bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Media, Participation and Constitution-Making in Ethiopia
Authors: Stremlau Nicole
Published: September 2014

The role of communications in facilitating public participation in constitution-making is often neglected and misunderstood, particularly in post-war state-building when mass media may be weak. In the early 1990s, Ethiopia's ruling party, the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF), drafted one of Africa's most ambitious constitutions, allowing for ethnic federalism, decentralization and democratic reforms. The constitution has been highly controversial and many of its aspirations remain unrealized. This article explores how the EPRDF sought to use the media to explain and encourage acceptance of the constitution. It offers a framework for analysis that is relevant for countries beyond Ethiopia by examining: the role of media policies in providing domestic and international legitimacy for constitutions; the ways in which media can provide a space for non-violent political conflict or negotiation, where elites can navigate political struggles and debate ideology; and the use of media to implement the constitution's most ambitious goals.
An updated checklist of the marine Decapoda of Ascension Island, central Atlantic Ocean
Authors: De Grave S. , Anker A. , Dworschak P.C. , Clark P.F. , Wirtz P.
Published: September 2014

The decapod Crustacea from Ascension Island are reported upon on the basis of major expeditions undertaken during 2008 and 2012, including several minor additional collections made in other years. Two species, Gnathophyllum americanumandCorallianassa longiventrisare new records for the island bringing the total known marine decapod fauna to 75 species, of which 11 are currently endemic to Ascension Island.
Molecular characterization ofCryptosporidium parvumisolates from human cryptosporidiosis cases in Scotland
Authors: DESHPANDE A. P. , JONES B. L. , CONNELLY L. , POLLOCK K. G. , BROWNLIE S. , ALEXANDER C. L.
Published: September 2014

Cryptosporidium parvum(C. parvum) is one of the most prevalent protozoan pathogens responsible for inducing human and animal disease worldwide. In this study, the glycoprotein-60 (gp60) subtyping tool was employed to assess the molecular diversity ofC. parvumfrom human feces throughout Scotland during potential outbreaks. Over a 24-month period, microscopy analysis revealed 1139 positive feces containingCryptosporidiumspecies with 256 identified by molecular methods specifically asC. parvum. Cryptosporidium parvumwas shown to be more prevalent in rural areas of Scotland and subtyping of 87 isolates demonstrated the predominant family as IIa, which occurred in 94% (n = 82) of isolates. The IIaA15G1R1 subtype was most common, being isolated from 47% (n = 41) of Scottish human cases. Non-IIa strains constituted a total of 5 isolates and included subtypes from the IIc, IId and IIg families. This information contributes significantly to existing knowledge and understanding ofC. parvumsubtypes in Scotland which is vital in assisting with the management of future local and national outbreaks.
Dyadic Adjustment Scale: A Validation Study among Older French-Canadians Living in Relationships
Authors: Villeneuve Laurence , Trudel Gilles , Préville Michel , Dargis Luc , Boyer Richard , Bégin Jean
Published: September 2014

L’objectif principal de cette étude est de décrire la structure factorielle et la validité de l’Échelle d’Ajustement Dyadique (ÉAD) chez 895 aînés canadiens francophones vivant en couple. Il s’agit de la première étude du genre réalisée auprès de cette population. Une analyse factorielle confirmatoire a été réalisée à partir de la modélisation d’équation structurale. Les résultats supportent le modèle hiérarchique du questionnaire de Spanier (1976). Les résultats montrent également des indices de validité et de fidélité satisfaisants mise à part pour la sous-échelle Expression Affective qui présente un coefficient Alpha de Cronbach plus faible. Les résultats indiquent également une bonne validité de l’échelle à partir des indices de validité convergente et discriminante. Enfin, une discussion abordant les considérations à prendre en compte pour l’utilisation du questionnaire chez les couples âgés est formulée.
Seroepidemiology of dengue virus infection in the adult population in tropical Singapore
Authors: ANG L. W. , CUTTER J. , JAMES L. , GOH K. T.
Published: September 2014

To assess the impact of past dengue epidemics in Singapore, we undertook a national seroepidemiological study to determine the prevalence of past dengue virus (DENV) infection in the adult population in 2010 and make comparisons with the seroprevalence in 2004. The study involved residual sera from 3293 adults aged 18–79 years who participated in a national health survey in 2010. The overall prevalence of anti-DENV IgG antibodies was 56·8% (95% confidence interval 55·1–58·5) in 2010. The seroprevalence increased significantly with age. Males had significantly higher seroprevalence than females (61·5%vs.53·2%). Among the three major ethnic groups, Malays had the lowest seroprevalence (50·2%) compared to Chinese (57·0%) and Indians (62·0%). The age-standardized seroprevalence in adults was significantly lower in 2010 (54·4%) compared to 2004 (63·1%). Older age, male gender, Indian ethnicity, permanent residency and being home-bound were independent risk factors significantly associated with seropositivity. About 43% of the Singapore adult resident population remain susceptible to DENV infection as a result of the successful implementation of a comprehensive nationwideAedessurveillance and control programme since the 1970s. Vector suppression and concerted efforts of all stakeholders in the community remain the key strategy in the prevention and control of dengue.
Civic identity, municipal governance and provincial newspapers: the Lincoln of Bernard Gilbert, poet, critic and ‘booster’, 1914
Authors: JACKSON ANDREW J.H.
Published: September 2014

The provincial press played a significant role in forming local attitudes and senses of civic identity in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Local and regional newspapers often adopted a ‘boosterist’ language, a style that enthusiastically promoted the particular qualities of places. The persistence of boosterism into the early twenty-first century makes it a concept worthy of further exploration. This study considers just one ‘booster’, Bernard Samuel Gilbert, and his illuminating series of articles on Lincoln for the Lincolnshire Echo in 1914. His correspondence illustrates the contrasting stances towards improvement typically employed within the local press – including the boosterist alongside the more critical.
Childhood growth patterns following congenital heart disease
Authors: Aguilar David C. , Raff Gary W. , Tancredi Daniel J. , Griffin Ian J.
Published: September 2014

Introduction: Prenatal and early postnatal growth are known to be abnormal in patients with CHD. Although adult metabolic risk is associated with growth later in childhood, little is known of childhood growth in CHD. Patients and Methods: Retrospective data were collected on 551 patients with coarctation of the aorta, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, single ventricle physiology, tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, or ventricular septal defects. Weight, height, and body mass index data were converted to Z-scores. Body size at 2 years and growth between 2 and 20 years, 2 and 7 years, and 8 and 15 years were compared with Normative data using a sequential series of mixed-effects linear models. Results: A total of 4660 weight, 2989 height, and 2988 body mass index measurements were analysed. Body size at 2 years of age was affected by cardiac diagnosis and gender. Abnormal growth was frequent and varied depending on cardiac diagnosis, gender, and the time period considered. The most abnormal patterns were seen in patients with tetralogy of Fallot, hypoplastic left heart syndrome, or single ventricle physiology. Potentially high-risk growth, a combination of small body size at 2 years and rapid subsequent growth, was seen in several groups. Conclusions: Childhood and adolescent growth patterns were gender- and lesion-specific. Several lesions were associated with abnormal patterns of childhood growth known to be associated with an increased risk of adult adiposity or metabolic risk in other populations. Further information is needed on the long-term metabolic risks of survivors of CHD.
Pulmonary vascular resistance index and mortality after paediatric heart transplant
Authors: Maxwell Bryan G. , Sheikh Ahmad Y. , Ajuba-Iwuji Chinwe C. , Heitmiller Eugenie S. , Vricella Luca A.
Published: September 2014

Background: Although some prior studies have provided evidence to question the historical belief that pulmonary vascular resistance index ⩾6 Wood Units×m2 should be a contraindication to heart transplantation in children, no national analyses specific to the modern area have addressed this question. Methods: Data were analysed for paediatric heart transplant recipients from 1 January, 2002 to 1 September, 2012 (n=699). The relationship between pulmonary vascular resistance and all-cause 30-day mortality was evaluated using univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: The 30-day mortality included 10 patients (1.43%), which is lower than in the previous analyses. Receiver operating curve analysis of pulmonary vascular resistance index as a predictor of mortality yielded a cut-off value of 3.37 Wood Units×m2, but the area under the curve and specificity of this threshold was weaker than in previous analyses. Whereas pulmonary vascular resistance index treated as a dichotomised variable was a significant predictor of mortality in univariate (odds ratio 4.92, 95% confidence interval 1.04–23.33, p=0.045) and multivariate (odds ratio 5.26, 95% confidence interval 1.07–25.80, p=0.041) analyses, pulmonary vascular resistance index treated as a continuous variable was not a significant predictor of mortality in univariate (p=0.12) or multivariate (p=0.11) analyses. Conclusions: The relationship between pulmonary vascular resistance and post-heart transplant mortality in children is less convincing in this analysis of a comprehensive, contemporary database than in previous series. This suggests the possibility that modern improvements in the management of post-transplant right ventricular dysfunction have mitigated the contribution of pulmonary hypertension to early mortality.
Pediatric Triage and Allocation of Critical Care Resources During Disaster: Northwest Provider Opinion
Authors: Johnson Erin Margaret , Diekema Douglas S. , Lewis-Newby Mithya , King Mary A.
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Following Hurricane Katrina and the 2009 H1N1 epidemic, pediatric critical care clinicians recognized the urgent need for a standardized pediatric triage/allocation system. This study collected regional provider opinion on issues of care allocation and pediatric triage in a disaster/pandemic setting.

Methods

This study was a cross-sectional survey of United States (US) health care providers and public health workers who demonstrated interest in critical care and/or disaster care medicine by attending a Northwest regional pediatric critical care symposium on disaster preparation, held in 2012 at Seattle Children's Hospital in Seattle, Washington (USA). The survey employed an electronic audience response system and included demographic, ethical, and logistical questions. Differences in opinions between respondents grouped by professions and work locations were evaluated using a chi-square test.

Results

One hundred and twelve (97%) of 116 total attendees responded to at least one question; however, four of these responders failed to answer every question. Sixty-two (55%) responders were nurses, 29 (26%) physicians, and 21 (19%) other occupations. Fifty-five (51%) responders worked in pediatric hospitals vs 53 (49%) in other locations. Sixty-three (58%) of 108 successful responses prioritized children predicted to have a good neuro-cognitive outcome. Seventy-one (68%) agreed that no pediatric age group should be prioritized. Twenty-two (43%) of providers working in non-pediatric hospital locations preferred a triage system based on an objective score alone vs 14 (26%) of those in pediatric hospitals (P = .038).

JohnsonEM, DiekemaDS, Lewis-NewbyM, KingMA. Pediatric triage and allocation of critical care resources during disaster: Northwest provider opinion. Prehosp Disaster Med. 2014;29(5):1-6.
Health Care Workers in Danger Zones: A Special Report on Safety and Security in a Changing Environment
Authors: Redwood-Campbell Lynda J. , Sekhar Sharonya N. , Persaud Christine R.
Published: September 2014

Introduction

Violence against humanitarian health care workers and facilities in situations of armed conflict is a serious humanitarian problem. Targeting health care workers and destroying or looting medical facilities directly or indirectly impacts the delivery of emergency and life-saving medical assistance, often at a time when it is most needed.

Problem

Attacks may be intentional or unintentional and can take a range of forms from road blockades and check points which delay or block transport, to the direct targeting of hospitals, attacks against medical personnel, suppliers, patients, and armed entry into health facilities. Lack of access to vital health care services weakens the entire health system and exacerbates existing vulnerabilities, particularly among communities of women, children, the elderly, and the disabled, or anyone else in need of urgent or chronic care. Health care workers, especially local workers, are often the target.

Methods

This report reviews the work being spearheaded by the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement on the Health Care in Danger initiative, which aims to strengthen the protections for health care workers and facilities in armed conflicts and ensure safe access for patients. This includes a review of internal reports generated from the expert workshops on a number of topics as well as a number of public sources documenting innovative coping mechanisms adopted by National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The work of other organizations is also briefly examined. This is followed by a review of security mechanisms within the humanitarian sector to ensure the safety and security of health care personnel operating in armed conflicts.

Results

From the existing literature, a number of gaps have been identified with current security frameworks that need to be addressed to improve the safety of health care workers and ensure the protection and access of vulnerable populations requiring assistance. A way forward for policy, research, and practice is proposed for consideration.

Conclusion

While there is work being done to improve conditions for health care personnel and patients, there need to be concerted actions to stigmatize attacks against workers, facilities, and patients to protect the neutrality of the medical mission.

Redwood-CampbellLJ,SekharSN,PersaudCR.Health care workers in danger zones: a special report on safety and security in a changing environment.Prehosp Disaster Med.2014;29(5):1-5.
Morphological decomposition in native and non-native French speakers
Authors: COUGHLIN CAITLIN E. , TREMBLAY ANNIE
Published: September 2014

This study investigates whether late second/foreign language (L2) learners can rely on mechanisms similar to those of native speakers for processing morphologically complex words. Specifically, it examines whether native English speakers who have begun learning French around the onset of puberty can decompose -er (Class I) French verbs. Mid-to-high-proficiency L2 learners and native French speakers completed a masked-priming word-naming task. Latencies for morphologically related, orthographically related, and semantically related prime–target combinations were compared to latencies for identical and unrelated prime–target combinations. The results reveal the following effects: full morphological priming for both native and non-native speakers, with this effect increasing with French proficiency for L2 learners; partial orthographic priming for both groups; greater priming in the morphological condition than in the orthographic condition for both groups; and no semantic priming for either group. We conclude that L2 learners have access to similar mechanisms to those of native speakers for processing morphologically complex words.
Communication of scientific uncertainty: international case studies on the development of folate and vitamin D Dietary Reference Values
Authors: Brown Kerry A , de Wit Liesbeth , Timotijevic Lada , Sonne Anne-Mette , Lähteenmäki Liisa , Brito Garcia Noé , Jeruszka-Bielak Marta , Sicińska Ewa , Moore Alana N , Lawrence Mark , Raats Monique M
Published: September 2014

Objective

Transparent evidence-based decision making has been promoted worldwide to engender trust in science and policy making. Yet, little attention has been given to transparency implementation. The degree of transparency (focused on how uncertain evidence was handled) during the development of folate and vitamin D Dietary Reference Values was explored in three a priori defined areas: (i) value request; (ii) evidence evaluation; and (iii) final values.

Design

Qualitative case studies (semi-structured interviews and desk research). A common protocol was used for data collection, interview thematic analysis and reporting. Results were coordinated via cross-case synthesis.

Setting

Australia and New Zealand, Netherlands, Nordic countries, Poland, Spain and UK.

Subjects

Twenty-one interviews were conducted in six case studies.

Results

Transparency of process was not universally observed across countries or areas of the recommendation setting process. Transparency practices were most commonly seen surrounding the request to develop reference values (e.g. access to risk manager/assessor problem formulation discussions) and evidence evaluation (e.g. disclosure of risk assessor data sourcing/evaluation protocols). Fewer transparency practices were observed to assist with handling uncertainty in the evidence base during the development of quantitative reference values.

Conclusions

Implementation of transparency policies may be limited by a lack of dedicated resources and best practice procedures, particularly to assist with the latter stages of reference value development. Challenges remain regarding the best practice for transparently communicating the influence of uncertain evidence on the final reference values. Resolving this issue may assist the evolution of nutrition risk assessment and better inform the recommendation setting process.
The legal status of personnel involved in United Nations peace operations
Authors: Fleck Dieter
Published: September 2014

This article examines the status of military and civilian personnel of sending states and international organisations involved in UN peace operations. It undertakes an assessment of relevant customary law, examines various forms of treaty regulation and considers topics and procedures for effective settlement of open issues prior to the mission. The author stresses the need for cooperation between the host state, the sending states and the international organisation in this context. He draws some conclusions with a view to enhancing the legal protection of personnel involved in current and future UN peace operations.
FoxO3 is a negative regulator of primary CD8+ T‐cell expansion but not of memory formation
Authors: Togher Susan , Larange Alexandre , Schoenberger Stephen P , Feau Sonia
Published: September 2014

The generation of CD8+ T cells by vaccination represents an important goal for protective immunity to infectious pathogens. It is thus of utmost importance to understand the mechanisms involved in the generation of optimal CD8+ T‐cell responses. The forkhead box O (FoxO) family of transcription factors has a crucial role in cellular responses to environmental change. Among them, FoxO3 is critically involved in the regulation of cellular proliferation, apoptosis, metabolism and stress resistance to withdrawal of nutrients or cytokine growth factors. Since the role of FoxO3 has been poorly studied in the immune system, here we have evaluated its involvement in the CD8+ T‐cell response. We observe that CD8+ T cells deficient for FoxO3 undergo a significantly greater primary expansion than their wild‐type (WT) counterparts in response to both infectious (vaccinia virus) or non‐infectious (non‐replicating cellular vaccine) immunogens, resulting in a larger cohort of cells following contraction. These survivors, however, do not undergo a greater secondary response than WT. Taken together, our data show that FoxO3 is a negative regulator of the CD8+ T‐cell response, specifically during the primary expansion.
Seasonal changes in predator community switch the direction of selection for prey defences
Authors: Mappes Johanna , Kokko Hanna , Ojala Katja , Lindström Leena
Published: September 2014

Insect communities consist of aposematic species with efficient warning colours against predation, as well as abundant examples of crypsis. To understand such coexistence, we here report results from a field experiment where relative survival of artificial larvae, varying in conspicuousness, was estimated in natural bird communities over an entire season. This takes advantage of natural variation in the proportion of naive predators: naivety peaks when young birds have just fledged. We show that the relative benefit of warning signals and crypsis changes accordingly. When naive birds are rare (early and late in the season), conspicuous warning signals improve survival, but conspicuousness becomes a disadvantage near the fledging time of birds. Such temporal structuring of predator–prey relationships facilitates the coexistence of diverse antipredatory strategies and helps explain two patterns we found in a 688-species community of Lepidoterans: larval warning signals remain rare and occur disproportionately often in seasons when predators are educated.
Determination and quantification of Escherichia coli by capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Li Zhenqing , Li De , Zhang Dawei , Yamaguchi Yoshinori
Published: September 2014

Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is widely employed for the separation of nucleic acids or protein, but it is rarely applied in the quantification ofEscherichia coli(E. coli).
Supramolecular hydrogels derived from cyclic amino acids and their applications in the synthesis of Pt and Ir nanocrystals
Authors: Kang Chuanqing , Wang Lanlan , Bian Zheng , Guo Haiquan , Ma Xiaoye , Qiu Xuepeng , Gao Lianxun
Published: September 2014

A single amino acid was used for water gelation and templating the synthesis of Pt and Ir nanocrystals.
Ligand design for long-range magnetic order in metal–organic frameworks
Authors: Tiana Davide , Hendon Christopher H. , Walsh Aron
Published: September 2014

We report a class of ligands that are candidates to construct metal–organic frameworks with long-range magnetic order between transition metal centres.
Rational design of signal-on biosensors by using photoinduced electron transfer between Ag nanoclusters and split G-quadruplex halves–hemin complexes
Authors: Zhang Kai , Wang Ke , Zhu Xue , Gao Yun , Xie Minhao
Published: September 2014

Photoinduced electron transfer (PET) between DNA–Ag nanoclusters (AgNCs) and G-quadruplex halves–hemin has been used for building a new sensing platform for the signal-on detection of adenosine and RNA.
Catalytic performance of a novel Cr/ZnAlLaO catalyst for oxidative dehydrogenation of isobutane
Authors: He Li , Fu Li , Tang Yingzhan
Published: September 2014

A novel Cr/ZnAlLaO catalyst for the isobutane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) reaction: from catalytic performance to surface structure analysis.
Alternating ring-opening copolymerization of styrene oxide and maleic anhydride using asymmetrical bis-Schiff-base metal(iii) catalysts
Authors: Liu Dengfeng , Zhang Xingmei , Zhu Luqun , Wu Jing , Lü Xingqiang
Published: September 2014

The ring-opening copolymerization of styrene oxide and maleic anhydride catalyzed by a series of [M(Ln)X] complexes based on the asymmetrical bis-Schiff-base ligands.
Biogas dry reforming for syngas production: catalytic performance of nickel supported on waste-derived SiO2
Authors: Chen Xuejing , Jiang Jianguo , Tian Sicong , Li Kaimin
Published: September 2014

Waste-derived SiO2 was used as catalyst support in the biogas dry reforming process, which showed a high catalytic activity and good stability.
Effect of post-annealing on the plasma etching of graphene-coated-copper
Authors: Hui L. S. , Whiteway E. , Hilke M. , Turak A.
Published: September 2014

High temperature deposition of graphene on Cu by chemical vapor deposition can be used to produce high quality films. However, these films tend to have a non-equilibrium structure, with relatively low graphene adhesion. In this study, samples of graphene grown on copper foils by high temperature CVD were post-deposition annealed at temperatures well below the critical temperature of Cu. Resistance to etching under plasma was examined to assess the mechanical robustness of the graphene on the Cu surface, analyzed using optical and Raman microscopies. We found a correlation between the post-annealing time and etching time for the complete removal of graphene from Cu. Etching rates, minimum etch times, and surface appearance were observed to vary depending on the etching plasma (air, oxygen or nitrogen). Oxygen plasmas were found to be the least aggressive, emphasizing the improved adhesion with post-annealing treatments. Our results imply that the etching of graphene on Cu, and hence the adhesion of graphene, can be controlled by proper annealing and choice of plasma gas.
Repair of methyl lesions in RNA by oxidative demethylation
Authors: Ye Fei , Zhang Liyi , Jin Lu , Zheng Mingyue , Jiang Hualiang , Luo Cheng
Published: September 2014

Nucleic acid methylation is one of the most important epigenetic modifications that have been studied intensively for the past several decades.
Novel isoniazid–amidoether derivatives: synthesis, characterization and antimycobacterial activity evaluation
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Khare Garima , Beena Beena , Kidwai Saqib , Tyagi Anil K. , Singh Ramandeep , Rawat Diwan S.
Published: September 2014

A series of isoniazid–amidoether derivatives was synthesized and screened for their antimycobacterial activity in vitro and in vivo.
A1H NMR-based metabonomic investigation of time-dependent metabolic trajectories in a high salt-induced hypertension rat model
Authors: Wang Linlin , Zheng Lingyun , Luo Ren , Zhao Xiaoshan , Han Zhihui , Wang Yaling , Yang Yongxia
Published: September 2014

The time-dependent metabolic profiles in urine, plasma and feces of salt-fed hypertensive rats were systematically investigated using NMR-based metabonomics.
Fabrication of micron-SiO2@nano-Ag based conductive line patterns through silk-screen printing
Authors: Wang Man , Xu Xuefeng , Ma Bing , Pei Yanyan , Ai Changchun , Yuan Liangjie
Published: September 2014

A low-cost micro/nano-structure SiO2@Ag based conductive paste was prepared and silk-screen printed on a PI substrate to fabricate conductive line patterns, which were applied in connecting a LED into a circuit.
Recent advances in transition-metal-catalyzed C–CN bond activations
Authors: Wen Qiaodong , Lu Ping , Wang Yanguang
Published: September 2014

Recent advances in transition-metal-catalyzed C–CN bond activation, leading to a lot of important approaches such as cyanofunctionalization, cross-coupling and cyanation, are reviewed.
The synthesis and application of a diazirine-modified uridine analogue for investigating RNA–protein interactions
Authors: Smith Christine C. , Hollenstein Marcel , Leumann Christian J.
Published: September 2014

A uridine analogue equipped with a photoactive diazirine unit was generated and incorporated into RNA either syntheticallyviaphosphoramidite chemistry or by enzymatic polymerization. The new analogue was developed to identify and investigate RNA–protein interactions.
Wetting-mediated collective tubulation and pearling in confined vesicular drops of DDAB solutions
Authors: Haidara Hamidou
Published: September 2014

Wetting-driven collective tubulation and pearling patterns in a sessile drop of aqueous DDAB surfactant solution (3 wt%), surrounded by an alkane oil.
Hyperscaling relationship between the interfacial tension of liquids and their correlation length near the critical point
Authors: Mayoral E. , Goicochea A. Gama
Published: September 2014

Interfaces involving coexisting phases in condensed matter are essential in many phenomena: wetting, nucleation, morphology, phase separation kinetics, membranes, phase coexistence in nanomaterials, etc.
Failure of pesticides to alter migration of cancerous and non-cancerous breast cell lines in vitro
Authors: Jesionowski A. M. , Gabriel S. M. , Rich J. D. , Schroeder J. R.
Published: September 2014

Organochlorine pesticides are routinely used in agricultural processes across the United States.
Continuous camera placement using multiple objective optimisation process
Authors: Chen Chung‐Hao , Yao Yi , Hsu Wei‐Wen , Koschan Andreas , Abidi Mongi
Published: September 2014

Most existing camera placement algorithms focus on coverage and/or visibility analysis, which ensures that the object of interest is visible in the camera's field of view (FOV). However, visibility is inadequate for continuous and automated tracking. In such applications, a sufficient overlap between FOVs should be secured so that camera handoff can be executed successfully and automatically before the object of interest becomes untraceable or unidentifiable. In addition, most of the existing algorithms employ discrete solution space, which suffers from limited solution accuracy and high computational complexity due to the high dimension of sampled solution space. In this paper, we propose to perform the optimisation of the camera parameters in a continuous solution space. In addition, to incorporate the optimisation of coverage and sufficient overlapped FOVs, a weighted sum approach is utilised to translate a multiple objective optimisation problem into a single objective optimisation process in our previous work. Significantly improved handoff success rates are illustrated via experiments using typical office floor plans in comparison with Erdem and Sclaroff's method. Improved accuracy, enhanced robustness, completeness of the solution set, and reduced computational complexity are accomplished in comparison with our previous algorithms.
Regression‐based parking space availability prediction for the Ubike system
Authors: Leu Jenq‐Shiou , Zhu Zhe‐Yi
Published: September 2014

Numerous vehicles exist worldwide such as cars, motorcycles and bicycles. Although parking for such vehicles is available in many places, parking problems still always exist, such as full lots or a lack of lots. Commuters seeking a parking space expend time when spaces are occupied, and resources are wasted when parking spaces are empty. On the other hand, biking is a green vehicle in a fuel‐shortage situation and also a good exercise for people. The Ubike system is a popular short‐distance transit vehicle system in Taipei City that also has the parking problem. Therefore, this study uses two common regression schemes – linear regression and support vector regression (SVR) to predict the number of bicycles in Ubike stations to determine the number of available parking spaces. It also uses the proportional selection method to increase accuracy and reduce training time for SVR. Some evaluations are conducted to validate the feasibility of the two regression‐based service availability prediction schemes for the Ubike system.
Orientation study to minimise coupling effects in radiation patterns of dual‐packaged compact millimeter‐wave antennas
Authors: Vera López Aida L. , Khan Wasif T. , Papapolymerou John
Published: September 2014

This study presents a study of different antenna orientations to minimise coupling effects in the radiation patterns of two dipole arrays packaged together on multilayer organic (MLO) substrates. These effects are evident in the various ripples found in the pattern cuts of the arrays. The substrates used in the stack‐up are Rogers’ RO3003™ and ULTRALAM3850®. The two arrays, at 57 and 80 GHz, are fed together through a T‐junction. The orientations studied consist of 0°, 45° and 90°. E‐ and H‐plane patterns were measured for all orientations. Significant interference was seen in the E‐plane for the 0° orientation and H‐plane for the 90° orientation. This was reduced in the 45° orientation, which yielded smoother patterns than its respective counterparts in 0° and 90° orientations. Adding 5 mm of extra distance in the configurations reduced either the amount of ripples (by 0.75 for 57 GHz and 1.75 for 80 GHz) or their average level (by 0.3 dBi for 57 GHz and 0.785 dBi for 80 GHz). The gain attained for the designs was >9 dBi and agreed well with simulated results. Guidelines for packaged antenna integration for mm‐wave high speed communications based on the experiments are provided.
Fabrication of nanochannels with complex three‐dimensional structures based on a modified atomic force microscopy nanoscratching system
Authors: Yu Bowen , Geng Yanquan , Yan Yongda , Hu Zhenjiang
Published: September 2014

A novel manufacturing method of fabricating nanochannels with complex three‐dimensional (3D) structures based on a modified atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoscratching method is presented. By changing the moving trajectories of the AFM tip, arbitrary geometric patterns were obtained. Nanochannels consisting of the superposition of geometric figures could be fabricated through extensively controlling the scanning velocity of the AFM tip and combining the movement of the AFM tip with the high‐precision stage. Machining experiments were performed to demonstrate the capability, validity and flexibility of the proposed approach. Finally, nanochannels with complex 3D structures were presented in an automated, flexible but cost‐effective way.
Nesting of thermodynamic, structural, and dynamic anomalies in liquid silicon
Authors: Vasisht Vishwas V. , Mathew John , Sengupta Shiladitya , Sastry Srikanth
Published: September 2014

Anomalous behaviour in density, diffusivity, and structural order is investigated for silicon modeled by the Stillinger-Weber potential by performing molecular dynamics simulations. As previously reported in the case of water [J. R. Errington and P. G. Debenedetti, Nature (London) 409, 318 (2001)] and silica [M. S. Shell, P. G. Debenedetti, and A. Z. Panagiotopoulos, Phys. Rev. E 66, 011202 (2002)], a cascading of thermodynamic, dynamic, and structural anomalous regions is also observed in liquid silicon. The region of structural anomaly includes the region of diffusivity anomaly, which in turn encompasses the region of density anomaly (which is unlike water but similar to silica). In the region of structural anomaly, a tight correlation between the translational and tetrahedrality order parameter is found, but the correlation is weaker when a local orientational order parameter (q3) is used as a measure of tetrahedrality. The total excess entropy and the pair correlation entropy are computed across the phase diagram and the correlation between the excess entropy and the regions of anomalies in the phase diagram of liquid silicon is examined. Scaling relations associating the excess entropy with the diffusion coefficient show considerable deviation from the quasi-universal behaviour observed in hard-sphere and Lennard-Jones liquids and some liquid metals. Excess entropy based criteria for diffusivity and structural anomalies fail to capture the observed regions of anomaly.
Design of a two-dimensional metamaterial cloak with minimum scattering using a quadratic transformation function
Authors: Rajput Archana , Srivastava Kumar Vaibhav
Published: September 2014

The presence of extreme material properties and undesired scattering make practical implementation of transformation optics based cloaks an extremely challenging issue. To overcome these problems, a simplified quadratic cloak has been proposed which provides finite material properties at the inner radius of the cloak and impedance match with the free space at the outer radius of the cloak simultaneously. The simultaneous occurrence of finite material properties and impedance match with the free space at the respective boundaries reduces the scattering cross section significantly. The material properties of the proposed simplified quadratic cloak can be realized with two dimensional (2D) metamaterials. The performance of the proposed cloak is examined by plotting the normalized total scattering cross section (SCSt,norm), and the scattering patterns in azimuthal plane. The proposed simplified quadratic cloak shows 10 dB reduction of the scattered field in both the forward and backward directions with respect to the perfect electric conductor (PEC) cylinder.
Nonlinear coupled equations for electrochemical cells as developed by the general equation for nonequilibrium reversible-irreversible coupling
Authors: Bedeaux Dick , Kjelstrup Signe , Öttinger Hans Christian
Published: September 2014

We show how the Butler-Volmer and Nernst equations, as well as Peltier effects, are contained in the general equation for nonequilibrium reversible and irreversible coupling, GENERIC, with a unique definition of the overpotential. Linear flux-force relations are used to describe the transport in the homogeneous parts of the electrochemical system. For the electrode interface, we choose nonlinear flux-force relationships. We give the general thermodynamic basis for an example cell with oxygen electrodes and electrolyte from the solid oxide fuel cell. In the example cell, there are two activated chemical steps coupled also to thermal driving forces at the surface. The equilibrium exchange current density obtains contributions from both rate-limiting steps. The measured overpotential is identified at constant temperature and stationary states, in terms of the difference in electrochemical potential of products and reactants. Away from these conditions, new terms appear. The accompanying energy flux out of the surface, as well as the heat generation at the surface are formulated, adding to the general thermodynamic basis.
Generalized trajectory surface-hopping method for internal conversion and intersystem crossing
Authors: Cui Ganglong , Thiel Walter
Published: September 2014

Trajectory-based fewest-switches surface-hopping (FSSH) dynamics simulations have become a popular and reliable theoretical tool to simulate nonadiabatic photophysical and photochemical processes. Most available FSSH methods model internal conversion. We present a generalized trajectory surface-hopping (GTSH) method for simulating both internal conversion and intersystem crossing processes on an equal footing. We consider hops between adiabatic eigenstates of the non-relativistic electronic Hamiltonian (pure spin states), which is appropriate for sufficiently small spin-orbit coupling. This choice allows us to make maximum use of existing electronic structure programs and to minimize the changes to available implementations of the traditional FSSH method. The GTSH method is formulated within the quantum mechanics (QM)/molecular mechanics framework, but can of course also be applied at the pure QM level. The algorithm implemented in the GTSH code is specified step by step. As an initial GTSH application, we report simulations of the nonadiabatic processes in the lowest four electronic states (S0, S1, T1, and T2) of acrolein both in vacuo and in acetonitrile solution, in which the acrolein molecule is treated at the ab initio complete-active-space self-consistent-field level. These dynamics simulations provide detailed mechanistic insight by identifying and characterizing two nonadiabatic routes to the lowest triplet state, namely, direct S1 → T1 hopping as major pathway and sequential S1 → T2 → T1 hopping as minor pathway, with the T2 state acting as a relay state. They illustrate the potential of the GTSH approach to explore photoinduced processes in complex systems, in which intersystem crossing plays an important role.
Painlevé analysis, auto-Bäcklund transformation, and new exact solutions for Schamel and Schamel-Korteweg-de Vries-Burger equations in dust ion-acoustic waves plasma
Authors: EL-Kalaawy O. H. , Aldenari R. B.
Published: September 2014

A theoretical investigation of dust-acoustic solitary waves in one-dimensional, collisionless, and unmagnetized dusty plasma consisting of ion fluid, trapped as well as free electrons, and charge fluctuating immobile dust particles is considered. The nonlinear dynamics of dust ion-acoustic waves, whose phase speed is much smaller (larger) than the electron (ion) thermal speed, propagating in such a dusty plasma system is investigated. The reductive perturbation method is employed to reduce the basic set of fluid equations to the Schamel and Schamel-Korteweg-de Vries-Burger (S-KdVB) equations. The Schamel and Schamel-KdVB equations are shown to be non-integrable using Painlevé analysis. The Bäcklund transformations and some new exact solutions are formally derived. Finally, we discussed the results in this paper.
Perturbed Wess-Zumino-Witten models and N=(2,2) supersymmetric sigma models on Lie groups with complex structure
Authors: Rezaei-Aghdam A. , Sephid M.
Published: September 2014

We have perturbed Wess-Zumino-Witten (WZW) models and also N=(2,2) supersymmetric sigma models on Lie groups by adding a term containing complex structure to their actions. Then, using non-coordinate basis, we have shown that for N=(2,2) supersymmetric sigma models on Lie groups the conditions (from the algebraic point of view) for the preservation of the N=(2,2) supersymmetry impose that the complex structure must be invariant; so only the Abelian Lie algebras admit these deformations preserving the N=(2,2) supersymmetry. Also, we have shown that the perturbed WZW model with this term, using Hermitian (not necessarily invariant) condition, is an integrable model.
Ultrathin low-frequency sound absorbing panels based on coplanar spiral tubes or coplanar Helmholtz resonators
Authors: Cai Xiaobing , Guo Qiuquan , Hu Gengkai , Yang Jun
Published: September 2014

Performance of classic sound absorbing materials strictly depends on their thickness, with a minimum of one-quarter wavelength to reach full sound absorption. In this paper, we report ultrathin sound absorbing panels that completely absorb sound energy with a thickness around one percent of wavelength. The strategy is to bend and coil up quarter-wavelength sound damping tubes into 2D coplanar ones, and embed them into a matrix to form sound absorbing panel. Samples have been designed and fabricated by 3D printing. Efficacies of sound absorption by these panels were validated through good agreement between theoretical analysis and experimental measurements.
Effect of bending flexibility on the phase behavior and dynamics of rods
Authors: Naderi Saber , van der Schoot Paul
Published: September 2014

We study by means of molecular and Brownian dynamics simulations the influence of bending flexibility on the phase behavior and dynamics of monodisperse hard filamentous particles with an aspect ratio of 8 and persistence lengths equal to 3 and 11 times the particle length. Although our particles are much shorter, the latter corresponds to the values for wild-type and mutant fd virus particles that have been subject of a recent experimental study, where the diffusion of these particles in the nematic and smectic-A phase was investigated by means of video fluorescence microscopy [E. Pouget, E. Grelet, and M. P. Lettinga, Phys. Rev. E 84, 041704 (2011)]. In agreement with theoretical predictions and simulations, we find that for the more flexible particles (shorter persistence length) the nematic (N) to smectic-A (Sm-A) phase transition shifts to larger values of the particle density. Interestingly, we find that for the more rigid particles (larger persistence length), the smectic layer-to-layer distance decreases monotonically with increasing density, whereas for the more flexible ones, it first increases, reaches a maximum and then decreases. For our more flexible particles, we find a smectic-B phase at sufficiently high densities. Moreover, in line with experimental observations and theoretical predictions, we find heterogeneous dynamics in the Sm-A phase, in which particles hop between the smectic layers. We compare the diffusion of our two types of particle at identical values of smectic order parameter, and find that flexibility does not change the diffusive behavior of particles along the director yet significantly slows down the diffusion perpendicular to it. In our simulations, the ratio of diffusion constants along and perpendicular to the director decreases just beyond the N-Sm-A phase transition for both our stiff and more flexible particles.
Nonlinear geometric optics for contact discontinuities in three dimensional compressible isentropic steady flows
Authors: Wang Ya-Guang , Yu Fang
Published: September 2014

In this paper, the stability of supersonic contact discontinuities in the three-dimensional compressible isentropic steady Euler flows is investigated by using the nonlinear geometric optics. We construct the asymptotic expansions of highly oscillatory contact discontinuities when a planar contact discontinuity is perturbed by a small amplitude high frequency oscillatory incident wave, and deduce there exists a large amplification of amplitudes in the reflected and refracted oscillatory waves when the high frequency oscillatory wave strikes the contact discontinuity front at three critical angles. Moreover, we obtain that the leading profiles of highly oscillatory waves are described by an initial boundary value problem of Burgers-transport equations, and the leading profile of contact discontinuity front satisfies an initial value problem of a Hamilton-Jacobi equation, respectively. The amplification phenomenon shows that this supersonic contact discontinuity is only weakly stable in the sense of Wang and Yu [“Stability of contact discontinuities in three-dimensional compressible steady flows,” J. Differ. Equ. 255, 1278–1356 (2013)].
Radiative emission enhancement using nano-antennas made of hyperbolic metamaterial resonators
Authors: Guclu Caner , Luk Ting Shan , Wang George T. , Capolino Filippo
Published: September 2014

A hyperbolic metamaterial (HM) resonator is analyzed as a nano-antenna for enhancing the radiative emission of quantum emitters in its vicinity. It has been shown that the spontaneous emission rate by an emitter near a hyperbolic metamaterial substrate is enhanced dramatically due to very large density of states. However, enhanced coupling to the free-space, which is central to applications such as solid-state lighting, has not been investigated significantly. Here, we numerically demonstrate approximately 100 times enhancement of the free-space radiative emission at 660 nm wavelength by utilizing a cylindrical HM resonator with a radius of 54 nm and a height of 80 nm on top of an opaque silver-cladded substrate. We also show how the free-space radiation enhancement factor depends on the dipole orientation and the location of the emitter near the subwavelength resonator. Furthermore, we calculate that an array of HM resonators with subwavelength spacings can maintain most of the enhancement effect of a single resonator.
Transition to finger convection in double-diffusive convection
Authors: Kellner M. , Tilgner A.
Published: September 2014

Finger convection is observed experimentally in an electrodeposition cell in which a destabilizing gradient of copper ions is maintained against a stabilizing temperature gradient. This double-diffusive system shows finger convection even if the total density stratification is unstable. Finger convection is replaced by an ordinary convection roll if convection is fast enough to prevent sufficient heat diffusion between neighboring fingers, or if the thermal buoyancy force is less than 1/30 of the compositional buoyancy force. At the transition, the ion transport is larger than without an opposing temperature gradient.