bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Variant of L♮-Convexity and its Application to Inventory Models with Batch Ordering
Authors: Chen Zhiyuan , Liu Yanchu , Yang Yi , Zhou Yun
Published: September 2014

Previous studies show that the concept of L♮-convexity is helpful in characterizing the optimal policy for some inventory models with positive leadtimes. Such examples include the lost-sales inventory model by Zipkin (2008). On the structure of lost-sales inventory models. Operations Research, 56(4) 937–944. and the inventory-pricing model by Pang et al. (2012). A note on the structure of joint inventory-pricing control with leadtimes. Operations Research, 60(3), 581–587. However, when taking batch ordering into account, L♮-convexity does not work anymore. In this paper, we extend L♮-convexity to a more general concept termed as Q-jump-L♮-convexity and apply it to batch ordering inventory models including a lost-sales inventory model and an inventory-pricing model with batch ordering and positive leadtimes. By utilizing this new concept, we can partially characterize the structure of the optimal policies for both the models. Moreover, we are able to evaluate the sensitivity of the optimal decisions with respect to system states. Our results can also be applied to the serial and the assembly inventory systems with lost-sales and batch ordering.
Some remarks on an old problem of radiation and gravity
Authors: Unnikrishnan C. S. , Gillies George T.
Published: September 2014

The assumed universality of the equivalence principle suggests that a particle in a gravitational field has identical physics to one in an accelerated frame. Yet, energy considerations prohibit radiation from a static particle in a gravitational field while the accelerating counterpart emits. Solutions to the fundamental problems of radiation from charges in a gravitational field and consequences to the equivalence principle usually contrast the far-field and global nature of radiation with the local validity of the equivalence principle. Here, we suggest reliable physical solutions that recognizes the essential need for motional currents and the magnetic component for radiation to occur. Our discussion reiterates the need for a fresh careful look at universality of free fall (UFF) for charged particles in a gravitational field.
Characteristic classes associated to Q-bundles
Authors: Kotov Alexei , Strobl Thomas
Published: September 2014

A Q-manifold is a graded manifold endowed with a vector field of degree 1 squaring to zero. We consider the notion of a Q-bundle, that is, a fiber bundle in the category of Q-manifolds. To each homotopy class of "gauge fields" (sections in the category of graded manifolds) and each cohomology class of a certain subcomplex of forms on the fiber we associate a cohomology class on the base. As any principal bundle yields canonically a Q-bundle, this construction generalizes Chern–Weil classes. Novel examples include cohomology classes that are locally de Rham differential of the integrands of topological sigma models obtained by the AKSZ-formalism in arbitrary dimensions. For Hamiltonian Poisson fibrations one obtains a characteristic 3-class in this manner. We also relate the framework to equivariant cohomology and Lecomte's characteristic classes of exact sequences of Lie algebras.
Octonion generalization of Pauli and Dirac matrices
Authors: Chanyal B. C.
Published: September 2014

Starting with octonion algebra and its 4 × 4 matrix representation, we have made an attempt to write the extension of Pauli's matrices in terms of division algebra (octonion). The octonion generalization of Pauli's matrices shows the counterpart of Pauli's spin and isospin matrices. In this paper, we also have obtained the relationship between Clifford algebras and the division algebras, i.e. a relation between octonion basis elements with Dirac (gamma), Weyl and Majorana representations. The division algebra structure leads to nice representations of the corresponding Clifford algebras. We have made an attempt to investigate the octonion formulation of Dirac wave equations, conserved current and weak isospin in simple, compact, consistent and manifestly covariant manner.
Node-Capture Resilient Key Establishment in Sensor Networks: Design Space and New Protocols
Authors: Newell Andrew , Yao Hongyi , Ryker Alex , Ho Tracey , Nita-Rotaru Cristina
Published: September 2014

Key management is required for basic security services of confidentiality, integrity, and data source authentication. Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) are a challenging environment to provide such services due to the resource constraints and the increased likelihood of nodes to be captured. Various key management techniques were proposed that trade off resilience to node capture and overhead in terms of communication and memory.

We identify the main factors influencing the design space of key management protocols for sensor networks and describe representative protocols that trade off the number of links established, communication overhead, and resilience to node capture. These trade-offs are due to using direct, pathbased, or multipath-based communication to establish secure links. We propose a new multipath protocol relying on an encoding scheme tailored for WSNs and analyze the effects of key pre-distribution on multipath key establishment.

We provide extensive simulations to understand the trade-offs between resilience to node compromise and communication overhead under numerous network scenarios. This comparison highlights the trade-offs between these vastly different key management schemes. For the newer class of key management schemes—multipath based—we quantify experimentally the additional communication overhead required for extra paths and the improvement in resilience from using these paths.
Improving Business Value Assurance in Large-Scale IT Projects—A Quantitative Method Based on Founded Requirements Assessment
Authors: Fridgen Gilbert , Klier Julia , Beer Martina , Wolf Thomas
Published: September 2014

The probability of IT project failures can be mitigated more successfully when discovered early. To support a more insightful management of IT projects, which may also facilitate an early detection of IT project failures, transparency regarding a project's cash flows shall be increased. Therefore, an appropriate analysis of a project's benefits, costs, requirements, their respective risks and interdependencies is inevitable. However, to date, in requirements engineering only few methods exist that appropriately consider these factors when estimating the ex ante project business case. Furthermore, empirical studies reveal that a lot of risk factors emerge during the runtime of projects why the ex ante valuation of IT projects even with respect to requirements seems insufficient. Therefore, using the Action Design Research approach, we design, apply, and evaluate a practicable method for value-based continuous IT project steering especially for large-scale IT projects.
Energy Analysis of Hardware and Software Range Partitioning
Authors: Wu Lisa , Polychroniou Orestis , Barker Raymond J. , Kim Martha A. , Ross Kenneth A.
Published: September 2014

Data partitioning is a critical operation for manipulating large datasets because it subdivides tasks into pieces that are more amenable to efficient processing. It is often the limiting factor in database performance and represents a significant fraction of the overall runtime of large data queries. This article measures the performance and energy of state-of-the-art software partitioners, and describes and evaluates a hardware range partitioner that further improves efficiency.

The software implementation is broken into two phases, allowing separate analysis of the partition function computation and data shuffling costs. Although range partitioning is commonly thought to be more expensive than simpler strategies such as hash partitioning, our measurements indicate that careful data movement and optimization of the partition function can allow it to approach the throughput and energy consumption of hash or radix partitioning.

For further acceleration, we describe a hardware range partitioner, or HARP, a streaming framework that offers a seamless execution environment for this and other streaming accelerators, and a detailed analysis of a 32nm physical design that matches the throughput of four to eight software threads while consuming just 6.9% of the area and 4.3% of the power of a Xeon core in the same technology generation.
Product Demand Forecasting and Dynamic Pricing considering Consumers’ Mental Accounting and Peak-End Reference Effects
Authors: Bi Wenjie , Liu Mengqi
Published: September 2014

We introduce a demand forecasting model for a monopolistic company selling products to consumers with double-entry mental accounting, which means consumers experience pleasure when consuming goods or service and feel pains when paying for them. Moreover, as the monopolist changes prices, consumers form a reference price that adjusts an anchoring standard based on the lowest price that they perceived, namely, the peak-end anchoring. We obtain the steady state prices under three different payment schemes for two- and infinite-period. We also analyze the relationship between these steady prices and maximal profit and compare the steady state prices of different payment schemes by changing the double-entry mental accounting’s parameters through numerical examples. The proposed model is computationally tractable for demand forecasting of realistic size.
Preparation and Aromatic Hydrocarbon Removal Performance of Potassium Ferrate
Authors: Guan Wei , Xie Zhigang , Zhang Jia
Published: September 2014

This experiment adopts the hypochlorite oxidation method to constantly synthesize potassium ferrate. Under the condition of micropolluted source water pH and on the basis of naphthalene, phenanthrene, and pyrene as research objects, the effects of different systems to remove aromatic hydrocarbons were studied. Various oxidation systems to remove phenanthrene intermediate are analyzed and the detailed mechanisms for removal of phenanthrene are discussed. The study found that the main intermediate of potassium ferrate system to transform phenanthrene is 9,10-phenanthraquinone and its area percentage reached 82.66%; that is, 9,10-phenanthraquinone is the key entity to remove phenanthrene.
Effects of Electric Pulse Current on the Aging Kinetics of 2219 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Zhang Jiao , Zhan Lihua , Jia Shufeng
Published: September 2014

The conventional aging experiments and the low density electric pulse current (LDEPC for short) added aging experiments, with the self-made positive and negative alternating pulse power equipment, were conducted to study the influence of LDEPC on the dynamics of phase transformation in 2219 aluminum alloy by means of measuring the variation of hardness with aging time. The results showed that the hardness in both aging systems increased with the increasing of aging time until it reached the peak value; then it gradually reduced. The hardness of LDEPC added aging is generally greater than the conventional one before the peak aging time. The Avrami dynamics equation of conventional isothermal aging was obtained based on the hardness evolution law. The effects of electromigration and ponderomotive force were introduced into the Avrami empirical equation; in turn, the dynamics equation of LDEPC added aging was established. At last, the isothermal transformation curves of both the regular aging and the LDEPC added aging were derived which revealed that the nucleation rate, as well as the growth rate, was promoted by electric pulse current. The research work provided the theoretical support for the regulation of the coupling energy field on the dynamics of phase transformation in 2219 aluminum alloy.
Neural Coding for Effective Rehabilitation
Authors: Hu Xiaoling , Wang Yiwen , Zhao Ting , Gunduz Aysegul
Published: September 2014

Successful neurological rehabilitation depends on accurate diagnosis, effective treatment, and quantitative evaluation. Neural coding, a technology for interpretation of functional and structural information of the nervous system, has contributed to the advancements in neuroimaging, brain-machine interface (BMI), and design of training devices for rehabilitation purposes. In this review, we summarized the latest breakthroughs in neuroimaging from microscale to macroscale levels with potential diagnostic applications for rehabilitation. We also reviewed the achievements in electrocorticography (ECoG) coding with both animal models and human beings for BMI design, electromyography (EMG) interpretation for interaction with external robotic systems, and robot-assisted quantitative evaluation on the progress of rehabilitation programs. Future rehabilitation would be more home-based, automatic, and self-served by patients. Further investigations and breakthroughs are mainly needed in aspects of improving the computational efficiency in neuroimaging and multichannel ECoG by selection of localized neuroinformatics, validation of the effectiveness in BMI guided rehabilitation programs, and simplification of the system operation in training devices.
Improved Filter-SQP Algorithm with Active Set for Constrained Minimax Problems
Authors: Luo Zhijun , Wang Lirong
Published: September 2014

An improved filter-SQP algorithm with active set for constrained finite minimax problems is proposed. Firstly, an active constraint subset is obtained by a pivoting operation procedure. Then, a new quadratic programming (QP) subproblem is constructed based on the active constraint subset. The main search directiondkis obtained by solving this (QP) subproblem which is feasible at per iteration point and need not to consider the penalty function by using the filter technique. Under some suitable conditions, the global convergence of our algorithm is established. Finally, some numerical results are reported to show the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Robust Inventory System Optimization Based on Simulation and Multiple Criteria Decision Making
Authors: Mortazavi Ahmad , Arshadi khamseh Alireza
Published: September 2014

Inventory management in retailers is difficult and complex decision making process which is related to the conflict criteria, also existence of cyclic changes and trend in demand is inevitable in many industries. In this paper, simulation modeling is considered as efficient tool for modeling of retailer multiproduct inventory system. For simulation model optimization, a novel multicriteria and robust surrogate model is designed based on multiple attribute decision making (MADM) method, design of experiments (DOE), and principal component analysis (PCA). This approach as a main contribution of this paper, provides a framework for robust multiple criteria decision making under uncertainty.
Factors Associated with Utilization of Dipeptidyl-4 Inhibitors in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Cross-Sectional Retrospective Study
Authors: Zaman Huri Hasniza , Selamat NorFarahen , Vethakkan Shireene Ratna
Published: September 2014

Dipeptidyl-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors are oral antidiabetic agents recently introduced to Malaysia. Thus, limited data is available on their utilization patterns and factors associated with their use. This study aims to analyse the utilization patterns of DPP-4 inhibitors, factors that influenced the choice of agent, and the rationale for treatment with DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This retrospective study was conducted to address the utilization pattern of DPP-4 inhibitors and factors that influence choice in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. 299 subjects taking either sitagliptin or vildagliptin from September 2008 to September 2012 were included in the study. Sitagliptin was more frequently prescribed than vildagliptin. Of the patients prescribed DPP-4 inhibitors, 95% received combinations of these and other agents, whereas only 5% were prescribed DPP-4 inhibitors as monotherapy. Factors affecting the utilization of DPP-4 inhibitors included age(P=0.049)and concomitant use of beta blockers(P=0.045)and aspirin(P=0.008). Early identification of factors associated with DPP-4 inhibitors is essential to enhance quality use of the drugs.
Anisotropic Charged Fluid Sphere in Isotropic Coordinates
Authors: Pant Neeraj , Pradhan N. , Singh Ksh. Newton
Published: September 2014

We have presented a class of charged superdense star models, starting with a static spherically symmetric metric in isotropic coordinates for anisotropic fluid by considering Hajj-Boutros-(1986) type metric potential and a specific choice of electrical intensity E and anisotropy factor Δ which involve charge parameter K and anisotropy parameter α. The solution is well behaved for all the values of Schwarzschild compactness parameter u lying in the range 0<u≤0.2086, for all values of charge parameter K lying in the range 0.04≤K≤0.111 , and for all values of anisotropy parameter α lying in the range 0.016≥α≥0. With the increase in α, the values of K and u decrease. Further, we have constructed a superdense star model with all degree of suitability. The solution so obtained is utilized to construct the models for superdense star like neutron stars ρb=2.7×1014 g/cm3 and strange quark stars  ρb=4.6888×1014 g/cm3 . For K=0.06 and α=0.01, the maximum mass of neutron star is observed as M=1.53 M⊙ and radius R=11.48 km. Further for strange quark stars M=1.16 M⊙ and R=8.71 km are obtained.
Gold Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Stability Test, and Application for the Rice Growth
Authors: Wang Aiwu , Ng Hoi Pong , Xu Yi , Li Yuyu , Zheng Yuhong , Yu Jingping , Han Fugui , Peng Feng , Fu Li
Published: September 2014

In today’s science, with the use of nanotechnology, nanomaterials, which behave very differently from the bulk solid, can be made. One of the capable uses of nanomaterials is bioapplications which make good use of the specific properties of nanoparticles. However, since the nanoparticles will be used both in-vivo and in-vitro, their stability is an important issue to the scientists, concern. In this dissertation, we are going to test the stability of gold nanoparticles in a number of media including the biocompatible medium and their behaviors will be illustrated in terms of optical properties change and aggregation degree. Herein, we report the synthesis of gold nanoparticles of different shapes and applications for the rice growth with significant difference. The gold nanoparticles can inhibit the elongation of rice root without inhibiting the germination of rice seeds.
The Effect of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes on Hepatotoxicity of Cd2+in Accumulated Cadmium-Metallothione in Mice
Authors: Wei Qi , Juanjuan Bi , Longlong Tian , Zhan Li , Peng Liu , Wangsuo Wu
Published: September 2014

The effects of oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (oMWCNTs) on the behavior and hepatotoxicity of Cd2+in accumulated cadmium-metallothionein mice were investigated. The results indicated that, after exposure of oMWCNTs to normal mice, oMWCNTs could not induce the liver to produce metallothionein (MT). When exposing Cd-MT mouse to different doses of oMWCNTs oMWCNTs could cause Cd2+release from the accumulated Cd-MT; subsequently, one part of the free Cd2+was eliminated with blood circulation; the other part adsorbed by oMWCNTs would remain in the tissues together with oMWCNTs. The results of the activities changes of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bilirubin (TB), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in plasma showed that the hepatotoxicity of coexposure was lower than that of single exposure, and the hepatotoxicity and accumulation of oMWCNTs in livers depended strongly on the exposure dosage of oMWCNTs. The histology of liver and kidney tissue also confirmed the previous results. Therefore, the author inferred that MT could be connected with oMWCNTs to reduce their hepatotoxicity, but the detailed mechanism needs to be further studied.
Morphological Investigation of Calcium Carbonate during Ammonification‐Carbonization Process of Low Concentration Calcium Solution
Authors: Cheng Huaigang , Zhang Xiaoxi , Song Huiping
Published: September 2014

Ultrafine calcium carbonate is a widely used cheap additive. The research is conducted in low degree supersaturation solution in order to study the polymorphic phases’ change and its factors of the calcium carbonate precipitate in the ammonification‐carbonization process of the solution with calcium. Fine particles of calcium carbonate are made in the solution containing 0.015 mol/L of Ca2+. Over 98% of the calcium carbonate precipitate without ammonification resembles the morphology of calcite, while the introduction of ammonia can benefit the formation of vaterite. It was inferred that the main cause should be serious partial oversaturation or steric effects. Ammonia also helps to form the twin spherical calcium carbonate. However, particles formed in the process of ammonification‐carbonization in solution with low concentration degree of calcium are not even with a scale of the particle diameter from 5 to 12 μm. Inorganic salts, alcohol, or organic acid salts have significant controlling effect on the particle diameter of calcium carbonate and can help to decrease the particle diameter to about 3 μm. Anionic surfactants can prevent the conglobation of calcium carbonate particles and shrink its diameter to 500 nm–1 μm.
Hydrophobic Substituents of the Phenylmethylsulfamide Moiety Can Be Used for the Development of New Selective Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
Authors: De Simone Giuseppina , Pizika Ginta , Monti Simona Maria , Di Fiore Anna , Ivanova Jekaterina , Vozny Igor , Trapencieris Peteris , Zalubovskis Raivis , Supuran Claudiu T. , Alterio Vincenzo
Published: September 2014

A new series of compounds containing a sulfamide moiety as zinc-binding group (ZBG) has been synthesized and tested for determining inhibitory properties against four human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) isoforms, namely, CAs I, II, IX, and XII. The X-ray structure of the cytosolic dominant isoform hCA II in complex with the best inhibitor of the series has also been determined providing further insights into sulfamide binding mechanism and confirming that such zinc-binding group, if opportunely derivatized, can be usefully exploited for obtaining new potent and selective CAIs. The analysis of the structure also suggests that for drug design purposes the but-2-yn-1-yloxy moiety tail emerges as a very interesting substituent of the phenylmethylsulfamide moiety due to its capability to establish strong van der Waals interactions with a hydrophobic cleft on the hCA II surface, delimited by residues Phe131, Val135, Pro202, and Leu204. Indeed, the complementarity of this tail with the cleft suggests that different substituents could be used to discriminate between isoforms having clefts with different sizes.
Holographic Renormalization in Dense Medium
Authors: Park Chanyong
Published: September 2014

The holographic renormalization of a charged black brane with or without a dilaton field, whose dual field theory describes a dense medium at finite temperature, is investigated in this paper. In a dense medium, two different thermodynamic descriptions are possible due to an additional conserved charge. These two different thermodynamic ensembles are classified by the asymptotic boundary condition of the bulk gauge field. It is also shown that in the holographic renormalization regularity of all bulk fields can reproduce consistent thermodynamic quantities and that the Bekenstein-Hawking entropy is nothing but the renormalized thermal entropy of the dual field theory. Furthermore, we find that the Reissner-Nordström AdS black brane is dual to a theory with conformal matter as expected, whereas a charged black brane with a nontrivial dilaton profile is mapped to a theory with nonconformal matter although its leading asymptotic geometry still remains as AdS space.
Experimental Study on Calcium Hydroxide-Assisted Delignification of Hydrothermally Treated Sweet Sorghum Bagasse
Authors: Kudakasseril Kurian Jiby , Gariepy Yvan , Lefsrud Mark , Orsat Valerie , Seguin Philippe , Yaylayan Varoujan , Raghavan G. S. Vijaya
Published: September 2014

The hydrothermally treated sweet sorghum bagasse (SSB) powder was treated using Ca(OH)2to extract the lignin from it. Changes in chemical composition of SSB and the formation of sugars and hydrolytic products were studied. The optimum conditions of 10% (g/g substrate) Ca(OH)2and 106.3 min of isothermal treatment residence time at 394 K resulted in 69.67 ± 1.26% of the lignin extracted from the hydrothermally treated SSB powder, producing a solid residue containing 68.29 ± 0.31% residual cellulose and 13.26 ± 0.32% residual lignin in it. The Ca(OH)2concentration and isothermal treatment residence time were significant in the responses observed. Treatment using Ca(OH)2is one of the potential processes for the on-farm processing of lignocellulosic materials.
Supernumerary Teeth: Review of the Literature with Recent Updates
Authors: Mallineni Sreekanth Kumar
Published: September 2014

A supernumerary tooth (ST) is defined as any tooth or odontogenic structure that is formed from tooth germ in excess of usual number for any given region of the dental arch. They may be single or multiple and unilateral or bilateral in distribution and can occur in any region of the dental arch. These may occur in primary and permanent dentition. Supernumerary teeth are more frequent in males. They are classified based on form, morphology, location, and occurrence. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the occurrence of ST. However, combination of environmental and genetic factors has been proposed. Supernumerary teeth cause a range of complications like crowding, displacement, dilacerations, cyst formation, and so forth. Early identification and appropriate treatment plan should minimize the potential complications caused by ST.
Municipal Solid Waste Management in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Ghana
Authors: Fei-Baffoe Bernard , Nyankson Eugene Atta , Gorkeh-Miah John
Published: September 2014

The rapid increase in urban population due to the influx of the citizenry in search for better conditions of life has resulted in poor environmental conditions in most urban and peri-urban settlements in the country. Municipal solid waste management (MSW) for that matter has become problematic within Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis as the city is being inundated with so much filth which has proven to be very difficult and seemingly impossible for the municipal authorities to tackle. This study investigates the nature of solid waste problem in Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. A mixed methodological approach including field investigation, questionnaire survey, and structured and face-to-face interviews were employed in the gathering of data for the study. The key findings established to be the factors affecting effective solid waste management in the metropolis are irregular solid waste collection, inadequate operational funding, inappropriate technologies, inadequate staffing, inadequate skip, and lack of cooperation on the part of the citizenry.
Characteristics of Large-Scale Structures in Supersonic Planar Mixing Layer with Finite Thickness
Authors: Zhang Hailong , Wu Jiping , Chen Jian , Liu Weidong
Published: September 2014

Nanoparticle-based planar laser scattering (NPLS) experiments and large eddy simulation (LES) were launched to get the fine structure of the supersonic planar mixing layer with finite thickness in the present study. Different from the turbulent development of supersonic planar mixing layer with thin thickness, the development of supersonic planar mixing layer with finite thickness is rapidly. The large-scale structures of mixing layer that possess the characters of quick movement and slow changes transmit to downriver at invariable speed. The transverse results show that the mixing layer is strip of right and dim and possess 3D characteristics. Meanwhile the vortices roll up from two sides to the center. Results indicate that the higher the pressure of the high speed side is, the thicker the mixing layer is. The development of mixing layer is restrained when the pressure of lower speed side is higher. The momentum thickness goes higher with the increase of the clapboard thickness. Through increasing the temperature to change the compression can affect the development of the vortices. The present study can make a contribution to the mixing enhancement and provide initial data for the later investigations.
Frank Aggregation Operators for Triangular Interval Type-2 Fuzzy Set and Its Application in Multiple Attribute Group Decision Making
Authors: Qin Jindong , Liu Xinwang
Published: September 2014

This paper investigates an approach to multiple attribute group decision-making (MAGDM) problems, in which the individual assessments are in the form of triangle interval type-2 fuzzy numbers (TIT2FNs). Firstly, some Frank operation laws of triangle interval type-2 fuzzy set (TIT2FS) are defined. Secondly, some Frank aggregation operators such as the triangle interval type-2 fuzzy Frank weighted averaging (TIT2FFWA) operator and the triangle interval type-2 fuzzy Frank weighted geometric (TIT2FFWG) operator are developed for aggregation TIT2FNs. Furthermore, some desirable properties of the two aggregation operators are analyzed in detail. Finally, an approach based on TIT2FFWA (or TIT2FFWG) operator to solve MAGDM is developed. An illustrative example about supplier selection is provided to illustrate the developed procedures. The results demonstrate the practicality and effectiveness of our new method.
Hierarchical Artificial Bee Colony Optimizer with Divide-and-Conquer and Crossover for Multilevel Threshold Image Segmentation
Authors: He Maowei , Hu Kunyuan , Zhu Yunlong , Ma Lianbo , Chen Hanning , Song Yan
Published: September 2014

This paper presents a novel optimization algorithm, namely, hierarchical artificial bee colony optimization (HABC), for multilevel threshold image segmentation, which employs a pool of optimal foraging strategies to extend the classical artificial bee colony framework to a cooperative and hierarchical fashion. In the proposed hierarchical model, the higher-level species incorporates the enhanced information exchange mechanism based on crossover operator to enhance the global search ability between species. In the bottom level, with the divide-and-conquer approach, each subpopulation runs the original ABC method in parallel to part-dimensional optimum, which can be aggregated into a complete solution for the upper level. The experimental results for comparing HABC with several successful EA and SI algorithms on a set of benchmarks demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm. Furthermore, we applied the HABC to the multilevel image segmentation problem. Experimental results of the new algorithm on a variety of images demonstrated the performance superiority of the proposed algorithm.
Visible-Light Degradation of Dyes and Phenols over Mesoporous Titania Prepared by Using Anthocyanin from Red Radish as Template
Authors: Yan Zhiying , Gong Wenjuan , Chen Yongjuan , Duan Deliang , Li Junjie , Wang Wei , Wang Jiaqiang
Published: September 2014

Heterogeneous photocatalysis is able to operate effectively to eliminate organic compounds from wastewater in the presence of semiconductor photocatalyst and a light source. Although photosensitization of titania by organic dyes is one of the conventional ways for visible-light utilization of titania, previous studies have not yet addressed the use of natural food coloring agents as templates in the synthesis of mesostructured materials, let alone the simultaneous achievement of highly crystalline mesoscopic framework and visible-light photocatalytic activity. In this work, anthocyanin, a natural pigment from red radish was directly used as template in synthesis of highly crystalline mesoporous titania. The synthesized mesoporous titania samples were characterized by a combination of various physicochemical techniques, such as XRD, SEM, HRTEM, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, and diffuse reflectance UV-Vis. The prepared mesoporous titania photocatalyst exhibited significant activity under visible-light irradiation for the degradation of dyes and phenols due to its red shift of band-gap-absorption onset and visible-light response as a result of the incorporation of surface carbon species.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of microRNA-21 in Colorectal Cancer: An Original Study and Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhang Honghe , Li Peiwei , Ju Haixing , Pesta Martin , Kulda Vlastimil , Jin Wenjun , Cai Mao , Liu Changbao , Wu Han , Xu Jinming , Ye Yao , Zhang Guanglin , Xu Enping , Cai Jianting , Lai Maode , Xia Dajing , Yang Jun , Wu Yihua
Published: September 2014

Background: We aimed to systematically summarize the diagnostic and prognostic value of circulating/tissue miR21 in patients with colorectal cancer.

Methods: An original study was conducted to explore the potential value of circulating miR21 in colorectal cancer diagnosis and tissue miR21 in colorectal cancer prognosis. PUBMED and EMBASE were searched (to August, 2013) to identify eligible studies. To explore the diagnostic performance of circulating miR21, meta-analysis methods were used to pool sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic OR and to construct a summary ROC curve. For prognostic meta-analysis, study-specific HRs of tissue miR21 for survival were summarized. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were applied to explore heterogeneity.

Results: Finally, 14 studies (including our study) were included in the meta-analyses. The pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of circulating miR21 were 0.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.59–0.88], 0.81 (95% CI, 0.76–0.85), and 0.81 (95% CI, 0.78–0.85) in diagnosing colorectal cancer. Patients with higher expression of tissue miR21 had significant inferior overall survival (OS; pooled HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.16–2.11) and disease-free survival (DFS; pooled HR, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.08–1.69). The individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis demonstrated that tissue miR21 level was independently associated with worse colorectal cancer OS (HR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.07–2.67; P = 0.023), whereas this association seems to be confined to males (P = 0.007) but not for females (P = 0.845).

Conclusions: Circulating miR21 level has potential value for colorectal cancer early detection, whereas high tissue miR21 level is associated with adverse colorectal cancer prognosis.

Impact: miR21 is a promising biomarker for early detection and prognosis of colorectal cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev; 23(12); 2783–92. ©2014 AACR.
A let-7 microRNA-Binding Site Polymorphism in KRAS Predicts Improved Outcome in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Treated with Salvage Cetuximab/Panitumumab Monotherapy
Authors: Saridaki Zenia , Weidhaas Joanne B. , Lenz Heinz-Josef , Laurent-Puig Pierre , Jacobs Bart , De Schutter Jef , De Roock Wendy , Salzman David W. , Zhang Wu , Yang Dongyun , Pilati Camilla , Bouché Olivier , Piessevaux Hubert , Tejpar Sabine
Published: September 2014

Purpose: An inherited mutation in KRAS (LCS6-variant or rs61764370) results in altered control of the KRAS oncogene. We studied this biomarker's correlation to anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy response in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer.

Experimental Design: LCS6-variant and KRAS/BRAF mutational status was determined in 512 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer treated with salvage anti-EGFR mAb therapy, and findings correlated with outcome. Reporters were tested in colon cancer cell lines to evaluate the differential response of the LCS6-variant allele to therapy exposure.

Results: In this study, 21.2% (109 of 512) of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer had the LCS6-variant (TG/GG), which was found twice as frequently in the BRAF-mutated versus the wild-type (WT) group (P = 0.03). LCS6-variant patients had significantly longer progression- free survival (PFS) with anti-EGFR mAb monotherapy treatment in the whole cohort (16.85 vs. 7.85 weeks; P = 0.019) and in the double WT (KRAS and BRAF) patient population (18 vs. 10.4 weeks; P = 0.039). Combination therapy (mAbs plus chemotherapy) led to improved PFS and overall survival (OS) for nonvariant patients, and brought their outcome to levels comparable with LCS6-variant patients receiving anti-EGFR mAb monotherapy. Combination therapy did not lead to improved PFS or OS for LCS6-variant patients. Cell line studies confirmed a unique response of the LCS6-variant allele to both anti-EGFR mAb monotherapy and chemotherapy.

Conclusions: LCS6-variant patients with metastatic colorectal cancer have an excellent response to anti-EGFR mAb monotherapy, without any benefit from the addition of chemotherapy. These findings further confirm the importance of this mutation as a biomarker of anti-EGFR mAb response in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer, and warrant further prospective confirmation. Clin Cancer Res; 20(17); 4499–510. ©2014 AACR.
An automatic fixture modeling system using search strategy
Authors: Nasr Emad Abouel , Al-Ahmari Abdulrahman , Khan Awais Ahmad , Kamrani Ali
Published: September 2014

Fixtures are critical part of both traditional and modern manufacturing operations. The time allocated to the design and manufacture of these components significantly impacts production cycle time and can improve the quality of current and future products, and therefore, significant consideration is required to design fixture and their applications in manufacturing. In this article, design of an automatic modular fixture modeling system is proposed for prismatic components. The proposed system consists of fixture planning, fixture layout, and fixture assembly modules. The process and setup plans are used as input into the system. A rule-based system is developed to assign suitable locating scheme to locate and clamp datum for fixture planning phase. The search strategy is designed to select the locating and clamping points based on geometric and functional constraints. The final fixture assembly is achieved using standard fixture components and CATVBA editor using CATIA V5 as the platform. The graphical fixture database is constructed using commercial fixture components from manufacturers such as Fixture Works and Carrlane. The proposed methodology is successfully validated with multiple case studies.
Improving the integrity of specific cutting energy coefficients for energy demand modelling
Authors: Balogun Vincent A , Gu Heng , Mativenga Paul T
Published: September 2014

Energy modelling for mechanical machining processes is essential for energy labelling of machined products and as a foundation for selecting optimum cutting conditions that meet economic objectives while reducing energy demand and CO2 footprint. Electrical energy demand in machining can be modelled in two parts: ‘Basic Energy’ demand by the machine tool and ‘Tip Energy’ for actual material removal. A significant amount of research and energy evaluation is based on the use of average specific energy values and ignores the impact of machining conditions. In this comprehensive study, the evaluation of specific tip energy is undertaken, and the effect of chip thickness, tool wear, nose radius and cutting environment is quantified. This work is an essential guide for the application of models to estimate energy demand in practical machining processes. It is of significant importance to improve accuracy in energy-centric modelling of machining processes for sustainable manufacture and resource efficiency.
Feasibility study of different materials for attaining similar temperature distributions in a fin with variable properties
Authors: Das Ranjan
Published: September 2014

This work deals with the prediction of unknown parameters and identifying feasible materials for satisfying a given temperature distribution in a rectangular fin geometry involving variable thermal conductivity and surface heat transfer coefficient. The unknown parameters which have been estimated in this work are the thermal conductivity, coefficient of variable conductivity and fin dimensions. For achieving the required objective, an inverse problem is solved by minimization of least squares error using a hybrid evolutionary-nonlinear programming algorithm. Due to correlated nature of the unknowns, many feasible combinations of materials have been found with varying dimensions, which is proposed to offer a wide range of flexibility in selecting the fin material. The present study is proposed to be useful in situations where only few discrete temperatures are available, as it helps to find out feasible materials alongwith relevant dimensions which will yield a prescribed temperature distribution.
Numerical investigations of separation-induced transition on high-lift low-pressure turbine using RANS and LES methods
Authors: Marty J
Published: September 2014

At low Reynolds numbers, laminar-turbulent transition occurs on the suction side of high-lift low-pressure turbine blades. The prediction of this flow is an important step in low-pressure turbine design. Thus, the laminar-turbulent transition must be modeled or resolved. The flow around the high-lift low-pressure turbine blade T106C is predicted using Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) simulations, without and with transition model, and large-eddy simulations (LES). LES are performed in order to predict the laminar separation bubble (LSB) without any laminar-turbulent transition modeling. Only two Reynolds numbers are investigated with LES, and the current study concerns also the validation of the turbulent random flow generation technique of Smirnov et al. Reynolds number and freestream turbulence effects are studied using the analysis of the unsteady behavior of the separated shear layer and the bubble. The steady flow predicted by RANS simulation with transition model and by the time-averaged LES are in good agreement with isentropic Mach number distribution at mid-span, except for the lowest Reynolds number (Re2is = 80,000). For this last case, the separation and transition points are predicted downstream of the experimental points. The spectral analysis of LES results at different locations allows determining specific frequencies of physical mechanisms. LES are able to predict LSB over the high-lift low-pressure turbine blade T106C as RANS simulation with transition model and to capture the Kelvin–Helmholtz instability which is the cause of the transition mechanism.
Brownface Minstrelsy: “José Jiménez,” the Civil Rights Movement, and the legacy of racist comedy
Authors: Pérez Raúl
Published: September 2014

This study examines US comedian Bill Dana, of Hungarian-Jewish descent, and his Latino minstrel character, “José Jiménez,” during the civil rights period. By situating Dana and Jiménez within the social and political context of Latinos in the US during the 1960s, I argue Dana’s comedy continued the tradition of racial ridicule at a time when blackface minstrelsy was increasingly unpopular: a result of contestation by African American civil rights groups. Analyzing primary sources (oral histories, news articles, and audio/visual media), I examine the initial popularity of José Jiménez in the early 1960s, the mechanisms used to ridicule Latinos, the role of media in constructing narratives of non-racism and acceptance by Latinos, and the resulting contestation of the character by Chicano/Latino media activists and civil rights organizations. I conclude that public racial ridicule of Latinos has not been constrained as some have suggested, but that it has changed since the civil rights era.
Measurement of junction temperature of light-emitting diodes in a luminaire
Authors: Shailesh KR , Kurian CP , Kini SG
Published: September 2014

There are vast numbers of light-emitting diode (LED) luminaires to choose from, but not all LED luminaires perform reliably. More than half of the input electrical power to a LED luminaire is wasted in the form of heat. Heat management is the one of the most critical issues faced by LED luminaire designers. The long term reliability of a LED luminaire is mainly dependent on the junction temperature of the LEDs. Hence, accurate junction temperature information during luminaire operation is critical for monitoring and assessing the health of the luminaire. In practice, it is extremely difficult to measure the junction temperature of LEDs in modern day luminaires. With the optical system and heat sink surrounding the tiny LED, measurement of junction temperature with direct methods like infrared cameras and thermocouples becomes more complex. This paper explores the possibility of monitoring and measuring the junction temperature of LEDs in a luminaire by making use of the strong correlation between the forward voltage drop at the LED junction and the temperature of that junction. Results of thermal investigations of a LED downlight are presented. The results suggest that the inherent forward voltage/ junction temperature dependency of LEDs can be used to measure and monitor LED junction temperature in a luminaire under operational conditions.
Papá’s Lessons
Authors: Abad Erika Gisela
Published: September 2014

Integrating autoethnographic poetry with theoretical analysis, this article explores how the political distance between settler and immigrant generations within a family shape the extent to which that understanding is possible. The use of poetry is critical in this vein, given the manner in which discussions of cultural memory and historical exploration can be made accessible. Referencing the influence of Diasporic Caribbean in the U.S. writers such as Junot Diaz and Julia Alvarez, I cite what shaped the tensions born through reflecting on my grandfather’s legacy, as my family positioned themselves in an alternative relation to the Trujillo era. Said tensions necessitate artistic and literary representation because of how the politics of imperialism and racism censor otherwise unfiltered access. “Papá’s Lessons,” discusses how cultural memory and historical exploration open the door for radical reconciliation.
How to avoid interface problems in acute noninvasive ventilation
Authors: Brill Anne-Kathrin
Published: September 2014

Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) appliedviadifferent interfaces is increasingly used in the treatment of acute respiratory failure. One of the key factors determining the success of NIV is the choice of interface. Interface selection, fitting and handling can be challenging as NIV application can be complicated by discomfort, air leaks, skin damage or conjunctivitis. The aim of this article is to provide practical information on interface choice, technical aspects of mask fitting and prevention of mask-related problems during the acute delivery of NIV.

Educational aims

To help the reader to recognise the different features of interfaces and to discuss common interface-related problems

To provide practical recommendations to facilitate the choice and application of interfaces in order to reduce complications
Delivering telemedicine interventions in chronic respiratory disease
Authors: Hernandez Carme , Mallow Jennifer , Narsavage Georgia L.
Published: September 2014

Educational Aims

To explain the basic principles of telemedicine applicable to chronic respiratory diseases

To review telemedicine interventions for patients with chronic respiratory diseases

To outline the advantages and limitations (including cost and barriers to implementation) of telemedicine for patients with chronic respiratory diseases

To propose recommendations for clinical management of patients receiving telemedicine for chronic respiratory diseases
Constructed nets with perturbations for equilibrium and fixed point problems
Authors: Yao Yonghong , Cho Yeol Je , Liou Yeong-Cheng , Agarwal Ravi P
Published: September 2014

In this paper, an implicit net with perturbations for solving the mixed equilibrium problems and fixed point problems has been constructed and it is shown that the proposed net converges strongly to a common solution of the mixed equilibrium problems and fixed point problems. Also, as applications, some corollaries for solving the minimum-norm problems are also included.

MSC:47J05, 47J25, 47H09.