bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Europe-Wide Dampening of Population Cycles in Keystone Herbivores
Authors: Cornulier Thomas , Yoccoz Nigel G. , Bretagnolle Vincent , Brommer Jon E. , Butet Alain , Ecke Frauke , Elston David A. , Framstad Erik , Henttonen Heikki , Hörnfeldt Birger , Huitu Otso , Imholt Christian , Ims Rolf A. , Jacob Jens , Jędrzejewska Bogumiła , Millon Alexandre , Petty Steve J. , Pietiäinen Hannu , Tkadlec Emil , Zub Karol , Lambin Xavier
Published: April 2013

Cycling in Unison

Many small mammals, especially voles, display semi-regular cycles of population boom and bust. Given the fundamental importance of small mammals as basal consumers and prey, such cycles can have cascading effects in trophic food webs.

Cornulier
et al.

(p.
63
) collated raw data from vole populations across Europe collected over the past 18 years. Reduction in winter growth rate was common across a wide variety of habitats with very different local climates, suggesting the presence of a continental-scale climatic driver of vole populations.
Transposition-Driven Genomic Heterogeneity in the
Drosophila
Brain
Authors: Perrat Paola N. , DasGupta Shamik , Wang Jie , Theurkauf William , Weng Zhiping , Rosbash Michael , Waddell Scott
Published: April 2013

Neuronal Transposons

Transposons comprise a hefty chunk of the
Drosophila
genome and, unregulated, can generate mutations; thus, mechanisms exist to suppress transposon activity, particularly in the germline.

Perrat
et al.

(p.
91
) investigated transposon motility in neurons of the
Drosophila
brain. The mushroom body of the brain, responsible for olfactory memory, contains several different types of neurons. One class of neurons, the αβ neurons, exhibited increased transposon mobility, which generated increased neuronal diversity.
Rats and Humans Can Optimally Accumulate Evidence for Decision-Making
Authors: Brunton Bingni W. , Botvinick Matthew M. , Brody Carlos D.
Published: April 2013

How to Make Decisions

Recently, a number of methods to probe internal properties of nonlinear neural systems have been developed. In these methods, highly variable stimuli are used to explore the input space of the system. Neural responses are then studied using models that take advantage of the known trial-by-trial stimulus information.

Brunton
et al.

(p.
95
) adapted this combined approach to decision-making. Both in rats and humans, the diffusion constant of the drift-diffusion model of decision-making was zero, implying that the noise is all in the processing of sensory input and not in the evidence accumulator. In addition, rats gradually accumulated evidence for decision-making, with strong effects of sensory adaptation on gradual accumulation of evidence.
High Incidence of Tuberculosis Infection in Rheumatic Diseases and Impact for Chemoprophylactic Prevention of Tuberculosis Activation during Biologics Therapy
Authors: He Dongyi , Bai Fengmin , Zhang Shu , Jiang Ting , Shen Jie , Zhu Qi , Yue Tao , Shao Lingyun , Gao Yan , Feng Yun , Weng Xinhua , Zou Hejian , Zhang Ying , Zhang Wenhong
Published: April 2013

We conducted a long-term follow-up study in patients with rheumatic diseases who were candidates for biologics treatment to evaluate the effects of biologic agents on the risk of tuberculosis infection and the effect of prophylactic treatment on tuberculosis activation. One hundred one patients with rheumatic diseases who were candidates for biologics treatment were recruited, and 57 healthy subjects were recruited as controls. Tuberculin skin test (TST) and the T-SPOT.TB test were performed for all subjects at baseline. Follow-up testing by the T-SPOT.TB assay was performed every 6 months in patients with rheumatic diseases and at 2 years of recruitment in the healthy controls. In patients with rheumatic diseases and healthy controls, the TST-positive (induration, ≥10 mm) rates were 37.6% (38/101) and 34.0% (18/53), respectively (
P
> 0.05), while the T-SPOT.TB-positive rates were 46.5% (47/101) and 21.1 (12/57), respectively (
P
= 0.0019). Fifty-two patients were followed up at month 6 with a T-SPOT.TB-positive rate of 40.4%, and 49 were followed up for ≥12 months with a T-SPOT.TB-positive rate of 36.7%, with no significant difference in the positive rate at different time points including baseline (
P
> 0.05). Long-term follow-up revealed that conversion to T-SPOT.TB positivity occurred only in the biologics treatment group, with a positive conversion rate of 11.2% (4/38). Most importantly, no latent tuberculosis developed into active tuberculosis during follow-up with T-SPOT.TB screening and preemptive treatment with isoniazid. Biologics treatment appears to increase the risk of tuberculosis infection. However, tuberculosis activation could be prevented by preemptive isoniazid treatment in patients with latent tuberculosis infection while receiving biologics therapy.
Evaluation of the NucliSENS EasyQ KPC Assay for Detection of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae
Authors: McEwan A. S. , Derome A. , Meunier D. , Burns P. J. , Woodford N. , Dodgson A. R.
Published: April 2013

The NucliSENS EasyQ KPC assay (bioMérieux SA, Marcy l'Etoile, France) was compared with a routinely used phenotypic method for detection of
Enterobacteriaceae
producing
Klebsiella pneumoniae
carbapenemase (KPC)-type carbapenemases, using 806 stool samples and rectal swabs. Compared with the phenotypic method, the EasyQ KPC assay had a sensitivity and specificity of 93.3% and 99.0%, respectively, in this setting, with diverse KPC producers not limited to ST258
Klebsiella pneumoniae
.
A Case of Endocarditis Caused by Lactococcus garvieae and Suggested Methods for Identification
Authors: Navas Maria Eugenia , Hall Geraldine , El Bejjani Dalia
Published: April 2013

Lactococcus garvieae
is a Gram-positive coccus that has morphological and biochemical similarities to enterococci.
L. garvieae
strains rare human pathogens, with only a few cases reported in the literature, mainly as a cause of infective endocarditis.
L. garvieae
is well known as a fish pathogen, and in some of the reported cases, the patients had a history of contact with raw fish. Some of the reported endocarditis patients had valvular damage as a predisposing condition. We report a case of
L. garvieae
endocarditis in a patient with no history of contact with raw fish and with history of valvular repair in an unaffected heart valve.
Identification of Virulence Determinants within the L Genomic Segment of the Pichinde Arenavirus
Authors: McLay Lisa , Lan Shuiyun , Ansari Aftab , Liang Yuying , Ly Hinh
Published: April 2013

Several arenaviruses are responsible for causing viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHF) in humans. Lassa virus (LASV), the causative agent of Lassa fever, is a biosafety level 4 (BSL4) pathogen that requires handling in BSL4 facilities. In contrast, the Pichinde arenavirus (PICV) is a BSL2 pathogen that can cause hemorrhagic fever-like symptoms in guinea pigs that resemble those observed in human Lassa fever. Comparative sequence analysis of the avirulent P2 strain of PICV and the virulent P18 strain shows a high degree of sequence homology in the bisegmented genome between the two strains despite the polarized clinical outcomes noted for the infected animals. Using reverse genetics systems that we have recently developed, we have mapped the sequence changes in the large (L) segment of the PICV genome that are responsible for the heightened virulence phenotype of the P18 strain. By monitoring the degree of disease severity and lethality caused by the different mutant viruses, we have identified specific residues located within the viral L polymerase gene encoded on the L segment essential for mediating disease pathogenesis. Through quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) analysis, we have confirmed that the same set of residues is responsible for the increased viral replicative potential of the P18 strain and its heightened disease severity
in vivo
. Our laboratory findings serve to reinforce field observations that a high level of viremia often correlates with severe disease outcomes in LASV-infected patients.
Evidence in Support of RNA-Mediated Inhibition of Phosphatidylserine-Dependent HIV-1 Gag Membrane Binding in Cells
Authors: Chukkapalli Vineela , Inlora Jingga , Todd Gabrielle C. , Ono Akira
Published: April 2013

The matrix domain promotes plasma-membrane-specific binding of HIV-1 Gag through interaction with an acidic lipid phosphatidylinositol-(4,5)-bisphosphate. In
in vitro
systems, matrix-bound RNA suppresses Gag interactions with phosphatidylserine, an acidic lipid prevalent in various cytoplasmic membranes, thereby enhancing the lipid specificity of the matrix domain. Here we provide
in vitro
and cell-based evidence supporting the idea that this RNA-mediated suppression occurs in cells and hence is a physiologically relevant mechanism that prevents Gag from binding promiscuously to phosphatidylserine-containing membranes.
Sediment-control methods in urban development: Some examples and implications
Authors: Guy Harold P.
Published: April 2013

Sediment-control methods in areas of urban development must be more carefully designed temporally and spacially than methods used in rural areas. Several jurisdictions have adopted a manual for sediment-control methods that is based largely on rural sediment-control technology. The applications of those general methods too often have adverse geomorphic implications when large quantities of sediment suddenly move into and through natural streams.

An example of adverse effects of attempted sediment control is the use of small sediment-detention basins downstream from a development project when the construction phase will last for only a few months. The result is that (1) damage is done to the waterway during installation, maintenance, and, if necessary, removal of the structure; (2) little of the fine sediment is trapped and considerable coarse sediment may be lost during a storm of long recurrence interval; (3) maintenance may be neglected by the contractor, which can cause a failure of the system; and (4) the cost of the detention is passed onto the consumer. The need for such a detention basin might be avoided by designing the facility so as to insure minimum disturbance of the landscape, a reduction in direct overland flow, and better timing of construction to minimize soil exposure during the rainy season.
Urban landslides: Targets for land-use planning in California
Authors: Leighton F. Beach
Published: April 2013

Urban landslides represent the primary geologic hazard in urbanized California hillside and coastal sectors in terms of public and private losses. They have resulted in billions of dollars in damage losses as well as corrective and legal costs. Nevertheless, they have been shown to be one of the geologic hazards most amenable to avoidance and reduction by land-use planning.

In California, the evaluation of landslides for land-use planning purposes is being conducted at three principal levels; (1) on a regional basis, (2) on a tract or community basis, and (3) on a site basis. A high demand exists for level 1 studies by governmental surveys to supply sufficient basic data for proper regional planning and in preparation for detailed studies in levels 2 and 3. At each level, landslides and other geologic hazards are evaluated in proper scale and perspective so that they can be dealt with judiciously and economically in land-use planning. Estimated reduction of damaging failures attainable by investigations at the three levels combined is 95 to 99 percent.

The integration of geotechnical and nontechnical data can be achieved by producing a planning map that weighs all geotechnical data and attempts to answer the question, “For what use is the land best suited?”

A point system for landslide risk in a planning area can generally be established, based on the following factors: (1) adequacy of landslide database, (2) landslide stability ratings, (3) records of landslides in area, (4) geologic-engineering codes and standards, (5) implementation and enforcement of the codes and standards, and (6) performance records.

Land-use planning in high landslide-risk areas is generally accomplished by selection of a land use such as open space for the landslide-susceptible part and development of the nonlandslide part, at least until feasible corrective measures can be assured. Case histories in the Seal Cove-Moss Beach area of northern California and the Palos Verdes area of southern California serve to show how different the planning of these landslide areas might have been had the fund of geotechnical information, land-use planning techniques, and climate of public understanding approached the level evolving today.
Application of land-use constraints in Oregon
Authors: Palmer Leonard
Published: April 2013

One question challenges all disciplines today—how many people with a given standard of living or rate of resource consumption can be sustained in a given area? Geologic factors concerning the natural environment and resources are basic limitations. It is necessary to define legal constraints on land and water use to provide sustained support of man at a specified living standard and technical efficiency.

Methods to determine natural geologic limitations to land use, ranging from the community to the regional scale, have been attempted in Oregon. The various geologic factors—such as land stabilities, geohydrology, soil and rock characteristics, landforms, and resources—are defined according to their developmental limitations. Existing land use and trends are then compared to natural limitations to determine conflicting and compatible land uses.

Simple systems of presenting and integrating geologic with nongeologic factors are utilized for improved public understanding and participation in the planning process. Final application of geologic factors in land-use planning depends largely on comprehension of them by nongeologists. Even so, a geologist member of the planning team is essential to ensure use of the available geologic data.
Geomorphic constraints on land development in the Front Range Urban Corridor, Colorado
Authors: Hansen Wallace R.
Published: April 2013

Environmental degradation and costly land-use mistakes can be minimized along the Front Range Urban Corridor, Colorado, if geomorphic constraints on land development are considered before development begins. Here, a varied geomorphic setting of plains, valleys, and mountains and a genial but semiarid climate foster a sensitive ecologic balance. Urbanization centered on Denver is spreading across the Colorado Piedmont and into the bordering mountains, and the geotechnical consequences of development are as complex as the geomorphic setting. Impacts arise when land development disturbs certain fragile soils (such as loess, eolian sand, and expansive clay), when excavation unbalances metastable hillslopes, when the extraction of industrial commodities (gravel, clay, stone, coal) interacts with geomorphic processes, or when urban development alters the hydrologic regimen. To minimize adverse environmental impacts, land development should proceed cautiously in areas where geomorphic processes having undesirable results are active or are likely to be activated.
Coal resources of Peru
Authors: Petersen C. Richard
Published: April 2013

The coal deposits of Peru are in three facies of the Lower Cretaceous Goyllarisquizga Group — the eastern, southern, and western facies. Only the western facies is divided into formations, which are from bottom to top the Oyón, Chimú, Santa, Carhuaz, and Farrat. The most important coalfields are the Goyllarisquizga, Jatunhuasi, Oyón, and the “Northern Anthracite” fields.

The Goyllarisquizga field, in constant production since 1903, has yielded at least 8,800,000 metric tons of bituminous coal, which has been used to make metallurgical coke for the Cerro de Pasco Corporation’s smelter in La Oroya. The coal produced in 1967 averaged 54.0 percent ash, 21.5 percent volatile matter, and 21.5 percent fixed carbon.

The Jatunhuasi field is a long, narrow body of coal east of the continental divide. It has been explored by the Cerro de Pasco Corporation—now Empresa Minera del Centro del Perú (Centromin) — because it constitutes the company’s main source of supply with a resource potential of about 8 million metric tons, although proved reserves are considerably less. The coal beds exhibit characteristics different from those in the Goyllarisquizga field, and the ash content is in general lower than that for coal in the Goyllarisquizga field.

In the Oyón basin both anthracite and bituminous coals occur n i the Oyón Formation. Variations in rank of the coals are either the result of intrusion of granodiorite stocks or of intense tectonic activity during which most of the coal was sheared and shattered.

The coal in northern Peru is of anthracitic rank. The coal-bearing rocks in this area extend from the Santa River valley to the upper Chicama River. Coal beds occur in both the Chimú and Farrat Formations. By far the most important area is the region of the upper Chicama, where a substantial tonnage could be developed if a suitable market could be found.
Male pattern baldness and its association with coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yamada Tomohide , Hara Kazuo , Umematsu Hitomi , Kadowaki Takashi
Published: April 2013

Objective

To confirm the association between male pattern baldness and coronary heart disease (CHD).

Design

Meta-analysis of observational studies.

Data sources

Medline and the Cochrane Library were searched for articles published up to November 2012 using keywords that included both ‘baldness’ and ‘coronary heart disease’ and the reference lists of those studies identified were also searched.

Study selection

Observational studies were identified that reported risk estimates for CHD related to baldness. Two observers independently assessed eligibility, extracted data and assessed the possibility of bias.

Data synthesis

The adjusted relative risk (RR) and 95% CI were estimated using the DerSimonian-Laird random-effect model.

Results

850 possible studies, 3 cohort studies and 3 case–control studies were selected (36 990 participants). In the cohort studies, the adjusted RR of men with severe baldness for CHD was 1.32 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.63, p=0.008, I2=25%) compared to those without baldness. Analysis of younger men (<55 or ≤60 years) showed a similar association of CHD with severe baldness (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.11 to 1.86, p=0.006, I2=0%). In three studies employing the modified Hamilton scale, vertex baldness was associated with CHD and the relation depended on the severity of baldness (severe vertex: RR 1.48 (1.04 to 2.11, p=0.03); moderate vertex: RR 1.36 (1.16 to 1.58, p<0.001); mild vertex: RR 1.18 (1.04 to 1.35, p<0.001)). However, frontal baldness was not associated with CHD (RR 1.11 (0.92 to 1.32, p=0.28)).

Conclusions

Vertex baldness, but not frontal baldness, is associated with an increased risk of CHD. The association with CHD depends on the severity of vertex baldness and also exists among younger men. Thus, vertex baldness might be more closely related to atherosclerosis than frontal baldness, but the association between male pattern baldness and CHD deserves further investigation.
PROTECTION OF OIL CASING TUBE STEEL VIA SURFACE TREATMENT IN CHINA: A LITERATURE REVIEW
Authors: ZOU JIAOJUAN , LIN NAIMING , QIN LIN , TANG BIN , XIE FAQIN
Published: April 2013

Oil casing tube is the foundation member of an oil well and it plays an important role in oil exploration and exploitation. The oil casing tubes are prone to failure induced by corrosion and wear during applications. Based on the fact that the damages caused by corrosion and wear are first generated on the surface of oil casing tube, adopting an appropriate surface treatment technology would be a promising approach to protect itself from deterioration. Surface treatments can fabricate protective layers with different composition or structure from the substrate. This paper reviewed the existing literatures about the protection of oil casing tube steel via surface treatment in China.
FREQUENCY VARIATION IN VEHICLE–BRIDGE INTERACTION SYSTEMS
Authors: YANG Y. B. , CHENG M. C. , CHANG K. C.
Published: April 2013

The variation of the instantaneous frequencies of bridges under moving vehicles is a problem not well studied in the literature. A theoretical framework is presented for the problem, considering the variation in frequencies for both the bridge and moving vehicle. First, the equations of motion are written for the two sub-systems. By solving the eigenvalue problem, analytical solutions in closed-form are derived from the frequencies of the vehicle and bridge that are coupled with each other. Based on this, the variation pattern, range, and dominating factors involved are studied, along with the special cases of moving mass and moving load. The results reveal that, if a moving vehicle is to be used as a tool for measuring the bridge frequencies or for detecting the bridge damages, the frequency variation caused by moving vehicles should be taken into account. Such an effect will be crucial when the vehicle mass is not negligible compared with the bridge mass or when the resonance condition is approached.
THE ROLE OF NEGATIVE INTRA-ARTICULAR PRESSURE IN STABILIZING THE METACARPOPHALANGEAL JOINT
Authors: HUNG WEI-CHING , CHANG CHIH-HAN , HSU AR-TYAN , LIN HUI-TING
Published: April 2013

Negative intra-articular pressure (IAP) is a passive stabilizer during joint movement. In contrast to that of large joints, the IAP within the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint has not been well studied. The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomechanics of the MCP joint in terms of load–displacement relation and IAP during the application of long-axis distraction to fresh cadaver specimens. Nine fresh MCP joints specimens from four hands were used. A long-axis distraction load of 16 kg was applied to the cadaver MCP joint before and after venting of the joint capsule. In addition to load–displacement data, a pressure transducer was used to measure the IAP of the MCP joint during loading. After venting the capsule, significant increases were found in displacement at a load of 16 kg (4.60 ± 0.80 mm in an intact MCP joint and 5.22 ± 0.97 mm in a vented MCP joint) and in displacement at the cross-point (3.44 ± 0.82 and 4.01 ± 0.81 mm). No significant difference was found in the displacement difference between a load of 16 kg and the cross-point (1.16 ± 0.26 and 1.20 ± 0.33 mm) as well as stiffness at the terminal range under both the intact and venting conditions (12.59 ± 2.53 and 12.28 ± 2.70 kg/mm). The IAP decreased dramatically during the 5% to 10% total distraction of load. It was found that negative IAP of the MCP joint contributes significantly to initial stability.
SYNCHRONOUS ELECTROCHROMISM OF LITHIUM ION BATTERY WITH CHEMICALLY FABRICATED TRANSPARENT THIN FILMS
Authors: NAGAI HIROKI , HARA HIROKI , ENOMOTO MITSUHIRO , MOCHIZUKI CHIHIRO , HONDA TOHRU , TAKANO ICHIRO , SATO MITSUNOBU
Published: March 2013

Electrochromism synchronous to the charge/discharge of a novel Li ion battery having Li3Fe2(PO4)3 and Li4Ti5O12 thin-film electrodes fabricated by a chemical process, the molecular precursor method, was discovered. A cathode of transparent Li3Fe2(PO4)3 thin film with a thickness of 80 nm was fabricated by heat treating a precursor ethanol solution including a Li(I) complex of nitrilotriacetic acid, an Fe(III) complex of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and (dibutylammonium)2H2P2O7 ⋅ 0.5H2O at 550°C for 10 min in air. An anode of transparent Li4Ti5O12 thin film with a thickness of 90 nm was fabricated by heat treating a precursor ethanol solution including a Li(I) complex of nitrilotriacetic acid, a Ti(IV) complex of the identical organic ligand, and hydrogen peroxide at 550°C for 30 min in air. The precursor films for both electrodes were fabricated with a spin-coating method. The thermal reactions of the novel precursors were examined in detail by means of thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis in order to examine the components and heat-treatment temperature. The crystal structure and surface morphology of the thin-film electrodes fabricated on glass substrates pre-coated with a fluorine-doped tin oxide film were examined with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The rechargeable function of the assembled sandwich-type battery using an electrolytic solution containing LiPF6 was measured by the repeated charge and discharge test at a constant current of 10 μA; a maximum voltage of 3.6 V was recorded. The color changes of the transparent thin-film battery between colorless before charging and a blue-gray color after charging occurred synchronously and repeatedly with the charge/discharge cycles. The intercalation of Li+ ions into the Li4Ti5O12 thin-film anode may be related to the drastic color change and the unprecedented visualization of the electrochemical reaction of a novel Li ion battery.
Phenotypic and molecular differences between rats selectively bred to voluntarily run high vs. low nightly distances
Authors: Roberts Michael D. , Brown Jacob D. , Company Joseph M. , Oberle Lauren P. , Heese Alexander J. , Toedebusch Ryan G. , Wells Kevin D. , Cruthirds Clayton L. , Knouse John A. , Ferreira J. Andries , Childs Thomas E. , Brown Marybeth , Booth Frank W.
Published: April 2013

The purpose of the present study was to partially phenotype male and female rats from generations 8–10 (G8–G10) that had been selectively bred to possess low (LVR) vs. high voluntary running (HVR) behavior. Over the first 6 days with wheels, 34-day-old G8 male and female LVRs ran shorter distances ( P < 0.001), spent less time running ( P < 0.001), and ran slower ( P < 0.001) than their G8 male and female HVR counterparts, respectively. HVR and LVR lines consumed similar amounts of standard chow with or without wheels. No inherent difference existed in PGC-1α mRNA in the plantaris and soleus muscles of LVR and HVR nonrunners, although G8 LVR rats inherently possessed less NADH-positive superficial plantaris fibers compared with G8 HVR rats. While day 28 body mass tended to be greater in both sexes of G9–G10 LVR nonrunners vs. G9–G10 HVR nonrunners ( P = 0.06), body fat percentage was similar between lines. G9–G10 HVRs had fat mass loss after 6 days of running compared with their prerunning values, while LVR did not lose or gain fat mass during the 6-day voluntary running period. RNA deep sequencing efforts in the nucleus accumbens showed only eight transcripts to be >1.5-fold differentially expressed between lines in HVR and LVR nonrunners. Interestingly, HVRs presented less Oprd1 mRNA, which ties in to potential differences in dopaminergic signaling between lines. This unique animal model provides further evidence as to how exercise may be mechanistically regulated.
Linear summation in the barn owl's brainstem underlies responses to interaural time differences
Authors: Kuokkanen Paula T. , Ashida Go , Carr Catherine E. , Wagner Hermann , Kempter Richard
Published: April 2013

The neurophonic potential is a synchronized frequency-following extracellular field potential that can be recorded in the nucleus laminaris (NL) in the brainstem of the barn owl. Putative generators of the neurophonic are the afferent axons from the nucleus magnocellularis, synapses onto NL neurons, and spikes of NL neurons. The outputs of NL, i.e., action potentials of NL neurons, are only weakly represented in the neurophonic. Instead, the inputs to NL, i.e., afferent axons and their synaptic potentials, are the predominant origin of the neurophonic (Kuokkanen PT, Wagner H, Ashida G, Carr CE, Kempter R. J Neurophysiol 104: 2274–2290, 2010). Thus in NL the monaural inputs from the two brain sides converge and create a binaural neurophonic. If these monaural inputs contribute independently to the extracellular field, the response to binaural stimulation can be predicted from the sum of the responses to ipsi- and contralateral stimulation. We found that a linear summation model explains the dependence of the responses on interaural time difference as measured experimentally with binaural stimulation. The fit between model predictions and data was excellent, even without taking into account the nonlinear responses of NL coincidence detector neurons, although their firing rate and synchrony strongly depend on the interaural time difference. These results are consistent with the view that the afferent axons and their synaptic potentials in NL are the primary origin of the neurophonic.
Second-Order Systems of ODEs Admitting Three-Dimensional Lie Algebras and Integrability
Authors: Ayub Muhammad , Khan Masood , Mahomed F. M.
Published: April 2013

We present a systematic procedure for the determination of a complete set ofkth-order (k≥2) differential invariants corresponding to vector fields in three variables for three-dimensional Lie algebras. In addition, we give a procedure for the construction of a system of twokth-order ODEs admitting three-dimensional Lie algebras from the associated complete set of invariants and show that there are 29 classes for the case ofk= 2 and 31 classes for the case ofk≥3. We discuss the singular invariant representations of canonical forms for systems of two second-order ODEs admitting three-dimensional Lie algebras. Furthermore, we give an integration procedure for canonical forms for systems of two second-order ODEs admitting three-dimensional Lie algebras which comprises of two approaches, namely, division into four types I, II, III, and IV and that of integrability of the invariant representations. We prove that if a system of two second-order ODEs has a three-dimensional solvable Lie algebra, then, its general solution can be obtained from a partially linear, partially coupled or reduced invariantly represented system of equations. A natural extension of this result is provided for a system of twokth-order (k≥3) ODEs. We present illustrative examples of familiar integrable physical systems which admit three-dimensional Lie algebras such as the classical Kepler problem and the generalized Ermakov systems that give rise to closed trajectories.
A 0.8 V 0.23 nW 1.5 ns Full-Swing Pass-Transistor XOR Gate in 130 nm CMOS
Authors: Ahmad Nabihah , Hasan Rezaul
Published: March 2013

A power efficient circuit topology is proposed to implement a low-voltage CMOS 2-input pass-transistor XOR gate. This design aims to minimize power dissipation and reduce transistor count while at the same time reducing the propagation delay. The XOR gate utilizes six transistors to achieve a compact circuit design and was fabricated using the 130 nm IBM CMOS process. The performance of the XOR circuit was validated against other XOR gate designs through simulations using the same 130 nm CMOS process. The area of the core circuit is only about 56 sq · µm with 1.5659 ns propagation delay and 0.2312 nW power dissipation at 0.8 V supply voltage. The proposed six-transistor implementation thus compares favorably with other existing XOR gate designs.
Three-Dimensional Identification of Microorganisms Using a Digital Holographic Microscope
Authors: Wu Ning , Wu Xiang , Liang Tiancai
Published: March 2013

This paper reports a method for three-dimensional (3D) analysis of shift-invariant pattern recognition and applies to holographic images digitally reconstructed from holographic microscopes. It is shown that the sequential application of a 2D filter to the plane-by-plane reconstruction of an optical field is exactly equivalent to the application of a more general filter with a 3D impulse response. We show that any 3D filters with arbitrary impulse response can be implemented in this way. This type of processing is applied to the two-class problem of distinguishing different types of bacteria. It is shown that the proposed technique can be easily implemented using a modified microscope to develop a powerful and cost-effective system with great potential for biological screening.
Comparison of Respiratory Resistance Measurements Made with an Airflow Perturbation Device with Those from Impulse Oscillometry
Authors: Pan J. , Saltos A. , Smith D. , Johnson A. , Vossoughi J.
Published: April 2013

The airflow perturbation device (APD) has been developed as a portable, easy to use, and a rapid response instrument for measuring respiratory resistance in humans. However, the APD has limited data validating it against the established techniques. This study used a mechanical system to simulate the normal range of human breathing to validate the APD with the clinically accepted impulse oscillometry (IOS) technique. The validation system consisted of a sinusoidal flow generator with ten standardized resistance configurations that were shown to represent a total range of resistances from 0.12 to 0.95 kPa·L−1·s (1.2–9.7 cm H2O·L−1·s). Impulse oscillometry measurements and APD measurements of the mechanical system were recorded and compared at a constant airflow of 0.15 L·s−1. Both the IOS and APD measurments were accurate in assessing nominal resistance. In addition, a strong linear relationship was observed between APD measurements and IOS measurements (R2 = 0.999). A second series of measurements was made on ten human volunteers with external resistors added in their respiratory flow paths. Once calibrated with the mechanical system, the APD gave respiratory resistance measurements within 5% of IOS measurements. Because of their comparability to IOS measurements, APD measurements are shown to be valid representations of respiratory resistance.
Multiple Adenomatous Duodenal Polyposis
Authors: Zádorová Zdena , Hajer Jan , Mandys Václav
Published: March 2013

Multiple duodenal polyps are a relatively rare finding, usually co-occurrent with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).We report a patient with multiple duodenal adenomas and a negative examination for FAP: multiple flat polyps were detected endoscopically in a 37-year-old male patient, extending from the apex of the bulb to the end of the descending part of the duodenum. In terms of histology, they were tubular adenomas with moderate dysplasia. Colonoscopy and enteroclysis were normal. Both push and capsule enteroscopy only showed multiple polyps in the area of the descending duodenum. DNA analysis of the APC gene was as follows: DGGE, exon 1–15, deletion at codons 1309 and 1061 by means of PCR for attenuated APC were negative. Afterwards we screened the patient for germline MYH mutations using the denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) in combination with sequencing. No novel pathogenic mutation has been identified. Large polyps were removed by means of endoscopic polypectomy and mucosectomy, while small polyps were removed by means of argon plasma coagulation.We conduct yearly checkups, removing only sporadic polyps. The rare finding of duodenal polyposis not co-occurrent with FAP proves that multiple adenomas in the digestive tube need not necessarily co-occur with FAP.
Improved Compressed Sensing-Based Algorithm for Sparse-View CT Image Reconstruction
Authors: Zhu Zangen , Wahid Khan , Babyn Paul , Cooper David , Pratt Isaac , Carter Yasmin
Published: March 2013

In computed tomography (CT), there are many situations where reconstruction has to be performed with sparse-view data. In sparse-view CT imaging, strong streak artifacts may appear in conventionally reconstructed images due to limited sampling rate that compromises image quality. Compressed sensing (CS) algorithm has shown potential to accurately recover images from highly undersampled data. In the past few years, total-variation-(TV-) based compressed sensing algorithms have been proposed to suppress the streak artifact in CT image reconstruction. In this paper, we propose an efficient compressed sensing-based algorithm for CT image reconstruction from few-view data where we simultaneously minimize three parameters: theℓ1norm, total variation, and a least squares measure. The main feature of our algorithm is the use of two sparsity transforms—discrete wavelet transform and discrete gradient transform. Experiments have been conducted using simulated phantoms and clinical data to evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm. The results using the proposed scheme show much smaller streaking artifacts and reconstruction errors than other conventional methods.
Study of Dynamic Behavior of Multilayered Clamped Composite Skewed Hypar Shell Roofs under Impact Load
Authors: Das Neogi Sanjoy , Karmakar Amit , Chakravorty Dipankar
Published: March 2013

With advancement in the field of structural engineering, hunt for smarter materials has channelised the research towards the application of composite material. It is the high specific weight and specific stiffness of this material that have drawn the interest of different industrial sectors. Civil engineers also picked up composites to use it as a roofing material. Laminated composite shells, which can cover large column-free area and reduces dead weight of structure, show vulnerability under sudden impact due to their low transverse shear resistances. This study utilises finite element tool to investigate the dynamic response of a multilayered laminated composite hypar shells for fully clamped boundary condition. This class of shells is unique in a sense that the curvature has only the radius of cross curvature and these shells do not admit easy closed form solution particularly when the boundary conditions are complicated. Contact behavior of impactor and impacted mass has been modeled by modified Hertzian contact law and time-dependent equations are solved using Newmark’s time integration technique. Basic aim is to analyse the shell for symmetrically placed multilayered angle and cross ply lamination under different impact velocities.
Process Chain Modelling and Analysis for the High-Volume Production of Thermoplastic Composites with Embedded Piezoceramic Modules
Authors: Hufenbach W. , Gude M. , Modler N. , Heber Th. , Winkler A. , Weber T.
Published: April 2013

Active composite structures based on thermoplastic matrix systems are highly suited to applications in lightweight structures ready for series production. The integration of additional functional components such as material-embedded piezoceramic actuators and sensors and an electronic network facilitates the targeted control and manipulation of structural behaviour. The current delay in the widespread application of such adaptive structures is primarily attributable to a lack of appropriate manufacturing technologies. It is against this backdrop that this paper contributes to the development of a novel manufacturing process chain characterized by robustness and efficiency and based on hot-pressing techniques tailored to specific materials and actuators. Special consideration is given to detailed process chain modelling and analysis focusing on interactions between technical and technological aspects. The development of a continuous process chain by means of the analysis of parameter influences is described. In conclusion, the use of parameter manipulation to successfully realize a unique manufacturing line designed for the high-volume production of adaptive thermoplastic composite structures is demonstrated.
Expression and Significances of Contactin-1 in Human Gastric Cancer
Authors: Yu Ji-Wei , Wu Sheng-Hua , Lu Rui-qi , Wu Ju-gang , Ni Xiao-Chun , Zhou Gou-cai , Jiang Hai-guang , Zheng Lin-Hai , Li Xiao-Qiang , Du Guang-Ye , Jiang Bo-Jian
Published: March 2013

Background. This study aimed at determining the relationship between vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3), and contactin-1 (CNTN-1) expression in gastric cancer (GC).Methods. The expression level of CNTN-1 mRNA and CNTN-1 protein of 33 cases was determined using RT-PCR and Western Blot. And 105 cases were immunohistochemically examined for VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and CNTN-1 expressions. Assessment of lymphatic vessel density (LVD) was also performed by D2-40 immunostaining. Then we analyzed the relationships between VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and CNTN-1, as well as their correlations with clinicopathologic features, LVD, and survival time.Results. The positivity rate of VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and CNTN-1 in primary tumor was 56.19%, 64.76%, and 58.09%. The expression of CNTN-1 significantly correlated with VEGF-C (P<0.001) and VEGFR-3 (P<0.001). All of them were closely related to TNM stage, lymphatic invasion, and lymph node involvement (P<0.05). LVD was significantly correlated with VEGF-C (P=0.001), VEGFR-3 (P=0.011), and CNTN-1 expression (P<0.001). VEGF-C, VEGFR-3, and CNTN-1 expression significantly associated with poorer prognosis (P<0.001,P=0.034,P=0.012, resp.).Conclusion. CNTN-1 associated with VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 expression in GC. All of them correlated with lymphatic metastasis, which might play an important role in the lymphatic invasion via lymphangiogenesis pathway in GC.
Growth and Characterization of ULMA Single Crystals Doped with Ammonium Chloride
Authors: Sivasankari B. , Selvarajan P.
Published: March 2013

Single crystals of pure and ammonium chloride-doped urea L-malic acid (ULMA) were grown by slow evaporation technique. Many interesting results on several properties of ammonium chloride impurity added to ULMA single crystals have been observed and studied. The different morphology of ammonium chloride-doped ULMA crystals was noticed and the effect of ammonium chloride doping on the growth, optical, and hardness properties has been investigated. The presence of functional groups has been estimated by FTIR analysis. The lattice parameters of the grown crystals were studied by single crystal X-ray diffraction technique. Powder X-ray diffraction studies confirm the diffraction planes of the grown crystals. The UV-visible spectrum shows the cutoff wavelength at 220 nm. A study on the thermal properties has also been carried out. The NLO property of the grown crystals was confirmed by SHG studies.
Text Entry by Gazing and Smiling
Authors: Tuisku Outi , Surakka Veikko , Rantanen Ville , Vanhala Toni , Lekkala Jukka
Published: April 2013

Face Interface is a wearable prototype that combines the use of voluntary gaze direction and facial activations, for pointing and selecting objects on a computer screen, respectively. The aim was to investigate the functionality of the prototype for entering text. First, three on-screen keyboard layout designs were developed and tested (n=10) to find a layout that would be more suitable for text entry with the prototype than traditional QWERTY layout. The task was to enter one word ten times with each of the layouts by pointing letters with gaze and select them by smiling. Subjective ratings showed that a layout with large keys on the edge and small keys near the center of the keyboard was rated as the most enjoyable, clearest, and most functional. Second, using this layout, the aim of the second experiment (n=12) was to compare entering text with Face Interface to entering text with mouse. The results showed that text entry rate for Face Interface was 20 characters per minute (cpm) and 27 cpm for the mouse. For Face Interface, keystrokes per character (KSPC) value was 1.1 and minimum string distance (MSD) error rate was 0.12. These values compare especially well with other similar techniques.
The Uterine Sandwich Method for Placenta Previa Accreta in Mullerian Anomaly: Combining the B-Lynch Compression Suture and an Intrauterine Gauze Tampon
Authors: Kaplanoğlu Mustafa
Published: March 2013

Mullerian duct anomalies may cause obstetric complications, such as postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) and placental adhesion anomalies. Uterine compression suture may be useful for controlling PPH (especially atony). In recent studies, uterine compression sutures have been used in placenta accreta. We report a case of PPH, a placenta accreta accompanying a large septae, treated with B-Lynch suture and intrauterine gauze tampon.
Evaluation of Serum Calcium as a Predictor of Biochemical Recurrence following Salvage Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer
Authors: Peterson Jennifer L. , Buskirk Steven J. , Heckman Michael G. , Parker Alexander S. , Diehl Nancy N. , Tzou Katherine S. , Paryani Nitesh N. , Ko Stephen J. , Daugherty Larry C. , Vallow Laura A. , Pisansky Thomas M.
Published: March 2013

Background. Previous reports have shown a positive association between serum calcium level and prostate cancer mortality. However, there is no data regarding whether higher serum calcium levels are associated with increased risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) following salvage radiation therapy (SRT) for prostate cancer. Herein, we evaluate the association between pretreatment serum calcium levels and BCR in a cohort of men who underwent SRT. Methods. We evaluated 165 patients who underwent SRT at our institution. Median dose was 65.0 Gy (range: 54.0–72.4 Gy). We considered serum calcium as both a continuous variable and a 3-level categorical variable (low [≤9.0 mg/dL], moderate [>9.0 mg/dL and ≤9.35 mg/dL], and high [>9.35 mg/dL]) based on sample tertiles. Results. We observed no evidence of a linear association between serum calcium and BCR (relative risk (RR): 0.96, P=0.76). Compared to men with low calcium, there was no significantly increased risk of BCR for men with moderate (RR: 0.94, P=0.79) or high (RR: 1.08, P=0.76) serum calcium levels. Adjustment for clinical, pathological, and SRT characteristics in multivariable analyses did not alter these findings. Conclusion. Our results provide evidence that pretreatment serum calcium is unlikely to be a useful tool in predicting BCR risk following SRT.
Optical and Electrical Properties of the Different Magnetron Sputter Power 300°C Deposited -ZnO Thin Films and Applications in p-i-n -Si:H Thin-Film Solar Cells
Authors: Wang Fang-Hsing , Huang Chia-Cheng , Yang Cheng-Fu , Tzeng Hua-Tz
Published: March 2013

A compound of ZnO with 3 wt% Ga2O3(ZnO : Ga2O3 = 97 : 3 in wt%, GZO) was sintered at C as a target. The GZO thin films were deposited on glass using a radio frequency magnetron sputtering system at C by changing the deposition power from 50 W to 150 W. The effects of deposition power on the crystallization size, lattice constant (c), resistivity, carrier concentration, carrier mobility, and optical transmission rate of the GZO thin films were studied. The blue shift in the transmission spectrum of the GZO thin films was found to change with the variations of the carrier concentration because of the Burstein-Moss shifting effect. The variations in the optical band gap () value of the GZO thin films were evaluated from the plots of , revealing that the measured value decreased with increasing deposition power. As compared with the results deposited at room temperature by Gong et al., (2010) the C deposited GZO thin films had apparent blue shift in the transmission spectrum and larger value. For the deposited GZO thin films, both the carrier concentration and mobility linearly decreased and the resistivity linearly increased with increasing deposition power. The prepared GZO thin films were also used as transparent electrodes to fabricate the amorphous silicon thin-film solar cells, and their properties were also measured.
The Restricted 2+2 Body Problem: Parametric Variation of the Equilibrium States of the Minor Bodies and Their Attracting Regions
Authors: Croustalloudi Maria N. , Kalvouridis Tilemahos J.
Published: April 2013

The restricted 2+2 body problem was stated by Whipple (1984) as a particular case of the general n + v problem described by Whipple and Szebehely (1984). In this work we reconsider the problem by studying some aspects of the dynamics of the minor bodies, such as the parametric variation of their equilibrium positions, as well as the attracting regions formed by the initial approximations used for the numerical determination of these positions. In the latter case we describe the process to form these regions, and we numerically investigate their dependence on the parameters of the system. The results in many cases show a fractal-type structure of these regions. As test problems, we use the Sun-Jupiter-binary asteroids and the Earth-Moon-dual artificial satellites systems.