bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diseases Causing Visual Field Defects at Shimla Hills
Authors: Sharma Kalpana , Chaudhary Kulbhushan Prakash , Gupta Ravinder Kumar , Sharma Ram Lal
Published: November 2014

Introduction:

Visual field (VF) measurement is the critical component for elucidating pathological conditions affecting not only ophthalmological but also neurological system.

Objective:

To study the types and disease pattern distribution, among the patients who underwent automated perimetry.

Materials and Methods:

This study was the analysis of visual fields, (August 2008 to July 2010), of the patients who underwent visual field recording on Octopus 900 perimeter (HAAG-STREIT AG, Switzerland) at Shimla hills (IGMC H.P.) situated at the height of 7,200 feet above sea level.

Results:

The causes of visual field defects(VFD) were Glaucoma 59.5% (n=119); Neurological causes 16.5% (n=33); cataract 7.5%(n=15); ARMD4.5% (n=9); BRVO4%(n=8); DR3%(n=6); AION2%(n=4); RP 1.5%(n=3); Optic neuritis 1.5% (n=3). The severity of glaucoma(advance glaucomatous VFD) increased with age significantly (p value=0.03345).

Conclusion:

The most common disease leading to VFD was glaucoma. The severity of glaucomatous damage increased with age significantly (p<0.05). The mean sensitivity decreases numerically with age. The next common cause leading to VFD was neurological in which the most common VFD was quadrantanopia. The other causes of VFD were cataract, ARMD, BRVO, CRVO, DR, AION, RP and optic neuritis.. This pattern of VFD was seen because Glaucoma screening is one of the commonest indications to carry out visual field analysis followed by neurological indications in our set up.
The impact of salinity perturbations on the future uptake of heat by the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Smith Robin S. , Sutton Rowan , Gregory Jonathan M.
Published: November 2014

Anthropogenic ocean heat uptake is a key factor in determining climate change and sea level rise. There is considerable uncertainty in projections of freshwater forcing of the ocean, with the potential to influence ocean heat uptake. We investigate this by adding either −0.1 Sv (sverdrup (106 m3/s)) or +0.1 Sv freshwater to the Atlantic in global climate model simulations, simultaneously imposing an atmospheric CO2 increase. The resulting changes in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation are roughly equal and opposite (±2 Sv). The impact of the perturbation on ocean heat content is more complex, although it is relatively small (∼5%) compared to the total anthropogenic heat uptake. Several competing processes either accelerate or retard warming at different depths. While positive freshwater perturbations cause an overall heating of the Atlantic, negative perturbations produce insignificant net changes in heat content. The processes active in our model appear robust, although their net result is likely model dependent and experiment dependent.
Interpreting the upper level structure of the Madden‐Julian oscillation
Authors: Monteiro Joy M. , Adames Ángel F. , Wallace John M. , Sukhatme Jai S.
Published: November 2014

The nonlinear response of a spherical shallow water model to an imposed heat source in the presence of realistic zonal mean zonal winds is investigated numerically. The solutions exhibit elongated, meridionally tilted ridges and troughs indicative of a poleward dispersion of wave activity. As the speed of the jets is increased, the equatorial Kelvin wave is unaffected but the global Rossby wave train coalesces to form a compact, amplified quadrupole structure that bears a striking resemblance to the observed upper level structure of the Madden‐Julian oscillation. In the presence of strong subtropical westerly jets, the advection of planetary vorticity by the meridional flow and relative vorticity by the zonally averaged background flow conspire to create the distinctive quadrupole configuration of flanking Rossby waves.
Solar wind effect on Joule heating in the high‐latitude ionosphere
Authors: Cai L. , Aikio A. T. , Nygrén T.
Published: November 2014

The effect of solar wind on several electrodynamic parameters, measured simultaneously by the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radars in Tromsø (TRO, 66.6° cgmLat) and on Svalbard (ESR, 75.4° cgmLat), has been evaluated statistically. The main emphasis is on Joule heating rate QJ, which has been estimated by taking into account the neutral wind. In addition, a generally used proxy QE, which is the Pedersen conductance times the electric field squared, has been calculated. The most important findings are as follows. (i) The decrease in Joule heating in the afternoon‐evening sector due to winds reported by Aikio et al. (2012) requires southward interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) conditions and a sufficiently high solar wind electric field. The increase in the morning sector takes place for all IMF directions within a region where the upper E neutral wind has a large equatorward component and the F region plasma flow is directed eastward. (ii) At ESR, an afternoon hot spot of Joule heating centered typically at 14–15 magnetic local time (MLT) is observed during all IMF conditions. Enhanced Pedersen conductances within the hot spot region are observed only for the IMF Bz + /By− conditions, and the corresponding convection electric field values within the hot spot are smaller than during the other IMF conditions. Hence, the hot spot represents a region of persistent magnetospheric electromagnetic energy input, and the median value is about 3 mW/m2. (iii) For the southward IMF conditions, the MLT‐integrated QE for By− is twice the value for By+ at TRO. This can plausibly be explained by the higher average solar wind electric field values for By−.
Outflow and plasma acceleration in Titan's induced magnetotail: Evidence of magnetic tension forces
Authors: Romanelli N. , Modolo R. , Dubinin E. , Berthelier J.‐J. , Bertucci C. , Wahlund J. E. , Leblanc F. , Canu P. , Edberg N. J. T. , Waite H. , Kurth W. S. , Gurnett D. , Coates A. , Dougherty M.
Published: November 2014

Cassini plasma wave and particle observations are combined with magnetometer measurements to study Titan's induced magnetic tail. In this study, we report and analyze the plasma acceleration in Titan's induced magnetotail observed in flybys T17, T19, and T40. Radio and Plasma Wave Science observations show regions of cold plasma with electron densities between 0.1 and a few tens of electrons per cubic centimeter. The Cassini Plasma Spectrometer (CAPS)‐ion mass spectrometer (IMS) measurements suggest that ionospheric plasma in this region is composed of ions with masses ranging from 15 to 17 amu and from 28 to 31 amu. From these measurements, we determine the bulk velocity of the plasma and the Alfvén velocity in Titan's tail region. Finally, a Walén test of such measurements suggest that the progressive acceleration of the ionospheric plasma shown by CAPS can be interpreted in terms of magnetic tension forces.
Inorganic chlorine variability in the Antarctic vortex and implications for ozone recovery
Authors: Strahan S. E. , Douglass A. R. , Newman P. A. , Steenrod S. D.
Published: November 2014

We infer the interannual variability of inorganic chlorine in the Antarctic lower stratospheric vortex using 9 years of Aura Microwave Limb Sounder (MLS) nitrous oxide (N2O) measurements and a previously measured compact correlation. Inorganic chlorine (Cly) is the sum of the destruction products of long‐lived chlorine‐containing source gases. Its correlation with N2O, derived from observations in the year 2000, is scaled to the years 2004–2012 to account for subsequent N2O growth and chlorofluorocarbon decline. The expected annual Cly change due to the Montreal Protocol is −20 ppt/yr, but the MLS‐inferred Cly varies year‐to‐year from −200 to +150 ppt. Because of this large variability, attributing Antarctic ozone recovery to a statistically significant chlorine trend requires 10 years of chlorine decline. We examine the relationship between equivalent effective stratospheric chlorine (EESC) and ozone hole area. Temperature variations driven by dynamics are a primary contributor to area variability, but we find a clear linear relationship between EESC and area during years when Antarctic collar temperatures are 1σ or more below the mean. This relationship suggests that smaller ozone hole areas in recent cold years 2008 and 2011 are responding to decreased chlorine loading. Using ozone hole areas from 1979 to 2013, the projected EESC decline, and the inferred interannual Cly variability, we expect ozone hole areas greater than 20 million km2 will occur during very cold years until 2040. After that time, all ozone hole areas are likely to be below that size due to reduced EESC levels.
Queues and Networks
Authors: Böhm Walter
Published: November 2014

Queueing theory of today is a highly developed discipline, although deeply rooted in probability theory, it has a strong interdisciplinary flavour and the wide range of applications make it a really interesting and challenging field. This article is meant to provide a gentle introduction into the subject and to give the reader an impression of these challenges and of the vast fields where queueing theory proved to be a successful method to understand and to analyze waiting lines and their dynamics. Our discussion starts with a first glimpse on interesting examples ranging from every‐day situations like waiting lines in supermarkets, road traffic, manufacturing and cellular mobile systems up to rather particular issues in the management of intensive care units in hospitals. Since many of the problems sketched in these examples may be studied within the framework of birth‐death processes we give a short introduction into the analysis of such processes and also show how this simple methodology can be extended to analyze more sophisticated questions arising in networks of queues. Our efforts to generalize ideas and methods will lead us to classical and celebrated results like the Pollaczek‐Khintchin mean value formula and we will also have occasion to look briefly at approximation and simulation techniques, indispensable tools of modern queueing theory.
Micro‐Shaping, Polishing, and Damage Repair of Fused Silica Surfaces Using Focused Infrared Laser Beams
Authors: Matthews Manyalibo J. , Yang Steven T. , Shen Nan , Elhadj Selim , Raman Rajesh N. , Guss Gabe , Bass Isaac L. , Nostrand Michael C. , Wegner Paul J.
Published: November 2014

Localized infrared (IR) laser heating of fused silica optics has proven highly effective in reducing or removing surface flaws, which tend to limit performance in high power laser systems. Here, we present both simulation and experimental results to examine the use of IR laser light to polish, anneal, and micro‐shape fused silica surfaces used in high power laser systems. We show how the resulting material response can be tuned by considering the temperature‐dependent optical constants of the material and choosing the appropriate laser parameter set. For example, non‐evaporative laser polishing of glass surfaces to heal crack networks is shown most effective when using mid‐IR lasers, which lead to laser energy coupling up to ≈1 mm in depth. In contrast, long‐wave IR light tuned to the Restrahlen frequency of the material is shown to evaporate material most efficiently with penetration depths of <1 μm. Through calibrated, time‐resolved thermal imaging we are able to monitor the laser polishing process, to control material response. The results of our studies can be applied beyond the practical application of damage mitigation in high energy pulsed laser systems to any which require laser‐smoothing and shaping of silica surfaces.
Active Vibration Damping in Structural Aluminum Die Castings via Piezoelectricity – Technology and Characterization
Authors: Schwankl Matthias , Kimme Simon , Pohle Carina , Drossel Welf‐Guntram , Körner Carolin
Published: November 2014

Piezoelectric modules are integrated in structural aluminum components (AlSi9Cu3(Fe)) using high‐pressure die casting for damping purposes. Investigations using X‐ray analysis indicate a damage free integration and good casting quality despite very harsh casting conditions. FE simulations provide information about the mode shapes of the casting and could be confirmed by investigations using a 3D laser scanning vibrometer (LSV). Frequency sweeps show that many modes are stimulated by applying voltage to the piezoelectric module. It is demonstrated, how an actively induced vibration signal in the casting is reduced by creating a phase‐shifted counteracting vibration with the help of the integrated module.
ε‐Branched Flexible Side Chain Substituted Diketopyrrolopyrrole‐Containing Polymers Designed for High Hole and Electron Mobilities
Authors: Han A‐Reum , Dutta Gitish K. , Lee Junghoon , Lee Hae Rang , Lee Sang Myeon , Ahn Hyungju , Shin Tae Joo , Oh Joon Hak , Yang Changduk
Published: November 2014

Based on the integrated consideration and engineering of both conjugated backbones and flexible side chains, solution‐processable polymeric semiconductors consisting of a diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) backbone and a finely modulated branching side chain (ε‐branched chain) are reported. The subtle change in the branching point from the backbone alters the π−π stacking and the lamellar distances between polymer backbones, which has a significant influence on the charge‐transport properties and in turn the performances of field‐effect transistors (FETs). In addition to their excellent electron mobilities (up to 2.25 cm2 V−1 s−1), ultra‐high hole mobilities (up to 12.25 cm2 V−1 s−1) with an on/off ratio (Ion/Ioff) of at least 106 are achieved in the FETs fabricated using the polymers. The developed polymers exhibit extraordinarily high electrical performance with both hole and electron mobilities superior to that of unipolar amorphous silicon.
Acro‐spondylo‐pubic dysostosis associated with cataracts, microcephaly, and normal intelligence
Authors: Chacon‐Camacho Oscar F. , Villegas‐Ruiz Vanessa , Buentello‐Volante Beatriz , Piña‐Aguilar Raul E. , Peláez‐González Hugo , Ramírez Magdalena , González‐Rodríguez Johanna , Zenteno Juan Carlos
Published: November 2014

We report on an adult male with normal intelligence who exhibited an unusual combination of microcephaly, dysostoses of limbs, vertebrae, patellae, and pubic bone, camptodactyly of all fingers, and syndactyly of toes, absent nails on thumbs and some fingers, bilateral cataract, cryptorchidism, polythelia, and nipple‐like skin pigmentations of shoulders and upper back. We have been unable to find a description of a similar combination of manifestations in literature. The cause of the anomalies remains unknown. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Clinical features associated with copy number variations of the 14q32 imprinted gene cluster
Authors: Rosenfeld Jill A. , Fox Joyce E. , Descartes Maria , Brewer Fallon , Stroud Tracy , Gorski Jerome L. , Upton Sheila J. , Moeschler John B. , Monteleone Berrin , Neill Nicholas J. , Lamb Allen N. , Ballif Blake C. , Shaffer Lisa G. , Ravnan J. Britt
Published: November 2014

Uniparental disomy (UPD) for imprinted chromosomes can cause abnormal phenotypes due to absent or overexpression of imprinted genes. UPD(14)pat causes a unique constellation of features including thoracic skeletal anomalies, polyhydramnios, placentomegaly, and limited survival; its hypothesized cause is overexpression of paternally expressed RTL1, due to absent regulatory effects of maternally expressed RTL1as. UPD(14)mat causes a milder condition with hypotonia, growth failure, and precocious puberty; its hypothesized cause is absence of paternally expressed DLK1. To more clearly establish how gains and losses of imprinted genes can cause disease, we report six individuals with copy number variations of the imprinted 14q32 region identified through clinical microarray‐based comparative genomic hybridization. Three individuals presented with UPD(14)mat‐like phenotypes (Temple syndrome) and had apparently de novo deletions spanning the imprinted region, including DLK1. One of these deletions was shown to be on the paternal chromosome. Two individuals with UPD(14)pat‐like phenotypes had 122–154kb deletions on their maternal chromosomes that included RTL1as but not the differentially methylated regions that regulate imprinted gene expression, providing further support for RTL1 overexpression as a cause for the UPD(14)pat phenotype. The sixth individual is tetrasomic for a 1.7Mb segment, including the imprinted region, and presents with intellectual disability and seizures but lacks significant phenotypic overlap with either UPD(14) syndrome. Therefore, the 14q32 imprinted region is dosage sensitive, with deletions of different critical regions causing UPD(14)mat‐ and UPD(14)pat‐like phenotypes, while copy gains are likely insufficient to recapitulate these phenotypes. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ring‐Opening Polymerization of Prodrugs: A Versatile Approach to Prepare Well‐Defined Drug‐Loaded Nanoparticles
Authors: Liu Jinyao , Liu Wenge , Weitzhandler Isaac , Bhattacharyya Jayanta , Li Xinghai , Wang Jing , Qi Yizhi , Bhattacharjee Somnath , Chilkoti Ashutosh
Published: November 2014

The synthesis of polymer–drug conjugates from prodrug monomers consisting of a cyclic polymerizable group that is appended to a drug through a cleavable linker is achieved by organocatalyzed ring‐opening polymerization. The monomers polymerize into well‐defined polymer prodrugs that are designed to self‐assemble into nanoparticles and release the drug in response to a physiologically relevant stimulus. This method is compatible with structurally diverse drugs and allows different drugs to be copolymerized with quantitative conversion of the monomers. The drug loading can be controlled by adjusting the monomer(s)/initiator feed ratio and drug release can be encoded into the polymer by the choice of linker. Initiating these monomers from a poly(ethylene glycol) macroinitiator results in amphiphilic diblock copolymers that spontaneously self‐assemble into micelles with a long plasma circulation, which is useful for systemic therapy.
Prosody Recognition in Adults With High‐Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders: From Psychoacoustics to Cognition
Authors: Globerson Eitan , Amir Noam , Kishon‐Rabin Liat , Golan Ofer
Published: November 2014

Prosody is an important tool of human communication, carrying both affective and pragmatic messages in speech. Prosody recognition relies on processing of acoustic cues, such as the fundamental frequency of the voice signal, and their interpretation according to acquired socioemotional scripts. Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) show deficiencies in affective prosody recognition. These deficiencies have been mostly associated with general difficulties in emotion recognition. The current study explored an additional association between affective prosody recognition in ASD and auditory perceptual abilities. Twenty high‐functioning male adults with ASD and 32 typically developing male adults, matched on age and verbal abilities undertook a battery of auditory tasks. These included affective and pragmatic prosody recognition tasks, two psychoacoustic tasks (pitch direction recognition and pitch discrimination), and a facial emotion recognition task, representing nonvocal emotion recognition. Compared with controls, the ASD group demonstrated poorer performance on both vocal and facial emotion recognition, but not on pragmatic prosody recognition or on any of the psychoacoustic tasks. Both groups showed strong associations between psychoacoustic abilities and prosody recognition, both affective and pragmatic, although these were more pronounced in the ASD group. Facial emotion recognition predicted vocal emotion recognition in the ASD group only. These findings suggest that auditory perceptual abilities, alongside general emotion recognition abilities, play a significant role in affective prosody recognition in ASD. Autism Res 2015, 8: 153–163. © 2014 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A rapid LC‐MS/MS method for quantification of CSUOH0901, a novel antitumor agent, in rat plasma
Authors: Voggu Ramakrishna R. , Alagandula Ravali , Zhou Xiang , Su Bin , Zhong Bo , Guo Baochuan
Published: November 2014

CSUOH0901, a novel anticancer derivative of nimesulide, exhibits very promising anticancer activities in various cancer cell lines. In order to support further pharmacological and toxicological studies of this promising anticancer drug candidate, an LC‐MS/MS method was developed and validated in accordance with the US Food and Drug Administration guidelines. The drug molecules were extracted from plasma samples by protein precipitation and then analyzed with LC‐ESI‐MS/MS. An excellent analyte separation was achieved using a phenomenex C18 column with a mobile phase of 90% methanol and 5 m m of ammonium formate. The validated linear dynamic range was between 0.5 and 100 ng/mL and the achieved correlation coefficient (r2) was >0.9996. The results of inter‐ and intra‐day precision and accuracy were satisfactory, that is, <12% for accuracy and within ±5% for precision at a low and high quality control concentrations, respectively. In addition, the analyte and internal standard (JCC76) were found to be stable under the storage conditions at −20°C for about 2 months. Hence, the acquired results proved that the LC‐ESI‐MS/MS method developed is precise, accurate and selective for the quantification of CSUOH0901 in plasma, and can be used for pharmacokinetic studies. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Antecedents of young adults' materialistic values
Authors: Grougiou Vassiliki , Moschis George P.
Published: November 2014

Given the adverse effects of materialism on consumer well‐being, the present study integrates various theoretical frameworks within the life course paradigm to assess the effects of earlier‐in‐life experiences on young Greek adults' materialistic values. Findings from a sample of 285 young adults suggest that disruptive family incidents in early life affect the development of materialistic values, while peers have no discernible influence. Disruptive family settings appear to impair socio‐economic status and self‐esteem, but young Greek adults with impaired self‐esteem are not more materialistic. A family communication environment that places emphasis on autonomy and individual achievement appears to promote the importance of materialism, while a family communication setting that encourages compliance instead of self‐direction appears to deter the development of such orientations. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Molecular prenatal diagnosis of megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy with subcortical cysts in a child from southwest of Iran
Authors: Shariati Gholamreza , Hamid Mohammad , Saberi Alihossein , Andashti Behnaz , Galehdari Hamid
Published: November 2014

Key Clinical Message

Megalencephalic leukoencephalopathy (MLC) is a rare neurological disorder with an autosomal recessive pattern. Clinical diagnosis was based on macrocephaly, recurrent seizure, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here we report first finding of a novel homozygous single base deletion in the MLC1 gene in an affected Iranian child causing a premature stop codon (p.L150fs.160X).
100 Jahre „Ullmann“
Authors: Elvers Barbara
Published: November 2014

Als Fritz Ullmann 1914 die beiden ersten Bände der Enzyklopädie der Technischen Chemie herausgab, hätte er sich wohl in seinen kühnsten Träumen nicht vorstellen können, dass das Werk 100 Jahre später immer noch das Standardwerk der industriellen Chemie und des chemischen Ingenieurwesens sein wird. 2014 fasst das Werk nicht nur in 40 gedruckten Bänden, sondern auch elektronisch nach wie vor den Stand der Technik zusammen.
Cytological findings of appendiceal mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma in pleural effusion: Morphological changes evident after metastasis
Authors: Tonooka Akiko , Oda Ken‐Ichi , Hayashi Mamoru , Sakazume Ko‐Ichi , Tanaka Hiroki , Kaburaki Kyo‐Hei , Uekusa Toshimasa
Published: November 2014

Goblet cell carcinoid (GCC) of the appendix is now regarded as a malignant tumor, and mixed adenoneuroendocrine carcinoma (MANEC) is a carcinoma progressing from GCC. We describe a man initially diagnosed with GCC of the appendix who died 4 years after diagnosis. Pleural fluid due to metastasis was noted in the terminal phase. Histological findings of the initial tumor indicated that cells with signet‐ring morphology were predominant, but the cytological morphology of the fluid was more atypical, making it difficult to diagnose as metastatic GCC by cellular morphology alone. The cells in the pleural fluid were immunopositive for synaptophysin, which was compatible with GCC, but p53 and ki67 staining indicated that the metastatic tumor was more aggressive. These findings suggested a final diagnosis of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma‐type MANEC, which we define as a tumor with typical GCC characteristics and foci that cannot be distinguished from a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. This case, which we believe is reported here for the first time, indicates the cytological features of GCC cells may change at metastatic sites to be more atypical and aggressive as the tumor progresses, and these changes should be considered in diagnosis. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2015;43:577–580. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Step selection techniques uncover the environmental predictors of space use patterns in flocks of Amazonian birds
Authors: Potts Jonathan R. , Mokross Karl , Stouffer Philip C. , Lewis Mark A.
Published: November 2014

Understanding the behavioral decisions behind animal movement and space use patterns is a key challenge for behavioral ecology. Tools to quantify these patterns from movement and animal–habitat interactions are vital for transforming ecology into a predictive science. This is particularly important in environments undergoing rapid anthropogenic changes, such as the Amazon rainforest, where animals face novel landscapes. Insectivorous bird flocks are key elements of avian biodiversity in the Amazonian ecosystem. Therefore, disentangling and quantifying the drivers behind their movement and space use patterns is of great importance for Amazonian conservation. We use a step selection function (SSF) approach to uncover environmental drivers behind movement choices. This is used to construct a mechanistic model, from which we derive predicted utilization distributions (home ranges) of flocks. We show that movement decisions are significantly influenced by canopy height and topography, but depletion and renewal of resources do not appear to affect movement significantly. We quantify the magnitude of these effects and demonstrate that they are helpful for understanding various heterogeneous aspects of space use. We compare our results to recent analytic derivations of space use, demonstrating that the analytic approximation is only accurate when assuming that there is no persistence in the animals' movement. Our model can be translated into other environments or hypothetical scenarios, such as those given by proposed future anthropogenic actions, to make predictions of spatial patterns in bird flocks. Furthermore, our approach is quite general, so could potentially be used to understand the drivers of movement and spatial patterns for a wide variety of animal communities.
Phase Correction for High Precision Measurement of Iron Loss Using H‐coil Method
Authors: Kutsukake Akifumi , Kido Yukihito , Ikeda Tetsu , Kanada Tsugunori , Enokizono Masato
Published: November 2014

The accurate magnetic properties of electrical steel sheets are important for the development of high‐efficiency electromagnetic devices. In particular, the H‐coil method is a useful technique for accurately measuring magnetic field strength in a single sheet tester. Therefore, we developed a tester for magnetic field properties using the H‐coil method, referred to as the stress load type single sheet tester (S‐SST), and a problem was found in iron loss measurement at a high flux density of 1.6 T or more. In this paper, it is shown that the cause of this problem is the phase difference between the induced voltage in the H‐coil and the B‐coil. Because the phase difference makes the B–H loop slightly twisted near the tip point, the iron losses are evaluated low. Thus, we propose a method of determining the phase correction values. These values are measured in the absence of a specimen in the S‐SST measurement system, and the phase correction method for induced voltage in a coil is investigated. Finally, ideal results for the correction of iron loss in nonoriented electrical steel sheets are shown. The proposed method is effective for the calibration of a single sheet tester using the H‐coil method.
An Inchworm Using Levitation Caused by Vertical Vibration
Authors: Torii Akihiro , Itatsu Yuki , Nishio Mitsuhiro , Ueda Akiteru , Doki Kae
Published: November 2014

We propose an inchworm‐type microactuator which uses levitation caused by vertical vibration. The vertical vibration is generated by a piezoelectric actuator. The inchworm usually consists of thrust elements and clamp elements. The proposed inchworm‐type microactuator however does not use any clamp elements. Three levitation elements are connected with two thrust elements which are stacked piezoelectric actuators. The levitation element consists of a mass, a piezoelectric actuator, and a plate. The vertical vibration of the piezoelectric actuator lifts the levitation elements and eliminates the friction. By controlling the phase of the horizontal and vertical piezoelectric actuators, the inchworm moves in a linear direction. The levitation height and the position of the inchworm are measured, and experimental results show the feasibility of the proposed inchworm. The mechanism described in this paper is effective in a precise positioning system in a clean room.
Control of Uninterrupted Switching Using a Virtual Synchronous Generator Between Stand‐Alone and Grid‐Connected Operation of a Distributed Generation System for Houses
Authors: Lung Chienru , Shintai Toshinobu , Kakigano Hiroaki , Miura Yushi , Ise Toshifumi
Published: November 2014

The home applications of distributed generations facilities such as photovoltaic and gas engine cogeneration systems are growing and many distributed generations are connected to a grid by a DC/AC inverter. The DC/AC inverter is controlled by a phase‐locked loop (PLL) in order to be synchronized with the power system frequency. However, the control scheme of stand‐alone operation uses voltage control, and the PLL is unnecessary. Therefore, it is hard to realize uninterrupted change between stand‐alone and grid‐connected operation. In this paper, we propose a virtual synchronous generator control scheme in order to use the same control scheme in stand‐alone and grid‐connected operation. We carried out experiments to demonstrate the control characteristics.
Statistical Shape Model of the Liver and Its Application to Computer‐Aided Diagnosis of Liver Cirrhosis
Authors: Uetani Mei , Tateyama Tomoko , Kohara Shinya , Tanaka Hidetoshi , Han Xian‐Hua , Kanasaki Shuzo , Furukawa Akira , Chen Yen‐Wei
Published: November 2014

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in statistical shape modeling of human anatomy. The statistical shape model can capture the morphological variations of human anatomy. Since liver cirrhosis will cause significant morphological changes, the authors propose a computer‐aided diagnosis method for liver cirrhosis based on statistical shape models. In the proposed method, the authors first construct a statistical shape model of the liver using 50 clinical CT datasets (25 sets of normal data and 25 sets of abnormal data). The authors apply the marching cubes algorithm to convert the segmented liver volume to a triangulated mesh surface containing 1000 vertex points. The coordinates of these vertex points are used to represent the 3D liver shape as a shape vector. After normalization and identification of correspondences between all datasets, principal component analysis (PCA) is employed to find the principal variation modes of the shape vectors. Then the authors propose a mode selection method based on class variations between the normal class and abnormal class. The authors found that the top two modes of class variations are most effective for the classification of normal and abnormal livers. The classification rate of abnormal livers and normal livers by the use of a simple linear discriminant function were 84% and 80%, respectively.
An Optically Isolated High‐Performance Servo Network in FA Systems for Total High Productivity
Authors: Kachi Mitsuyasu , Nagano Tetsuaki
Published: November 2014

In recent years, the reduction of total cost of ownership (TCO) from system architecture to start‐up, operation and maintenance has risen rapidly with the demand for factory automation (FA). But due to the complexity and combination of functions of machines and devices, and to progress in meeting high‐speed and high‐accuracy demands, networking of controllers and amplifiers has come into use. However, conventional servo networks have had various problems in TCO reduction. The servo network proposed in this paper can obtain position and speed information from counterpart amplifiers in the synchronous control by communication between amplifiers, which is conventionally unattainable. Compared with the conventional system, high‐speed, high‐accuracy operation can be realized with the new synchronous compensation control utilizing data transferred between amplifiers, and improvements in operating productivity were verified with an actual machine. Conventional systems used multiple electrical signals, but the new network realizes optical communication over only a single pair of optical cables using optically isolated circuit technology, and it has also proved effective for increasing productivity in the setup and maintenance.
Cinnamate‐Functionalized Cage Silsesquioxanes as Photoreactive Nanobuilding Blocks
Authors: Yang Wenyan , Gan Yanchang , Jiang Xuesong , Liu Hongzhi
Published: November 2014

Starting from potassium cinnamate, photoreactive mono‐, octa‐, and deca(propyl cinnamate)‐functionalized cage silsesquioxanes were synthesized by simple nucleophilic substitution reactions with chloropropyl‐substituted octasilsesquioxanes. Among them, octa(propyl cinnamate)silsesquioxane exhibited some remarkable behavior, including high photopolymerization conversion of double bonds under UV irradiation and thermal stability. These compounds can act as pure photoreactive nanobuilding blocks for the preparation of hybrid nanocomposites with specific properties.
The Effects of Task Interruption on Human Performance: A Study of the Systematic Classification of Human Behavior and Interruption Frequency
Authors: Lee Byung Cheol , Duffy Vincent G.
Published: November 2014

Interruptions are prevalent phenomena in modern working environments; yet, few interruption studies have been conducted on different types of human tasks. A study using computer‐based human behavior tasks was carried out to investigate the effects of interruptions with 4 different primary‐interrupting task sets. The tasks used in this study were determined by cognitive and motor skill processes based on human behavior classification theory. The results showed that interruption effects were most negative in cognitive/cognitive task sets, and skill/cognitive task sets showed the least amount of effects in task completion time, F(3, 332) = 77.88, p < .001. In error rate performance, skill/skill task sets showed the highest rate, and error rates for cognitive primary task sets (cognitive/cognitive and cognitive/skill task sets) were not significantly different, F(1, 42) = 41.18, p < .001; F(1, 42) = 3.56, p = 0.0661. Interruption frequency also negatively affected task performance, F(1, 412) = 89.88, p < .001, but skill tasks’ quantitative performance did not show significant effects at different interruption frequencies, F(1, 187) = 3.78, p = .0534. The results showed that interruptions increase more time to complete in cognitive tasks and produce more errors in skill tasks. Also, similar types of primary‐interrupting tasks were more susceptible from interruptions. Thus, based on task composition of work process, we can estimate different effects from the interruptions and memory load, and task similarity in primary‐interrupting task relationship were considered a main factor.
Optimal analog active filter design using craziness‐based particle swarm optimization algorithm
Authors: De Bishnu Prasad , Kar R. , Mandal D. , Ghoshal S. P.
Published: November 2014

Because of the manufacturing constraints, the optimal selection of passive component values for the design of analog active filter is very critical. As the search on possible combinations in preferred values for capacitors and resistors is an exhaustive process, it has to be automated with high accuracy within short computation time. Evolutionary computation may be an attractive alternative for automatic selection of optimal discrete component values such as resistors and capacitors for analog active filter design. This paper presents an efficient evolutionary optimization approach for optimal analog filter design considering different topologies and manufacturing series by selecting their component values. The evolutionary optimization technique employed is craziness‐based particle swarm optimization (CRPSO). PSO is very simple in concept, easy to implement and computationally efficient algorithm with two main advantages: fast convergence and only a few control parameters. However, the performance of PSO depends on its control parameters and may be influenced by premature convergence and stagnation problem. To overcome these problems, the PSO algorithm has been modified to CRPSO and is used for the selection of optimal passive component values of fourth‐order Butterworth low‐pass analog active filter and second‐order state variable low‐pass filter, respectively. CRPSO performs the dual task of efficiently selecting the component values as well as minimizing the total design errors of low‐pass active filters. The component values of the filters are selected in such a way so that they become E12/E24/E96 series compatible. The simulation results prove that CRPSO efficiently minimizes the total design error with respect to previously used optimization techniques. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The single and multi‐item transshipment problem with fixed transshipment costs
Authors: Noham Reut , Tzur Michal
Published: November 2014

This article deals with supply chain systems in which lateral transshipments are allowed. For a system with two retailers facing stochastic demand, we relax the assumption of negligible fixed transshipment costs, thus, extending existing results for the single‐item case and introducing a new model with multiple items. The goal is to determine optimal transshipment and replenishment policies, such that the total centralized expected profit of both retailers is maximized. For the single‐item problem with fixed transshipment costs, we develop optimality conditions, analyze the expected profit function, and identify the optimal solution. We extend our analysis to multiple items with joint fixed transshipment costs, a problem that has not been investigated previously in the literature, and show how the optimality conditions may be extended for any number of items. Due to the complexity involved in solving these conditions, we suggest a simple heuristic based on the single‐item results. Finally, we conduct a numerical study that provides managerial insights on the solutions obtained in various settings and demonstrates that the suggested heuristic performs very well. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 61: 637–664, 2014
Autogenerating microsecond solvers for nonlinear MPC: A tutorial using ACADO integrators
Authors: Quirynen R. , Vukov M. , Zanon M. , Diehl M.
Published: November 2014

Nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC) allows one to explicitly treat nonlinear dynamics and constraints. To apply NMPC in real time on embedded hardware, online algorithms as well as efficient code implementations are crucial. A tutorial‐style approach is adopted in this article to present such algorithmic ideas and to show how they can efficiently be implemented based on the ACADO Toolkit from MATLAB (MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA). Using its code generation tool, one can export tailored Runge–Kutta methods—explicit and implicit ones—with efficient propagation of their sensitivities. The article summarizes recent research results on autogenerated integrators for NMPC and shows how they allow to formulate and solve practically relevant problems in only a few tens of microseconds. Several common NMPC formulations can be treated by these methods, including those with stiff ordinary differential equations, fully implicit differential algebraic equations, linear input and output models, and continuous output independent of the integration grid. One of the new algorithmic contributions is an efficient implementation of infinite horizon closed‐loop costing. As a guiding example, a full swing‐up of an inverted pendulum is considered. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influence of doping on the optical properties of silicon nanocrystals embedded in SiO2
Authors: Frégnaux Mathieu , Khelifi Rim , Le Gall Yann , Muller Dominique , Mathiot Daniel
Published: November 2014

Co‐implantation, with overlapping implantation projected ranges, of Si and doping species (P, As, B) followed by a thermal annealing step is a viable route to form doped Si nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in SiO2. This presentation deals with optical characterizations of both doped and undoped Si‐NC prepared by this method. The NC effective presence in the oxide layer and their crystallinity is verified by Raman spectrometry. Photoluminescence (PL) and PL excitation measurements reveal quantum confinement effects and a gradual PL quenching with increasing dopant concentrations. The measured Stokes shift remains constant and its value ∼ 0.2 eV is almost twice the Si–O vibration energy. This suggests that a possible radiative recombination path is a fundamental transition assisted by a local phonon. Lifetime investigations show that PL time‐decays follow a stretched exponential. Atomic probe tomography analyses demonstrate that n‐type dopants (P, As) are efficiently introduced in the NC core, whereas p‐type dopant (B) are located at the NC/SiO2 interface. All together these experimental observations question on possible different carrier recombination paths in P or As doped NC compared to B one's. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Social Capital, Community Resilience, and Faith‐Based Organizations in Disaster Recovery: A Case Study of Mary Queen of Vietnam Catholic Church
Authors: Rivera Jason David , Nickels Ashley E.
Published: November 2014

Because governmental structures put in place to mitigate disaster risks and aid communities in the disaster recovery process have, at times, proven to be inadequate, reliance on other types of organizations is necessary for some communities to survive. Although there are a number of different actors that played a role in the reestablishment of communities within New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina took place, the Mary Queen of Vietnam (MQVN) Catholic Church is a prime example of how a community‐based organization stepped in to address the needs of its community. This article examines how MQVN garnered social capital within its surrounding community to pursue successful community development in the absence of and opposition to governmental support and political resistance. This article will first review the government failure and decrease in civic trust that fostered a robust third‐sector response in disaster recovery and redevelopment. Then, using social capital theory, the article supports the notion that civic distrust and confidence is derived from government and institutional performance, rather than increasing individualism or declining social trust. Finally, implications for federal disaster policy and third‐sector disaster interventions are proposed.
Mesenchymal Progenitors Aging Highlights a miR-196 Switch Targeting HOXB7 as Master Regulator of Proliferation and Osteogenesis
Authors: Candini Olivia , Spano Carlotta , Murgia Alba , Grisendi Giulia , Veronesi Elena , Piccinno Maria Serena , Ferracin Manuela , Negrini Massimo , Giacobbi Francesca , Bambi Franco , Horwitz Edwin Mark , Conte Pierfranco , Paolucci Paolo , Dominici Massimo
Published: November 2014

Human aging is associated with a decrease in tissue functions combined with a decline in stem cells frequency and activity followed by a loss of regenerative capacity. The molecular mechanisms behind this senescence remain largely obscure, precluding targeted approaches to counteract aging. Focusing on mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSC) as known adult progenitors, we identified a specific switch in miRNA expression during aging, revealing a miR-196a upregulation which was inversely correlated with MSC proliferation through HOXB7 targeting. A forced HOXB7 expression was associated with an improved cell growth, a reduction of senescence, and an improved osteogenesis linked to a dramatic increase of autocrine basic fibroblast growth factor secretion. These findings, along with the progressive decrease of HOXB7 levels observed during skeletal aging in mice, indicate HOXB7 as a master factor driving progenitors behavior lifetime, providing a better understanding of bone senescence and leading to an optimization of MSC performance. Stem Cells  2015;33:939–950
Solvothermal Syntheses and Characterizations of Selenidostannate Salts of Transition Metal Complex Cations: Conformational Flexibility of the Lamellar [Sn3Se72–]n Anion
Authors: Lu Jialin , Shen Yali , Wang Fang , Tang Chunying , Zhang Yong , Jia Dingxian
Published: November 2014

The selenidostannates [Mn(dien)2]Sn3Se7·0.5H2O (1), [Fe(tatda)]Sn3Se7 (2), and [Mn(dien)2]2Sn2Se6 (3) (dien = diethylenetriamine, tatda = 3, 6,9, 12‐tetraazatetradecane‐1, 14‐diamine) were prepared under solvothermal conditions. In compounds 1 and 2, the six Sn3Se4 semi‐cubes are bridged by double μ2‐Se atoms to form the [Sn3Se72–]n lamellar anion containing a elliptical 24‐membered Sn12Se12 ring, which show conformational flexibility of the 2D [Sn3Se72–]n anion influenced by the counter cation. The [Mn(dien)2]2+ complex ion in 1 is in mer configuration. The [Fe(tatda)]2+ complex ion possesses similar configuration to the [Mn(dien)2]2+ ion in 1. The [Mn(dien)2]2+ and [Fe(tatda)]2+ cations are located between the [Sn3Se72–]n layers. Compound 3 consists of dimeric [Sn2Se6]4– anions and octahedral [Mn(dien)2]2+ complex cations with u‐fac configuration. Compounds 1–3 have potential for uses as semiconductors with bandgaps in the range of 1.89–2.34 eV.
About the Syntheses of Chalcogenidometalates by in‐situ ­Reduction with Elemental Alkali Metals
Authors: Thiele Günther , Vondung Lisa , Dehnen Stefanie
Published: November 2014

Reduction of chalcogen‐rich Pb:Ch (1:2) phases in ethane‐1,2‐diamine (en) by elemental alkali metals results in the formation of solutions of [Pb2Ch3]2– of high purity and abundance. In contrast, application of the same reaction conditions to a binary Bi:Te (1:2) phase yields the mononuclear [BiTe3]3– anion. Instead of the expected [Tl2Te3]4– or [Tl2Te2]2– anions, analogous reactions with a Tl:Te (1:1) phase end up with a C–C‐bond cleavage of the solvent en with formation of a salt of the telluridocyanate (N≡C–Te)– anion. Side reactions of en and elemental cesium are presented and metalate solutions are investigated with NMR spectroscopy.