bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THERMOELECTRIC AND MAGNETO-THERMOELECTRIC PROPERTIES OF Ga-DOPED ZnO THIN FILMS BY RF MAGNETRON SPUTTERING
Authors: LIU H. , FANG L. , WU F. , TIAN D. X. , LI W. J. , LU Y. , KONG C. Y. , ZHANG S. F.
Published: March 2014

Zn (1-x) Ga x O thin films (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, 0.07 named as GZO1, GZO2, GZO3, GZO4, respectively) were deposited on glass substrates by RF magnetron sputtering. The crystal structure, electrical, thermoelectric and magneto-thermoelectric properties of GZO films were investigated. It is found that all the GZO films are polycrystalline and preferentially oriented in the c-axis. The electrical resistivity of GZO films decreased first with increasing Ga doping content before it reached a minimum at x = 0.05, and then increased with further increasing Ga doping content. The magnetic fields (B) ranging from 0 to 1.5 T are perpendicularly applied to the films to study the magneto-thermoelectric properties. It is observed that the absolute values of Seebeck coefficients (|S|) of GZO1, GZO2, GZO3 show marked variation with magnetic field and obtain the maximum value at B = 0.5 T. Whereas the |S| value of GZO4 fluctuates slightly with magnetic field and reaches its peak at B = 1.0 T. The magneto-thermoelectric properties are analyzed and we propose that this behavior is mainly attributed to the effect of magnetic field on the electron transport.
Almost vanishing polynomials and an application to the Hough transform
Authors: Torrente Maria-Laura , Beltrametti Mauro C.
Published: March 2014

We consider the problem of deciding whether or not an affine hypersurface of equation f = 0, where f = f(x1, …, xn) is a polynomial in ℝ[x1, …, xn], crosses a bounded region 𝒯 of the real affine space 𝔸n. We perform a local study of the problem, and provide both necessary and sufficient numerical conditions to answer the question. Our conditions are based on the evaluation of f at a point p ∈ 𝒯, and derive from the analysis of the differential geometric properties of the hypersurface z = f(x1, …, xn) at p. We discuss an application of our results in the context of the Hough transform, a pattern recognition technique for the automated recognition of curves in images.
Ionic Liquid Doped β Lactoglobulin as Template for Nanoclusters of Nickel Oxide
Authors: Sankaranarayanan Kamatchi , Kalaiyarasi M. , Sreedhar B. , Nair B. U. , Dhathathreyan A.
Published: March 2014

In this work, Langmuir films of organized assemblies of β-lactoglobulin (βLG) with 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium ethyl sulfate (IL-emes) have been characterized at air/water interface using surface pressure-specific area isotherms and dilational rheology. The protein in the IL-mediated assembly shows excellent packing at the interface and is stable as seen in circular dichroic spectroscopy. These spread films on nickel chloride were transferred as Langmuir–Schaffer films of βLG and βLG+IL-emes and used as template for designing nanoclusters of nickel oxide. The nanoclusters have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and powder XRD. While pure protein template gives needle-shaped structures, the IL-mediated template gives spherical shapes of hexagonal nickel oxide in the range 30 nm to 40 nm. Presence of ionic liquid seems to slow down the growth of the cluster and also prevents aggregation of the clusters.
Spatio-Temporal Motion Detection for Intelligent Surveillance Applications
Authors: Al-Berry M. N. , Salem M. A.-M. , Hussein A. S. , Tolba M. F.
Published: March 2014

Intelligent surveillance aims at conceiving reliable and efficient systems that are able to detect and track moving objects in complicated real world scenes. This paper proposes an innovative 3D stationary wavelet-based motion detection technique that fuses spatial and temporal analysis in a single 3D transform. This single transform is composed of applying a 2D transform in the spatial domain followed by 1D transform in the time domain. The results of the proposed technique are compared favorably with those of the recently used stationary wavelet-based technique. In addition of being accurate and has reasonable complexity of O(N2 log N), the proposed technique is robust to real world scene variations, including nonuniform and time-varying illumination.
Quantum black holes, elliptic genera and spectral partition functions
Authors: Bytsenko A. A. , Chaichian M. , Szabo R. J. , Tureanu A.
Published: March 2014

We study M-theory and D-brane quantum partition functions for microscopic black hole ensembles within the context of the AdS/CFT correspondence in terms of highest weight representations of infinite-dimensional Lie algebras, elliptic genera, and Hilbert schemes, and describe their relations to elliptic modular forms. The common feature in our examples lies in the modular properties of the characters of certain representations of the pertinent affine Lie algebras, and in the role of spectral functions of hyperbolic three-geometry associated with q-series in the calculation of elliptic genera. We present new calculations of supergravity elliptic genera on local Calabi–Yau threefolds in terms of BPS invariants and spectral functions, and also of equivariant D-brane elliptic genera on generic toric singularities. We use these examples to conjecture a link between the black hole partition functions and elliptic cohomology.
Basic properties of coherent-squeezed states revisited
Authors: Fujii Kazuyuki , Oike Hiroshi
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we treat coherent-squeezed states of Fock space once more and study some basic properties of them from a geometrical point of view. Since the set of coherent-squeezed states {|α, β〉|α, β ∈ C} makes a real four-dimensional surface in the Fock space ℱ (which is of course not flat), we can calculate its metric. On the other hand, we know that coherent-squeezed states satisfy the minimal uncertainty of Heisenberg under some condition imposed on the parameter space {α, β}, so that we can study the metric from the viewpoint of uncertainty principle. Then, we obtain a surprising simple form (at least to us). We also make a brief review on Holonomic Quantum Computation by use of a simple model based on nonlinear Kerr effect and coherent-squeezed operators.
Short incomplete Gauss sums and rational points on metaplectic horocycles
Authors: Demirci Akarsu Emek
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we investigate the limiting behavior of short incomplete Gauss sums at random argument as the number of terms goes to infinity. We prove that the limit distribution is given by the distribution of theta sums and differs from the limit law for long Gauss sums studied by the author and Marklof. The key ingredient in the proof is an equidistribution theorem for rational points on horocycles in the metaplectic cover of SL(2, ℝ).
Shimura correspondence for level p2 and the central values of L-series, II
Authors: Pacetti Ariel , Tornaría Gonzalo
Published: March 2014

Given a Hecke eigenform f of weight 2 and square-free level N, by the work of Kohnen, there is a unique weight 3/2 modular form of level 4N mapping to f under the Shimura correspondence. Furthermore, by the work of Waldspurger the Fourier coefficients of such a form are related to the quadratic twists of the form f. Gross gave a construction of the half integral weight form when N is prime, and such construction was later generalized to square-free levels. However, in the non-square free case, the situation is more complicated since the natural construction is vacuous. The problem being that there are too many special points so that there is cancellation while trying to encode the information as a linear combination of theta series. In this paper, we concentrate in the case of level p2, for p > 2 a prime number, and show how the set of special points can be split into subsets (indexed by bilateral ideals for an order of reduced discriminant p2) which gives two weight 3/2 modular forms mapping to f under the Shimura correspondence. Moreover, the splitting has a geometric interpretation which allows to prove that the forms are indeed a linear combination of theta series associated to ternary quadratic forms. Once such interpretation is given, we extend the method of Gross–Zagier to the case where the level and the discriminant are not prime to each other to prove a Gross-type formula in this situation.
SURFACTANT-ASSISTED VAPOR DIFFUSION SYNTHESIS OF CoFe2O4 HOLLOW SPHERES
Authors: FU MIN , JIAO QINGZE , ZHAO YUN
Published: March 2014

Uniform CoFe 2 O 4 hollow spheres with diameter of about 300 nm and a shell thickness of approximately 60 nm were synthesized by a easy vapor diffusion method in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), in combination with calcination at 550°C. The structure and morphology of as-prepared samples were characterized by electron microscopy and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). The hollow spheres exhibited a high saturation magnetization value of 66.4 emu/g and coercivity of 417 Oe at room temperature. A possible formation mechanism for the CoFe 2 O 4 hollow spheres was proposed.
Detection of illegally added drugs in dietary supplements by near-infrared spectral imaging
Authors: Zhang Rui , Yin Lihui , Jin Shaohong
Published: March 2014

The application to detect illegally added drugs in dietary supplements by near-infrared spectral imaging was studied with the focus on nifedipine, diclofenac and metformin. The method is based on near-infrared spectral images correlation coefficient to detect illegally added drugs. The results comply 100% with HPLC methods test results with no false positive results.
EDITORIAL
Authors: Phua Kok Khoo
Published: March 2014

This issue of Asia Pacific Physics Newsletter includes an exclusive interactive session with Professor Shoucheng Zhang, who is the JG Jackson and CJ Wood Professor at Stanford University and Tsinghua University. Professor Zhang was just elected as the foreign fellow of Chinese Academy of Science in December 2013. He is internationally recognized for his research in topological insulators, quantum spin Hall Effect, spintronics and high temperature superconductivity. He shared his personal experience and his research interest of topological insulator in his interactive session with C. N. Yang's scholars at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) on 26 August 2013.
Exclusive Interview with Shoucheng Zhang (Stanford) on Topological Insulator
Authors: APPN Editorial Team
Published: March 2014

Prof Shoucheng Zhang, a well-renowned Chinese-American physicist, is the JG Jackson and CJ Wood Professor at Stanford University. He is internationally recognised for his research in topological insulators, quantum spin Hall effect, spintronics and high temperature superconductivity. His notable awards include the top three prizes of international physics field, namely the prestigious Dirac Medal and Prize in 2012, the Oliver Buckley prize in 2012 and the Europhysics prize in 2010.
Interview with Nobel Laureate Anthony Leggett
Authors: APPN Editorial Team
Published: March 2014

Professor Anthony James Leggett is a distinguished physicist who was awarded the 2003 Nobel Prize in Physics for his pioneering contributions to the theory of superconductors and superfluids. He obtained both a degree in Literae Humaniores and a degree in Physics at the University of Oxford. Professor Leggett took up a lectureship at the University of Sussex in the autumn of 1967 and moved to the University of Illinois in 1982. In 2007, he also accepted a visiting position at the University of Waterloo, Canada.
China's Jade Rabbit Moon Rover Sends Back First Photos
Authors: BBC NEWS
Published: March 2014

The first robot rover to land on the Moon in nearly 40 years, China's Jade Rabbit, has begun sending back photos, with shots of its lunar lander. Jade Rabbit rolled down a ramp lowered by the lander and on to the volcanic plain known as Sinus Iridum at 04:35 Beijing time on Saturday (20:35 GMT). It moved to a spot a few metres away, its historic short journey recorded by the lander. On Sunday evening the two machines began photographing each other. A Chinese flag is clearly visible on the Jade Rabbit as it stands deployed on the Moon's surface.
Highlights from the Asia Pacific Region
Authors: APPN Editorial Team
Published: March 2014

The laws of quantum mechanics enable optical communications with the ultimate capacity and quantum computers to solve certain problems with unprecedented speed. A key ingredient in such quantum information processing is quantum teleportation: the act of transferring quantum information from a sender to a spatially distant receiver by utilizing shared entanglement and classical communications. For example, optical quantum teleportation is essential for various quantum communication protocols. Quantum logic gates based on optical quantum teleportation are one of the building blocks of optical quantum computers.
Broken Symmetry and Yang–Mills Theory
Authors: Englert François
Published: March 2014

From its inception in statistical physics to its role in the construction and in the development of the asymmetric Yang–Mills phase in quantum field theory, the notion of spontaneous broken symmetry permeates contemporary physics. This is reviewed with particular emphasis on the conceptual issues.
A resolution calculus for the branching-time temporal logic CTL
Authors: Zhang Lan , Hustadt Ullrich , Dixon Clare
Published: March 2014

The branching-time temporal logic CTL is useful for specifying systems that change over time and involve quantification over possible futures. Here we present a resolution calculus for CTL that involves the translation of formulae to a normal form and the application of a number of resolution rules. We use indices in the normal form to represent particular paths and the application of the resolution rules is restricted dependent on an ordering and selection function to reduce the search space. We show that the translation preserves satisfiability, the calculus is sound, complete, and terminating, and consider the complexity of the calculus.
Age differences in credibility judgments of online health information
Authors: Liao Q. Vera , Fu Wai-Tat
Published: March 2014

Older adults are a notable group among the exponentially growing population of online health information consumers. In order to better support older adults’ health-related information seeking on the Internet, it is important to understand how they judge the credibility of such information when compared to younger users. We conducted two laboratory studies to explore how the credibility cues in message contents, website features, and user-generated comments differentially impact younger (19 to 26 years of age) and older adults’ (58 to 80 years of age) credibility judgments. Results from the first experiment showed that older adults were less sensitive to the credibility cues in message contents and those in website features than younger adults. Verbal protocol analysis revealed that these differences could be caused by the higher tendency of older adults to passively accept web information, and their lack of deliberation on its quality and attention towards contextual web features (e.g., design look, source identity). In the second experiment, we studied how credibility cues from user reviews might differentially impact older and younger adults’ credibility judgments of online health information. Results showed that consistent credibility cues in user reviews and message contents could facilitate older adults’ credibility judgments. When the two were inconsistent, older adults, as compared to younger ones, were less swayed by highly appraising user reviews given to low credibility information. These results provided important implications for designing health information technologies that better fit the older population.
Arabic Text Categorization Based on Arabic Wikipedia
Authors: Yahya Adnan , Salhi Ali
Published: March 2014

This article describes an algorithm for categorizing Arabic text, relying on highly categorized corpus-based datasets obtained from the Arabic Wikipedia by using manual and automated processes to build and customize categories. The categorization algorithm was built by adopting a simple categorization idea then moving forward to more complex ones. We applied tests and filtration criteria to reach the best and most efficient results that our algorithm can achieve. The categorization depends on the statistical relations between the input (test) text and the reference (training) data supported by well-defined Wikipedia-based categories. Our algorithm supports two levels for categorizing Arabic text; categories are grouped into a hierarchy of main categories and subcategories. This introduces a challenge due to the correlation between certain subcategories and overlap between main categories. We argue that our algorithm achieved good performance compared to other methods reported in the literature.
Time for More Languages
Authors: Strötgen Jannik , Armiti Ayser , Van Canh Tran , Zell Julian , Gertz Michael
Published: March 2014

Most of the research on temporal tagging so far is done for processing English text documents. There are hardly any multilingual temporal taggers supporting more than two languages. Recently, the temporal tagger HeidelTime has been made publicly available, supporting the integration of new languages by developing language-dependent resources without modifying the source code.

In this article, we describe our work on developing such resources for two Asian and two Romance languages: Arabic, Vietnamese, Spanish, and Italian. While temporal tagging of the two Romance languages has been addressed before, there has been almost no research on Arabic and Vietnamese temporal tagging so far. Furthermore, we analyze language-dependent challenges for temporal tagging and explain the strategies we followed to address them. Our evaluation results on publicly available and newly annotated corpora demonstrate the high quality of our new resources for the four languages, which we make publicly available to the research community.
Extending two-variable logic on data trees with order on data values and its automata
Authors: Tan Tony
Published: March 2014

Data trees are trees in which each node, besides carrying a label from a finite alphabet, also carries a data value from an infinite domain. They have been used as an abstraction model for reasoning tasks on XML and verification. However, most existing approaches consider the case where only equality test can be performed on the data values.

In this article we study data trees in which the data values come from a linearly ordered domain, and in addition to equality test, we can test whether the data value in a node is greater than the one in another node. We introduce an automata model for them which we call
ordered-data tree automata
(ODTA), provide its logical characterisation, and prove that its non-emptiness problem is decidable in 3-NE
xp
T
ime
. We also show that the two-variable logic on unranked data trees, studied by Bojanczyk et al. [2009], corresponds precisely to a special subclass of this automata model.

Then we define a slightly weaker version of ODTA, which we call
weak ODTA
, and provide its logical characterisation. The complexity of the non-emptiness problem drops to NP. However, a number of existing formalisms and models studied in the literature can be captured already by weak ODTA. We also show that the definition of ODTA can be easily modified, to the case where the data values come from a tree-like partially ordered domain, such as strings.
Using tableau to decide description logics with full role negation and identity
Authors: Schmidt Renate A. , Tishkovsky Dmitry
Published: March 2014

This article presents a tableau approach for deciding expressive description logics with full role negation and role identity. We consider the description logic ALBO
id
, which is ALC extended with the Boolean role operators, inverse of roles, the identity role, and includes full support for individuals and singleton concepts. ALBO
id
is expressively equivalent to the two-variable fragment of first-order logic with equality and subsumes Boolean modal logic. In this article, we define a sound, complete, and terminating tableau calculus for ALBO
id
that provides the basis for decision procedures for this logic and all its sublogics. An important novelty of our approach is the use of a generic unrestricted blocking mechanism. Unrestricted blocking is based on equality reasoning and a conceptually simple rule, which performs case distinctions over the identity of individuals. The blocking mechanism ties the proof of termination of tableau derivations to the finite model property of ALBO
id
.
Supporting the uninitiated in user-centered design
Authors: Ralph Maria , Björndal Petra
Published: March 2014

Practicing UCD is vital to helping non-UX practitioners acquire an understanding of this new mindset.
Computer supported collective action
Authors: Shaw Aaron , Zhang Haoqi , Monroy-Hernández Andrés , Munson Sean , Hill Benjamin Mako , Gerber Elizabeth , Kinnaird Peter , Minder Patrick
Published: March 2014

Social media has become globally ubiquitous, transforming how people are networked and mobilized. This forum explores research and applications of these new networked publics at individual, organizational, and societal levels. ---
Shelly Farnham, Editor
Analyzing analytics
Authors: Bordawekar Rajesh , Blainey Bob , Apte Chidanand
Published: March 2014

Many organizations today are faced with the challenge of processing and distilling information from huge and growing collections of data. Such organizations are increasingly deploying sophisticated mathematical algorithms to model the behavior of their business processes to discover correlations in the data, to predict trends and ultimately drive decisions to optimize their operations. These techniques, are known collectively as
analytics
, and draw upon multiple disciplines, including statistics, quantitative analysis, data mining, and machine learning. In this survey paper, we identify some of the key techniques employed in analytics both to serve as an introduction for the non-specialist and to explore the opportunity for greater optimizations for parallelization and acceleration using commodity and specialized multi-core processors. We are interested in isolating and documenting repeated patterns in analytical algorithms, data structures and data types, and in understanding howthese could be most effectively mapped onto parallel infrastructure. To this end, we focus on analytical models that can be executed using different algorithms. For most major model types, we study implementations of key algorithms to determine common computational and runtime patterns. We then use this information to characterize and recommend suitable parallelization strategies for these algorithms, specifically when used in data management workloads.
Influence of aerobic exercise intensity on myofibrillar and mitochondrial protein synthesis in young men during early and late postexercise recovery
Authors: Di Donato Danielle M. , West Daniel W. D. , Churchward-Venne Tyler A. , Breen Leigh , Baker Steven K. , Phillips Stuart M.
Published: March 2014

Aerobic exercise is typically associated with expansion of the mitochondrial protein pool and improvements in muscle oxidative capacity. The impact of aerobic exercise intensity on the synthesis of specific skeletal muscle protein subfractions is not known. We aimed to study the effect of aerobic exercise intensity on rates of myofibrillar (MyoPS) and mitochondrial (MitoPS) protein synthesis over an early (0.5–4.5 h) and late (24–28 h) period during postexercise recovery. Using a within-subject crossover design, eight males (21 ± 1 yr, V̇o2peak 46.7 ± 2.0 ml·kg−1·min−1) performed two work-matched cycle ergometry exercise trials (LOW: 60 min at 30% Wmax; HIGH: 30 min at 60% Wmax) in the fasted state while undergoing a primed constant infusion of l-[ ring-13C6]phenylalanine. Muscle biopsies were obtained at rest and 0.5, 4.5, 24, and 28 h postexercise to determine both the “early” and “late” response of MyoPS and MitoPS and the phosphorylation status of selected proteins within both the Akt/mTOR and MAPK pathways. Over 24–28 h postexercise, MitoPS was significantly greater after the HIGH vs. LOW exercise trial ( P < 0.05). Rates of MyoPS were increased equivalently over 0.5–4.5 h postexercise recovery ( P < 0.05) but remained elevated at 24–28 h postexercise only following the HIGH trial. In conclusion, an acute bout of high- but not low-intensity aerobic exercise in the fasted state resulted in a sustained elevation of both MitoPS and MyoPS at 24–28 h postexercise recovery.
Noise‐Induced Transitions in a Population Growth Model Based on Size‐Dependent Carrying Capacity
Authors: Lumi Neeme , Ainsaar Ain , Mankin Romi
Published: March 2014

The stochastic dynamics of a population growth model with size‐dependent carrying capacity is considered. The effect of a fluctuating environment on population growth is modeled as a multiplicative dichotomous noise. At intermediate values of population size the deterministic counterpart of the model behaves similarly to the Von Foerster model for human population, but at small and very large values of population size substantial differences occur. In the stochastic case, an exact analytical solution for the stationary probability distribution is found. It is established that variation of noise correlation time can cause noise‐induced transitions between three different states of the system characterized by qualitatively different behaviors of the probability distributions of the population size. Also, it is shown that, in some regions of the system parameters, variation of the amplitude of environmental fluctuations can induce single unidirectional abrupt transitions of the mean population size.
Fatal Disseminated Tuberculous Peritonitis following Spontaneous Abortion: A Case Report
Authors: Akar Munire Erman , Toptas Tayfun , Sutcu Havva , Durmus Haney , Ozekinci Murat , Cengiz Melike , Erdogan Gulgun
Published: March 2014

We describe a rare case of fatal disseminated tuberculous peritonitis in a young woman with rapid progressive clinical course following spontaneous abortion of 20-week gestation. Clinical and laboratory findings were initially unremarkable. She underwent diagnostic laparoscopy which revealed numerous tiny implants on the peritoneum and viscera. Histopathology showed chronic caseating granulomas, and the tissue culture grew Mycobacterium tuberculosis. At fifth day of the antituberculous treatment multiorgan failure occurred in terms of pulmonary, hepatic, and renal insufficiency. She developed refractory metabolic acidosis with coagulopathy and pancytopenia, and she died of acute respiratory distress syndrome and septic shock on her twelfth day of hospitalization.
Novel Synthesis of Cellulose-Based Diblock Copolymer of Poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) by Mechanochemical Reaction
Authors: Ohura Takeshi , Tsutaki Yusaku , Sakaguchi Masato
Published: March 2014

The mechanical fracture of polymer produces polymeric free radical chain-ends, by which liner block copolymers have been synthesized. A diblock copolymer of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and poly 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (pHEMA) was produced by the mechanochemical polymerization under vacuum and room temperature. The fraction of pHEMA in MCC-block-pHEMA produced by the mechanochemical polymerization increased up to 21 mol% with increasing fracture time (~6 h). Then, the tacticities of HEMA sequences in MCC-block-pHEMA varied according to the reaction time. In the process of mechanochemical polymerization, cellulose could play the role of a radical polymerization initiator capable of controlling stereoregularity.
A Novel Fast and Robust Binary Affine Invariant Descriptor for Image Matching
Authors: Qu Xiujie , Zhao Fei , Zhou Mengzhe , Huo Haili
Published: March 2014

As the current binary descriptors have disadvantages of high computational complexity, no affine invariance, and the high false matching rate with viewpoint changes, a new binary affine invariant descriptor, called BAND, is proposed. Different from other descriptors, BAND has an irregular pattern, which is based on local affine invariant region surrounding a feature point, and it has five orientations, which are obtained by LBP effectively. Ultimately, a 256 bits binary string is computed by simple random sampling pattern. Experimental results demonstrate that BAND has a good matching result in the conditions of rotating, image zooming, noising, lighting, and small‐scale perspective transformation. It has better matching performance compared with current mainstream descriptors, while it costs less time.
Evaluation of Green Manure Amendments for the Management of Fusarium Basal Rot (Fusarium oxysporumf.sp.cepae) on Shallot
Authors: Sintayehu Assefa , Ahmed Seid , Fininsa Chemeda , Sakhuja P. K.
Published: March 2014

Shallot (Allium cepaL. var.ascalonicum) is the most traditional vegetable crop in Ethiopia. Shallot is susceptible to a number of diseases that reduce yield and quality, among which fusarium basal rot (FBR) caused byFusarium oxysporumf.sp.cepae (Foc)is one of the most important yield limiting factors in Ethiopia. The present study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness ofBrassicacrops for the management of shallot FBR on shallot. The experiments were carried out at Debre Zeit Agricultural Research Center using cabbage (Brassica oleracea), garden cress (Lepidium sativum), Ethiopia mustard (B. carinata), and rapeseed (B. napus). The evaluations were done underin vitroand greenhouse conditions. Underin vitrotest condition it was confirmed that extracts of Ethiopian mustard and rapeseed showed higher inhibition on the growth ofFocpathogen compared to control. Data on seedling emergence, plant height, plant stand, disease incidence, severity, cull bulbs, and bulb weight were collected in greenhouse experiment. The green manure amendments of rapeseed and Ethiopian mustard significantly reduced disease incidence by 21% and 30% and disease severity by 23% and 29%, respectively. However the plant emergency was not significantly different among treatments in greenhouse test. These results indicated that Ethiopian mustard and rapeseed crops have potential as green manure for the management of FBR disease of shallot crop.
Laparotomic Myomectomy in the 16th Week of Pregnancy: A Case Report
Authors: Domenici Lavinia , Di Donato Violante , Gasparri Maria Luisa , Lecce Francesca , Caccetta Jlenia , Panici Pierluigi Benedetti
Published: March 2014

Myomectomy is rarely performed during an ongoing pregnancy because of fear of miscarriage and the risk of an uncontrolled haemorrhage necessitating a hysterectomy. In cases where myomectomy is undertaken, most are performed at the time of cesarean section or with a laparoscopic approach. We report a case of a successful laparotomic myomectomy in the 16th week of pregnancy. A 35-year-old primigravida was admitted to our department with acute abdominal pain and hydronephrosis (serum creatinine 1.6 mg/dL). Imaging revealed a large implant myoma compressing the bladder, ureters, rectus, and gestational chamber and causing hydronephrosis. Laparotomic myomectomy was successfully performed and pregnancy continued uneventfully until the 38th week when a cesarean section was performed. Surgical management of myomas during pregnancy is worth evaluating in well-selected and highly symptomatic cases.
Presence of Arteriovenous Communication between Left Testicular Vessels and Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Kumar Naveen , Swamy Ravindra , Patil Jyothsna , Guru Anitha , Aithal Ashwini , Shetty Prakashchandra
Published: March 2014

Maintenance of testicular temperature below body temperature is essential for the process of spermatogenesis. This process of thermoregulation is mainly achieved by testicular veins through pampiniform venous plexus of the testis by absorbing the heat conveyed by the testicular arteries. However, this mechanism of thermoregulation may be hampered if an abnormal communication exists between the testicular vessels. We report herewith a rare case of arteriovenous communication between testicular artery and testicular vein on left side. The calibre of the communicating vessel was almost similar to left testicular artery. Such abnormal communication may obstruct the flow of blood in the vein by causing impairment in the perfusion pressure with the eventual high risk of varicocele.
Distal Radial Fractures in the Superelderly: Does Malunion Affect Functional Outcome?
Authors: Clement N. D. , Duckworth A. D. , Court-Brown C. M. , McQueen M. M.
Published: March 2014

Purpose. The management of unstable distal radial fractures in the superelderly (≥80 years old) remains controversial. The aim of this study was to compare the functional outcome of super-elderly patients with and without malunion after a distal radial fracture.Methods. We identified 51 superelderly patients living independently with displaced fractures from a prospective database of 4024 patients with distal radial fractures. Activities of daily living, presence of wrist pain, whether the wrist had returned to its normal level function, grip strength and ROM were recorded. The dorsal angulation was measured radiographically.Results. There were 17 (33.3%) patients defined to have a malunion. The outcomes of the independent patients with and without malunion were compared at a mean follow-up of 15 months. No difference was observed in activities of daily livingP=0.28, wrist painP=0.14, whether the wrist had returned to its normal level functionP=0.25, grip strengthP=0.31, or ROMP=0.41. An increasing degree of dorsal angulation correlated with diminished ROM (P=0.038), but did not correlate with activities of daily living (P=0.10).Conclusions. Malunion of the distal radius does not influence the functional outcome of independent superelderly patients.
The Role of Fascia Iliaca Blocks in Hip Fractures: A Prospective Case-Control Study and Feasibility Assessment of a Junior-Doctor-Delivered Service
Authors: Hanna L. , Gulati A. , Graham A.
Published: March 2014

Hip fractures are common and the incidence is expected to increase. Systemic analgesics, often prescribed to relieve pain after hip fractures, have huge side effects and can delay surgery. We analyse the role and efficacy of alternative forms of analgesia like fascia-iliac blocks (FIB) and assess the feasibility of a service delivered by junior doctors. 104 consecutive hip fracture patients were prospectively recruited and equally divided into cases (patients receiving FIB) and controls (patients receiving systemic analgesia). Outcome measures included time of initial analgesia, total preoperative dose of analgesia, pain scores from admission to 24 hours preoperatively, and complications. The pain scores were significantly lower (P≤0.05) in patients receiving FIB at 2 and 8 hours preoperatively. The timing of initial analgesia was also quicker in patients with FIB (25 compared to 40 minutes). FIB patients required fewer doses of systemic analgesia. The block was successful in 67% of patients. There were no complications. The implementation of EWTD, HAN, and shift-system and the reduction in the number of medical staff have increased the burden on emergency departments. This study demonstrates that FIB performed by junior doctors are not only safe and effective analgesia but also provide an opportunity for junior doctors to improve current clinical practice.
On Positive Solutions of a Fourth Order Nonlinear Neutral Delay Difference Equation
Authors: Liu Zeqing , Zhang Xiaoping , Kang Shin Min , Kwun Young Chel
Published: March 2014

The existence results of uncountably many bounded positive solutions for a fourth order nonlinear neutral delay difference equation are proved by means of the Krasnoselskii’s fixed point theorem and Schauder’s fixed point theorem. A few examples are included.
An Improved ZMP-Based CPG Model of Bipedal Robot Walking Searched by SaDE
Authors: Yu H. F. , Fung E. H. K. , Jing X. J.
Published: March 2014

This paper proposed a method to improve the walking behavior of bipedal robot with adjustable step length. Objectives of this paper are threefold. (1) Genetic Algorithm Optimized Fourier Series Formulation (GAOFSF) is modified to improve its performance. (2) Self-adaptive Differential Evolutionary Algorithm (SaDE) is applied to search feasible walking gait. (3) An efficient method is proposed for adjusting step length based on the modified central pattern generator (CPG) model. The GAOFSF is modified to ensure that trajectories generated are continuous in angular position, velocity, and acceleration. After formulation of the modified CPG model, SaDE is chosen to optimize walking gait (CPG model) due to its superior performance. Through simulation results, dynamic balance of the robot with modified CPG model is better than the original one. In this paper, four adjustable factors (Rhs,support, Rhs,swing, Rks,support, and Rks,swing) are added to the joint trajectories. Through adjusting these four factors, joint trajectories are changed and hence the step length achieved by the robot. Finally, the relationship between (1) the desired step length and (2) an appropriate set of Rhs,support, Rhs,swing, Rks,support, and Rks,swing searched by SaDE is learnt by Fuzzy Inference System (FIS). Desired joint angles can be found without the aid of inverse kinematic model.
Two Congenital Anomalies in One: An Ectopic Gallbladder with Phrygian Cap Deformity
Authors: Rafailidis Vasileios , Varelas Sotirios , Kotsidis Naoum , Rafailidis Dimitrios
Published: March 2014

The gallbladder is affected by a large number of congenital anomalies, which may affect its location, number, size, or form. Some of these malformations are very rare and may lead to misdiagnosis. An ectopic gallbladder can be misinterpreted as agenesis of the organ or as a cystic hepatic mass when intrahepatic. Given the frequency and the wide acceptance of the ultrasonographic examination of the biliary tract, radiologists should be aware of these malformations. In some cases, ultrasonographic diagnosis can be difficult. However, the use of Computed Tomography can elucidate such cases. We present the case of a patient whose gallbladder had two combined malformations but caused no symptoms. Namely, the patient had a transverse ectopic gallbladder combined with a “Phrygian cap” deformity. The incidence of ectopic locations of the gallbladder is 0.1–0.7%, whereas the “Phrygian cap” deformity can be found in 4% of patients. There is no other cases with combination of these two entities reported in the literature. Ultrasonographic and CT findings are presented and aspects of this malformation are discussed. The clinical significance of ectopic gallbladder is also emphasized because it may alter the clinical presentation of biliary tract diseases and pose technical problems during surgery.
Sobolev-Type Spaces on the Dual of the Chébli-Trimèche Hypergroup and Applications
Authors: Jelassi Mourad , Mejjaoli Hatem
Published: March 2014

We define and study Sobolev-type spacesWAs,pℝ+associated with singular second-order differential operator on0,∞. Some properties are given; in particular we establish a compactness-type imbedding result which allows a Reillich-type theorem. Next, we introduce a generalized Weierstrass transform and, using the theory of reproducing kernels, some applications are given.
A Genetic Algorithm‐Based Approach for Single‐Machine Scheduling with Learning Effect and Release Time
Authors: Li Der-Chiang , Hsu Peng-Hsiang , Chang Chih-Chieh
Published: March 2014

The way to gain knowledge and experience of producing a product in a firm can be seen as new solution for reducing the unit cost in scheduling problems, which is known as “learning effects.” In the scheduling of batch processing machines, it is sometimes advantageous to form a nonfull batch, while in other situations it is a better strategy to wait for future job arrivals in order to increase the fullness of the batch. However, research with learning effect and release times is relatively unexplored. Motivated by this observation, we consider a single‐machine problem with learning effect and release times where the objective is to minimize the total completion times. We develop a branch‐and‐bound algorithm and a genetic algorithm‐based heuristic for this problem. The performances of the proposed algorithms are evaluated and compared via computational experiments, which showed that our approach has superior ability in this scenario.
Acupuncture for Essential Hypertension: A Meta‐Analysis of Randomized Sham‐Controlled Clinical Trials
Authors: Li Dong-Ze , Zhou Yu , Yang Yi-Ning , Ma Yi-Tong , Li Xiao-Mei , Yu Jing , Zhao Yan , Zhai Hui , Lao Lixing
Published: March 2014

Background. Acupuncture is frequently advocated as an adjunct treatment for essential hypertension. The aim of this review was to assess its adjunct effectiveness in treating hypertension. Methods. We searched PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and the Chinese databases Sino‐Med, CNKI, WanFang, and VIP through November, 2012, for eligible randomized controlled trials that compared acupuncture with sham acupuncture. Outcome measures were changes in diastolic (DBP) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). Results. A total of 4 randomized controlled trials were included. We found no evidence of an improvement with the fact that acupuncture relative to sham acupuncture in SBP change (n = 386; mean difference = −3.80 mmHg, 95% CI = −10.03–2.44 mmHg; I2 = 99%), and an insignificant improvement in DBP change (n = 386; mean difference = −2.82 mmHg, 95% CI = −5.22–(−0.43) mmHg; I2 = 97%). In subgroup analyses, acupuncture significantly improved both SBP and DBP in patients taking antihypertensive medications. Only minor acupuncture‐related adverse events were reported. Conclusions. Our results are consistent with acupuncture significantly lowers blood pressure in patients taking antihypertensive medications. We did not find that acupuncture without antihypertensive medications significantly improves blood pressure in those hypertensive patients.
The Effect of Mycotoxin Deoxynivalenol on Haematological and Biochemical Indicators and Histopathological Changes in Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Matejova Iveta , Modra Helena , Blahova Jana , Franc Ales , Fictum Petr , Sevcikova Marie , Svobodova Zdenka
Published: March 2014

Deoxynivalenol (DON), produced by theFusariumgenus, is a major contaminant of cereal grains used in the production of fish feed. The effect of mycotoxin deoxynivalenol on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) was studied using a commercial feed with the addition of DON in a dose of 2 mg/kg feed. The fish(n=40)were exposed to the mycotoxin for 23 days. The trout were divided into two groups, control and experimental groups. Control groups were fed a commercial feed naturally contaminated with a low concentration of DON (225 μg/kg feed); experimental groups were fed a commercial feed with the addition of DON (1964 μg/kg feed). Plasma biochemical and haematological indices, biometric parameters, and histopathological changes were assessed at the end of the experiment. The experimental groups showed significantly lower values in MCH(P<0.05). In biochemical indices, after 23-day exposure, a significant decrease in glucose, cholesterol(P<0.05), and ammonia(P<0.01)was recorded in the experimental group compared to the control group. Our assessment showed no significant changes in biometric parameters. The histopathological examination revealed disorders in the caudal kidney of the exposed fish. The obtained data show the sensitivity of rainbow trout (O. mykiss) to deoxynivalenol.
The Finding and Dynamic Detection of Opinion Leaders in Social Network
Authors: Huang Baocheng , Yu Guang , Karimi Hamid Reza
Published: March 2014

It is valuable for the real world to find the opinion leaders. Because different data sources usually have different characteristics, there does not exist a standard algorithm to find and detect the opinion leaders in different data sources. Every data source has its own structural characteristics, and also has its own detection algorithm to find the opinion leaders. Experimental results show the opinion leaders and theirs characteristics can be found among the comments from the Weibo social network of China, which is like Facebook or Twitter in USA.
Antimicrobial Resistance of Salmonella enterica Isolates from Tonsil and Jejunum with Lymph Node Tissues of Slaughtered Swine in Metro Manila, Philippines
Authors: Ng Kamela Charmaine S. , Rivera Windell L.
Published: March 2014

Due to frequent antibiotic exposure, swine is now recognized as potential risk in disseminating drug-resistant Salmonella enterica strains. This study thus subjected 20 randomly selected S. enterica isolates from tonsil and jejunum with lymph node (JLN) tissues of swine slaughtered in Metro Manila, Philippines, to VITEK 2 antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST). The test revealed all 20 isolates had resistance to at least one antimicrobial agent, in which highest occurrence of resistance was to amikacin (100%), cefazolin (100%), cefuroxime (100%), cefuroxime axetil (100%), cefoxitin (100%), and gentamicin (100%), followed by ampicillin (50%), and then by sulfamethoxazole trimethoprim (30%). Three multidrug-resistant (MDR) isolates were detected. The sole S. enterica serotype Enteritidis isolate showed resistance to 12 different antibiotics including ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, amikacin, gentamicin, and tigecycline. This study is the first to report worldwide on the novel resistance to tigecycline of MDR S. enterica serotype Enteritidis isolated from swine tonsil tissues. This finding poses huge therapeutic challenge since MDR S. enterica infections are associated with increased rate of hospitalization or death. Thus, continual regulation of antimicrobial use in food animals and prediction of resistant serotypes are crucial to limit the spread of MDR S. enterica isolates among hogs and humans.
Magnetism and Microstructure Characterization of Phase Transitions in a Steel
Authors: Güler M.
Published: March 2014

We present phase transitions in a low carbon steel according to existing phases and their magnetism. Scanning electron microscope employed research to clarify and evaluate the microstructural details. Additionally, we utilized from Mössbauer spectroscopy for magnetic characteristics of different existed phases. Scanning electron microscope examinations showed that the pure state of the steel was fully in the ferrite phase with equiaxed grains. Moreover, subsequent heat treatments on the studied steel also ensured the first austenite and then pearlite phase formation. Mössbauer spectroscopy of these phases appeared as a paramagnetic single-line absorption peak for the austenite phase and ferromagnetic six-line spectra for both ferrite and pearlite phases. From Mössbauer data, we determined that the internal magnetic fields of ferrite and pearlite phases were as 32.2 Tesla and 31.3 Tesla, respectively.
Distributed Multitarget Probabilistic Coverage Control Algorithm for Wireless Sensor Networks
Authors: Tian Ying , Ou Yang , Reza Karimi Hamid , Liu Yan Tao , Han Jian Qun
Published: March 2014

This paper is concerned with the problem of multitarget coverage based on probabilistic detection model. Coverage configuration is an effective method to alleviate the energy‐limitation problem of sensors. Firstly, considering the attenuation of node’s sensing ability, the target probabilistic coverage problem is defined and formalized, which is based on Neyman‐Peason probabilistic detection model. Secondly, in order to turn off redundant sensors, a simplified judging rule is derived, which makes the probabilistic coverage judgment execute on each node locally. Thirdly, a distributed node schedule scheme is proposed for implementing the distributed algorithm. Simulation results show that this algorithm is robust to the change of network size, and when compared with the physical coverage algorithm, it can effectively minimize the number of active sensors, which guarantees all the targets γ‐covered.