bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metrological Performances of Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors and Comparison with Electrical Strain Gauges
Authors: Borotto Marco , De Cais Enrico , Belloli Marco , Bernasconi Andrea , Manzoni Stefano
Published: November 2011

The fiber Bragg grating sensors (FBGs) have been recently introduced: they present a photorecord grating on the fiber itself, which allows the reflection of a certain wavelength of the input light spectrum. The applied strain is estimated relying on changes of the reflected wavelength. One of the possible applications that has prompted us to study this type of sensors is the possibility to create smart dynamometric structures based on carbon fiber by embedding FBGs. Many papers are available in literature about some applications with smart structures but there is not yet an appropriate metrological characterization about these FBG sensors, their strengths and weaknesses: for these reasons it was deemed useful making several tests on FBG sensors in terms of measurement accuracy, signal to noise ratio, ability to compensate for thermal effects and their behavior for dynamic applications. All these results have been compared to electrical strain gauge ones, which represent the actual reference strain measurement systems. The various solutions to compensate for thermal effects have offered several information for further analyses and the basis for a future use of these sensors for static or semi-static tests. Being fully aware of FBGs characteristics allows to draw down guidelines about their integration in composite materials for the most different applications, understanding in a better way the sensor response.
Comparison of Centralized, Dispersed and Hybrid Multiagent Control Systems of Underwater Vehicles Team
Authors: Szymak Piotr
Published: November 2011

Multiagent systems controlling robots can have different structures, depending on a way of generating decision in these systems. Decisions can be work out in centralized, decentralized or even hybrid way (hybrid system is a connection of both centralized and decentralized systems). In the case of controlling a team of underwater vehicles, it is significant to examine different structures of multiagent systems for choosing the best one for defined underwater task. In the paper, results of operation of three different structures (centralized, dispersed - decentralized and hybrid) of multiagent control systems of underwater vehicles team were presented. The systems were tested in predator-prey problem. In this problem, a team of three underwater vehicles had to catch another underwater robot escaping with larger velocity.
Hydroacoustic Multi-Sensor for Positioning Underwater Robots
Authors: Listewnik Karol
Published: November 2011

Acoustic underwater positioning and navigation systems still evolve in a few directions. Improvements in underwater navigation sensor technology and underwater navigation algorithms cause development of new underwater vehicles and new underwater vehicle missions. Up-to-date navigation multi-sensor systems based on USBL become very popular. This paper presents experimental investigation of hydroacoustic multi-sensor based on tetrahedral antenna configuration. The preliminary investigations were led in water tank as first phase before multi-sensor measurement in real conditions, in sea water environment.
Investigations of the Vibroacoustic Signals Sensitivity to Mechanical Defects Not Recognised by the OBD System in Diesel Engines
Authors: Dąbrowski Zbigniew , Zawisza Maciej
Published: November 2011

Operations of the on board diagnostic (OBD) system, is directed to ensuring the correct engine work in respect of the exhaust gases toxicity. Thus, when the parameters analysed by this system are within the permissible values, the system controls them in such a way as to obtain the optimal working conditions from the point if view of the exhaust gases toxicity. The user can be completely unaware of any problem occurring until exceeding of the limiting values causes switching on the MIL lamp or the transfer into the failure mode operation or even engine shut-down. The previous investigations indicated explicitly that there is such group of defects (mainly mechanical), at which the OBD system performing self-regulation does not provide the user with the information concerning a defect and, in addition, weakens typical external symptoms such as e.g. power drop. Current works of the authors performed for petrol engines indicated that there is representation between VA signal symptoms and mechanical defects, which at their initial phases are not detected by the OBD system. Thus, the authors decided to verify the sensitivity to VA signals of Diesel Engines.
Architecture of the Control System of an Unmanned Surface Vehicle in the Process of Harbour Protection
Authors: Kitowski Zygmunt
Published: November 2011

In the paper, basic problems connected with designing optimal structure of control Unmanned Surface Vehicle USV used for a harbour protection were presented. A specificity of USV operation during carrying out protection tasks forces different view on hardware structure of the system and a process of taking decisions than during carrying out other tasks. Correct determination of the both factors have deciding influence on an effectiveness of carried out by the vehicle in this case mission.
Measuring and Recording Systems Used in Flight Tests of Aircraft
Authors: Nowakowski Mirosław
Published: November 2011

Flight tests and measurements are usually performed for newly built or modernised aircraft utilised by the Polish Armed Forces. In the course of flight tests the airborne equipment is also investigated. The main goal of the performed tests is to verify tactical performance and to identify technical parameters of aircraft and/or equipment under examination. The airborne experimental data is also applied to the aircraft flight dynamics modelling, subsequently used for the design and construction of a flight simulator. The equipment is usually arranged of the following components: ̶ sensors/measuring devices capable of converting physical parameters into optical, mechanical, or electrical signals (indicators, transmitters, sensors, transducers); ̶ conditioning systems - intermediary devices used to amplify and/or adjust any signal gained to some required value or form; ̶ recording and storing devices (data recorders, cameras, etc.); ̶ devices applied to the decoding and processing of the acquired data (decoders, computers). Some selected problems of aircraft flight tests will be discussed in the paper. A brief description of the applied experimental apparatus will be provided first. Next, the attention will be focused on the experimentally gathered data utilised in the identification of aircraft flight dynamics characteristics and on the data applied to the evaluation of selected design parameters.
Synthesis of Polyfluorene with Azobenzene-Substituted Side Chains
Authors: Tang Xin De , Yu Fa Qi , Chen Ye , Wang Xin , Pei Mei Shan
Published: November 2011

Novel polyfluorene derivatives with azobenzene moieties to attaching to the polymer backbone via a flexible alkyl spacer were synthesized by electrochemically direct anodic oxidation in boron trifluoride diethyletherate (BFEE). The physical, optical and fluorescent properties of the synthesized polymers were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy and fluorescent spectroscopy. As conducting and optical materials, these polymers can be promising in the field of photoelecrtonics area.
Mesophase Studies and Charge Transportation Properties of 3,6-dicarbethoxy-2,7,10,11-tetra-pentyloxytriphenylene
Authors: Zhang Chun Xiu , Pu Jia Ling , Wu Hao , Zhang Ao , Zhang Ming Xia , Fang Gui Sen
Published: November 2011

In this study, a triphenylene-based discotic liquid crystal 3,6-dicarbethoxy-2,7,10,11-tetra-pentyloxytriphenylene was synthesized. The chemical structure was characterized by FTIR, 1HNMR.The mesophases of the material synthesized here was characterized by using polarizing optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). It was found that the compound displayed columnar phase during cooling at 164.7 °C and the columnar phase can be preserved even at room temperature. The charge transportation properties of the compound were measured by using time-of-flight method.
A Single-Cell-Gap Transflective Dual-Mode Liquid Crystal Display
Authors: Chen Chao Ping , Chung Te Chen , Jen Tean Sen , Guo Xiao Jun , Su Yi Kai
Published: November 2011

A transflective dual-mode liquid crystal display (LCD) featuring single-cell-gap structure has been proposed in this paper. Unlike transflective single-mode LCDs, dual-mode LCD can work as either monostable transmissive or bistable reflective LCDs in a sense that two different modes of display are unified in one device. We have confirmed that it has not only desirable electro-optical performance but also longtime memory ability.
An Adaptive Global LED Backlight Dimming for Contrast Enhancement and Power Reduction
Authors: Feng Qi Bin , Tong Hao , Lv Guo Qiang
Published: November 2011

The paper proposes a global backlight dimming algorithm for CR enhancement and power reduction. S-shaped function is involved to help improve CR. Both the backlight dimming level and the turning point grayscale of the s-shaped curve are determined by the histogram of the input image. The pixels with the grayscales more than the turning point are compensated to become brighter and the pixels less than turning point become darker. The simulation results show that the proposed dimming algorithm can improve CR by average 34.95% and reduce power consumption by 11.30%.
Tunable Liquid Crystal Grating-Based 3D Display
Authors: Zhou Zhen , Huang Zi Qiang
Published: November 2011

In this paper, the liquid crystal grating-based 3D display will be introduced, and emphasis on the ‘movable’ characteristic of the LC grating. To make LC grating tunable, the required lighted LC grating pixels would be controlled via programming in order to solve the following questions: the pixels loss or the single viewing point.
Liquid Crystal Variable Retarders’ Phase Retardation Measurement with Quarter-Wave Plate and the Validation
Authors: Bai Lin Ling , Li Dai , Huang Zi Qiang
Published: November 2011

Liquid crystal variable retarders (LCVRs) are starting to be widely used in optical systems because of their capacity to provide a controlled variable optical retardation – an important technical parameter for LCVRs. In this paper, using polarization condition change of polarized light, a set of measurement systems is built. Through the measurement of the relative value of luminous intensity instead of the absolute value which can be easy affected by ambient light and the illuminant instability, it can comparative accurately acquire electrically controlled phase retardation of LCVRs. With the light source of He-Ne laser with the wave 632.8 nm, at temperature 25 °C, a standard quarter-wave plate has been measured, with the relative error less than 1 %.
Photocatalytic Properties of α-Bi2O3 Nanoneedle Array Synthesized by Hydrothermal Method
Authors: Wang H.Y. , Yang Y.C. , Le L. , Liu Y. , Wei J.H. , Xiong Rui , Shi J.
Published: November 2011

Pureα-Bi2O3with nanoneedle array structure was synthesized directly by hydrothermal method. The optic absorption of theα-Bi2O3paricles was cut off at ~483 nm and the band gap of theα-Bi2O3was estimated to be 2.57 eV. The photocatalytic activity of theα-Bi2O3samples was higher than TiO2under a visible light irradiation. As a conclusion, relative narrow band gap ofα-Bi2O3nanoneedle array compared to anatase and the special morphology of nanoneedle array structures may improve the photocatalytic activity in visible light irradiation.
Influence of Deposition Temperature on Microcrystalline Silicon Thin Film Prepared by Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition
Authors: Chen Lan Li , Wang Sheng Zhao , Yin Ying Peng , Shi Ming Ji
Published: November 2011

The influence of deposition temperature (Ts) on glass/stainless steel-based intrinsic amorphous/microcrystalline silicon thin film prepared at different temperature was investigated by PECVD technology. The crystallization ratio and grain size of the silicon thin film at different deposition temperature is studied. The results reveal that the crystallization ratio and grain size of silicon thin film changed along with Ts. The crystallization ratio and grain size of the silicon thin film become larger when Ts=400 °C. On this work, optimal μc-Si:H can be obtained at 400°C deposition temperature in the suitable experimental conditions.
Supramolecular Assembly of Binary Block Copolymers of PEO-b-PMAA and PEO-b-PMAZO
Authors: Chen Ye , Wang Tie Shi , Yu Fa Qi , Tang Xin De , Pei Mei Shan
Published: November 2011

Amphiphilic block copolymers have attracted increasing attention due to their potential applications in controlled release and biotechnology. The self-assembled aggregates consisit of a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic shell to produce a vehicle suitable for delivering hydrophobic drugs. In addition, stimuli-responsive polymers can be triggered by external factors and give rise to the corresponding physical and/or chemical changes. So far reports concerning the supramolecular assembly between two or more kinds of block copolymers are limited. In this work, supramolecular assembly of binary block copolymers of PEO-b-PMAA and PEO-b-PMAZO in the selective solvent was investigated.
Preventing Airborne Disease Transmission: Review of Methods for Ventilation Design in Health Care Facilities
Authors: Aliabadi Amir A. , Rogak Steven N. , Bartlett Karen H. , Green Sheldon I.
Published: November 2011

Health care facility ventilation design greatly affects disease transmission by aerosols. The desire to control infection in hospitals and at the same time to reduce their carbon footprint motivates the use of unconventional solutions for building design and associated control measures. This paper considers indoor sources and types of infectious aerosols, and pathogen viability and infectivity behaviors in response to environmental conditions. Aerosol dispersion, heat and mass transfer, deposition in the respiratory tract, and infection mechanisms are discussed, with an emphasis on experimental and modeling approaches. Key building design parameters are described that include types of ventilation systems (mixing, displacement, natural and hybrid), air exchange rate, temperature and relative humidity, air flow distribution structure, occupancy, engineered disinfection of air (filtration and UV radiation), and architectural programming (source and activity management) for health care facilities. The paper describes major findings and suggests future research needs in methods for ventilation design of health care facilities to prevent airborne infection risk.
Disturbed Copper Bioavailability in Alzheimer′s Disease
Authors: Kaden Daniela , Bush Ashley I. , Danzeisen Ruth , Bayer Thomas A. , Multhaup Gerd
Published: November 2011

Recent data from in vitro, animal, and human studies have shed new light on the positive roles of copper in many aspects of AD. Copper promotes the non‐amyloidogenic processing of APP and thereby lowers the Aβ production in cell culture systems, and it increases lifetime and decreases soluble amyloid production in APP transgenic mice. In a clinical trial with Alzheimer patients, the decline of Aβ levels in CSF, which is a diagnostic marker, is diminished in the verum group (8 mg copper/day), indicating a beneficial effect of the copper treatment. These observations are in line with the benefit of treatment with compounds aimed at normalizing metal levels in the brain, such as PBT2. The data reviewed here demonstrate that there is an apparent disturbance in metal homeostasis in AD. More research is urgently needed to understand how this disturbance can be addressed therapeutically.
Spleen as a Site for Hematopoiesis of a Distinct Antigen Presenting Cell Type
Authors: O'Neill Helen C. , Griffiths Kristin L. , Periasamy Pravin , Hinton Rebecca A. , Hey Ying-Ying , Petvises Sawang , Tan Jonathan K. H.
Published: November 2011

While spleen and other secondary tissue sites contribute to hematopoiesis, the nature of cells produced and the environment under which this happens are not fully defined. Evidence is reviewed here for hematopoiesis occurring in the spleen microenvironment leading to the production of tissue-specific antigen presenting cells. The novel dendritic-like cell identified in spleen is phenotypically and functionally distinct from other described antigen presenting cells. In order to identify these cells as distinct, it has been necessary to show that their lineage origin and progenitors differ from that of other known dendritic and myeloid cell types. The spleen therefore represents a distinct microenvironment for hematopoiesis of a novel myeloid cell arising from self-renewing hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) or progenitors endogenous to spleen.
Lipoprotein(a) as a potential marker of residual liver function in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Uccello Mario , Malaguarnera Giulia , Pelligra Elisa M , Biondi Antonio , Basile Francesco , Motta Massimo
Published: November 2011

The residual liver function is a major clinical index in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. As the liver plays a crucial role in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, the significant impairment of the hepatic function occurring during chronic liver diseases, such as HCC, can influence plasma lipoprotein profiles. Although, lipoprotein(a) (Lp(a)) circulating concentrations are mostly determined by genetic factors, in the majority of reports they have shown a correlation with the hepatic status and a significant decrease in HCC and liver cirrhosis patients than among the controls. In such a way, Lp(a) may represent a new additional and useful marker for a more complete assessment and monitoring of the liver function in patients with HCC and liver cirrhosis. Further studies are needed in order to evaluate the clinical significance of Lp(a) in HCC.
Sequential therapy (triple drug-based induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy) in locally advanced inoperable head and neck cancer patients - Single institute experience
Authors: Somani Naresh , Goyal S , Pasricha R , Khuteta N , Agarwal P , Garg A K , Singhal H
Published: November 2011

Context: India has a high incidence of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) mostly presenting in advanced stage. In the majority of inoperable patients a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy (CRT) is considered as the treatment of choice. Adding induction chemotherapy (ICT) before CRT has shown to decrease systemic relapse. Incorporation of taxanes to the cisplatin and 5-FU-based ICT has shown increase in response rates. Aims: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of triple drug-based ICT followed by CCRT in locally advanced, inoperable HNSCC in the Indian context. Settings and Design: Prospective, non-controlled, observational study, a single-institute experience. Materials and Methods: Consecutive, locally advanced inoperable HNSCC patients were put on sequential therapy consisting of docetaxel, 5-FU and cisplatin for three cycles followed by concurrent weekly cisplatin and radiotherapy for responding or stable disease patients. Results: Forty-four patients were enrolled with male,female ratio of 33/44(75%) and 11/44(25%). Hypopharynx 16/44(36.36%) was the most common site followed by oral cavity 12/44(27.27%) and oropharynx 12/44(27.27%); 38/44(86.36%) patients could complete the planned treatment. Seven patients required dose reduction in ICT. As per the RECIST criteria, 16 patients had Complete Response (CR) and 15 had partial response (PR), 10 had stable disease (SD) and three had progressive disease (PD) after ICT. Thirty-eight patients received concomitant chemo radiotherapy (CCRT); 28/44 (66.63%) patients achieved CR, 10/44 (22.72 %) had PR. The main toxicity was mucositis 18/44 (40.90%) secondary to ICT. Grade III and IV hematological toxicity was seen in 16/44(36.36%), of which 6/44 (13.63%) had febrile neutropenia. Conclusions: Triple drug-based sequential therapy is tolerable in our context. In this trial from a single institute the results are very encouraging.
An uneventful pregnancy and delivery, in a case with chronic myeloid leukemia on imatinib
Authors: Martin Jovita , Ramesh Anita , Devadasan Lalitha , Martin Jude J ,   Palaniappan
Published: November 2011

The concomitant occurrence of pregnancy and chronic myelogenous leukemia is uncommon. We describe the successful management of a 24-year-old woman in the first trimester of her pregnancy with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in the chronic phase, who was on treatment with imatinib, which was stopped by 10 th week of pregnancy. Until, she completed full term of pregnancy she was on hydroxyurea. The use of imatinib did not have adverse effects on the fetus. The patient had a normal vaginal delivery and gave birth to a healthy 2500 g girl at 37 weeks of gestation. We conclude that imatinib in the first trimester of pregnant lady with CML, though has particular concern regarding the potential teratogenic and other adverse effects, has shown evidences of safe conception, pregnancy and delivery in ladies with CML.
Using real-time alerts for clinical trials
Authors: Chow E. , Zuberi M. , Seto R. , Hota S. , Fish E.N. , Morra D.
Published: November 2011

Background: Clinical trials are widely accepted as a necessary step in evaluating the safety and efficacy of new pharmaceutical products. In order for a sufficiently powered study, a clinical trial depends on the effective and unbiased recruitment of eligible patients. Trials involving seasonal diseases like influenza pose additional challenges.

Objective: This is a feasibility study of a mobile real-time alerting system to systematically identify potential study subjects for a randomized controlled trial evaluating the safety and efficacy of early intervention with interferon alfacon-1 for patients hospitalized for influenza virus infection. Methods: The alerting system was setup in a 471-bed acute care teaching hospital, enabled with computerized physician order entry (CPOE) and a rules-based alerting system. Patients were identified from the entire hospital using two alerts types: pharmacy prescription records for antiviral drugs, and positive influenza laboratory results. Email alerts were generated and sent to BlackBerry® devices carried by the study personnel for a 6 month period. The alerts were archived automatically on a secure server and were exported for analysis in Microsoft Access.

Results: Over a period of 21 weeks, 779 total alerts were received. The study team was alerted to 241 patients, of whom 85 were potential study subjects. The alert system identified all but one of the patients independently identified by infection control.

Conclusions: Real-time identification of potential study subjects is possible with the integration of computerized physician order entry and BlackBerry® technology. It is a viable method for the systematic identification of patients throughout a hospital, particularly for trials investigating time-sensitive disease progression.
First discovery of dolomite and magnesite in living coralline algae and its geobiological implications
Authors: Nash M. C. , Troitzsch U. , Opdyke B. N. , Trafford J. M. , Russell B. D. , Kline D. I.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Dolomite is a magnesium-rich carbonate mineral abundant in fossil carbonate reef platforms but surprisingly rare in modern sedimentary environments, a conundrum known as the "Dolomite Problem". Marine sedimentary dolomite has been interpreted to form by an unconfirmed, post-depositional diagenetic process, despite minimal experimental success at replicating this. Here we show that dolomite, accompanied by magnesite, forms within living crustose coralline alga, Hydrolithon onkodes, a prolific global tropical reef species. Chemical micro-analysis of the coralline skeleton reveals that not only are the cell walls calcitised, but that cell spaces are typically filled with magnesite, rimmed by dolomite, or both. Mineralogy was confirmed by X-ray Diffraction. Thus there are at least three mineral phases present (magnesium calcite, dolomite and magnesite) rather than one or two (magnesium calcite and brucite) as previously thought. Our results are consistent with dolomite occurrences in coralline algae rich environments in fossil reefs of the last 60 million years. We reveal that the standard method of removing organic material prior to Xray Diffraction analysis can result in a decrease in the most obvious dolomite and magnesite diffraction patterns and this may explain why the abundant protodolomite and magnesite discovered in this study has not previously been recognized. This discovery of dolomite in living coralline algae extends the range of palaeo-environments for which biologically initiated dolomite can be considered a possible source of primary dolomite.
Present and LGM permafrost from climate simulations: contribution of statistical downscaling
Authors: Levavasseur G. , Vrac M. , Roche D. M. , Paillard D. , Martin A. , Vandenberghe J.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. We quantify the agreement between permafrost distributions from PMIP2 (Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Project) climate models and permafrost data. We evaluate the ability of several climate models to represent permafrost and assess the variability between their results. Studying a heterogeneous variable such as permafrost implies conducting analysis at a smaller spatial scale compared with climate models resolution. Our approach consists of applying statistical downscaling methods (SDMs) on large- or regional-scale atmospheric variables provided by climate models, leading to local-scale permafrost modelling. Among the SDMs, we first choose a transfer function approach based on Generalized Additive Models (GAMs) to produce high-resolution climatology of air temperature at the surface. Then we define permafrost distribution over Eurasia by air temperature conditions. In a first validation step on present climate (CTRL period), this method shows some limitations with non-systematic improvements in comparison with the large-scale fields. So, we develop an alternative method of statistical downscaling based on a Multinomial Logistic GAM (ML-GAM), which directly predicts the occurrence probabilities of local-scale permafrost. The obtained permafrost distributions appear in a better agreement with CTRL data. In average for the nine PMIP2 models, we measure a global agreement with CTRL permafrost data that is better when using ML-GAM than when applying the GAM method with air temperature conditions. In both cases, the provided local information reduces the variability between climate models results. This also confirms that a simple relationship between permafrost and the air temperature only is not always sufficient to represent local-scale permafrost. Finally, we apply each method on a very different climate, the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) time period, in order to quantify the ability of climate models to represent LGM permafrost. The prediction of the SDMs (GAM and ML-GAM) is not significantly in better agreement with LGM permafrost data than large-scale fields. At the LGM, both methods do not reduce the variability between climate models results. We show that LGM permafrost distribution from climate models strongly depends on large-scale air temperature at the surface. LGM simulations from climate models lead to larger differences with LGM data than in the CTRL period. These differences reduce the contribution of downscaling.
A climate-flood link for the lower Mekong River
Authors: Delgado J. M. , Merz B. , Apel H.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. The Mekong River in Southeast Asia thanks its regular annual flood to the southwest monsoon. At longer time scales, the monsoon is a spatially and temporally variable circulation, with different annual to millennial variation for different regions. In this paper, the Indian and the Western Pacific component of the monsoon were analyzed to draw a light on the interannual flood variability of the Mekong River. The focus is on the variance of flood season flows at 8 stations on the Mekong River, as well as on well-known climate indexes that reflect the dynamics of the monsoon circulation and ocean temperature anomalies. An effort was made to identify the temporal resolution that contains most of the interannual variability of both flood regime of the Mekong and monsoon intensity. We found a close connection between the Western Pacific monsoon and the discharge in Kratie and other stations in the Southern Mekong region. In the frequency domain, the interannual to decadal variance of the Mekong discharge closely follows that of the Western Pacific monsoon. More importantly, the well-known regime shift of 1976 in the North Pacific is detectable in the frequency space for flood discharge and monsoon intensity. This suggests a relationship between Pacific sea surface temperature and monsoon variance, which is a good predictor for flood variance. This dependence influences the probability of occurrence of floods in the Mekong Delta.
A preliminary assessment of glacier melt-model parameter sensitivity and transferability in a dry subarctic environment
Authors: MacDougall A. H. , Wheler B. A. , Flowers G. E.
Published: November 2011

Abstract. Efforts to project the long-term melt of mountain glaciers and ice-caps require that melt models developed and calibrated for well studied locations be transferable over large regions. Here we assess the sensitivity and transferability of parameters within several commonly used melt models for two proximal sites in a dry subarctic environment of northwestern Canada. The models range in complexity from a classical degree-day model to a simplified energy-balance model. Parameter sensitivity is first evaluated by tuning the melt models to the output of an energy balance model forced with idealized inputs. This exercise allows us to explore parameter sensitivity both to glacier geometric attributes and surface characteristics, as well as to meteorological conditions. We then investigate the effect of model tuning with different statistics, including a weighted coefficient of determination (wR2), the Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency criterion (E), mean absolute error (MAE) and root mean squared error (RMSE). Finally we examine model parameter transferability between two neighbouring glaciers over two melt seasons using mass balance data collected in the St. Elias Mountains of the southwest Yukon. The temperature-index model parameters appear generally sensitive to glacier aspect, mean surface elevation, albedo, wind speed, mean annual temperature and temperature lapse rate. The simplified energy balance model parameters are sensitive primarily to snow albedo. Model tuning with E, MAE and RMSE produces similar, or in some cases identical, parameter values. In twelve tests of spatial and/or temporal parameter transferability, the results with the lowest RMSE values with respect to ablation stake measurements were achieved twice with a classical temperature-index (degree-day) model, three times with a temperature-index model in which the melt parameter is a function of potential radiation, and seven times with a simplified energy-balance model. A full energy-balance model produced better results than the other models in nine of twelve cases, though the tuning of this model differs from that of the others.
Kanosa- Lending an Ear to the Body and Mind Secrets of Rural Women:Thoughts on Health and Modernity
Authors: Dighe Satlaj
Published: November 2011

This review article discusses the text Kanosa - Grameen Streechya Sharir ani Manatil Gupitancha, translated as ‘Lending an Ear to the Secrets of Body and Mind of the Rural Woman’ by Dr. Rani Bang. The original text provides detailed information on various life-cycle health experiences of women; illness categories (nosography); health practices; sexualities; diets and local life-worlds of health and bodily experiences based on the in depth discussions with local women. In the context of current trends and prevailing ideologies in the community health sector of India, our critical review highlights the significance of the approach adopted by Dr. Rani Bang in locating health as an integral part of culture.We seek to introduce important discussions in Bang’s text on ethnophysiology, local categories of diseases and their implications on modern community health interventions, as ell as the definitions of the normal, abnormal and pathological as provided by the local community. In light of these discussions, we  examine certain characteristics of the modern Indian community health sector such as its inability to work with local epistemologies of health and illness and its philosophical reliance on Cartesian dualism and western notions of personhood. Certain features of community health such as complete separation of fertility and sexuality as well as the exclusively nutritional approach to dietary phenomena are also reviewed with reference to Kanosa and other significant literature.
Perinatal mortality in Indonesia: an unfinished agenda
Authors: Jahja Riawati
Published: November 2011

Perinatal mortality is a profound issue in maternal and child health due to its close relation with the maternal condition. There exist Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which are to be achieved by 2015. These are coupled with a continuing need for comprehensively monitoring and identifying factors associated with perinatal mortality, which is a primary concern for developing countries inclusive of Indonesia. Previous and on-going health programs could have brought about strategic interventions but as different attributes can emerge due to epidemiological transition, and given the fact that associated factors may remain persistent, forward thinking strategies in public health are forever in need of renewal.     Results from our research show that educational variables, poor awareness towards proper antenatal care visits and weak services at the front-line of healthcare delivery (community outreach) worsen the condition of childbearing women, raising the question of biological risk factors in line with socio-economic variables.
A Vibration Method for Discovering Density Varied Clusters
Authors: Elbatta Mohammad T. , Bolbol Raed M. , Ashour Wesam M.
Published: November 2011

DBSCAN is a base algorithm for density-based clustering. It can find out the clusters of different shapes and sizes from a large amount of data, which is containing noise and outliers. However, it is fail to handle the local density variation that exists within the cluster. Thus, a good clustering method should allow a significant density variation within the cluster because, if we go for homogeneous clustering, a large number of smaller unimportant clusters may be generated. In this paper, an enhancement of DBSCAN algorithm is proposed, which detects the clusters of different shapes and sizes that differ in local density. Our proposed method VMDBSCAN first finds out the “core” of each cluster—clusters generated after applying DBSCAN. Then, it “vibrates” points toward the cluster that has the maximum influence on these points. Therefore, our proposed method can find the correct number of clusters.
Characterization and Some Properties of Poly(vinyl chloride)/Sepiolite Nanocomposites
Authors: Turhan Yasemin , Doǧan Mehmet , Alkan Mahir
Published: November 2011

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC)/sepiolite nanocomposites were prepared using PVC and natural, organo‐modified, acid–activated, and calcined sepiolite samples through the solution intercalation method. Thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, UV–vis spectrophotometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy were used to determine the thermal stability, optical behavior, interactions, and morphology of samples, respectively. The dispersion of sepiolite in the PVC matrix was examined by X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanocomposites exhibited higher thermal stability than that of pure PVC. XRD and TEM results showed that sepiolite particles were dispersed in the nanoscaled PVC matrix. The UV–vis spectra showed that the transmission of nanocomposites increased with the sepiolite content and wavelength. The thermal degradation behavior of PVC was investigated by using TG analysis under nonisothermal conditions at different heating rates under a nitrogen atmosphere. The apparent activation energy of samples was determined by using the Kissinger method. The nanocomposite showed higher activation energy than that of pure PVC. The results showed that the thermal degradation of PVC was shifted toward higher temperatures with an increase in the amount of sepiolite. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Adv Polym Techn 32: E65–E82, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com. DOI 10.1002/adv.20271
A basis for updating our approach to resistant acute leukemia
Authors: Cunningham Isabel
Published: November 2011

No studies exist documenting that chemotherapy alone eradicates tumors composed of leukemic cells in a large group of patients with tumors at any one site. Yet, its use has continued over 40 years in the absence of data. Consensus protocols exist only for testis and meningeal tumors, relying on local therapy. To constitute a body of knowledge about tumors at one site, the breast was chosen and all published cases were analyzed, with follow‐up obtained, to document the behavior of acute leukemia tumors and survival after presentation. Among 235 cases (52% published since 2000), overall survival was poor, particularly for the 43% with concurrent morphologic marrow relapse, with 66‐73% one‐year mortality. Only 4 of 106 patients treated with chemotherapy alone survived 4 years. The majority of AML and ALL tumors were only transiently responsive to anti‐leukemia treatments, including transplant, and next relapses were as, or more, common in further tumors than in marrow. A pattern of tumors similar to the metastases of invasive lobular breast cancer was revealed. When relapse occurred in marrow, durable remission was only rarely obtained. These data suggest a potential benefit of incorporating extent of disease workup at diagnosis and relapse into prospective trials. This could yield an accurate incidence of extramedullary tumors and a means to identify occult residual disease which could lead to marrow relapse. This approach could potentially result in greater success in curing acute leukemias. Am. J. Hematol. 2012. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Citation characterization and impact normalization in bioinformatics journals
Authors: Huang Hong , Andrews James , Tang Jiang
Published: November 2011

Bioinformatics journals publish research findings of intellectual synergies among subfields such as biology, mathematics, and computer science. The objective of this study is to characterize the citation patterns in bioinformatics journals and their correspondent knowledge subfields. Our study analyzed bibliometric data (impact factor, cited‐half‐life, and references‐per‐article) of bioinformatics journals and their related subfields collected from the Journal Citation Reports (JCR). The findings showed that bioinformatics journals' citations are field‐dependent, with scattered patterns in article life span and citing propensity. Bioinformatics journals originally derived from biology‐related subfields have shorter article life spans, more citing on average, and higher impact factors. Those journals, derived from mathematics and statistics, demonstrate converse citation patterns. Journal impact factors were normalized, taking into account the impacts of article life spans and citing propensity. A comparison of these normalized factors to JCR journal impact factors showed rearrangements in the ranking orders of a number of individual journals, but a high overall correlation with JCR impact factors.
Clinical manufacturing of recombinant human interleukin 15. I. Production cell line development and protein expression in E. coli with stop codon optimization
Authors: Vyas Vinay V. , Esposito Dominic , Sumpter Terry L. , Broadt Trevor L. , Hartley James , Knapp IV George C. , Cheng Wei , Jiang Man‐Shiow , Roach John M. , Yang Xiaoyi , Giardina Steven L. , Mitra George , Yovandich Jason L. , Creekmore Stephen P. , Waldmann Thomas A. , Zhu Jianwei
Published: November 2011

Interleukin 15 (IL‐15) has shown remarkable biological properties of promoting NK‐ and T‐cell activation and proliferation, as well as enhancing antitumor immunity of CD8+ T cells in preclinical models. Here, we report the development of an E. coli cell line to express recombinant human Interleukin‐15 (rhIL‐15) for clinical manufacturing. Human IL‐15 cDNA sequence was inserted into a pET28b plasmid and expressed in several E. coli BL21 strains. Through product quality comparisons among several E. coli strains, including E. coli BL21(DE3), BL21(DE3)pLysS, BLR(DE3)pLysS, and BL21‐AI, E. coli BL21‐AI was selected for clinical manufacturing. Expression optimization was carried out at shake flask and 20‐L fermenter scales, and the product was expressed as inclusion bodies that were solubilized, refolded, and purified to yield active rhIL‐15. Stop codons of the expression construct were further investigated after 15–20% of the purified rhIL‐15 showed an extraneous peak corresponding to an extra tryptophan residue based on peptide mapping and mass spectrometry analysis. It was determined that the presence of an extra tryptophan was due to a stop codon wobble effect, which could be eliminated by replacing TGA (opal) stop codon with TAA (ochre). As a novel strategy, a simple method of demonstrating lack of tRNA suppressors in the production host cells was developed to validate the cells in this study. The E. coli BL21‐AI cells containing the rhIL‐15 coding sequence with a triplet stop codon TAATAATGA were banked for further clinical manufacturing. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2012
Synthesis of CaCO3 nanoparticles by controlled precipitation of saturated carbonate and calcium nitrate aqueous solutions
Authors: Babou‐Kammoe Romuald , Hamoudi Safia , Larachi Faïçal , Belkacemi Khaled
Published: November 2011

Calcium carbonate nanoparticles (CCNP) were synthesised by precipitation from saturated sodium carbonate and calcium nitrate aqueous solutions. The effect of agitation rate, mixing time, calcium/carbonate ions concentration and temperature on particle size and morphology were investigated. Particles were characterised using X‐ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Increasing the mixing time from 30 to 180 min resulted in a decrease in particles size. Mixing rate variation between 300 and 14 000 rpm decreased the particle size. Temperature increase favoured a significant growth in particle size and in the formation of aragonite beginning from 80°C. Calcium and carbonate ion concentrations are key parameters controlling the CCNP particle size. Calcite is the main polymorph obtained as revealed by XRD analysis. © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies on removal of Cr(VI) by activated carbon prepared from Ricinus communis seed shell
Authors: Thamilarasu P. , Karunakaran K.
Published: November 2011

A study on the removal of hexavalent chromium ions from aqueous solution by using activated carbon prepared from Ricinus communis has been done. In this process, it was carbonised and activated by treating with concentrated sulphuric acid followed by heating for 5 h at 500°C. Batch adsorption experiments are also carried out as a function of pH, contact time, initial concentration of the adsorbate, adsorbent dosage and temperature. The experimental data are fitted well to the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH°, ΔS° and ΔG° are calculated, which indicated that the adsorption is spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Adsorbent used in this study is characterised by FT‐IR and SEM before and after the adsorption of Cr(VI). © 2011 Canadian Society for Chemical Engineering
Current or recent pregnancy is associated with adverse pathologic features but not impaired survival in early breast cancer
Authors: Murphy Conleth G. , Mallam Divya , Stein Samantha , Patil Sujata , Howard Jane , Sklarin Nancy , Hudis Clifford A. , Gemignani Mary L. , Seidman Andrew D.
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND:

Pregnancy‐associated breast cancer (PABC) may be defined as breast cancer diagnosed during pregnancy or within 1 year of giving birth. Conflicting data exist regarding the impact of pregnancy on clinical features and prognosis of breast cancer.

METHODS:

A single‐institution retrospective chart review was performed of 99 patients identified with PABC between 1992 and 2007. Non‐PABC controls were matched 2:1 to PABC cases by year of diagnosis and age. The differences in clinical features were compared between cases and controls using chi‐square tests. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the effect of PABC on survival.

RESULTS:

Of the 99 PABC cases, breast cancer was diagnosed during pregnancy in 36 patients, and after delivery in 63. PABC cases were more likely than controls to be negative for estrogen receptor (59% vs 31%, P < .0001) and negative for progesterone receptor (72% vs 40%, P < .0001). Cases were also more likely to have advanced T class (P = .0271) and N class (P = .0104) and higher grade tumors (P = .0115). With a median follow‐up of 6.3 years for cases and 4.7 years for controls, overall survival did not differ between cases and controls (P = .0787). On multivariate analysis, the independent prognostic factors for overall survival were estrogen receptor status (P = .0031) and N class (P = .0003). The diagnosis of PABC was not an independent prognostic factor (P = .1317).

CONCLUSIONS:

PABC is associated with more adverse tumor features than non‐PABC matched for age and year of diagnosis. After correcting for pathologic features, the diagnosis of PABC is not in itself an adverse prognostic factor for survival. Cancer 2011. © 2011 American Cancer Society.
A phase 2 study of pegylated interferon α‐2b (PEG‐Intron®) in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma
Authors: Warren Katherine , Bent Robyn , Wolters Pamela L. , Prager Alisa , Hanson Ryan , Packer Roger , Shih Joanna , Camphausen Kevin
Published: November 2011

BACKGROUND:

Interferon‐α is a cytokine that has demonstrated activity in patients with supratentorial gliomas, but its ideal dose and schedule of administration is unknown. Studies suggest that low‐dose, continuous exposure is more efficacious than intermittent, high doses. The authors performed a phase 2 study of recombinant interferon α‐2b with monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (PEG‐Intron®) in children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), a population with dismal survival despite decades of clinical investigation. The primary objective was to compare 2‐year survival with a historic cohort that received radiation therapy alone.

METHODS:

Patients received weekly subcutaneous PEG‐Intron® at a dose of 0.3 μg/kg beginning 2 to 10 weeks after the completion of radiation therapy until they developed disease progression. Patients were evaluated clinically and radiographically at regular intervals. Serum and urine were assayed for biomarkers before each cycle. Quality‐of‐life (QOL) evaluations were administered at baseline and before every other cycle of therapy to the parents of patients ages 6 to 18 years.

RESULTS:

Thirty‐two patients (median age, 5.3 years; range, 1.8‐14.8 years) were enrolled and received a median of 7 cycles of therapy (range, from 1 cycle to ≥70 cycles). PEG‐Intron® was well tolerated, and no decrease in QOL scores was noted in the subset of patients tested. The 2‐year survival rate was 14%, which was not significantly improved compared with the historic cohort. However, the median time to progression was 7.8 months, which compared favorably with recent trials reporting a time to progression of 5 months in a similar population.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although low‐dose PEG‐Intron® therapy did not significantly improve 2‐year survival in children with DIPG compared with an historic control population, it did delay the time to progression. Cancer 2012;3607–3613. © 2011 American Cancer Society.