer Damper Modelling and Performance Evaluation for Eliminating Squeal Noise in Trams
Authors: Merideno Inaki , Nieto Javier , Gil-Negrete Nere , Landaberea Aitor , Iartza Jon
Published: March 2014

This paper presents the modelling and design of a constrained layer damper to eliminate squeal noise in a particular tram. Even though resilient wheels are installed in every bogie, squeal noise is generated at the frequency of 780–800 Hz due to the small radius curves that the tram has to draw. Tuned constrained layer dampers provide a solution to this particular problem. Butyl rubber is chosen as the viscoelastic material for the damper, and conventional steel is used for the metallic sheets. The modelling approach and the final design of the damper are presented, together with evaluation of its performance in a real application. Experimental measurements on track have demonstrated that the constrained layer damper is properly tuned to the squealing frequency and that there is a significant reduction in noise when the proposed damper is attached to the wheels.
Primary Leiomyosarcoma of the Adrenal Gland: A Case Report with Immunohistochemical Study and Literature Review
Authors: Gulpinar Murat Tolga , Yildirim Asif , Gucluer Berrin , Atis Ramazan Gokhan , Canakci Cengiz , Gurbuz Cenk , Caskurlu Turhan
Published: March 2014

Primary adrenal leiomyosarcoma is extremely rare tumor. We report a case with adrenal leiomyosarcoma. Our case was a 48-year-old man who presented with lower urinary tract symptoms. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed approximately 9 cm solid mass originating from right adrenal gland. He underwent right adrenalectomy. Pathology of the specimen showed histologic and immunohistochemical features of adrenal leiomyosarcoma.
The Neurobiological Pathogenesis of Poststroke Depression
Authors: Feng Chao , Fang Min , Liu Xue-Yuan
Published: March 2014

Poststroke depression (PSD) is an important consequence after stroke, with negative impact on stroke outcome. The pathogenesis of PSD is complicated, with some special neurobiological mechanism, which mainly involves neuroanatomical, neuron, and biochemical factors and neurogenesis which interact in complex ways. Abundant studies suggested that large lesions in critical areas such as left frontal lobe and basal ganglia or accumulation of silent cerebral lesions might interrupt the pathways of monoamines or relevant pathways of mood control, thus leading to depression. Activation of immune system after stroke produces more cytokines which increase glutamate excitotoxicity, results in more cell deaths of critical areas and enlargement of infarctions, and, together with hypercortisolism induced by stress or inflammation after stroke which could decrease intracellular serotonin transporters, might be the key biochemical change of PSD. The interaction among cytokines, glucocorticoid, and neurotrophin results in the decrease of hippocampal neurogenesis which has been proved to be important for mood control and pharmaceutical effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and might be another promising pathway to understand the pathogenesis of PSD. In order to reduce the prevalence of PSD and improve the outcome of stroke, more relevant studies are still required to clarify the pathogenesis of PSD.
A Regularization Method for the Elliptic Equation with Inhomogeneous Source
Authors: Nguyen Tuan H. , Tran Binh Thanh
Published: March 2014

We consider the following Cauchy problem for the elliptic equation with inhomogeneous source in a rectangular domain with Dirichlet boundary conditions at x=0 and x=π. The
problem is ill-posed. The main aim of this paper is to introduce a regularization method and use it to solve the problem. Some sharp error estimates between the exact solution and its regularization approximation are given and a numerical example shows that the method works effectively.