bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using Nonlinear Kinematic Hardening Material Models for Elastic-Plastic Ratcheting Analysis
Authors: Gilman Tim , Weitze Bill , Rudolph Jürgen , Willuweit Adrian , Kalnins Arturs
Published: November 2015

Applicable design codes for power plant components and pressure vessels demand for a design check against progressive plastic deformation. In the simplest case, this demand is satisfied by compliance with shakedown rules in connection with elastic analyses. The possible non-compliance implicates the requirement of ratcheting analyses on elastic-plastic basis. In this case, criteria are specified on maximum allowable accumulated growth strain without clear guidance on what material models for cyclic plasticity are to be used. This is a considerable gap and a challenge for the practicing CAE (Computer Aided Engineering) engineer.

As a follow-up to two independent previous papers PVP2013-98150 ASME [1] and PVP2014-28772 [2] it is the aim of this paper to close this gap by giving further detailed recommendation on the appropriate application of the nonlinear kinematic material model of Chaboche on an engineering scale and based on implementations already available within commercial finite element codes such as ANSYS® and ABAQUS®. Consistency of temperature-dependent runs in ANSYS® and ABAQUS® is to be checked. All three papers together constitute a comprehensive guideline for elasto-plastic ratcheting analysis.

The following issues are examined and/or referenced:

• Application of monotonic or cyclic material data for ratcheting analysis based on the Chaboche material model

• Discussion of using monotonic and cyclic data for assessment of the (non-stabilized) cyclic deformation behavior

• Number of backstress terms to be applied for consistent ratcheting results

• Consideration of the temperature dependency of the relevant material parameters

• Consistency of temperature-dependent runs in ANSYS® and ABAQUS®

• Identification of material parameters dependent on the number of backstress terms

• Identification of material data for different types of material (carbon steel, austenitic stainless steel) including the appropriate determination of the elastic limit

• Quantification of conservatism of simple elastic-perfectly plastic behavior

• Application of engineering versus true stress-strain data

• Visual checks of data input consistency

• Appropriate type of allowable accumulated growth strain.

This way, a more accurate inelastic analysis methodology for direct practical application to real world examples in the framework of the design code conforming elasto-plastic ratcheting check is proposed.
Finite Element Analysis of a Full-Scale Test of a Cracked Dissimilar Metal Weld for Aging Nuclear Power Piping and Fracture Failure Assessment
Authors: Zeng Lingfu , Luo Chouping , Jansson Lennart G. , Gyllén Patrik
Published: November 2015

This report addresses a mixed mode driven cracking and its fracture failure assessment for applications in aging nuclear power facilities. Following our earlier discussion on the use of mode-I based criteria in the current practice of fracture assessments, a finite element analysis of a full-scale laboratory test, a Benchmark four-point bending test of a straight pipe with an obliquely inserted crack in a dissimilar metal weld of ferritic steel (A508) and austenitic steel (316L), together with weld (308L) and buttering material (309L/308L), is conducted. The behavior of the crack front at the load level, at which crack initiation is observed in the test, such as stress intensities (KI, KII, KIII), J-integrals and other relevant parameters along the crack front, are computed. Crack initiation assessments are thereafter made using three alternatives: (1) Mode I cracking; (2) Mixed mode cracking; (3) An empirical approach suggested for accounting the mixed mode effect using a so-called R6-method. The results confirm our earlier observation: For cases when mixed mode loading conditions are significant, (i) the fracture initiation predicted by using J-integral based mixed mode cracking criteria can approximately be achieved by using the R6-empirical approach for the mixed mode cracking; (ii) it is not conservative to use a purely mode-I based criterion for the evaluation of the fracture failure assessment for typical problems of mixed mode driven cracking.
Statistical Modeling of Resistance to Crack Initiation due to Hydrided Region Overloads at Simulated Flaws in CANDU Pressure Tubes
Authors: Gutkin Leonid , Scarth Douglas A.
Published: November 2015

CANDU(1) Zr-2.5%Nb pressure tubes are susceptible to formation of hydrided regions at the locations of stress concentration, such as in-service flaws. Hydrided region overloads occur when the applied stress acting on a flaw with an existing hydrided region exceeds the stress at which the hydrided region has been formed. The overload events may potentially result in crack initiation and its subsequent growth by the mechanism of delayed hydride cracking. Therefore, evaluating the in-service flaws in the pressure tubes for crack initiation due to hydrided region overloads is required by the Canadian Nuclear Standards, and methodology is being developed to perform such evaluations. As part of this development, the resistance of pressure tube material to crack initiation due to hydrided region overloads was modeled statistically. In the proposed modeling framework, the overload resistance is expressed as a power-law function of the material resistance to initiation of delayed hydride cracking under constant loading. This approach fundamentally relies on the concept of a dual process zone introduced by E. Smith, as discussed in the paper. Both the overload crack initiation coefficient and the overload crack initiation exponent vary with the flaw geometry. The overload crack initiation coefficient also varies with the extent of stress reduction prior to hydride formation and with the number of non-ratcheting hydride formation thermal cycles. The developed model is suitable for use as a predictive model in probabilistic assessments of CANDU reactor core, and has been proposed for implementation into the scheduled revision (2015) of the Canadian Nuclear Standard CSA N285.8.
Perovskite solar cells join the major league
Authors: Sessolo Michele , Bolink Henk J.
Published: November 2015

Highly efficient perovskite solar cells show promise for future low-cost electricity generation

[Also see Report by

Chen
et al.

]
Biological variation in musculoskeletal injuries: current knowledge, future research and practical implications
Authors: Collins Malcolm , September Alison V , Posthumus Michael
Published: November 2015

Evidence from familial and genetic association studies have reported that DNA sequence variants play an important role, together with non-genetic factors, in the aetiology of both exercise-associated and occupational-associated acute and chronic musculoskeletal soft tissue injuries. The associated variants, which have been identified to date, may contribute to the interindividual variation in the structure and, by implication, mechanical properties of the collagen fibril and surrounding matrix within musculoskeletal soft tissues, as well as their response to mechanical loading and other stimuli. Future work should focus on the establishment of multidisciplinary international consortia for the identification of biologically relevant variants involved in modulating injury risk. These consortia will improve the limitations of the published hypothesis-driven genetic association studies, since they will allow resources to be pooled in recruiting large well-characterised cohorts required for whole-genome screening. Finally, clinicians and coaches need to be aware that many direct-to-consumer companies are currently marketing genetic tests directly to athletes without it being requested by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional, and without interpretation alongside other clinical indicators or lifestyle factors. These specific genetic tests are premature and are not necessarily required to evaluate susceptibility to musculoskeletal soft tissue injury. Current practice should rather consider susceptibility through known risk factors such as a positive family history of a specific injury, a history of other tendon and/or ligament injuries and participation in activities associated with the specific musculoskeletal injuries. Potential susceptible athletes may then be individually managed to reduce their risk profile.
Trends in clinical development timeframes for antiviral drugs launched in the UK, 1981–2014: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Ward Derek J , Hammond Edward , Linden-Phillips Luan , Stevens Andrew J
Published: November 2015

Objectives

Recent decades have witnessed the development of highly innovative new antiviral drug therapies. However, there are concerns that rising costs and lengthening development times could have implications for future patient access to innovative new drugs. We sought to establish whether the time taken for the clinical development of new antiviral drugs launched in the UK had increased since the 1980s.

Design and setting

Retrospective observational study of all new antiviral drugs licensed for use in the UK.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Duration of clinical development (from initiation of studies in humans to receipt of Marketing Authorisation), subdivided into clinical trial and regulatory approval periods by the date of Marketing Authorisation Application.

Results

48 new antiviral drugs were licensed for use in the UK between 1981 and 2014 (inclusive), over half (54%) initially for HIV infection. The overall mean duration of clinical development was 77.2 months, of which 64.6 months was spent in clinical trials before regulatory submission. The total time in clinical development increased from 41.7 months for drugs licensed 1981–1992 to 91.7 months for drugs licensed 2004–2014. This increase was accounted for by an increase in the clinical trials period and not the regulatory approval period, for which there was no observable trend. Drugs initially licensed to treat hepatitis C had a longer duration of clinical development than those indicated for other viral infections. However, the, initially shorter clinical development durations of drugs indicated for HIV infection increased more rapidly across the study period than those indicated for other viral infections.

Conclusions

The time spent by antiviral drugs in clinical development has increased markedly in recent decades despite many initiatives to speed access to innovative new drugs. However, this represents only one part of the translational research pathway, and a complete picture of development timeframes is lacking.
Mechanisms and therapeutic effectiveness of lactobacilli
Authors: Di Cerbo Alessandro , Palmieri Beniamino , Aponte Maria , Morales-Medina Julio Cesar , Iannitti Tommaso
Published: November 2015

The gut microbiome is not a silent ecosystem but exerts several physiological and immunological functions. For many decades, lactobacilli have been used as an effective therapy for treatment of several pathological conditions displaying an overall positive safety profile. This review summarises the mechanisms and clinical evidence supporting therapeutic efficacy of lactobacilli. We searched Pubmed/Medline using the keyword ‘Lactobacillus’. Selected papers from 1950 to 2015 were chosen on the basis of their content. Relevant clinical and experimental articles using lactobacilli as therapeutic agents have been included. Applications of lactobacilli include kidney support for renal insufficiency, pancreas health, management of metabolic imbalance, and cancer treatment and prevention. In vitro and in vivo investigations have shown that prolonged lactobacilli administration induces qualitative and quantitative modifications in the human gastrointestinal microbial ecosystem with encouraging perspectives in counteracting pathology-associated physiological and immunological changes. Few studies have highlighted the risk of translocation with subsequent sepsis and bacteraemia following probiotic administration but there is still a lack of investigations on the dose effect of these compounds. Great care is thus required in the choice of the properLactobacillusspecies, their genetic stability and the translocation risk, mainly related to inflammatory disease-induced gut mucosa enhanced permeability. Finally, we need to determine the adequate amount of bacteria to be delivered in order to achieve the best clinical efficacy decreasing the risk of side effects.
Protein requirement in critical illness
Authors: Hoffer Leonard John
Published: November 2015

How much protein do critically ill patients require? For the many decades that nutritional support has been used there was a broad consensus that critically ill patients need much more protein than required for normal health. Now, however, some clinical investigators recommend limiting all macronutrient provision during the early phase of critical illness. How did these conflicting recommendations emerge? Which of them is correct? This review explains the longstanding recommendation for generous protein provision in critical illness, analyzes the clinical trials now being claimed to refute it, and concludes with suggestions for clinical investigation and practice.
Acquisition of desiccation tolerance during seed development is associated with oxidative processes in rice
Authors: He Yongqi , Cheng Jinping , Li Xiaodan , Zeng Peng , Yang Bin , Zhang Hongsheng , Wang Zhoufei
Published: November 2015

Desiccation tolerance is an important characteristic of rice seed quality during seed drying. In this study, two varieties of Oryza sativa L. subsp. japonica (Jiucaiqing and Wuyunjing 7) were used to investigate the dynamic changes in rice seeds that are associated with desiccation tolerance (germination traits produced by dried seeds), grain mass (GW), moisture content (MC), and electrical conductivity (EC) during seed development (18 to 42 days after heading (DAH)). Changes in the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in fresh, dry, and imbibed states, and antioxidant enzyme activity (superoxide dismutase (SOD); catalase (CAT); and glutathione reductase (GR)) in fresh and imbibed seeds were also evaluated during seed development. The results showed that seeds started to acquire desiccation tolerance at 26 DAH and reached the highest levels at 38 DAH. The increase in GW and decline in MC coincided with the acquisition of desiccation tolerance. MDA and H2O2levels, and SOD, CAT, and GR activities in fresh and imbibed seeds rapidly decreased during the early developmental stages (18–30 DAH), and then their levels gradually stabilized (30–42 DAH). Regression analyses indicated that H2O2levels in fresh seeds was negatively correlated with seed germination, whereas SOD activity in imbibed seeds was positively correlated with seed germination. H2O2and SOD are, therefore, good parameters for assessing desiccation tolerance during rice seed development.
Diorganotin(IV) complexes of flexible N-protected amino acids and ketoximes: preparation and structure – antimicrobial activity relationship
Authors: Sharma Arti , Jain Asha , Saxena Sanjiv
Published: November 2015

Diorganotin(IV) complexes of flexible N-protected amino acids and ketoximes having the compositions Me2Sn [[Formula: see text]CHRCOO][ON = C6H10] (where R = –CH2CH(CH3)2, –CH(CH3)C2H5,–CH2C6H5, –CH(CH3)2) and Me2Sn[[Formula: see text]CHRCOO][ON=CR′R″] (where R = –CH2CH(CH3)2, –CH(CH3)C2H5, –CH2C6H5, R′ = R″ = CH3; R = –CH(CH3)C2H5, –CH2C6H5, –CH(CH3)2, R′ = CH3, R″ = C6H5) were prepared by the reaction of dimethyltin(IV) dichloride with sodium salts of flexible N-protected amino acids and ketoximes in 1:1:1 molar ratio in refluxing dry benzene. The synthesized complexes were characterized by elemental analyses and IR, multinuclear NMR (1H, 13C, and 119Sn), and mass spectral studies. Plausible structures of these complexes have been suggested on the basis of molecular weight measurements and spectral data. 119Sn NMR spectral data indicate the presence of pentacoordinated tin centres in these complexes. Some of the synthesized complexes and their ligands were also screened for their in vitro antimicrobial activity.
Nesting sites in agricultural landscapes may reduce the reproductive success of populations of Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii)
Authors: Mui A.B. , Edge C.B. , Paterson J.E. , Caverhill B. , Johnson B. , Litzgus J.D. , He Y.
Published: November 2015

Almost all turtle species nest in terrestrial environments and maternal site selection represents a critical component of nest success. Females use cues in the current environment to predict the future conditions for embryo development. However, in disturbed landscapes, current and future conditions may not be correlated. We compared selection of nest sites by Blanding’s Turtles (Emydoidea blandingii (Holbrook, 1838)) in a (relatively undisturbed) park and a (heavily disturbed) agricultural landscape in Ontario, Canada, using field measurements and satellite imagery. Environmental variables were compared using logistic regression and Akaike’s information criterion (AIC) based on data measured at nest (presence) and random (pseudoabsence) locations. Specific environmental variables associated with site selection differed between study areas. Most notably, NDVI (normalized difference vegetation index, a proxy for vegetation cover) increased significantly during the year at the agricultural locale, corresponding with the growth of planted fields. No parallel change was observed at the park locale where canopy cover remained more consistent. An increase in vegetation cover may alter nest temperatures and soil moisture. Combined with the unpredictability in timing of crop sowing and harvesting, findings suggest that nests in agricultural fields may act as ecological sinks and that other species nesting in similarly altered habitats may be subjected to the same threats.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN CO2 EMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Authors: LEE JOE-MING , CHEN KU-HSIEH , CHO CHIN-HO
Published: November 2015

This paper examines the relationships among CO2 emissions, energy use, GDP, and financial development for 25 OECD countries over the 1971–2007 period. From the results of the panel FMOLS and the cross-sectional dependence regression, we do not find any support for the existence of the EKC for OECD countries. Moreover, the results present that the coefficient of financial development to CO2 emissions is negative and statistically significant for eight countries (Austria, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, and the U.S.). The findings of this study thus show that financial development can help EU countries to adjust their CO2 emissions.
Exact renormalization group and loop variables: A background independent approach to string theory
Authors: Sathiapalan B.
Published: November 2015

This paper is a self-contained review of the loop variable approach to string theory. The Exact Renormalization Group is applied to a world sheet theory describing string propagation in a general background involving both massless and massive modes. This gives interacting equations of motion for the modes of the string. Loop variable techniques are used to obtain gauge invariant equations. Since this method is not tied to flat space–time or any particular background metric, it is manifestly background independent. The technique can be applied to both open and closed strings. Thus gauge invariant and generally covariant interacting equations of motion can be written for massive higher spin fields in arbitrary backgrounds. Some explicit examples are given.
Spin-dependent fragmentation functions of gluon splitting into heavy quarkonia considering three different scenarios
Authors: Nejad S. Mohammad Moosavi , Delpasand Mahdi
Published: November 2015

Heavy quarkonium production is a powerful implement to study the strong interaction dynamics and QCD theory. Fragmentation is the dominant production mechanism for heavy quarkonia with large transverse momentum. With the large heavy quark mass, the relative motion of the heavy quark pair inside a heavy quarkonium is effectively nonrelativistic and it is also well known that their fragmentation functions can be calculated in the perturbative QCD framework. Here, we analytically calculate the process-independent fragmentation functions for a gluon to split into the spin-singlet and spin-triplet [Formula: see text]-wave heavy quarkonia using three different scenarios. We will show that the fragmentation probability of the gluon into the spin-triplet bound-state is the biggest one.
Nonstrange and strange pentaquarks with hidden charm
Authors: Anisovich V. V. , Matveev M. A. , Nyiri J. , Sarantsev A. V. , Semenova A. N.
Published: November 2015

Nonstrange and strange pentaquarks with hidden charm are considered as diquark–diquark–antiquark composite systems. Spin and isospin content of such exotic states is discussed and masses are evaluated.
Augmented standard model and the simplest scenario
Authors: Wu Tai Tsun , Wu Sau Lan
Published: November 2015

The experimental discovery of the Higgs particle in 2012 by the ATLAS Collaboration and the CMS Collaboration at CERN ushers in a new era of particle physics. On the basis of these data, scalar quarks and scalar leptons are added to each generation of quarks and leptons. The resulting augmented standard model has fermion–boson symmetry for each of three generations, but only one Higgs doublet giving masses to all the elementary particles.

A specific special case, the simplest scenario, is studied in detail. In this case, there are twenty six quadratic divergences, and all these divergences are cancelled provided that one single relation between the masses is satisfied. This mass relation contains a great deal of information, and in particular determines the masses of all the right-handed scalar quarks and scalar leptons, while gives relations for the masses of the left-handed ones.

An alternative procedure is also given with a different starting point and less reliance on the experimental data. The result is of course the same.
Low-Cost Linear Switched Reluctance Motor: Velocity and Position Control
Authors: Zaafrane Wajdi , Rehaoulia Habib , Dursun Mahir , Khediri Jalel
Published: November 2015

This paper presents low-cost velocity and position control of a double-sided linear switched reluctance motor (LSRM). This investigation gives a detailed presentation of modeling, simulation and experimental results as well as open and closed loop controls. In addition, control strategy was achieved by the help of proportional-integrator (PI) controller in order to ensure smooth motion with highly reduced position and force oscillations. For low-cost purposes, PIC18F452 control board and inverter-based MOSFET are used. This simple approach helps to integrate the actuator in high precision industrial applications. Comparison between simulation and experiment results gives a good agreement.
Engineering a Memetic Algorithm from Discrete Cuckoo Search and Tabu Search for Cell Assignment of Hybrid Nanoscale CMOL Circuits
Authors: Sait Sadiq M. , Oughali Feras Chikh , Arafeh Abdalrahman M.
Published: November 2015

Cuckoo search optimization (CSO) algorithm, a recently proposed metaheuristic, has shown promising results in various problem domains. Results from recent studies show that engineering and tuning discrete cuckoo search optimization’ parameters is a daunting task. In this paper, an attempt to enhance the performance of the CSO algorithm in solving discrete combinatorial optimization problems is presented. Performance of the discrete modified CSO algorithm is compared with genetic algorithm (GA), particle swarm optimization (PSO), hybrid of GA/PSO, and simulated annealing. In addition, a memetic algorithm (MA) that combines discrete modified CSO and tabu search is proposed. Results show that the proposed improvements help in enhancing the performance of the original algorithm. As a test case, the NP-hard problem of buffer minimization in CMOL (CMOS[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]nanowire[Formula: see text]+[Formula: see text]MOLecules) circuits is addressed. The performance of the proposed implementation of CSO algorithm is compared with other heuristics.
ARCLENGTH AS THE INVARIANT MEASURE FOR AN IFS WITH PROBABILITIES
Authors: LA TORRE D. , MENDIVIL F.
Published: November 2015

Given a continuous rectifiable function [Formula: see text], we present a simple Iterated Function System (IFS) with probabilities whose invariant measure is the normalized arclength measure on the graph of [Formula: see text].
LEAVITT PATH ALGEBRAS OF FINITE GELFAND–KIRILLOV DIMENSION
Authors: ALAHMADI ADEL , ALSULAMI HAMED , JAIN S. K. , ZELMANOV EFIM
Published: November 2015

Groebner–Shirshov Basis and Gelfand–Kirillov dimension of the Leavitt path algebra are derived.
DYNAMICS IN ANSIRMODEL WHEN VACCINATION DEMAND FOLLOWS PRIOR LEVELS OF DISEASE PREVALENCE
Authors: ECKALBAR JOHN C. , TSOURNOS PETE , ECKALBAR WALTER L.
Published: November 2015

This paper investigates an susceptible, infectious, recovered (SIR) model with childhood vaccination demand modeled as a function of prior levels of disease prevalence. Stability conditions for endemic and disease-free equilibria are uncovered, and both Hopf bifurcations and chaos are found with certain constellations of parameter values. Policy interventions directed toward increasing vaccination are explored, and the implied magnitudes of the external benefit of vaccination are modeled.
On the
k
-Independence Required by Linear Probing and Minwise Independence
Authors: Pǎtraşcu Mihai , Thorup Mikkel
Published: November 2015

We show that linear probing requires 5-independent hash functions for expected constant-time performance, matching an upper bound of Pagh et al. [2009]. More precisely, we construct a random 4-independent hash function yielding expected logarithmic search time for certain keys. For (1 + ϵ)-approximate minwise independence, we show that Ω(lg 1/ϵ)-independent hash functions are required, matching an upper bound of Indyk [2001]. We also show that the very fast 2-independent multiply-shift scheme of Dietzfelbinger [1996] fails badly in both applications.
Robust and MaxMin Optimization under Matroid and Knapsack Uncertainty Sets
Authors: Gupta Anupam , Nagarajan Viswanath , Ravi R.
Published: November 2015

Consider the following problem: given a set system (
U
, Ω) and an edge-weighted graph
G
= (
U
,
E
) on the same universe
U
, find the set
A
∈ Ω such that the Steiner tree cost with terminals
A
is as large as possible—“which set in Ω is the most difficult to connect up?” This is an example of a
max-min problem
: find the set
A
∈ Ω such that the value of some minimization (covering) problem is as large as possible.

In this article, we show that for certain covering problems that admit good deterministic online algorithms, we can give good algorithms for max-min optimization when the set system Ω is given by a
p
-system or knapsack constraints or both. This result is similar to results for constrained maximization of submodular functions. Although many natural covering problems are not even approximately submodular, we show that one can use properties of the online algorithm as a surrogate for submodularity.

Moreover, we give stronger connections between max-min optimization and two-stage robust optimization, and hence give improved algorithms for robust versions of various covering problems, for cases where the uncertainty sets are given by
p
-systems and knapsack constraints.
Two-Level Hybrid Sampled Simulation of Multithreaded Applications
Authors: Jiang Chuntao , Yu Zhibin , Eeckhout Lieven , Jin Hai , Liao Xiaofei , Xu Chengzhong
Published: November 2015

Sampled microarchitectural simulation of single-threaded applications is mature technology for over a decade now. Sampling multithreaded applications, on the other hand, is much more complicated. Not until very recently have researchers proposed solutions for sampled simulation of multithreaded applications.
Time-Based Sampling (TBS)
samples multithreaded application execution based on time—not instructions as is typically done for single-threaded applications—yielding estimates for a multithreaded application’s execution time. In this article, we revisit and analyze previously proposed TBS approaches (periodic and cantor fractal based sampling), and we obtain a number of novel and surprising insights, such as (i) accurately estimating
fast-forwarding IPC
, that is, performance in-between sampling units, is more important than accurately estimating
sample IPC
, that is, performance within the sampling units; (ii) fast-forwarding IPC estimation accuracy is determined by both the sampling unit distribution and how to use the sampling units to predict fast-forwarding IPC; and (iii) cantor sampling is more accurate at small sampling unit sizes, whereas periodic is more accurate at large sampling unit sizes.

These insights lead to the development of
Two-level Hybrid Sampling (THS)
, a novel sampling methodology for multithreaded applications that combines periodic sampling’s accuracy at large time scales (i.e., uniformly selecting coarse-grain sampling units across the entire program execution) with cantor sampling’s accuracy at small time scales (i.e., the ability to accurately predict fast-forwarding IPC in-between small sampling units). The clustered occurrence of small sampling units under cantor sampling also enables shortened warmup and thus enhanced simulation speed. Overall, THS achieves an average absolute execution time prediction error of 4% while yielding an average simulation speedup of 40 × compared to detailed simulation, which is both more accurate and faster than the current state-of-the-art. Case studies illustrate THS’ ability to accurately predict relative performance differences across the design space.
Transforming K-12 computing education
Authors: Cuny Jan
Published: November 2015

This critical perspective focuses on the new Advanced Placement® Computer Science Principles course and its place in the larger CS10K Initiative. CS Principles as defined by the College Board is a framework; several different, aligned curricula have been created, each with its own model of teacher professional development. Together, these courses have been piloted with hundreds of teachers and thousands of students. This perspective provides context for those efforts and discusses their status entering the critical year leading to the first official AP CS Principles courses (beginning in Fall 2016) and the first official AP CS Principles exam (Spring 2017).
The rostral ventromedial medulla control of cutaneous vasomotion of paws and tail in the rat: implication for pain studies
Authors: El Bitar Nabil , Pollin Bernard , Huang Gan , Mouraux André , Le Bars Daniel
Published: November 2015

Thermal neutrality in rodents is achieved by large cyclic variations of the sympathetic drive of the vasomotion of the tail and paws, the most widely used target organs in current acute or chronic animal models of pain. Given the pivotal functional role of rostral ventromedial medulla (RVM) in nociception and rostral medullary raphe (rMR) in thermoregulation, two largely overlapping brain regions, we aimed at circumscribing the brainstem regions that are the source of premotor afferents to sympathetic preganglionic neurons that control the vasomotor tone of the tail and hind paws. A thermometric infrared camera recorded indirectly the vasomotor tone of the tail and hind paws. During the control period, the rat was maintained in vasoconstriction by preserving a stable, homogeneous, and constant surrounding temperature, slightly below the core temperature. The functional blockade of the RVM/rMR by the GABAA receptor agonist muscimol (0.5 nmol, 50 nl) elicited an extensive increase of the temperature of the paws and tail, associated with a slight decrease of blood pressure and heart rate. Both the increased heat loss through vasodilatation and the decrease heart-induced heat production elicited a remarkable reduction of the central temperature. The effective zones were circumscribed to the parts of the RVM/rMR facing the facial nucleus. They match very exactly the brain regions often described as specifically devoted to the control of nociception. Our data support and urge on the highest cautiousness regarding the interpretation of results aimed at studying the effects of any pharmacological manipulations of RVM/rMR with the usual tests of pain.
Dry Eye Disease following Refractive Surgery: A 12-Month Follow-Up of SMILE versus FS-LASIK in High Myopia
Authors: Wang Bingjie , Naidu Rajeev K. , Chu Renyuan , Dai Jinhui , Qu Xiaomei , Zhou Hao
Published: November 2015

Purpose.To compare dry eye disease following SMILE versus FS-LASIK.Design.Prospective, nonrandomised, observational study.Patients.90 patients undergoing refractive surgery for myopia were included. 47 eyes underwent SMILE and 43 eyes underwent FS-LASIK.Methods.Evaluation of dry eye disease was conducted preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively, using the Salisbury Eye Evaluation Questionnaire (SEEQ) and TBUT.Results.TBUT reduced following SMILE at 1 and 3 months (p<0.001) and at 1, 3, and 6 months following FS-LASIK (p<0.001). TBUT was greater following SMILE than FS-LASIK at 3, 6, and 12 months (p<0.001,p<0.001, andp=0.009, resp.). SEEQ scores increased (greater symptoms) following SMILE at 1 month (p<0.001) and 3 months (p=0.003) and at 1, 3, and 6 months following FS-LASIK (p<0.001). SMILE produced lower SEEQ scores (fewer symptoms) than FS-LASIK at 1, 3, and 6 months (p<0.001).Conclusion.SMILE produces less dry eye disease than FS-LASIK at 6 months postoperatively but demonstrates similar degrees of dry eye disease at 12 months.
Cyanoacrylate for Intraoral Wound Closure: A Possibility?
Authors: Sagar Parimala , Prasad Kavitha , Lalitha R. M. , Ranganath Krishnappa
Published: November 2015

Wound closure is a part of any surgical procedure and the objective of laceration repair or incision closure is to approximate the edges of a wound so that natural healing process may occur. Over the years new biomaterials have been discovered as an alternate to conventional suture materials. Cyanoacrylate bioadhesives are one among them. They carry the advantages of rapid application, patient comfort, resistance to infection, hemostatic properties, and no suture removal anxiety. Hence this study was undertaken to study the effect of long chain cyanoacrylate as an adhesive for intraoral wound closure and also to explore its hemostatic and antibacterial effects. Isoamyl-2-cyanoacrylate (AMCRYLATE) was used as the adhesive in the study. In conclusion isoamyl cyanoacrylate can be used for intraoral wound closure, as an alternative to sutures for gluing the mucoperiosteum to bone, for example, after impaction removal, periapical surgeries, and cleft repair. Its hemostatic and antibacterial activity has to be further evaluated.
Object-Oriented Semisupervised Classification of VHR Images by Combining MedLDA and a Bilateral Filter
Authors: He Shi , Tang Hong , Li Jing , Shu Yang , Shen Li
Published: November 2015

A Bayesian hierarchical model is presented to classify very high resolution (VHR) images in a semisupervised manner, in which both a maximum entropy discrimination latent Dirichlet allocation (MedLDA) and a bilateral filter are combined into a novel application framework. The primary contribution of this paper is to nullify the disadvantages of traditional probabilistic topic models on pixel-level supervised information and to achieve the effective classification of VHR remote sensing images. This framework consists of the following two iterative steps. In the training stage, the model utilizes the central labeled pixel and its neighborhood, as a squared labeled image object, to train the classifiers. In the classification stage, each central unlabeled pixel with its neighborhood, as an unlabeled object, is classified as a user-provided geoobject class label with the maximum posterior probability. Gibbs sampling is adopted for model inference. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms two classical SVM-based supervised classification methods and probabilistic-topic-models-based classification methods.
Panniculectomy Combined with Bariatric Surgery by Laparotomy: An Analysis of 325 Cases
Authors: Colabianchi Vincenzo , de Bernardinis Giancarlo , Giovannini Matteo , Langella Marika
Published: November 2015

Surgical treatment of obese patients is much debated in the literature because of the significant intraoperative risks related to comorbidities presented by this type of patients. Recent literature suggests that panniculectomy should follow bariatric surgery after the patient’s weight loss has been stabilized. However, when performed by laparotomy, bariatric surgery can be combined with panniculectomy. This paper presents the analysis of 325 cases of patients undergoing abdominal panniculectomy combined with bariatric surgery. The study highlights the risks, complications, and benefits of the combined procedure and describes a standardized technique for excision of a large abdominal panniculus in a short operating time.
Primary Genital Herpes Simplex Virus Type I in Preterm Prelabour Rupture of Membranes at 30 Weeks’ Gestation
Authors: Dalton Anna , Grivell Rosalie
Published: November 2015

Background.Disseminated herpes simplex virus (HSV) in the neonate is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Current guidelines recommend caesarean in third-trimester maternal primary genital HSV outbreaks to prevent transmission from mother to fetus. In the premature fetus, however, expectant management is often necessary to reduce morbidity of prematurity. The benefit of performing caesarean after 6 hrs of rupture of membranes (ROM) to reduce maternal-fetal transmission is unclear.Case. A female patient with primary genital HSV type 1 outbreak coinciding with preterm, prelabour rupture of membranes (PPROM) at 30 + 3 weeks’ gestation. An immediate caesarean section was not performed after multidisciplinary team discussion due to the benefits of glucocorticoids on immune complications of prematurity. The patient had expectant management for 5 days with intravenous (IV) aciclovir and then delivered an infant vaginally with disseminated neonatal HSV.Conclusion. We address the rare presentation of primary HSV infection associated with PPROM and the dilemma of how to manage these patients given the limited literature. We discuss the role of intrauterine compartment monitoring with amniocentesis, the mode of delivery when ROM has occurred for 120 hours, expectant management to reduce prematurity, and the effectiveness of aciclovir to reduce viral shedding in the prevention of neonatal HSV.
Experimental and Theoretical Study on Influence of Different Charging Structures on Blasting Vibration Energy
Authors: Gu Wenbin , Wang Zhenxiong , Chen Jianghai , Liu Jianqing , Lu Ming
Published: November 2015

As an important parameter in blasting design, charging structure directly influences blasting effect. Due to complex conditions of this blasting and excavating engineering in Jiangsu, China, the authors carried out comparative researches with coupling structure, air-decoupling structure, and water-decoupling structure. After collecting, comparing, and analyzing produced signals on blasting vibration, the authors summarized that when proportional distances are the same, water-decoupling structure can reduce instantaneous energy of blasting vibration more effectively with more average rock fragmentation and less harm of dust. From the perspective of impedance matching, the present paper analyzed influence of charging structure on blasting vibration energy, demonstrating that impedance matching relationship between explosive and rock changes because of different charging structures. Through deducing relationship equation that meets the impedance matching of explosive and rock under different charging structures, the research concludes that when blasting rocks with high impedance, explosive with high impedance can better transmits blasting energy. Besides, when employing decoupling charging, there exists a reasonable decoupling coefficient helping realize impedance matching of explosive and rock.
Chlorophytum borivilianumPolysaccharide Fraction Provokes the Immune Function and Disease Resistance ofLabeo rohitaagainstAeromonas hydrophila
Authors: Giri Sib Sankar , Sen Shib Sankar , Chi Cheng , Kim Hyoun Joong , Yun Saekil , Park Se Chang , Sukumaran V.
Published: November 2015

The present study aimed to investigate the effects ofChlorophytum borivilianumpolysaccharide (CBP), as a dietary supplement administered at varying concentrations with feed (basal diet), on various cytokine-related responses inLabeo rohitafingerlings. Immune parameters and immune-related gene expressions were measured at 3rd, 4th, and 5th week after feeding. The results revealed that dietary administration of CBP at 0.2% and 0.4% for 4 weeks significantly upregulated serum lysozyme and phagocytic activity. Complement C3 and respiratory burst activity (RBA) were significantly higher after 4 weeks of CBP feeding. The immune related genesIL-8,IL-1β,TNF-α, andiNOSwere downregulated (P<0.05) in groups with 0.2% and 0.4% CBP supplemented diets at week 4. Expression of anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-10andTGF-β) was also downregulated (P<0.5) after 4 weeks of feeding with 0.2% to 0.8% CBP. However, five weeks of CBP administration had no significant effect on immune gene expression, exceptTNF-αandIL-8. Fish fed with 0.4% CBP for 4 weeks showed maximum resistance againstAeromonas hydrophila(73.3% survival) compared to control. From these results, we recommend that CBP administration at 0.4% for 4 weeks could effectively improve immune response and disease resistance inL. rohita.
A Novel Murine Anti-Lactoferrin Monoclonal Antibody Activates Human Polymorphonuclear Leukocytes through Membrane-Bound Lactoferrin and TLR4
Authors: Hu Xiao-Min , Xu Yan-Rui , Yan Ru , Sun Shu-Liang , Dong Hong-Liang , Wang Jun , Gao Xiao-Ming
Published: November 2015

Soluble lactoferrin (LTF) is a versatile molecule that not only regulates the iron homeostasis, but also harbors direct microbicidal and immunomodulating abilities in mammalian body fluids. In contrast, little is known about the function of membrane-bound LTF (mbLTF), although its expression on human polymorphonuclear leukocytes (huPMNs) has been reported for decades. Given that LTF/anti-LTF antibodies represent a potential diagnostic/prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in patients with immune disorders, we wished, in the present study, to generate a novel human LTF- (huLTF-) specific mAb suitable for detailed analyses on the expression and function of mbLTF as well as for deciphering the underlying mechanisms. By using the traditional hybridoma cell fusion technology, we obtained a murine IgG1 (kappa) mAb, M-860, against huLTF. M-860 recognizes a conformational epitope of huLTF as it binds to natural, but not denatured, huLTF in ELISA. Moreover, M-860 detects mbLTF by FACS and captures endogenous huLTF in total cell lysates of huPMNs. Functionally, M-860 induces the activation of huPMNs partially through TLR4 but independently of phagocytosis. M-860 is thus a powerful tool to analyze the expression and function of human mbLTF, which will further our understanding of the roles of LTF in health and disease.
Association of Genetic Polymorphisms of IFNGR1 with the Risk of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in Zahedan, Southeast Iran
Authors: Naderi Mohammad , Hashemi Mohammad , Rezaei Maryam , Safdari Abolhassan
Published: November 2015

Aim.The present study was undertaken to find out the possible association between interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) receptor 1 (IFNGR1) gene polymorphisms and risk of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in a sample of Iranian population.Methods. Polymorphisms ofIFNGR1rs1327474 (−611 A/G), rs11914 (+189 T/G), rs7749390 (+95 C/T), and rs137854905 (27-bp ins/del) were determined in 173 PTB patients and 164 healthy subjects.Results. Our findings showed that rs11914 TG genotypes decreased the risk of PTB in comparison with TT (OR = 0.36, 95% CI = 0.21–0.62, andp=0.0002). The rs11914 G allele decreased the risk of PTB compared with T allele (OR = 0.41, 95% CI = 0.25–0.68, andp=0.0006).IFNGR1rs7749390 CT genotype decreased the risk of PTB in comparison with CC genotype (OR = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.32–0.95, andp=0.038). No significant association was found betweenIFNGR1rs1327474 A/G polymorphism and risk/protective of PTB. The rs137854905 (27-bp I/D) variant was not polymorphic in our population.Conclusion. Our findings showed thatIFNGR1rs11914 and rs7749390 variants decreased the risk of PTB susceptibility in our population.
Torsion of Fatty Appendage of Falciform Ligament: Acute Abdomen in a Child
Authors: Maccallum Caroline , Eaton Sarah , Chubb Daniel , Franzi Stephen
Published: November 2015

Torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament is an extremely rare condition that leads to severe abdominal pain and raised inflammatory markers. It can be recognised on ultrasound or CT scan. The pathophysiology is the same as that involved in the more common torsion and/or infarction of the greater omentum or epiploic appendages. The condition is best managed conservatively with anti-inflammatory analgesia, and the early recognition of this type of torsion may prevent unnecessary operative intervention to look for a source of abdominal pain. There have been five reported adult cases of a torted fatty appendage of the falciform ligament identified on ultrasound and CT scan, but no paediatric cases. We report a case of torsion of the fatty appendage of the falciform ligament in a ten-year-old boy and describe its imaging characteristics on CT scan.
PFOS Disturbs BDNF-ERK-CREB Signalling in Association with Increased MicroRNA-22 in SH-SY5Y Cells
Authors: Li Wu , He Qing-zhi , Wu Cheng-qiu , Pan Xiao-yuan , Wang Jing , Tan Yan , Shan Xiao-yun , Zeng Huai-cai
Published: November 2015

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a ubiquitous environmental pollutant, is neurotoxic to mammalian species. However, the underlying mechanism of its neurotoxicity was unclear. We hypothesized that PFOS suppresses BDNF expression to produce its neurotoxic effects by inhibiting the ERK-CREB pathway. SH-SY5Y human neuroblastoma cells were exposed to various concentrations of PFOS to examine the role of the BDNF-ERK-CREB signalling pathway in PFOS-induced apoptosis and cytotoxicity. Furthermore, to ascertain the mechanism by which PFOS reduces BDNF signalling, we examined the expression levels of miR-16 and miR-22, which potentially regulate BDNF mRNA translation at the posttranscriptional level. Results indicated that PFOS significantly decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. In addition, BDNF and pERK protein levels decreased after PFOS treatment; however, pCREB protein levels were significantly elevated in PFOS treated groups. TrkB protein expression increased in the 10 μM and 50 μM PFOS groups and significantly decreased in the 100 μM PFOS group. Our results demonstrated that PFOS exposure decreased miR-16 expression and increased miR-22 expression, which may represent a possible mechanism by which PFOS decreases BDNF protein levels. PFOS may inhibit BDNF-ERK-CREB signalling by increasing miR-22 levels, which may, in part, explain the mechanism of PFOS neurotoxicity.