bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Involvement ofOsPht1;4in phosphate acquisition and mobilization facilitates embryo development in rice
Authors: Zhang Fang , Sun Yafei , Pei Wenxia , Jain Ajay , Sun Rui , Cao Yue , Wu Xueneng , Jiang Tingting , Zhang Liang , Fan Xiaorong , Chen Aiqun , Shen Qirong , Xu Guohua , Sun Shubin
Published: February 2015

Phosphate (Pi) transporters mediate acquisition and transportation ofPi within plants. Here, we investigated the functions ofOsPht1;4(OsPT4), one of the 13 members of thePht1 family in rice. Quantitative real‐timeRT‐PCRanalysis revealed strong expression ofOsPT4in roots and embryos, andOsPT4promoter analysis using reporter genes confirmed these findings. Analysis using rice protoplasts showed thatOsPT4 localized to the plasma membrane.OsPT4complemented a yeast mutant defective inPi uptake, and also facilitated increased accumulation of Pi inXenopusoocytes. Further,OsPT4genetically modified (GM) rice lines were generated by knockout/knockdown or over‐expression ofOsPT4.Pi concentrations in roots and shoots were significantly lower and higher in knockout/knockdown and over‐expressing plants, respectively, compared to wild‐type under various Pi regimes.33Pi uptake translocation assays corroborated the altered acquisition and mobilization ofPi inOsPT4GMplants. We also observed effects of altered expression levels ofOsPT4inGMplants on the concentration ofPi, the size of the embryo, and several attributes related to seed development. Overall, our results suggest thatOsPT4encodes a plasma membrane‐localizedPi transporter that facilitates acquisition and mobilization ofPi, and also plays an important role in development of the embryo in rice.
Cytokines and clinical predictors in distinguishing pulmonary transfusion reactions
Authors: Roubinian Nareg H. , Looney Mark R. , Kor Daryl J. , Lowell Clifford A. , Gajic Ognjen , Hubmayr Rolf D. , Gropper Michael A. , Koenigsberg Monique , Wilson Gregory A. , Matthay Michael A. , Toy Pearl , Murphy Edward L. ,   the TRALI Study Group
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary transfusion reactions are important complications of blood transfusion, yet differentiating these clinical syndromes is diagnostically challenging. We hypothesized that biologic markers of inflammation could be used in conjunction with clinical predictors to distinguish transfusion‐related acute lung injury (TRALI), transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO), and possible TRALI.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

In a nested case‐control study performed at the University of California at San Francisco and Mayo Clinic, Rochester, we evaluated clinical data and blood samples drawn before and after transfusion in patients with TRALI (n = 70), possible TRALI (n = 48), TACO (n = 29), and controls (n = 147). Cytokines measured included granulocyte‐macrophage–colony‐stimulating factor, interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, IL‐10, and tumor necrosis factor‐α. Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristics curve analyses were used to determine the accuracy of clinical predictors and laboratory markers in differentiating TACO, TRALI, and possible TRALI.

RESULTS

Before and after transfusion, IL‐6 and IL‐8 were elevated in patients with TRALI and possible TRALI relative to controls, and IL‐10 was elevated in patients with TACO and possible TRALI relative to that of TRALI and controls. For all pulmonary transfusion reactions, the combination of clinical variables and cytokine measurements displayed optimal diagnostic performance, and the model comparing TACO and TRALI correctly classified 92% of cases relative to expert panel diagnoses.

CONCLUSIONS

Before transfusion, there is evidence of systemic inflammation in patients who develop TRALI and possible TRALI but not TACO. A predictive model incorporating readily available clinical and cytokine data effectively differentiated transfusion‐related respiratory complications such as TRALI and TACO.
Observational study of corrected count increments after transfusion of platelets treated with riboflavin pathogen reduction technology in additive solutions
Authors: Drawz Sarah M. , Marschner Susanne , Yañez Martha , García de Coca Alfonso , Feys Hendrik B. , Deeren Dries , Coene José
Published: February 2015

BACKGROUND

Mirasol pathogen reduction technology (PRT) treatment inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in plasma products and platelets (PLTs) suspended in plasma and PLT additive solutions (PAS). Few clinical studies exist documenting transfusions with PAS. This study objective was to evaluate the count increments of PRT‐treated PAS‐C and PAS‐E buffy coat (BC) PLTs in routine use observational settings.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

PLT pools of five or six BCs were collected, processed, and suspended in PAS‐C or PAS‐E, respectively. Products were exposed to ultraviolet light in the presence of riboflavin and then transfused into 19 patients with hematologic diseases. Patients were monitored for PLT corrected count increment (CCI) at 1 and 24 hours and for any adverse events in the 72 hours after transfusion. Sterility monitoring was performed with a microbial detection system (BacT/ALERT, bioMérieux).

RESULTS

The PAS‐E products had significantly higher PLT concentrations and counts than the PAS‐C products. The mean CCIs of per‐protocol (PP) units at 1 and 24 hours were 11,900 (n = 27) and 5500 (n = 30), respectively. Seventy‐eight percent of PP transfusions classify as successful with CCIs at 1 hour of higher than 7500, and 63% higher than 4500 at 24 hours. One patient was excluded from all analyses as she was refractory to Mirasol‐treated PLT transfusions and follow‐up untreated transfusion products. No adverse events were observed and no contaminated products were detected by BacT/ALERT.

CONCLUSION

PRT‐treated BC PLTs in PAS‐C or PAS‐E demonstrate PLT transfusion success rates in hematology patients with thrombocytopenia that are comparable to previous studies examining PLTs stored in plasma.
Xenotransplantation from the perspective of moral theology
Authors: Sautermeister Jochen
Published: February 2015

Background

Current medical research in the area of xenotransplantation is driven by the aim to save human lives and to improve the quality of life of those suffering from organ insufficiencies.

Methods

This study reflects the therapeutic intent of xenotransplantation from a theological–ethical perspective. Regarding statements of Christian communities, the analysis focuses mainly on catholic documents. This study takes into account the document on Prospects for Xenotransplantation by the Pontifical Academy for Life as well as a position paper on xenotransplantation released as a collaboration between the German Bishops Conference (Catholic) and the Evangelical Church in Germany (Protestant). Documents of other Christian denominations will be discussed in a separate paper. Aspects concerning the areas of medicine, social ethics and animal ethics are considered as well as biographical, psychosocial, culture‐bound and ideological preconditions of acceptability. These aspects also include consequences for the construction of personal identity.

Results and Conclusion

With regard to an anthropocentrism that is based theologically and relationally, xenotransplantation—in general—can be viewed as a permissible form of therapy, given that the principles of biomedical ethics will be observed and that animals are treated with respect.
Blockage Effects From Simulated Thermal Barrier Coatings for Cylindrical and Shaped Cooling Holes
Authors: Whitfield Christopher A. , Schroeder Robert P. , Thole Karen A. , Lewis Scott D.
Published: February 2015

Film cooling and sprayed thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) protect gas turbine components from the hot combustion gas temperatures. As gas turbine designers pursue higher turbine inlet temperatures, film cooling and TBCs are critical in protecting the durability of turbomachinery hardware. One obstacle to the synergy of these technologies is that TBC coatings can block cooling holes when applied to the components, causing a decrease in the film cooling flow area thereby reducing coolant flow for a given pressure ratio (PR). In this study, the effect of TBC blockages was simulated on film cooling holes for widely spaced cylindrical and shaped holes. At low blowing ratios for shaped holes, the blockages were found to have very little effect on adiabatic effectiveness. At high blowing ratios, the area-averaged effectiveness of shaped and cylindrical holes decreased as much as 75% from blockage. The decrease in area-averaged effectiveness was found to scale best with the effective momentum flux ratio of the jet exiting the film cooling hole for the shaped holes.
Real-Time Control of Maximum Heat Release Rate and Its Influence on Emission Dispersions in Diesel Engines
Authors: Oh Seungsuk , Sunwoo Myoungho
Published: February 2015

Unexpected combustions dispersion due to variations in fuel quality, production tolerance, and aging of components results in the deterioration of engine performance and increases harmful emissions. Many researchers have studied real-time combustion monitoring and control to maintain performance even under undesirable or abnormal conditions. They have reported that the reduction of combustion dispersion is promising for the decrease of emissions dispersion. In this study, we control the maximum heat release (HR) to compensate for combustion dispersion and compared the relationship between before and after control. The maximum rate of heat release (ROHRmax) is an important parameter and is highly related to engine performance and emission level. The control experiments were carried out using a diesel engine at 1500 rpm and brake mean effective pressure (BMEP) of 400 kPa, while the engine parameters were varied. The varied parameters were fuel rail pressure, swirl valve, pilot injection timing, and duration. The experimental results showed that control of the ROHRmax has the potential for the reduction of the dispersions of particulate matter (PM) emission and combustion noise even in unexpected combustion environments.
Heat Transfer From an Isothermally Heated Flat Surface Due to Confined Laminar Twin Oblique Slot-Jet Impingement
Authors: Sharif Muhammad A. R.
Published: February 2015

Convective heat transfer from a heated flat surface due to twin oblique laminar slot-jet impingement is investigated numerically. The flow domain is confined by an adiabatic surface parallel to the heated impingement surface. The twin slot jets are located on the confining surface. The flow and geometric parameters are the jet exit Reynolds number, distance between the two jets, distance between the jet exit and the impingement surface, and the inclination angle of the jet to the impingement surface. Numerical computations are done for various combinations of these parameters, and the results are presented in terms of the streamlines and isotherms in the flow domain, the distribution of the local Nusselt number along the heated surface, and the average Nusselt number at the heated surface. It is found that the peak and the average Nusselt number on the hot surface mildly decreases and the location of the stagnation point and the peak Nusselt number gradually moves downstream as the impingement angle is decreased from 90 deg. The heat transfer distribution from the impingement surface gets more uniform as the impingement angle is reduced to 45 deg and 30 deg at lager jet-to-plate distance (4–8) with a corresponding overall heat transfer reduction of about 40% compared to the normal impinging jet case. The specified jet exit velocity profile boundary condition has considerable effect on the predicted Nusselt number around the impingement location. Fully developed jet exit velocity profile correctly predicts the Nusselt number when compared to the experimental data.
Multi-Objective Aerodynamic Optimization Design and Data Mining of a High Pressure Ratio Centrifugal Impeller
Authors: Guo Zhendong , Song Liming , Zhou Zhiming , Li Jun , Feng Zhenping
Published: February 2015

An automated three-dimensional multi-objective optimization and data mining method is presented by integrating a self-adaptive multi-objective differential evolution algorithm (SMODE), 3D parameterization method for blade profile and meridional channel, Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (RANS) solver technique and data mining technique of self-organizing map (SOM). Using this method, redesign of a high pressure ratio centrifugal impeller is conducted. After optimization, 16 optimal Pareto solutions are obtained. Detailed aerodynamic analysis indicates that the aerodynamic performance of the optimal Pareto solutions is greatly improved. By SOM-based data mining on optimized solutions, the interactions among objective functions and significant design variables are analyzed. The mechanism behind parameter interactions is also analyzed by comparing the data mining results with the performance of typical designs.
Global Path-Following Control of Stochastic Underactuated Ships: A Level Curve Approach
Authors: Do K. D.
Published: February 2015

A level curve approach is introduced to design global path-following controllers for an underactuated surface ship. The approach is based on the observation: if the position of the ship satisfies the equation of the reference path, then the ship will be on the path. Thus, the controllers are designed based on Lyapunov's direct and backstepping methods to force the position of the ship to satisfy the equation of the path and to move along the path tangentially. The approach does not require computation of the position from the ship to the path. Weak and strong nonlinear Lyapunov functions are introduced in the control design to overcome difficulties caused by underactuation and to guarantee boundedness of the sway velocity. Simulations are included to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed results.
Effects of Convection on Isotachophoresis of Electrolytes
Authors: Gopmandal Partha P. , Bhattacharyya S.
Published: February 2015

In this study, the form of the analytes distribution in isotachophoresis (ITP) in the presence of a convective flow is analyzed in a wide rectangular microchannel. The imposed convection is considered due to a mismatch of electroosmotic (EO) slip velocity of electrolytes of different electrophoretic mobilities. We compute the two-dimensional (2D) Nernst–Planck equations coupled with the Navier–Stokes equations for fluid flow and an equation for electric field. We use a control volume method along with a higher-order upwind scheme to capture the sharp variation of variables in the transition zones. The convection of electrolytes produces a smearing effect on the steepness of the electric field and ion distribution in the interface between two adjacent electrolytes in the ITP process. The dispersion of the interface in plateau-mode and the sample in peak-mode is analyzed through the second- and third-order moments. The dispersion due to nonuniform EO flow (EOF) of electrolytes is found to be different from the case when the dispersion is considered only due to an external pressure driven Poiseuille flow. The nonuniform EOF of electrolytes produces less dispersion and skewness in the sample distribution when the molecular diffusivity of the sample ionic species is close to the harmonic mean of the diffusivity of adjacent electrolytes. We find that the EOF may become advantageous in separating two analytes of close diffusivity. Our results show that the one-dimensional (1D) Taylor–Aris model is suitable to predict the dispersed ITP when the average convection speed of electrolytes is in the order of the ITP speed.
Sensitivity of Wind Farm Output to Wind Conditions, Land Configuration, and Installed Capacity, Under Different Wake Models
Authors: Tong Weiyang , Chowdhury Souma , Mehmani Ali , Messac Achille , Zhang Jie
Published: February 2015

In conventional wind farm design and optimization, analytical wake models are generally used to estimate the wake-induced power losses. Different wake models often yield significantly dissimilar estimates of wake velocity deficit and wake width. In this context, the wake behavior, as well as the subsequent wind farm power generation, can be expressed as functions of a series of key factors. A quantitative understanding of the relative impact of each of these key factors, particularly under the application of different wake models, is paramount to reliable quantification of wind farm power generation. Such an understanding is however not readily evident in the current state of the art in wind farm design. To fill this important gap, this paper develops a comprehensive sensitivity analysis (SA) of wind farm performance with respect to the key natural and design factors. Specifically, the sensitivities of the estimated wind farm power generation and maximum farm output potential are investigated with respect to the following key factors: (i) incoming wind speed, (ii) ambient turbulence, (iii) land area per MW installed, (iv) land aspect ratio, and (v) nameplate capacity. The extended Fourier amplitude sensitivity test (e-FAST), which helpfully provides a measure of both first-order and total-order sensitivity indices, is used for this purpose. The impact of using four different analytical wake models (i.e., Jensen, Frandsen, Larsen, and Ishihara models) on the wind farm SA is also explored. By applying this new SA framework, it was observed that, when the incoming wind speed is below the turbine rated speed, the impact of incoming wind speed on the wind farm power generation is dominant, irrespective of the choice of wake models. Interestingly, for array-like wind farms, the relative importance of each input parameter was found to vary significantly with the choice of wake models, i.e., appreciable differences in the sensitivity indices (of up to 70%) were observed across the different wake models. In contrast, for optimized wind farm layouts, the choice of wake models was observed to have marginal impact on the sensitivity indices.
Complex Modal Analysis of a Nonmodally Damped Continuous Beam
Authors: Xing Xing , Feeny Brian F.
Published: February 2015

This work represents an investigation of the complex modes of continuous vibration systems with nonmodal damping. As an example, a cantilevered beam with damping at the free end is studied. Assumed modes are applied to discretize the eigenvalue problem in state-variable form and then to obtain estimates of the true complex normal modes and frequencies. The finite element method (FEM) is also used to get the mass, stiffness, and damping matrices and further to solve a state-variable eigenvalue problem. A comparison between the complex modes and eigenvalues obtained from the assumed-mode analysis and the finite element analysis shows that the methods produce consistent results. The convergence behavior when using different assumed mode functions is investigated. The assumed-mode method is then used to study the effects of the end-damping coefficient on the estimated normal modes and modal damping. Most modes remain underdamped regardless of the end-damping coefficient. There is an optimal end-damping coefficient for vibration decay, which correlates with the maximum modal nonsynchronicity.
Spectral Finite Element for Wave Propagation in Curved Beams
Authors: Nanda Namita , Kapuria Santosh
Published: February 2015

In this paper, spectral finite elements (SFEs) are developed for wave propagation analysis of isotropic curved beams using three different beam models: (1) the refined third-order shear deformation theory (TOT), (2) the first-order shear deformation theory (FSDT), and (3) the classical shell theory (CST). The formulation is validated by comparing the results for the wavenumber dispersion relations and natural frequencies with the published results based on the FSDT. The numerical study reveals that even for a very thin curved beam with radius-to-thickness ratio of 1000, the wavenumbers predicted by the CST at high frequencies show significant deviation from those of the shear deformable theories, FSDT and TOT. The FSDT results for the wavenumber of the flexural displacement mode differ significantly from the TOT results at high frequencies even for thin beams. The deviation increases and occurs at lower frequencies with the decrease in the radius-to-thickness ratio. The results for wave propagation response show that the CST yields highly erroneous response for flexural mode wave propagation even for thin beams and at a relatively low frequency of 20 kHz. The FSDT results too differ by unacceptably high margin from the TOT results for flexural wave response of thin beams at frequencies greater than 100 kHz, which are typically used for structural health monitoring (SHM) applications. For thick beams, FSDT results for the tangential wave response also show large deviation from the TOT results.
Development of an On-Line Electrochemical Corrosion Monitoring System
Authors: Cook E. Thomas , Lukas Holger , Elmore Donald , Mok Wai Yeung , Mehta Bhupen
Published: February 2015

Cold-end sulfuric-acid corrosion is a phenomenon common in boilers and heat recovery steam generators. Usually, operating conditions can be changed to reduce or eliminate corrosion. The operation of an on-line continuous corrosion probe in a test-rig and correlation with physical corrosion measurements is reported. Description of the development of a full-scale recuperator corrosion probe is presented as well as preliminary results.
Union Electric Company’s Combustion Turbine Inlet Air Cooling Study
Authors: Henderson Charles R. , Ebeling Jerry A. , Smith Richard C.
Published: February 2015

Union Electric Company is a summer peaking utility, experiencing peak electrical load demands during the hot summer months. Combustion turbine generators are often used to meet the summer peak demands. However, the generating capability of a combustion turbine decreases as the ambient air temperature increases. When system peak demands are at their highest levels on the hottest days of the year, the generating capacity of the combustion turbines are at their lowest values. This lost generating capacity can be recovered by cooling the air entering the combustion turbines.

Various combustion turbine inlet air cooling technologies were investigated for a General Electric Model 7B combustion turbine. The cooling technologies evaluated in the study were evaporative cooling, thermal energy storage (ice), on-line mechanical chiller, direct absorption chiller, steam absorption chiller with heat recovery steam generator (HRSG), and once-through cooling using well water. Conceptual designs, performance estimates, installation and operating costs were developed for each alternative.
Second Law Approach to the Analysis of Blade Cooling Effects on Gas Turbine Performance
Authors: Farina Francesco , Donatini Franco
Published: February 2015

A preliminary procedure has been developed to analyse the cooling of both nozzle and rotor blades in a gas turbine, evaluating the influence of the system on the performance of the machine. The developed method, which is based on a second law approach, defines the effects of the thermodynamic losses due to the forced convection air blade cooling on the performance of a typical heavy duty gas turbine in terms of lost exergy as function of the turbine inlet temperature.
Molecular beam epitaxy growth of SnO2 using a tin chemical precursor
Authors: Wang Tianqi , Prakash Abhinav , Warner Ellis , Gladfelter Wayne L. , Jalan Bharat
Published: February 2015

The authors report on the development of a molecular beam epitaxy approach for atomic layer controlled growth of phase-pure, single-crystalline epitaxial SnO2 films with scalable growth rates using a highly volatile precursor (tetraethyltin) for tin and rf-oxygen plasma for oxygen. Smooth, epitaxial SnO2 (101) films on r-sapphire (101¯2) substrates were grown as a function of tin precursor flux and substrate temperatures between 300 and 900 °C. Three distinct growth regimes were identified where SnO2 films grew in a reaction-, flux-, and desorption-limited mode, respectively, with increasing substrate temperature. In particular, with increasing tin flux, the growth rates were found to increase and then saturate indicating any excess tin precursor desorbs above a critical beam equivalent pressure of tin precursor. Important implications of growth kinetic behaviors on the self-regulating stoichiometric growth of perovskite stannates are discussed.
Binary matrices of optimal autocorrelations as alignment marks
Authors: Skirlo Scott A. , Lu Ling , Soljačić Marin
Published: February 2015

The authors define a new class of binary matrices by maximizing the peak-sidelobe distances in the aperiodic autocorrelations. These matrices can be used as robust position marks for in-plane translational spatial alignment. The optimal square matrices of dimensions up to 7 × 7 and optimal diagonally symmetric matrices of 8 × 8 and 9 × 9 were found by exhaustive searches.
Model‐based versus specific dosimetry in diagnostic context: Comparison of three dosimetric approaches
Authors: Marcatili S. , Villoing D. , Mauxion T. , McParland B. J. , Bardiès M.
Published: February 2015

Purpose:

The dosimetric assessment of novel radiotracers represents a legal requirement in most countries. While the techniques for the computation of internal absorbed dose in a therapeutic context have made huge progresses in recent years, in a diagnostic scenario the absorbed dose is usually extracted from model‐based lookup tables, most often derived from International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) or Medical Internal Radiation Dose (MIRD) Committee models. The level of approximation introduced by these models may impact the resulting dosimetry. The aim of this work is to establish whether a more refined approach to dosimetry can be implemented in nuclear medicine diagnostics, by analyzing a specific case.

Methods:

The authors calculated absorbed doses to various organs in six healthy volunteers administered with flutemetamol (18F) injection. Each patient underwent from 8 to 10 whole body 3D PET/CT scans. This dataset was analyzed using a Monte Carlo (MC) application developed in‐house using the toolkit gate that is capable to take into account patient‐specific anatomy and radiotracer distribution at the voxel level. They compared the absorbed doses obtained with gate to those calculated with two commercially available software: olinda/exm and stratos implementing a dose voxel kernel convolution approach.

Results:

Absorbed doses calculated with gate were higher than those calculated with olinda. The average ratio between gate absorbed doses and olinda’s was 1.38 ± 0.34 σ (from 0.93 to 2.23). The discrepancy was particularly high for the thyroid, with an average gate/olinda ratio of 1.97 ± 0.83 σ for the six patients. Differences between stratos and gate were found to be higher. The average ratio between gate and stratos absorbed doses was 2.51 ± 1.21 σ (from 1.09 to 6.06).

Conclusions:

This study demonstrates how the choice of the absorbed dose calculation algorithm may introduce a bias when gamma radiations are of importance, as is the case in nuclear medicine diagnostics.
Reduced-order Abraham-Lorentz-Dirac equation and the consistency of classical electromagnetism
Authors: Steane Andrew M.
Published: February 2015

It is widely believed that classical electromagnetism is either unphysical or inconsistent, owing to pathological behavior when self-force and radiation reaction are non-negligible. We argue that there is no inconsistency as long as it is recognized that certain types of charge distribution are simply impossible, such as, for example, a point particle with finite charge and finite inertia. This is owing to the fact that negative inertial mass is an unphysical concept in classical physics. It remains useful to obtain an equation of motion for small charged objects that describes their motion to good approximation without requiring knowledge of the charge distribution within the object. We give a simple method to achieve this, leading to a reduced-order form of the Abraham-Lorentz-Dirac equation, essentially as proposed by Eliezer, Landau, and Lifshitz and derived by Ford and O'Connell.
The suitability of 3D printed plastic parts for laboratory use
Authors: Zwicker Andrew P. , Bloom Josh , Albertson Robert , Gershman Sophia
Published: February 2015

3D printing has become popular for a variety of users, from home hobbyists to scientists and engineers interested in producing their own laboratory equipment. In order to determine the suitability of 3D printed parts for our plasma physics laboratory, we measured the accuracy, strength, vacuum compatibility, and electrical properties of pieces printed in plastic. The flexibility of rapidly creating custom parts has led to the 3D printer becoming an invaluable resource in our laboratory. The 3D printer is also suitable for producing equipment for advanced undergraduate laboratories.
Faraday induction and the current carriers in a circuit
Authors: Boyer Timothy H.
Published: February 2015

This article treats Faraday induction from an untraditional, particle-based point of view. The electromagnetic fields of Faraday induction can be calculated explicitly from approximate point-charge fields derived from the Liénard–Wiechert expressions, or from the Darwin Lagrangian. Thus the electric fields of electrostatics, the magnetic fields of magnetostatics, and the electric fields of Faraday induction can all be regarded as arising from charged particles. Some aspects of electromagnetic induction are explored for a hypothetical circuit consisting of point charges that move frictionlessly in a circular orbit. For a small number of particles in the circuit (or for non-interacting particles), the induced electromagnetic fields depend upon the mass and charge of the current carriers while energy is transferred to the kinetic energy of the particles. However, for an interacting multiparticle circuit, the mutual electromagnetic interactions between the particles dominate the behavior so that the induced electric field cancels the inducing force per unit charge, the mass and charge of the individual current carriers become irrelevant, and energy goes into magnetic energy.
Performance Measurement of Logistics Service Supply Chain Using Bijective Soft Set
Authors: Gong Ke , Yan Heli
Published: February 2015

In the logistics service supply chain (LSSC), performance measurement is an important approach that can improve competitiveness of the overall supply chain. In the complicated measurement system, it includes various quantitative and qualitative indices with uncertain problems. However, classical measurement methods were based on subjective suggestion to weigh each index in the measurement system; moreover, there is no well-established performance measurement system (PMS) for evaluation of LSSC. For those reasons, this paper aims to present Bijective soft set approach to deal with the performance measurement of LSSC, which ensures the objective of the weight of each index and gets the core indices of the PMS. Based on the overall LSSC operation, customer service, and corporate management — the three parts in the proposed system of LSSC — the indices, and consistency of the metrics have been selected. Finally, an empirical analysis of developed framework for performance measurement is conducted and tested.
"Green Trade Protectionism": An Analysis of Three New Issues that Affect Developing Countries
Authors: LOTTICI María Victoria , GALPERÍN Carlos , HOPPSTOCK Julia
Published: February 2015

The environment is increasingly being used to justify protectionist measures that enjoy greater social legitimacy. Over the last few years, new issues have emerged in relation to this, and three of them are analysed in this paper: green growth and green economy, climate change response measures, and the liberalization of environmental goods and services. These new issues are being used both to apply barriers to goods and services coming from developing countries and to improve the market access of developed countries' exports of industrial products. All this amounts to "green protectionism" which is aimed at improving the trade balance of developed countries, particularly in relation to developing countries. In the many fora where these topics are being discussed, Argentina states that these issues should neither result in green protectionism nor encourage policies that constitute disguised restrictions on international trade, which is inconsistent with the multilateral trading system and with international environmental law, and in particular with the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Lock Cohorting
Authors: Dice David , Marathe Virendra J. , Shavit Nir
Published: February 2015

Multicore machines are quickly shifting to NUMA and CC-NUMA architectures, making scalable NUMA-aware locking algorithms, ones that take into account the machine's nonuniform memory and caching hierarchy, ever more important. This article presents
lock cohorting
, a general new technique for designing NUMA-aware locks that is as simple as it is powerful.

Lock cohorting allows one to transform any spin-lock algorithm, with minimal nonintrusive changes,into a scalable NUMA-aware spin-lock. Our new cohorting technique allows us to easily create NUMA-aware versions of the TATAS-Backoff, CLH, MCS, and ticket locks, to name a few. Moreover, it allows us to derive a CLH-based cohort abortable lock, the first NUMA-aware queue lock to support abortability.

We empirically compared the performance of cohort locks with prior NUMA-aware and classic NUMA-oblivious locks on a synthetic micro-benchmark, a real world key-value store application memcached, as well as the libc memory allocator. Our results demonstrate that cohort locks perform as well or better than known locks when the load is low and significantly out-perform them as the load increases.
TagRec
Authors: Trattner Christoph , Kowald Dominik , Lacic Emanuel
Published: February 2015

This article presents
TagRec
, a framework to foster reproducible evaluation and development of recommender algorithms based on folksonomy data. The purpose of
TagRec
is to provide the research community with a standardised framework that supports all steps of the development process and the evaluation of tag-based recommendation algorithms in a reproducible way, including methods for data pre-processing, data modeling and recommender evaluation.
TagRec
currently contains 32 state-of-the-art algorithms for tag and item prediction, including a set of novel and very efficient algorithms based on the human cognition theories ACT-R and MINERVA2. The framework should be relevant for researchers, teachers, students and developers working on recommender systems and predictive modeling in general and those interested in tag-based recommender algorithms in particular.
How to throw the race to the bottom
Authors: Kenneally Erin
Published: February 2015

With research using data available online, researcher conduct is not fully prescribed or proscribed by formal ethical codes of conduct or law because of ill-fitting "expectations signals" -- indicators of legal and ethical risk. This article describes where these ordering forces breakdown in the context of online research and suggests how to identify and respond to these grey areas by applying common legal and ethical tenets that run across evolving models. It is intended to advance the collective dialogue work-in-progress toward a path that revisits and harmonizes more appropriate ethical and legal signals for research using online data between and among researchers, oversight entities, policymakers and society.
How do we decide how much to reveal?
Authors: Caliskan-Islam Aylin
Published: February 2015

How do we decide how much to share online given that information can spread to millions in large social networks? Is it always our own decision or are we influenced by our friends? Let's isolate this problem to one variable, private information. How much private information are we sharing in our posts and are we the only authority controlling how much private information to divulge in our text messages? Understanding how privacy behavior is formed could give us key insights for choosing our privacy settings, friends circles, and how much privacy to sacrifice in social networks. Before analyzing end users' privacy behavior, we had the intuition that privacy behavior might be under the effect of network phenomena. Christakis and Fowler's network analytics studies [2] showing that obesity spreads through social ties and smoking cessation is a collective behavior [3], influenced us to further investigate network properties of privacy behavior.
Predicting privacy and security attitudes
Authors: Egelman Serge , Peer Eyal
Published: February 2015

While individual differences in decision-making have been examined within the social sciences for several decades, this research has only recently begun to be applied by computer scientists to examine privacy and security attitudes (and ultimately behaviors). Specifically, several researchers have shown how different online privacy decisions are correlated with the "Big Five" personality traits. However, in our own research, we show that the five factor model is actually a weak predictor of privacy preferences and behaviors, and that other well-studied individual differences in the psychology literature are much stronger predictors. We describe the results of several experiments that showed how decision-making style and risk-taking attitudes are strong predictors of privacy attitudes, as well as a new scale that we developed to measure security behavior intentions. Finally, we show that privacy and security attitudes are correlated, but orthogonal.
Networked Optimal Control with Random Medium Access Protocol and Packet Dropouts
Authors: Zhu Chaoqun , Guo Ge , Yang Bin , Wang Zhiwen
Published: February 2015

This paper is concerned with an optimal control framework for networked control systems in which the channel access of actuators is governed by a group random access protocol. The system is modeled as a switching Markov jump system with multiple modes according to channel-access status of the actuators, and an independent identical distribution Bernoulli process is used to describe the random packet dropouts of the channel. Then, an optimal control design methodology is addressed to satisfy the quadratic cost function by applying the well-developed theory for jump linear systems and stochastic optimal control while guaranteeing the mean-square exponential stability of networked control systems. And, finally, a numerical example is exploited to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
In VitroAntistaphylococcal Effects ofEmbelia schimperiExtracts and Their Component Embelin with Oxacillin and Tetracycline
Authors: Rondevaldova Johana , Leuner Olga , Teka Alemtshay , Lulekal Ermias , Havlik Jaroslav , Van Damme Patrick , Kokoska Ladislav
Published: February 2015

Bacterial infections are in less-developed countries traditionally treated by remedies prepared from medicinal plants.Embelia schimperi(Vatke) is a plant used as a taenicide or disinfectant in Ethiopia, very often taken mixed with another plant species. In the present study, we examined two extracts prepared from seeds and twigs with leaves ofE. schimperiand its main present secondary metabolite embelin for their antibacterial combinatory effect with oxacillin and tetracycline against sensitive and resistantStaphylococcus aureusstrains. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined through the broth microdilution method, whereas the combinatory effect was evaluated through fractional inhibitory concentration sum (ΣFIC) indices. Results show many positive interactions and synergy occurring in embelin and oxacillin combinations against 4 out of 9 strains (ΣFIC 0.203–0.477) and for embelin and tetracycline combination against 3 out of 9 strains (ΣFIC 0.400–0.496). Moreover, the resistance to oxacillin has been overcome in 2 strains and to tetracycline in 3 strains. According to our knowledge, this is the first study showing antimicrobial combinatory effect ofE. schimperias well as of embelin. These findings can be used for the further research targeted on the development of new antistaphylococcal agents.
Diagnosis of Pentalogy of Cantrell in the First Trimester Using Transvaginal Sonography and Color Doppler
Authors: Türkçapar Ayşe Figen , Sargın Oruc Ayla , Öksüzoglu Aysegül , Danışman Nuri
Published: February 2015

We report the prenatal diagnosis of Cantrell syndrome in the first trimester. During a routine transabdominal ultrasonographic examination, a midline supraumbilical abdominal wall defect including herniated liver and ectopia cordis with a large omphalocele containing the intestines and cystic hygroma was incidentally identified at the 12th week of gestation. A transvaginal sonography examination revealed a severe lumbosacral scoliosis in addition to the inability to visualize the abdominal aorta which was indicative of a severe intracardiac defect. The parents opted for pregnancy to be terminated. In this case report, we discuss the complementary role of transvaginal sonography and Doppler imaging in the diagnosis of Cantrell syndrome in early pregnancy.
The Generalized Green’s Function for Boundary Value Problem of Second Order Difference Equation
Authors: Han Xiaoling , Huang Juanjuan
Published: February 2015

Letb>a+2and[a+1,b+1]={a+1,a+2,…,b+1}. In this paper, by building the generalized Green’s function for the problems, we study the solvability of the S-L problemLx=Δ[p(t-1)Δx(t-1)]+[q(t)+λr(t)]x(t)=-f(t),U1(x)=α1x(a)+α2Δx(a)=0,U2(x)=β1x(b+1)+β2Δx(b+1)=0, and the periodic S-L problemLx=Δ[p(t-1)Δx(t-1)]+[q(t)+λr(t)]x(t)=-f(t),U3(x)=x(a)-x(b+1)=0,U4(x)=Δx(a)-Δx(b+1)=0,where the parameterλis an eigenvalue of the linear problemLx=0,U1(x)=0,U2(x)=0or the problemLx=0,U3(x)=0,U4(x)=0,andp:[a,b+1]→(0,+∞),r:[a+1,b+1]→(0,+∞),q(t)is defined and real valued on[a+1,b+1],α12+α22≠0,β12+β22≠0,and in the periodic S-L problem we havep(a)=p(b+1).
Impaired Fibrinolysis in Angiographically Documented Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Fernandes Adriano Basques , Lima Luciana Moreira , Sousa Marinez Oliveira , Toledo Vicente de Paulo Coelho , Kazmi Rashid Saeed , Lwaleed Bashir Abdulgader , Carvalho Maria das Graças
Published: February 2015

Impaired fibrinolysis may predispose to coronary artery disease (CAD). Hypofibrinolysis due to high levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) has been reported in CAD. A novel regulator of fibrinolytic activity, thrombin activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI), has attracted attention in recent years. It acts by blocking the formation of a ternary complex of plasminogen, fibrin, and tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Previously ambiguous results regarding TAFI levels have been reported in CAD. We measured plasma levels of PAI-1 and TAFI antigen in 123 patients with age ranging from 40 to 65 years who had been submitted to coronary angiography and assessed the association of these markers with the extent of stenosis in three groups: angiographically normal artery (NAn), mild to moderate atheromatosis (MA), and severe atheromatosis (SA). Plasma levels of PAI-1 were increased in patients with severe atheromatosis compared to mild/moderate atheromatosis or to normal patients (66.60, 40.50, and 34.90 ng/mL, resp.;P< 0.001). For TAFI no difference was found between different groups. When patients were grouped in only two groups based on clinical cut-off point for intervention (stenosis less than or above 70%) we found increased plasma levels for PAI-1 (37.55 and 66.60 ng/mL, resp.;P< 0.001) and decreased plasma levels for TAFI (5.20 and 4.53 μg/mL, resp.;P= 0.04) in patients with stenosis above 70%. No difference was found in PAI-1 or TAFI levels comparing the number of affected vessels.Conclusion. As evidenced by a raised level of PAI-1 antigen, one can suggest an impaired fibrinolysis in stable CAD, although no correlation with the number of affected vessels was found. Curiously, a decreased plasma level of total TAFI levels was observed in patients with stenosis above 70%. Further studies measuring functional TAFI are required in order to elucidate its association with the extent of degree of atheromatosis.
Isolated Perforation of Left Coronary Cusp after Blunt Chest Trauma
Authors: Maini Rohit , Dadu Razvan T. , Addison Daniel , Cunningham Luke , Hamzeh Ihab , Wall Matthew , Lakkis Nasser , Tabbaa Rashed
Published: February 2015

Left coronary cusp perforation is an extremely rare consequence of blunt chest trauma. A 22-year-old male presented after a motor vehicle accident with dyspnea. Transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) showed moderate to severe aortic regurgitation with prolapsing right coronary cusp. In the operating room he was found to have a left coronary cusp tear near the annulus and an enlarged right cusp. The patient recovered well after successful aortic valve replacement with a mechanical valve. Traumatic aortic regurgitation with left cusp perforation is serious and surgical intervention may be lifesaving if performed timely.
Autologous Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Associated with Tantalum Rod Implantation and Vascularized Iliac Grafting for the Treatment of End-Stage Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
Authors: Zhao Dewei , Liu Baoyi , Wang Benjie , Yang Lei , Xie Hui , Huang Shibo , Zhang Yao , Wei Xiaowei
Published: February 2015

Tantalum rod implantation with vascularized iliac grafting has been reported to be an effective method for the treatment of young patients with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) to avert the need for total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, there have been unsatisfactory success rates for end-stage ONFH. The authors describe a modified technique using bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) associated with porous tantalum rod implantation combined with vascularized iliac grafting for the treatment of end-stage ONFH. A total of 24 patients (31 hips) with end-stage ONFH were treated with surgery; ARCO IIIc stage was observed in 19 hips and ARCO IV stage was observed in 12 hips. All patients were followed for a mean time of 64.35 ± 13.03 months (range 26–78). Operations on only five hips were converted to THA. The joint-preserving success rate of the entire group was 89.47% for ARCO stage IIIc and 75% for ARCO stage IV. The mean Harris hip score of the 31 hips improved significantly from 38.74 ± 5.88 points (range 22–50) to 77.23 ± 14.75 points (range 33–95). This intervention was safe and effective in delaying or avoiding total hip replacement for end-stage ONFH.
LSSVM-Based Rock Failure Criterion and Its Application in Numerical Simulation
Authors: Zhu Changxing , Zhao Hongbo , Ru Zhongliang
Published: February 2015

A rock failure criterion is very important for the prediction of the failure of rocks or rock masses in rock mechanics and engineering. Least squares support vector machines (LSSVM) are a powerful tool for addressing complex nonlinear problems. This paper describes a LSSVM-based rock failure criterion for analyzing the deformation of a circular tunnel under differentin situstresses without assuming a function form. First, LSSVM was used to represent the nonlinear relationship between the mechanical properties of rock and the failure behavior of the rock in order to construct a rock failure criterion based on experimental data. Then, this was used in a hypothetical numerical analysis of a circular tunnel to analyze the mechanical behavior of the rock mass surrounding the tunnel. The Mohr-Coulomb and Hoek-Brown failure criteria were also used to analyze the same case, and the results were compared; these clearly indicate that LSSVM can be used to establish a rock failure criterion and to predict the failure of a rock mass during excavation of a circular tunnel.