bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of sagging at the cheek and lower eyelid between male and female faces
Authors: Ezure Tomonobu , Yagi Eiichiro , Kunizawa Naomi , Hirao Tetsuji , Amano Satoshi
Published: April 2011

Background: Facial sagging is a well‐known morphological feature associated with aging and reduced dermal elasticity. Its morphological characteristics and mechanism have been studied in females, but it is unclear whether or not there is a gender difference.

Aims: The aim of this study was to clarify the morphological characteristics of sagging and the mechanism of sagging formation in male faces as compared with female faces, focusing on changes in dermal elasticity.

Methods: Faces of 98 healthy Japanese male volunteers, in their 20s–60s, were photographed at an angle of 45°. Upper and lower cheek sagging severity was evaluated by using photograph‐based grading criteria. In addition, new photograph‐based grading criteria of sagging severity at the lower eyelid were established and used. Dermal elasticity was measured using a non‐invasive, in vivo suction skin elasticity meter, Cutometer®. Furthermore, photographs of 108 healthy Japanese female volunteers in their 20s–60s were used to compare the difference in the morphological characteristics of sagging between males and females.

Results: Male facial sagging was prominent at the lower eyelid, upper cheek and lower cheek. Sagging severity in the upper and lower cheek was almost the same between males and females at all ages, whereas sagging at the lower eyelid in males was significantly more severe than that in females after middle age. Although dermal extensibility (Uf) was not related to age, total deformation recovery (Ua), −(amount of deformation) −(Uf−Ua), overall elasticity of the skin including creep and creep recovery (Ua/Uf), net elasticity excluding viscoelastic creep (Ur/Ue), ratio of elastic recovery to total deformation (Ur/Uf) and −(ratio of viscoelastic to elastic distention) −(Uv/Ue) were all significantly negatively related to age in both men and women. Furthermore, as in female faces, male facial sagging was significantly negatively related to dermal elasticity parameters, such as −(Uf−Ua), Ua/Uf, Ur/Ue and Ur/Uf.

Conclusion: These results indicate that the morphology and areas of sagging in male faces are similar to those in females in the cheek, but sagging at the lower eyelid is more severe in males after middle age. Furthermore, the dermal elasticity of male facial skin decreased with age similar to that of females, and may therefore be associated with the sagging formation in male faces.
SENSITIVITY OF LOW‐FIELD T2* IMAGES FOR DETECTING THE PRESENCE AND SEVERITY OF HISTOPATHOLOGIC MENISCAL LESIONS IN DOGS
Authors: HARPER TISHA A. M. , JONES JERYL C. , SAUNDERS GEOFFREY K. , DANIEL GREGORY B. , LEROITH TANYA , ROSSMEISSL ERIN
Published: April 2011

The sensitivity of low‐field magnetic resonance (MR) T2* images for predicting the presence of meniscal lesions was determined in 12 dogs with naturally‐occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture and three control dogs, using histopathology as the reference standard. Previously published grading systems were used to grade the severity of meniscal lesions on MR images, gross inspection and histopathology. Focal areas of increased signal intensity were detected in 11/12 symptomatic dogs and 3/3 control dogs. Lesions mimicking meniscal tears (pseudotears) were identified at junctions between meniscal margins and adjacent connective tissue in control dogs and dogs with naturally occurring disease. Histopathologic lesions were present in all menisci of both symptomatic and control dogs, including the menisci from two affected dogs that appeared grossly normal but were removed and submitted based on MR imaging findings. Histopathologic lesions identified included hyaline cartilage metaplasia and changes in the amount of ground substance and cellularity. The sensitivity of MR imaging for detecting the presence of meniscal histopathologic lesions was 90% in symptomatic dogs and 91% in control dogs. However, agreement between severity scores for the different tests was poor. Low‐field MR imaging is a sensitive test for predicting the presence but not severity of meniscal histopathologic lesions in dogs with naturally‐occurring cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Findings also supported previous studies indicating that histopathologic lesions can be present in dogs with grossly normal menisci. An improved grading system for comparing MR images and histopathologic severity of meniscal lesions in dogs is needed.
Enzymatic toxins from snake venom: structural characterization and mechanism of catalysis
Authors: Kang Tse Siang , Georgieva Dessislava , Genov Nikolay , Murakami Mário T. , Sinha Mau , Kumar Ramasamy P. , Kaur Punit , Kumar Sanjit , Dey Sharmistha , Sharma Sujata , Vrielink Alice , Betzel Christian , Takeda Soichi , Arni Raghuvir K. , Singh Tej P. , Kini R. Manjunatha
Published: April 2011

Snake venoms are cocktails of enzymes and non‐enzymatic proteins used for both the immobilization and digestion of prey. The most common snake venom enzymes include acetylcholinesterases, l‐amino acid oxidases, serine proteinases, metalloproteinases and phospholipases A2. Higher catalytic efficiency, thermal stability and resistance to proteolysis make these enzymes attractive models for biochemists, enzymologists and structural biologists. Here, we review the structures of these enzymes and describe their structure‐based mechanisms of catalysis and inhibition. Some of the enzymes exist as protein complexes in the venom. Thus we also discuss the functional role of non‐enzymatic subunits and the pharmacological effects of such protein complexes. The structures of inhibitor–enzyme complexes provide ideal platforms for the design of potent inhibitors which are useful in the development of prototypes and lead compounds with potential therapeutic applications.
Alterations in the RB1 Pathway in Low‐grade Diffuse Gliomas Lacking Common Genetic Alterations
Authors: Kim Young‐Ho , Lachuer Joel , Mittelbronn Michel , Paulus Werner , Brokinkel Benjamin , Keyvani Kathy , Sure Ulrich , Wrede Karsten , Nobusawa Sumihito , Nakazato Yoichi , Tanaka Yuko , Vital Anne , Mariani Luigi , Ohgaki Hiroko
Published: April 2011

We recently reported that the vast majority (>90%) of low‐grade diffuse gliomas (diffuse astrocytoma, oligoastrocytoma and oligodendroglioma) carry at least one of the following genetic alterations: IDH1/2 mutation, TP53 mutation or 1p/19q loss. Only 7% of cases were triple‐negative (ie, lacking any of these alterations). In the present study, array comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) in 15 triple‐negative WHO grade II gliomas (eight diffuse astrocytomas and seven oligodendrogliomas) showed loss at 9p21 (p14ARF, p15INK4b, p16INK4a loci) and 13q14–13q32 (containing the RB1 locus) in three and two cases, respectively. Further analyses in 31 triple‐negative cases as well as a total of 160 non‐triple‐negative cases revealed that alterations in the RB1 pathway (homozygous deletion and promoter methylation of the p15INK4b, p16INK4a and RB1 genes) were significantly more frequent in triple‐negative (26%) than in non‐triple‐negative cases (11%; P = 0.0371). Multivariate analysis after adjustment for age, histology and treatment showed that RB1 pathway alterations were significantly associated with unfavorable outcome for patients with low‐grade diffuse glioma [hazard ratio, 3.024 (1.279–6.631); P = 0.0057]. These results suggest that a fraction of low‐grade diffuse gliomas lacking common genetic alterations may develop through a distinct genetic pathway, which may include loss of cell‐cycle control regulated by the RB1 pathway.
Pathophysiology, Prevention and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease in the Hypertensive Patient With Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Solini Anna , Ferrannini Ele
Published: April 2011

The authors concisely review the main clinical issues arising in the management of the hypertensive patient with type 2 diabetes, in whom chronic kidney disease is prevalent and heralds increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Special attention is paid to the clinical meaning, relevance and limits of albumin excretion and glomerular filtration rate, the two widely used markers of reduced kidney function during the course of chronic diseases like diabetes and hypertension. The main therapeutic strategies involving blood pressure and glycemic control, treatment of dyslipidemia and improvement of lifestyle are discussed from the viewpoint of a general practitioner dealing with the clinical complexity of these patients. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:252–257. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Value of Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Therapy in Diabetes
Authors: Izzo Jr Joseph L. , Zion Adrienne S.
Published: April 2011

There are more clinical trials investigating angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) in diabetes than any other drug class, ranging from early “prevention” trials to the treatment of individuals with advanced organ damage. In its earliest manifestations, visceral adiposity predisposes to hypertension and hyperglycemia (metabolic syndrome). In these individuals, ARB therapy delays the progression to chronic hypertension and may also delay the progression to overt diabetes. Based on the increased cardiovascular disease risk of the metabolic syndrome, which is similar to stage 1 hypertension, both lifestyle modification and ARB therapy are justifiable. ARB therapy has also been found to delay the onset of microalbuminuria and retinopathy. In established diabetic nephropathy, ARB therapy is recommended as a standard alternative to angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibition to reduce macroalbuminuria and delay the progression to end‐stage disease. Finally, large trials in ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and stroke have demonstrated clear benefits of ARB therapy. Because ARBs have side effect rates equal to placebo and far lower than any other antihypertensive drug class, the benefit/risk ratio is highly favorable across the entire spectrum of diabetic disease. Thus, ARB therapy is a highly attractive alternative for individuals at any stage of diabetes and with any pattern of complications. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2011;13:290–295. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Refractive surgery in anisometropic adult patients induce plastic changes in primary visual cortex
Authors: Vuori Elisa , Vanni Simo , Henriksson Linda , Tervo Timo M. T. , Holopainen Juha M.
Published: April 2011

Purpose:  To prospectively study the effect of refractive surgery in the primary visual cortex of adult anisometropic and isometropic myopic patients.

Methods:  Two anisometropic and two isometropic myopic patients were examined with multifocal functional magnetic resonance imaging technique (mffMRI) before refractive surgery and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months postoperatively. Two controls without refractive surgery were also examined with mffMRI in the beginning and in the end of the study. Anisometropic patients had only their more myopic eye operated to correct the anisometropia. The myopic isometropic patients had their both eyes operated.

Results:  Operated anisometropic eyes showed 65% reduced amount of active voxels in foveal data at 12 months postoperatively compared with the preoperative situation. In unoperated anisometropic eyes, the corresponding value was 86% and in myopic patients and controls 31% and 1%, respectively. To confirm this finding, the number of activated voxels representing the innermost ring of the stimulus was also calculated, and an exactly similar phenomenon was encountered in the anisometropic patients. Both anisometropic patients improved the best‐spectacle‐corrected visual acuity in the operated eye after refractive surgery.

Conclusion:  Our results suggest that plastic changes may take place in the primary visual cortex of anisometropic adult patients after refractive surgery.
LASER-DIODE END-PUMPED DOUBLY PASSIVELY Q-SWITCHED INTRACAVITY-FREQUENCY-DOUBLING Nd:YVO4/KTP GREEN LASER WITH Cr4+:YAG AND GaAs SATURABLE ABSORBERS
Authors: AN JING , ZHAO SHENGZHI , LI GUIQIU , YANG KEJIAN , LI DECHUN , WANG JING , LI MING
Published: April 2011

Doubly passively Q-switched Nd : YVO 4/ KTP green lasers with Cr 4+: YAG and GaAs saturable absorbers have been realized. Different small-signal transmissions T0 of Cr 4+: YAG are used and when T0 = 0.71, the highest average output power can be generated by the doubly passively Q-switched green laser. The experimental results reveal that the output characteristics of doubly passively Q-switched green lasers depend on the small-signal transmissions of two saturable absorbers. The suitable small-signal transmissions of two saturable absorbers should be reasonably chosen to meet the needs of applications.
STRUCTURE AND PHOTOLUMINESCENCE PROPERTIES OF SILICON OXYCARBIDE THIN FILMS DEPOSITED BY THE RF REACTIVE SPUTTERING
Authors: PENG YINQIAO , ZHOU JICHENG , ZHENG XUQIANG , ZHAO BAOXING , TAN XIAOCHAO
Published: April 2011

Silicon oxycarbide ( SiCO ) thin films were prepared by the RF reactive sputtering technique on n-type silicon substrates with the target of sintered silicon carbide ( SiC ), and high purity oxygen was used as the reactant gas. The as-deposited films were annealed at temperatures of 600°C, 800°C, and 1000°C under nitrogen ambient, respectively. The films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence (PL) spectrophotometer. The results show that annealing temperature plays an important role in the structure and photoluminescence of the films. The temperature 600°C is the most favorable annealing temperature for SiO 2 crystallization and the formation of 6H- SiC crystal phase in the SiCO films. The intense PL peaks located at 375 nm and 470 nm are observed at room temperature. The origin of the PL was discussed.
THE PREFERENTIAL ATTACHMENT MECHANISM BASING ON WEIGHTED PAST CITATIONS
Authors: WANG MINGYANG , YU GUANG , YU DAREN
Published: April 2011

In this paper, we investigate the influence of past citations ki on papers' attachment rate Π(k, t) and propose a method to consider these influences by assigning different weights to ki. The correlation r between Π(k, t) and ki decrease rapidly with time, which suggests the different influences of past citations on the preferential attachment in citation networks. According to the different influences of ki on Π(k, t), we put different weights to ki and find a good linear dependence between Π(k, t) and the weighted past citations in three actual citation networks.
ANALYSIS OF TRAFFIC FLOW ON COMPLEX NETWORKS
Authors: LI KUN , GONG XIAOFENG , GUAN SHUGUANG , LAI C.-H.
Published: April 2011

We propose a new routing strategy for controlling packet routing on complex networks. The delivery capability of each node is adopted as a piece of local information to be integrated with the load traffic dynamics to weight the next route. The efficiency of transport on complex network is measured by the network capacity, which is enhanced by distributing the traffic load over the whole network while nodes with high handling ability bear relative heavier traffic burden. By avoiding the packets through hubs and selecting next routes optimally, most travel times become shorter. The simulation results show that the new strategy is not only effective for scale-free networks but also for mixed networks in realistic networks.
THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF SYNCHRONOUS TOTALLY ASYMMETRIC SIMPLE EXCLUSION PROCESS WITH DETACHMENT
Authors: XIAO SONG , CAI JIU-JU , LIU MING-ZHE , LIU FEI
Published: April 2011

This paper investigates a synchronous totally asymmetric simple exclusion process (TASEP) with a detachment in a one-dimensional system. In the model, particles can detach irreversibly with probability q from a bulk site which is far away from boundaries. The phase diagram of the model is calculated in the mean-field approach and verified by Monte Carlo simulations. There are five stationary phases in the system. With the increase of q, the regions of the LD/LD and MC/LD phases increase, while the regions of the HD/HD and LD/HD phases decrease. The MC/HD phase corresponds to a critical point.
ON COMPUTING GEODESICS IN BAUMSLAG–SOLITAR GROUPS
Authors: DIEKERT VOLKER , LAUN JÜRN
Published: April 2011

We introduce the peak normal form for elements of the Baumslag–Solitar groups BS(p,q). This normal form is very close to the length-lexicographical normal form, but more symmetric. Both normal forms are geodesic. This means the normal form of an element u-1v yields the shortest path between u and v in the Cayley graph. For horocyclic elements the peak normal form and the length-lexicographical normal form coincide. The main result of this paper is that we can compute the peak normal form in polynomial time if p divides q. As consequence we can compute geodesic lengths in this case. In particular, this gives a partial answer to Question 1 in [4]

For arbitrary p and q it is possible to compute the peak normal form (length-lexicographical normal form resp.) also the for elements in the horocyclic subgroup and, more generally, for elements which we call hills. This approach leads to a linear time reduction of the problem of computing geodesics to the problem of computing geodesics for Britton-reduced words where the t-sequence starts with t-1 and ends with t.
GEOMETRICITY AND POLYGONALITY IN FREE GROUPS
Authors: KIM SANG-HYUN
Published: April 2011

Gordon and Wilton recently proved that the double D of a free group F amalgamated along a cyclic subgroup C of F contains a surface group if a generator w of C satisfies a certain 3-manifold theoretic condition, called virtually geometricity. Wilton and the author defined the polygonality of w which also guarantees the existence of a surface group in D. In this paper, virtual geometricity is shown to imply polygonality up to descending to a finite-index subgroup of F. That the converse does not hold will follow from an example formerly considered by Manning.
LIMIT VARIETIES GENERATED BY COMPLETELY 0-SIMPLE SEMIGROUPS
Authors: LEE EDMOND W. H. , VOLKOV MIKHAIL V.
Published: April 2011

A limit variety is a variety that is minimal with respect to being nonfinitely based. This paper presents a new infinite series of limit semigroup varieties, each of which is generated by a finite 0-simple semigroup with Abelian subgroups. These varieties exhaust all limit varieties generated by completely 0-simple semigroups with Abelian subgroups.
THE PHENOMENON, CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF INTEGRATING ICTS IN MANUFACTURING PRODUCTS
Authors: BJÖRKDAHL JOAKIM
Published: April 2011

The rapid and persistent improvement in the performance and cost of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) with respect to their capabilities for capturing, processing, displaying, communicating and storing information provide abundant opportunities. This paper aims to explain the causes and effects of the phenomenon in which manufacturing firms integrate ICTs in their established manufacturing products. The study of this phenomenon is based on structured interviews with executives of 37 large Swedish manufacturing firms. The results show that the phenomenon is wide-spread among manufacturing firms, that the number of products that integrate ICTs is growing relative to firms' total product portfolios, and that the revenues from these products are increasing. Competition is a significant reason why firms integrate ICTs into their goods, but firms also want to reap the rewards of the value provided. Important here is that firms often find it necessary to transform aspects of the way they do business (business model) in order to create a better fit between activities that create value for their customers and activities that produce profits for themselves. They also try to find innovative ways to be rewarded for the value they deliver, mainly based on the provision of services.
STUDYING INNOVATION AND CHANGE ACTIVITIES IN KIBS THROUGH THE LENS OF INNOVATIVE BEHAVIOUR
Authors: TUOMINEN TIINA , TOIVONEN MARJA
Published: April 2011

This paper examines innovation and change activities in knowledge-intensive business service (KIBS) firms from the perspective of innovative behaviour. Earlier studies have shown that innovation activities in these firms are typically dispersed around the organisation and intertwined with service delivery. Drawing on the theories of innovative behaviour, we map out the variety of micro-level innovation and change activities at three KIBS firms. Our findings suggest that various types of innovative behaviour take place throughout an innovation or change process: idea generation continues until the end of the process and application starts in its early stages. The study also confirms earlier results on the dispersed nature of innovation and change activities in KIBS firms, although different role expectations limited employees' innovative behaviour. Innovative behaviour was performed as both in- and extra-role behaviour at different organisational levels. These findings have implications for both researchers and practitioners.
Low-Temperature Growth of ZnO Films by Spray Pyrolysis
Authors: Yoshino Kenji , Takemoto Yujin , Oshima Minoru , Toyota Kouji , Inaba Koichiro , Haga Ken-ichi , Tokudome Koichi
Published: April 2011

Nondoped ZnO film on a polyethylene terephthalate film was successfully grown by conventional spray pyrolysis at 100 °C using a diethylzinc-based solution under air atmosphere. The samples had an average optical transmittance of more than 80%, a flat surface, and an a-axis orientation from the optical transmittance, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction measurements, respectively. It was assumed that the growth at low temperature was attributed to atmospheric oxygen and/or steam.
Automatic memory partitioning and scheduling for throughput and power optimization
Authors: Cong Jason , Jiang Wei , Liu Bin , Zou Yi
Published: April 2011

Memory bottleneck has become a limiting factor in satisfying the explosive demands on performance and cost in modern embedded system design. Selected computation kernels for acceleration are usually captured by nest loops, which are optimized by state-of-the-art techniques like loop tiling and loop pipelining. However, memory bandwidth bottlenecks prevent designs from reaching optimal throughput with respect to available parallelism. In this paper we present an automatic memory partitioning technique which can efficiently improve throughput and reduce energy consumption of pipelined loop kernels for given throughput constraints and platform requirements. Also, our proposed algorithm can handle general array access beyond affine array references.

Our partition scheme consists of two steps. The first step considers cycle accurate scheduling information to meet the hard constraints on memory bandwidth requirements specifically for synchronized hardware designs. An ILP formulation is proposed to solve the memory partitioning and scheduling problem optimally for small designs, followed by a heuristic algorithm which is more scalable and equally effective for solving large scale problems. Experimental results show an average 6× throughput improvement on a set of real-world designs with moderate area increase (about 45% on average), given that less resource sharing opportunities exist with higher throughput in optimized designs. The second step further partitions the memory banks for reducing the dynamic power consumption of the final design. In contrast to previous approaches, our technique can statically compute memory access frequencies in polynomial time with little or no profiling. Experimental results show about 30% power reduction on the same set of benchmarks.
MicroFix
Authors: Yan Guihai , Han Yinhe , Liu Hui , Liang Xiaoyao , Li Xiaowei
Published: April 2011

Traditional DVFS schemes are oblivious to fine-grained adaptability resulting from path-grained timing imbalance. With the awareness of such fine-grained adaptability, better power-performance efficiency can be obtained. We propose a new scheme, MicroFix, to exploit such fine-grained adaptability. We first show the potential resulted from the path-grained timing imbalance and then present a new technique, Timing Interpolation, to reap the fine-grained adaptability for power reduction. Moreover, to eliminate the conservative margins of traditional DVFS, unlike the previous approaches such as Razor that reactively handle the delay errors (induced by aggressively scaled voltage/frequcncy) by enabling error detection and recovery, we propose a proactive approach by error prediction, thereby obviate the high-cost recovery routines. MicroFix was evaluated based on ISCAS89 benchmarks and the floating-point unit adopted by OpenSPARC T1 processor. Compared to ideal traditional DVFS schemes, the experimental results show that for most of the evaluated circuits, MicroFix can help saving up to 20% power consumption without compromising with frequency, at the expense of less than 5% area overhead. Compared to nonideal DVFS schemes (with 10% voltage margin), the power reduction can even reach up to 38% on average.
A parallel branch-and-cut approach for detailed placement
Authors: Cauley Stephen , Balakrishnan Venkataramanan , Hu Y. Charlie , Koh Cheng-Kok
Published: April 2011

We introduce a technique that utilizes distributing computing resources for the efficient optimization of a traditional physical design problem. Specifically, we present a detailed placement strategy designed to exploit distributed computing environments, where the additional computing resources are employed in parallel to improve the optimization time. A Mixed Integer Programming (MIP) model and branch-and-cut optimization strategy are employed to solve the standard cell placement problem. By exploiting the problem structure, our algorithm improves upon the solutions afforded by existing optimization algorithms. First, an efficient batch-branching technique can eliminate several integer decision variables during each step of the optimization procedure. This batch-branching scheme can be performed serially or in parallel. In addition, custom cutting-planes are shown to significantly reduce the run time for optimizations as they efficiently refine the feasible region in order to quickly produce integer solutions. Our serial branch-and-cut strategies allow for significant reductions in wirelength, relative to the state-of-the-art commercial software package CPLEX, assuming a fixed allotment of time. Furthermore, we show that distributed computing resources can be used to significantly reduce the time required to achieve reductions in wirelength.
CTS 2010 workshop report
Authors: Geers D. Glenn , Timpf Sabine , Liang Steve
Published: April 2011

The 2010 ACM SIGSPATIAL GIS Conference hosted the Third International Workshop on Computational Transportation Science which was held on 2 November 2010, only seven months after a Dagstuhl Seminar (indeed it has been a busy year for the CTS Community!). CTS is an emerging discipline which aims to combine computer science and engineering with the modelling, planning, and economic aspects of transportation. It is hoped to hold a Fourth Workshop in 2011.
LBSN 2010 workshop report
Authors: Xie Xing , Peng Wen-Chih
Published: April 2011

Social networking services have become very popular in recent years, especially among younger people. While many people still sit behind a desktop computer to upload photos, write blogs and communicate with friends in the virtual world, an increasing trend enabled by the development of wireless networks and location sensing technologies is to track and share personal location information on the fly with mobile devices. By adding a location dimension, social networking has now been brought from the virtual world back to real life and our real-life experiences can be shared in the virtual world in a convenient fashion. We define Location Based Social Networks (LBSN) as social networking services where people can track and share location-related information with each other, via either mobile or desktop computers. As location is one of the most important aspects in people's everyday lives, a lot of novel application scenarios can be supported by LBSN, e.g., trustworthy location recommendations can be collected and shared within LBSN and used to rank interesting locations, discover new places, people and activities.
Prolactin-mediated regulation of lipid biosynthesis genes in vivo in the lactating mammary epithelial cell
Authors: Rudolph Michael C. , Russell Tanya D. , Webb Patricia , Neville Margaret C. , Anderson Steven M.
Published: April 2011

Prolactin (PRL) is known to play an essential role in mammary alveolar proliferation in the pregnant mouse, but its role in lactation has been more difficult to define. Genetic manipulations that alter expression of the PRL receptor and its downstream signaling molecules resulted in developmental defects that may directly or indirectly impact secretory activation and lactation. To examine the in vivo role of PRL specifically in lactation, bromocriptine (BrCr) was administered every 8 h to lactating mice on the second day postpartum, resulting in an ∼95% decrease in serum PRL levels. Although morphological changes in secretory alveoli were slight, by 8 h of BrCr, pup growth was inhibited significantly. Phosphorylated STAT5 fell to undetectable levels within 4 h. Decreased milk protein gene expression, β-casein, and α-lactalbumin, was observed after 8 h of treatment. To assess mammary-specific effects on lipid synthesis genes, we isolated mammary epithelial cells (MECs) depleted of mammary adipocytes. Expression of genes involved in glucose uptake, glycolysis, pentose phosphate shunt, de novo synthesis of fatty acids, and biosynthesis of triacylglycerides was decreased up to 19-fold in MECs by just 8 h of BrCr treatment. Glands from BrCr-treated mice showed a twofold reduction in intracellular cytoplasmic lipid droplets and a reduction in cytosolic β-casein. These data demonstrate that PRL signaling regulates MEC-specific lipogenic gene expression and that PRL signals coordinate the milk synthesis and mammary epithelial cell survival during lactation in the mouse.
Consistent Algorithms Marching Along Characteristics for the Numerical Solution of the Boltzmann Equation
Authors: Roberty Nilson C. , Nunes Rogerio C.
Published: April 2011

We introduce algorithms marching over a polygonal mesh with elements consistent with the propagation directions of the particle (radiation) flux. The decision for adopting this kind of mesh to solve the one‐speed Boltzmann transport equation is due to characteristics of the domain of the transport operator which controls derivatives only in the direction of propagation of the particles (radiation) flux in the absorbing and scattering media. This a priori adaptivity has the advantages that it formulates a consistent scheme which makes appropriate the application of the Lax equivalence theorem framework to the problem. In this work, we present the main functional spaces involved in the formalism and a description of the algorithms for the mesh generation and the transport equation solution. Some numerical examples related to the solution of a transmission problem in a high‐contrast model with absorption and scattering are presented. Also, a comparison with benchmarks problems for source and reactor criticality simulations shows the compatibility between calculations with the algorithms proposed here and theoretical results.
Laparoscopic Management for Carcinoid Metastasis to the Spleen
Authors: Balmforth Damian , Skouras Christos , Palazzo Fausto , Zacharakis Emmanouil
Published: April 2011

We report a rare case of a laparoscopic splenectomy performed for a carcinoid metastasis. The patient represented with pleuritic left-sided chest pain from pleural deposits 9 years following resection of a primary lung carcinoid tumour. They were found to have a 4.7 cm splenic lesion on CT with a probable left acetabular metastasis demonstrated on Gallium PET scan. The patient underwent laparoscopic splenectomy for debulking treatment of the splenic lesion that was confirmed to be a splenic metastasis of the resected carcinoid lung tumour. Following an uncomplicated recovery, the patient was discharged on the second postoperative day. On discharge, she received adjuvant therapy with Lutetium 177 DOTATATE. This is the first report of a carcinoid splenic metastasis successfully treated with laparoscopic splenectomy.
Nonsquareness in Musielak‐Orlicz‐Bochner Function Spaces
Authors: Shang Shaoqiang , Cui Yunan , Fu Yongqiang
Published: April 2011

The criteria for nonsquareness in the classical Orlicz function spaces have been given already. However, because of the complication of Musielak‐Orlicz‐Bochner function spaces, at present the criteria for nonsquareness have not been discussed yet. In the paper, the criteria for nonsquareness of Musielak‐Orlicz‐Bochner function spaces are given. As a corollary, the criteria for nonsquareness of Musielak‐Orlicz function spaces are given.
Strong and Weak Convergence Theorems for an Infinite Family of Lipschitzian Pseudocontraction Mappings in Banach Spaces
Authors: Chang Shih-sen , Wang Xiong Rui , Lee H. W. Joseph , Chan Chi Kin
Published: April 2011

The purpose of this paper is to study the strong and weak convergence theorems of
the implicit iteration processes for an infinite family of Lipschitzian pseudocontractive mappings
in Banach spaces.
Detection of Finescale Climatic Features from Satellites and Implications for Agricultural Planning
Authors: Lensky Itamar M. , Dayan Uri
Published: April 2011

No Abstract available.
A Statistical Investigation of the Sensitivity of Ensemble-Based Kalman Filters to Covariance Filtering
Authors: Jun Mikyoung , Szunyogh Istvan , Genton Marc G. , Zhang Fuqing , Bishop Craig H.
Published: April 2011

This paper investigates the effects of spatial filtering on the ensemble-based estimate of the background error covariance matrix in an ensemble-based Kalman filter (EnKF). In particular, a novel kernel smoothing method with variable bandwidth is introduced and its performance is compared to that of the widely used Gaspari–Cohn filter, which uses a fifth-order kernel function with a fixed localization length. Numerical experiments are carried out with the 40-variable Lorenz-96 model. The results of the experiments show that the nonparametric approach provides a more accurate estimate of the background error covariance matrix than the Gaspari–Cohn filter with any localization length. It is also shown that the Gaspari–Cohn filter tends to provide more accurate estimates of the covariance with shorter localization lengths. However, the analyses obtained by using longer localization lengths tend to be more accurate than those produced by using short localization lengths or the nonparametric approach. This seemingly paradoxical result is explained by showing that localization with longer localization lengths produces filtered estimates whose time mean is the most similar to the time mean of both the unfiltered estimate and the true covariance. This result suggests that a better metric of covariance filtering skill would be one that combined a measure of closeness to the sample covariance matrix for a very large ensemble with a measure of similarity between the climatological averages of the filtered and sample covariance.
Prediction of Thermal Expansion Properties of Carbon/Epoxy Laminates for Temperature Variation
Authors: Yoon K. Joon , Kim Ju-Sik
Published: April 2011

This paper is concerned with the prediction of coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE) of Carbon/Epoxy laminates for temperature variation. Elastic properties and coefficients of thermal expansion in the material principal directions were measured in the range of room temperature to cure temperature and characterized as functions of temperature. By applying the characterized properties to the classical lamination theory, a computational method to predict the change of CTEs of a general laminate for temperature variation was proposed. The coefficients of thermal expansion of various angle-ply laminates were measured and compared with those predicted. Experimental results show that the changes of CTEs of a general laminate for temperature variation can be predicted well by using the proposed method.
Deformation Behavior and Microstructure Effect in 2124Al/SiCp Composite
Authors: Zhong Ling
Published: April 2011

Dynamic compression tests were performed by means of a Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB). Test materials were 2124Al alloys reinforced with 17% volume fraction of 3, 13 and 37 μm SiC particles, respectively. Under strain rate ε = 2100 l/s, SiC particles have a strong effect on σ0.2 of the composites and the σ0.2 increases with different SiC particle size in the following order: 2124Al-alloy → 124Al/SiCp (37 μm) → 2124Al/SiCp (13 μm) → 2124Al/SiCp (3 μm), and the strain hardening of the composites depends mainly on the strain hardening of matrix, 2124A1 alloy. The results of dimensional analysis present that the flow stress of these composites not only depends on the property of reinforcement and matrix but also relates to the microstructure scale, matrix grain size, reinforcement size, the distance between reinforcements and dislocations in matrix. The normalized flow stress here is a function of inverse power of the edge-edge particle spacing, dislocation density and matrix grain size. Close-up observation shows that, in the composite containing SiC particles (3 μm), localized deformation formed readily comparing with other materials under the same loading condition. Microscopic observations indicate that different plastic flow patterns occur within the matrix due to the presence of hard particles with different sizes.
Hydrostatic Pressure Effect on the Fracture Toughness of Unidirectional (0-deg) Graphite/Epoxy Laminated Composites
Authors: Rhee Kyong Y.
Published: April 2011

Previous studies show that hydrostatic pressure affects elastic modulus, strength, and strain of fiber-reinforced composites. However, no work has been done to understand the compressive fracture behavior of laminated composites under hydrostatic pressure. This work is an experimental study of the hydrostatic pressure effects on the compressive fracture behavior of fiber-reinforced composites. Compressive fracture tests were conducted under various hydrostatic pressures from 0.1 MN/m2 (atmospheric pressure) to 200 MN/mi2 (2 Kbar). Test specimens used were unidirectional (0-deg) graphite/epoxy laminated composites with a single delamination at the center of specimen. First, compression load-displacement curves were determined as a function of hydrostatic pressure and delamination length. Second, the compressive fracture toughness was determined from the compliance method based on the load-displacement curves as a function of hydrostatic pressure.

The results showed that compliance, fracture load, and fracture toughness were significantly influenced by hydrostatic pressure. The fracture load increases as hydrostatic pressure increases. The compliance decreases linearly with increasing pressure. Particularly, fracture toughness increased from 3.45 N-mm/mm2 to 4.53 N-mm/mm2 (32% increase) as hydrostatic pressure increased from 0.1 MN/mm2 to 200 MN/mm2. Apparently the increase of fracture toughness is due to the suppression of local delamination with increasing hydrostatic pressure.
Dynamic Stress Intensity Factor due to Concentrated Normal Loads on Semi-Infinite Cracks in Orthotropic Materials
Authors: Rubio-Gonzalez C. , Mason J. J.
Published: April 2011

The transient elastodynamic response due to concentrated normal impact load on the faces of a semi-infinite crack in an orthotropic material is examined. In contrast to earlier papers where numerical approximations were used, a closed form solution for the stress intensity factor history around the crack tip is found here. Laplace and Fourier transforms together with the Wiener-Hopf technique are employed to solve the equations of motion in terms of displacements. Even though the problem has characteristic length, it has been shown in previous works that the Wiener-Hopf technique can be applied. The asymptotic expression for the stress near the crack tip is analyzed which leads to the dynamic stress intensity factor in mode I. Similarly to the isotropic case, it is found that the stress intensity factor has a singularity and discontinuity when the Rayleigh wave emitted from the load arrives at the crack tip. Results are presented for orthotropic materials as well as for the isotropic materials. The closed form solution is given by simple integral and algebraic expressions and does not exhibit the spurious oscillations seen in earlier numerical solutions.
Study of a Three-Point Bending Specimen for Shear Characterisation of Sandwich Cores
Authors: Caprino G. , Langella A.
Published: April 2011

A sandwich beam loaded in three-point bending (TPB) was employed for the shear characterization of foam cores destined to structural sandwich application. In the design of the specimen, particular care was taken to avoid measurement errors deriving from the flexural component of the displacement and from the de Saint Venant's effects, yet retaining the simplicity in the formulae for data reduction. Using the new method, experimental tests were carried out on a PVC foam 55 Kg/M3 in density. For comparison, shear characterization tests were also performed according to ISO 1922. The results obtained demonstrate that, when the core shear modulus is considered, TPB and ISO 1922 can provide practically coincident results. However, TPB yielded a shear strength about 20% higher than the ISO Standard, together with a shear strain at failure that is 10% lower. The failure modes observed suggest that the core shear behavior is better represented by TPB, whereas ISO 1922 is unsuitable to correctly measure the core shear strength.
Design and Manufacture of an Aerostatic Spindle Bearing System with Carbon Fiber-Epoxy Composites
Authors: Lee Dai Gil , Choi Jin Kyung
Published: April 2011

Recently, aerostatic bearing systems are widely used in various fields in which high precision and high speed are required because of their advantages such as low friction and low heat generation. However, the aerostatic bearing systems have low radial and axial stiffnesses and poor damping properties due to low viscosity of air, and consequently have a low starting value of whirl vibration if heavy metallic spindles are employed.

As the carbon fiber-epoxy composite material has excellent properties for structures, owing to its high specific modulus, high damping and low thermal expansion, the vibrational and thermal characteristics as well as the starting value of the whirl of spindles will be improved if the proper design and manufacturing methods for the composite spindle are developed.

In this paper, a high speed aerostatic spindle was designed and manufactured using high modulus carbon fiber-epoxy composite material for the first time. The design method of the composite spindle and joining method of the composite spindle to the steel sleeves for aerostatic bearing mounting were developed. Using the developed aerostatic spindle bearing system, its static and dynamic characteristics were compared with those of a comparable stainless steel aerostatic spindle.
Compressive Failure of Sandwich Beams with Debonded Face-Sheets
Authors: Avery John L. , Sankar Bhavani V.
Published: April 2011

Axial compression tests were performed on debonded sandwich composites made of graphite/epoxy face-sheets and aramid fiber honeycomb core. The sandwich beams were manufactured using a vacuum bagging process. The face-sheet and the sandwich beam were cocured. Delamination between one of the face-sheets and the core was introduced by using a Teflon® layer during the curing process. Axial compression tests were performed to determine the ultimate load carrying capacity of the debonded beams. Flatwise tension tests and Double Cantilever Beam tests were performed to determine, respectively, the strength and fracture toughness of the face-sheet/core interface. From the test results semi-empirical formulas were derived for the fracture toughness and ultimate compressive load carrying capacity in terms of the core density, core thickness, face-sheet thickness and debond length. Four different failure modes and their relation to the structural properties were identified. Linear buckling analysis was found to be inadequate in predicting the compressive load carrying capacity of the debonded sandwich composites.
Strength of Bolted Joints in Composites under Concentrated Moment
Authors: Grutta James T. , Miskjoglu Ibrahim , Charoenphan Saiphon , Vable Madhukar
Published: April 2011

Rigid mechanical fasteners in transversely isotropic composite panels create large stress concentrations in the composite near the fastener washers. The work presented in this paper involved an experimental strain investigation to obtain the distribution of strain in the composite near the edge of the washer and a failure investigation to determine the onset-of-failure moment and the catastrophic-failure moment for various washer designs. The flexural rigidity of the washer was shown to be important for obtaining both high onset-of-failure moments and catastrophic-failure moments. Washers with large shoulder radii were shown to have higher catastrophic-failure moments. The experimentally determined strain distributions and the results of the failure investigation with 25.4 mm diameter rigid washers were used to validate finite element models.
Tensile Strength of Fiber-Reinforced Composites: III. Beyond the Traditional Weibull Model for Fiber Strengths
Authors: Curtin W. A.
Published: April 2011

Commercially available graphite and ceramic fibers exhibit statistical strength distributions having separate Weibull moduli p' for the scaling of strength versus fiber length and p for the distribution of strengths across a collection of fibers at fixed length. It is shown that very similar distributions arise if each fiber in a collection of fibers exhibits Weibull length scaling according to p' but with the scale strength appropriate to each fiber distributed according to a Weibull modulus m, with the relationship [ILLEGIBLE]. An analytic model based on the Global Load Sharing approximation is used to predict the trends in composite tensile strength for composites composed of such fibers. From this insight, an analytic model for the strength of composites containing such fibers, but with Local Load Sharing (LLS), is developed by adapting a previous model. Numerical simulations of the tensile strength under LLS are then presented and excellent agreement in the composite strength distribution between the numerical and analytic models is demonstrated. The new analytic model is applied to predict the tensile strength of several unidirectional graphite/epoxy composites, and the predictions shown agree well with experimental strengths. The differences between theory and experiment approach the order of the uncertainties in underlying fiber strengths and fiber volume fractions in the composites.
Shape Control of Composite Plates and Shells with Embedded Actuators. II. Desired Shape Specified
Authors: Koconis David B. , Kollar Laszlo P. , Springer George S.
Published: April 2011

The changes in shapes of fiber-reinforced composite beams, plates and shells affected by embedded piezoelectric actuators were investigated. An analytical method was developed to determine the voltages needed to achieve a specified desired shape. The method is formulated on the basis of mathematical models using twodimensional, linear, shallow shell theory including transverse shear effects which are important in the case of sandwich construction. The solution technique is a minimization of an error function which is a measure of the difference between the deformed shape caused by the application of voltages and the desired shape. A computationally efficient, userfriendly computer code was written which is suitable for performing the numerical calculations. The code, designated as SHAPE2, gives the voltages needed to achieve specified changes in shape. To validate the method and the computer code, results generated by the code were compared to existing analytical and experimental results. The predictions provided by the SHAPE2 code were in excellent agreement with the results of the other analyses and data.