bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flutter of Variations on a 5 MW Swept Wind Turbine Blade1
Authors: Larwood Scott
Published: January 2016

Previous research has shown that as wind turbine rotor designs increase in diameter they approach flutter instabilities. Recent blade designs incorporate blade sweep to lower fatigue loads and increase rotor diameter for more energy production; however, the flutter margin may be reduced with sweep. In this work, flutter speeds are predicted and compared for turbines with straight and swept blades. For this study, a wind turbine analysis tool specifically developed for blade sweep (CurveFAST) was used, in addition to a tool developed for helicopter analysis: rotorcraft comprehensive analysis system (RCAS). The results showed that CurveFAST generally predicted a higher flutter speed and RCAS predicted a lower flutter speed compared to previous research. The difference may be attributed to the unsteady aerodynamics modeling. The results for an extended radius and swept 5 MW turbine showed that the flutter speed was most sensitive to the position of the blade center of mass axis. Using the selected design parameters, it was not possible to design a swept 5 MW blade with adequate flutter margin that would produce 5% more energy with the same loads as a baseline straight rotor. Further study of swept blades is required to determine if there is a size limit above which flutter cannot be avoided.
Optimum Solar Humidification–Dehumidification Desalination for Microgrids and Remote Area Communities
Authors: Abd El-Aziz Khalid M. , Hamza Karim , El-Morsi Mohamed , Nassef Ashraf O. , Metwalli Sayed M. , Saitou Kazuhiro
Published: January 2016

This paper presents the optimization of a solar-powered humidification–dehumidification (HDH) desalination system for remote areas where it is assumed that only minimal external electric power (for operating control systems and auxiliaries) is available. This work builds on a previous system by disconnecting the condenser from the saline water cycle and by introducing a solar air heater (SAH) to further augment the humidification performance. In addition, improved thermal simulation models for the condenser and the humidifier are used to obtain more accurate productivity estimations. The heuristic gradient projection (HGP) optimization procedure is also refactored to reduce the number of function evaluations, to reach the minimum unit cost of produced fresh water, compared to genetic algorithms (GAs). A case study which assumes a desalination plant on the Red Sea near the city of Hurghada, Egypt, is presented. The optimum systems are shown to significantly reduce the unit cost of fresh water production below the reported minimum ($1.3/m3 compared to $3/m3), while keeping specific energy consumption within the reported range, 120–550 kWh/m3, for solar HDH systems.
Multimodal image fusion with SIMS: Preprocessing with image registration
Authors: Tarolli Jay Gage , Bloom Anna , Winograd Nicholas
Published: January 2016

In order to utilize complementary imaging techniques to supply higher resolution data for fusion with secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS) chemical images, there are a number of aspects that, if not given proper consideration, could produce results which are easy to misinterpret. One of the most critical aspects is that the two input images must be of the same exact analysis area. With the desire to explore new higher resolution data sources that exists outside of the mass spectrometer, this requirement becomes even more important. To ensure that two input images are of the same region, an implementation of the insight segmentation and registration toolkit (ITK) was developed to act as a preprocessing step before performing image fusion. This implementation of ITK allows for several degrees of movement between two input images to be accounted for, including translation, rotation, and scale transforms. First, the implementation was confirmed to accurately register two multimodal images by supplying a known transform. Once validated, two model systems, a copper mesh grid and a group of RAW 264.7 cells, were used to demonstrate the use of the ITK implementation to register a SIMS image with a microscopy image for the purpose of performing image fusion.
Caltech suspends professor for harassment
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: January 2016

University restricts his access to graduate students after upholding their complaints.
A nation divided
Authors: Wade Lizzie
Published: January 2016

Some scientists see Nicaragua's plans for a Grand Canal as a boon for an ailing land; others predict ecological catastrophe.
ASASSN-15lh: A highly super-luminous supernova
Authors: Dong Subo , Shappee B. J. , Prieto J. L. , Jha S. W. , Stanek K. Z. , Holoien T. W.-S. , Kochanek C. S. , Thompson T. A. , Morrell N. , Thompson I. B. , Basu U. , Beacom J. F. , Bersier D. , Brimacombe J. , Brown J. S. , Bufano F. , Chen Ping , Conseil E. , Danilet A. B. , Falco E. , Grupe D. , Kiyota S. , Masi G. , Nicholls B. , Olivares E. F. , Pignata G. , Pojmanski G. , Simonian G. V. , Szczygiel D. M. , Woźniak P. R.
Published: January 2016

The most luminous supernova to date

Supernovae are exploding stars at the end of their lives, providing an input of heavy elements and energy into galaxies. Some types have near-identical peak brightness, but in recent years a new class of superluminous supernovae has been found. Dong
et al.
y report the discovery of ASASSN-15lh (SN 2015L), the most luminous supernova yet found by some margin. It appears to originate in a large quiescent galaxy, in contrast to most super-luminous supernovae, which typically come from star-forming dwarf galaxies. The discovery will provide constraints on models of superluminous supernovae and how they affect their host galaxies.

Science
, this issue p.
257
Early human presence in the Arctic: Evidence from 45,000-year-old mammoth remains
Authors: Pitulko Vladimir V. , Tikhonov Alexei N. , Pavlova Elena Y. , Nikolskiy Pavel A. , Kuper Konstantin E. , Polozov Roman N.
Published: January 2016

Earliest human Arctic occupation

Paleolithic records of humans in the Eurasian Arctic (above 66°N) are scarce, stretching back to 30,000 to 35,000 years ago at most. Pitulko
et al.
have found evidence of human occupation 45,000 years ago at 72°N, well within the Siberian Arctic. The evidence is in the form of a frozen mammoth carcass bearing many signs of weapon-inflicted injuries, both pre- and postmortem. The remains of a hunted wolf from a widely separate location of similar age indicate that humans may have spread widely across northern Siberia at least 10 millennia earlier than previously thought.

Science
, this issue p.
260
Transcription factors LRF and BCL11A independently repress expression of fetal hemoglobin
Authors: Masuda Takeshi , Wang Xin , Maeda Manami , Canver Matthew C. , Sher Falak , Funnell Alister P. W. , Fisher Chris , Suciu Maria , Martyn Gabriella E. , Norton Laura J. , Zhu Catherine , Kurita Ryo , Nakamura Yukio , Xu Jian , Higgs Douglas R. , Crossley Merlin , Bauer Daniel E. , Orkin Stuart H. , Kharchenko Peter V. , Maeda Takahiro
Published: January 2016

Reactivating the fetal globin gene

Mutation of adult-type globin genes causes sickle cell disease and thalassemia. Although treating these hemoglobinopathies with gene therapy is possible, there is a pressing need for pharmacologic approaches to treat general patient populations. One promising approach is to reactivate repressed expression of fetal-type hemoglobin (HbF) in adult erythroid cells. Masuda
et al.
reveal a molecular mechanism governing HbF repression as mediated by the LRF/ZBTB7A transcription factor. The study may encourage the development of new HbF reactivation therapies for hemoglobinopathies.

Science
, this issue p.
285
Draft Genome Sequence of an
Enterobacter
Species Associated with Illnesses and Powdered Infant Formula
Authors: Jackson Emily E. , Ogrodzki Pauline , Pascoe Ben , Sheppard Samuel K. , Forsythe Stephen J.
Published: January 2016

This is the first report of the draft genome sequence of an
Enterobacter
species that may have been transmitted from powdered infant formula (PIF) to infants, resulting in illness.
Enterobacter
spp. are currently permitted in PIF, but the transmission of this strain indicates that the microbiological criteria for PIF may need revision.
Draft Genome Sequence of Alternaria alternata ATCC 34957
Authors: Nguyen Hai D. T. , Lewis Christopher T. , Lévesque C. André , Gräfenhan Tom
Published: January 2016

We report the draft genome sequence of
Alternaria alternata
ATCC 34957. This strain was previously reported to produce alternariol and alternariol monomethyl ether on weathered grain sorghum. The genome was sequenced with PacBio technology and assembled into 27 scaffolds with a total genome size of 33.5 Mb.
Respiratory complications of the rheumatological diseases in childhood
Authors: Richardson Anne E , Warrier Kishore , Vyas H
Published: January 2016

Pleuropulmonary manifestations of rheumatological diseases are rare in children but pose a significant risk to overall morbidity and mortality. We have reviewed the literature to provide an overview of the respiratory complications of the commonest rheumatological diseases to occur in children (juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus, scleroderma, juvenile dermatomyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, granulomatosis with polyangitis and juvenile idiopathic arthritis). Pulmonary function testing in these patients can be used to refine the differential diagnosis and establish disease severity, but also has a role in ongoing monitoring for respiratory complications. Early detection of pulmonary involvement allows for prompt and targeted therapies to achieve the best outcome for the child. This is best achieved with joint specialist paediatric rheumatology and respiratory reviews in a multidisciplinary setting.
Systematic review of the toxicity of short-course oral corticosteroids in children
Authors: Aljebab Fahad , Choonara Imti , Conroy Sharon
Published: January 2016

Background

Short-course oral corticosteroids are commonly used in children but are known to be associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs). This review aimed to identify the most common and serious ADRs and to determine their relative risk levels.

Methods

A literature search of EMBASE, MEDLINE, International Pharmaceutical Abstracts, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and PubMed was performed with no language restrictions to identify studies in which oral corticosteroids were administered to patients aged 28 days to 18 years of age for up to and including 14 days of treatment. Each database was searched from their earliest dates to December 2013. All studies providing clear information on ADRs were included.

Results

Thirty-eight studies including 22 randomised controlled trials (RCTs) met the inclusion criteria. The studies involved a total of 3200 children in whom 850 ADRs were reported. The three most frequent ADRs were vomiting, behavioural changes and sleep disturbance, with respective incidence rates of 5.4%, 4.7% and 4.3% of patients assessed for these ADRs. Infection was one of the most serious ADRs; one child died after contracting varicella zoster. When measured, 144 of 369 patients showed increased blood pressure; 21 of 75 patients showed weight gain; and biochemical hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis suppression was detected in 43 of 53 patients.

Conclusions

Vomiting, behavioural changes and sleep disturbance were the most frequent ADRs seen when short-course oral corticosteroids were given to children. Increased susceptibility to infection was the most serious ADR.

Trial registration number

CRD42014008774. By PROSPERO International prospective register of systematic reviews.
Outcomes After Kidney injury in Surgery (OAKS): protocol for a multicentre, observational cohort study of acute kidney injury following major gastrointestinal and liver surgery
Authors:   STARSurg Collaborative
Published: January 2016

Introduction

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality following cardiac surgery. Data focusing on the patterns of AKI following major gastrointestinal surgery could inform quality improvement projects and clinical trials, but there is a lack of reliable evidence. This multicentre study aims to determine the incidence and impact of AKI following major gastrointestinal and liver surgery.

Methods and analysis

This prospective, collaborative, multicentre cohort study will include consecutive adults undergoing gastrointestinal resection, liver resection or reversal of ileostomy or colostomy. Open and laparoscopic procedures in elective and emergency patients will be included in the study. The primary end point will be the incidence of AKI within 7 days of surgery, identified using an adaptation of the National Algorithm for Detecting Acute Kidney Injury, which is based on the Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) AKI guidelines. Secondary outcomes will include persistent renal dysfunction at discharge and 1 year postoperatively. The 30-day adverse event rate will be measured using the Clavien-Dindo scale. Data on factors that may predispose to the development of AKI will be collected to identify variables associated with AKI. Based on our previous collaborative studies, a minimum of 114 centres are expected to be recruited, contributing over 6500 patients in total.

Ethics and dissemination

This study will be registered as clinical audit at each participating hospital. The protocol will be disseminated through local and national medical student networks in the UK and Ireland.
Reducing calls missed by the hospital telephone exchange from 26% to less than 10%
Authors: Bhartia Saru , Bahlvi Zorba , Sharma Irina
Published: January 2016

A hospital’s telephone exchange is the first point of contact for patients and their attendants to take appointments, to collect healthcare related information and to connect to the hospital in case of emergencies. At Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research the doctors, patients, and attendants often complained about the inefficiency of the hospital exchange. In February 2012, a doctor raised her concern of calls not being picked up at the exchange with the senior management and a QI project was initiated to tackle the problem.

Baseline data showed that about 26% of incoming calls to the hospital during 8am to 8pm were not being picked up. On the basis of the baseline data, call audits, staff interviews, and observations the project team identified the defects. These defects were categorized under four headings - manpower, equipment, processes, and environment. The team proposed several change ideas. Some of these change ideas were implemented immediately. Three proposed change ideas were tested through individual PDSA cycles. The percentage of missed calls dropped from 26% to 18.1% after the first cycle and then to 9.6% and 6.5% after the subsequent cycles which involved testing of two other additional change ideas. These changes were implemented and a benchmark of no more than 10% calls to be missed was set. For nearly three years we have held the gains and have met the benchmark of missing not more than 10% calls coming to the hospital exchange between 8am to 8pm. The contributing factors to the success have been the involvement of frontline workers, an expert and engaged head of department, and senior leadership support.
A quality improvement project to tackle under-reporting of hazards by doctors by using an anonymous telephone hotline
Authors: Johnson Sarah
Published: January 2016

An anonymous hazard reporting hotline was established for doctors to use on two general medical wards at Weston General Hospital (WGH) in North Somerset in England during an eight day period in July/August 2014. Doctors were encouraged to report hazards and near misses or just start a conversation about a concern. The existing computer based significant event system remained alongside the hotline and was to be used where actual harm had come to a patient.

A team of consultants and quality improvement administrators monitored the hotline on a daily basis, categorized the level of risk being reported and ensured, where possible, that action was taken to address the doctors' concerns. The hotline increased reporting rates from two per month to 25 in eight days. The system identified 13 amber (medium risk) and five red (high risk) hazards which would otherwise not have been known about. This author believes these five high risk reports alone make the case for a new, quicker, easier, and anonymous reporting system for doctors at WGH urgent and irrefutable.
Improving the quality of operative notes by implementing a new electronic template for upper limb surgery at the Royal Derby Hospital.
Authors: Theivendran Kanthan , Hassan Sami , I Clark David
Published: January 2016

The RCS has published clear and succinct guidelines dictating the necessity for the documentation of legible and timely surgical operative notes and exactly what should be included.

A baseline study within the upper limb unit at our trust showed a 71.1% adherence with the RCS guidelines with an average delay of typing of notes after dictation was 11.6 days. This quality improvement project designed and developed a bespoke electronic surgical notes template built within an existing database driven software within the Trust. After implementation of the templates we found no delays in full operative notes being typed and a 100% adherence with the RCS guidelines. This project significantly improved the quality and timely production of electronic surgical notes within a sustainable electronic software solution.
Availability of ambulance patient care reports in the emergency department
Authors: Shelton Dominick , Sinclair Paul
Published: January 2016

Clinical handovers of patient care among healthcare professionals is vulnerable to the loss of important clinical information. A verbal report is typically provided by paramedics and documented by emergency department (ED) triage nurses. Paramedics subsequently complete a patient care report which is submitted electronically. This emergency medical system (EMS) patient care report often contains details of paramedic assessment and management that is not all captured in the nursing triage note. EMS patient care reports are often unavailable for review by emergency physicians and nurses.

Two processes occur in the distribution of EMS patient care reports. The first is an external process to the ED that is influenced by the prehospital emergency medical system and results in the report being faxed to the ED. The second process is internal to the ED that requires clerical staff to distribute the fax report to accompany patient charts.

A baseline audit measured the percentage of EMS patient care reports that were available to emergency physicians at the time of initial patient assessments and showed a wide variation in the availability of EMS reports. Also measured were the time intervals from patient transfer from EMS to ED stretcher until the EMS report was received by fax (external process measure) and the time from receiving the EMS fax report until distribution to patient chart (internal process measure). These baseline measures showed a wide variation in the time it takes to receive the EMS reports by fax and to distribute reports.

Improvement strategies consisted of:

1. Educating ED clerical staff about the importance of EMS reports

2. Implementing a new process to minimize ED clerical staff handling of EMS reports for nonactive ED patients

3. Elimination of the automatic retrieval of old hospital charts and their distribution for ED patients

4. Introduction of an electronic dashboard for patients arriving by ambulance to facilitate more efficient distribution of EMS reports.

Implementation of change strategies did not result in a significant improvement in the percentage of EMS reports available to emergency physicians at the time of initial patient assessment. However, tracking both external and internal processes that influence EMS report availability showed the internal process time from fax report receipt to distribution significantly improved. This improvement reflected the change strategies that were all directed at improving the internal process.

EMS patient care reports are more efficiently processed and distributed in the ED due to change strategies implemented that targeted the ED's internal process of EMS report distribution. The external process responsible for transmitting EMS reports to the ED is the limiting factor that prevents consistent timely access of EMS reports by emergency physicians and will require dedicated improvement strategies.
Combined use of Onyx and coils for transarterial balloon-assisted embolization of traumatic carotid-cavernous fistulas: a report of 16 cases with 17 fistulas
Authors: Zhang Xiang , Guo Wei , Shen Rui , Sun JiPing , Yin Jia , Chen XianZhen , Gao Liang , Chen ZuoQuan , Zhang QuanBin
Published: January 2016

Objective

The combination of coils and Onyx for the treatment of carotid-cavernous fistulas (CCFs) is an interesting new development. The purpose of the current study is to evaluate our preliminary experience with the combined use of coils and Onyx for the treatment of traumatic CCFs.

Methods

Between April 2009 and July 2014, 16 patients with 17 traumatic CCFs were embolized with the so-called ‘armored concrete’ treatment modality using coils, Onyx-18, and a non-detachable balloon via the transarterial approach. The outcomes were assessed both clinically and radiologically. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) follow-up was performed 3 or 6 months after endovascular treatment while clinical follow-up was continued until December 2014.

Results

Obliteration of the CCFs was obtained with patency of the parent artery in all 16 cases. Follow-up DSA demonstrated stable occlusion of all the fistulas. Symptoms related to the CCFs were either resolved immediately or gradually over 2 months. No worsening of the cranial neuropathies was observed during the follow-up period which averaged 32.6 months.

Conclusions

The ‘armored concrete’ treatment modality using coils, Onyx, and a non-detachable balloon promises to be a safe, economical, and effective alternative in the management of traumatic CCFs.
Planckian corrections to the Friedmann flat equations from thermodynamics at the apparent horizon
Authors: Viaggiu Stefano
Published: January 2016

In this paper, we use our recently generalized black hole entropy formula to propose a quantum version of the Friedmann equations. In particular, starting from the differential version of the first law of thermodynamics, we are able to find Planckian (noncommutative) corrections to the Friedmann flat equations. The so modified equations are formally similar to the ones present in Gauss–Bonnet gravity, but in the ordinary 3+1 dimensions. As a consequence of these corrections, by considering negative fluctuations in the internal energy that are allowed by quantum field theory, our equations imply a maximum value both for the energy density [Formula: see text] and for the Hubble flow H, i.e. the big bang is ruled out. Conversely, by considering positive quantum fluctuations, we found no maximum for [Formula: see text] and H. Nevertheless, by starting with an early time energy density [Formula: see text], we obtain a value for the scale factor [Formula: see text], implying a finite Planckian universe at t = 0, i.e. the point-like big bang singularity is substituted by a universe of Planckian size at t = 0. Finally, we found possible higher order Planckian terms to our equations together with the related corrections of our generalized Bekenstein–Hawking entropy.
Connections between chiral Lagrangians and QCD sum-rules
Authors: Fariborz Amir H. , Pokraka A. , Steele T. G.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, it is shown how a chiral Lagrangian framework can be used to derive relationships connecting quark-level QCD correlation functions to mesonic-level two-point functions. Crucial ingredients of this connection are scale factor matrices relating each distinct quark-level substructure (e.g. quark–antiquark, four-quark) to its mesonic counterpart. The scale factors and mixing angles are combined into a projection matrix to obtain the physical (hadronic) projection of the QCD correlation function matrix. Such relationships provide a powerful bridge between chiral Lagrangians and QCD sum-rules that are particularly effective in studies of the substructure of light scalar mesons with multiple complicated resonance shapes and substantial underlying mixings. The validity of these connections is demonstrated for the example of the isotriplet [Formula: see text] system, resulting in an unambiguous determination of the scale factors from the combined inputs of QCD sum-rules and chiral Lagrangians. These scale factors lead to a remarkable agreement between the quark condensates in QCD and the mesonic vacuum expectation values that induce spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking in chiral Lagrangians. This concrete example shows a clear sensitivity to the underlying [Formula: see text]-system mixing angle, illustrating the value of this methodology in extensions to more complicated mesonic systems.
Optical properties of pure and TM-doped single-walled ZnO nanotubes (8,0) (TM = V and Co) by first principles calculations
Authors: Mendi R. Taghavi , Sarmazdeh M. Majidiyan , Boochani A. , Elahi S. M. , Naderi S.
Published: January 2016

In this paper, some optical properties of pure and transition metal-doped (TM = Co and V) single-walled ZnO nanotubes (8,0) (SWZnONT(8,0)) such as, real and imaginary parts of the dielectric function, optical conductivity, refractive index and optical reflectivity, were investigated. The calculations have been performed within framework of the density functional theory (DFT) using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) and the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The results show that, optical properties of SWZnONT(8,0) are anisotropic, especially at low energies and this anisotropy at low energies increases with doping of V in SWZnONT(8,0) while the Co-doped SWZnONT(8,0) behaves like pure SWZnONT(8,0). Doping of ZnO nanotubes has a significant impact on the value of the dielectric constant, so that due to the presence of V atom, the dielectric constant is increased up to three times. Study of the imaginary part of the dielectric function and optical conductivity showed that the important energy range for absorption processes and optical transitions is low energy range to 15 eV. The optical transitions have been studied based on band structure and density of states. The results of the optical reflectivity showed that these nanotubes are transparent in a wide energy ranges which provide them for using in transparent coatings. In addition, due to the reported magnetic properties for V- and Co-doped ZnO nanotubes, these nanotubes are suitable for using in spintronics and magneto-optic devices.
Transient cavitating vortical flows around a hydrofoil using k-ω partially averaged Navier–Stokes model
Authors: Luo Xianwu , Huang Renfang , Ji Bin
Published: January 2016

For accurate simulations of wall-bounded turbulent cavitating flows, the present paper proposed a partially averaged Navier–Stokes (PANS) method derived from the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] turbulence model. Transient cavitating vortical flows around a NACA66 hydrofoil were simulated by using the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] PANS model with various filter parameters ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], while [Formula: see text]) and a mass transfer cavitation model based on the Rayleigh–Plesset equation. Compared with the available experimental data, the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] PANS model with [Formula: see text] can accurately reproduce the cavitation evolution with more complicated structures due to the reduction in the predicted eddy viscosity. Further analyses, using the vorticity transport equation, indicate that the transition of cavitation structure from two dimension to three dimension is associated with strong vortex–cavitation interaction, where vortex stretching and dilation may play a major role. Therefore, the [Formula: see text]-[Formula: see text] PANS model with the filter parameter of [Formula: see text] is an effective method to numerically predict the transient cavitating vortical flows around hydrofoils. The results obtained in this paper are helpful to provide a physical insight into the mechanisms of cavitation shedding dynamics.
Active waveguides by low-fluence carbon implantation in Nd3+-doped fluorophosphate glasses
Authors: Liu Chun-Xiao , Luo Zhe-Yuan , Li Yu-Wen , Chen Meng , Xu Jun , Fu Li-Li , Yu Ke-Han , Zheng Rui-Lin , Zhou Zhi-Guang , Li Wei-Nan , Guo Hai-Tao , Lin She-Bao , Wei Wei
Published: January 2016

A planar waveguide in the Nd[Formula: see text]-doped fluorophosphate glass is fabricated by a 6.0 MeV C[Formula: see text] ion implantation at a low-fluence of [Formula: see text] ions/cm2. The fluence is close to that in semiconductor industry. The dark mode spectra are recorded by a model 2010 prism coupler. The energy losses during the implantation process and the refractive index profile of the waveguide are simulated by the SRIM 2010 code and the reflectivity calculation method (RCM), respectively. The near-field light intensity profile and the propagation loss of the waveguide are measured by an end-face coupling system. The two-dimensional (2D) modal profile of transverse electric (TE) mode for the fabricated waveguide is calculated by the finite difference beam propagation method (FD-BPM). The results of microluminescence and optical absorption reveal that the spectroscopic characteristics of the Nd[Formula: see text]-doped fluorophosphate glass are nearly unaffected by the carbon ion implantation process. This work suggests that the carbon-implanted Nd[Formula: see text]-doped fluorophosphate glass waveguide is a promising candidate for integrated active devices.
WKB method for potentials unbounded from below
Authors: Demić Aleksandar , Milanović Vitomir , Radovanović Jelena , Musić Milenko
Published: January 2016

Bound states degenerated in energy (and differing in parity) may form in one-dimensional quantum mechanics if the potential is unbounded from below. We focus on symmetric potential and present quasi-exactly solvable (QES) model based on WKB method. The application of this method is limited on slow-changing potentials. We consider the overlap integral of WKB wave functions [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] which correspond to energies [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], and by setting [Formula: see text], we determine the type of spectrum depending on parameter [Formula: see text] which arises from this method. For finite value [Formula: see text], we show that the entire spectrum will consist of degenerated bound states.
Effect of cerium substitution on structural and impedance properties of 0.8Ba0.2(Bi0.5K0.5)TiO3lead free ceramic system
Authors: Ramesh M. N. V. , Ramesh K. V.
Published: January 2016

Cerium-doped 0.8BaTiO3-0.2Bi[Formula: see text]K[Formula: see text]TiO3with composition 0.8Ba0.2(Bi[Formula: see text]K[Formula: see text])Ti[Formula: see text]Ce[Formula: see text]O3where x = 0.01, 0.02, 0.03, 0.04, 0.05, 0.06 lead free ceramics were prepared by conventional solid state reaction method followed by high energy ball milling. X-ray diffraction studies confirm the tetragonal structure at room temperature for all the Ce-doped samples. Lattice parameters and density were increasing with increase of Ce doping. Frequency and temperature dependent dielectric studies were carried out and indicate that the dielectric constant and Curie temperature are decreasing with increasing of Ce doping. All the Ce-doped samples exhibiting diffused and dispersive phase transitions with degree of diffuseness ranging from 1.4 to 2 calculated from the modified Curie–Weiss law. Impedance studies confirms the temperature dependent non-Debye kind of relaxation process in the material. From the Cole–Cole plots measured at high temperatures, reveals that the grain effect in the all Ce-doped samples. Impedance analysis studies also support the X-ray diffraction and dielectric studies that occupation of Ce both at A-site and B-site for small values of Ce doping.
Veering structures of the canonical decompositions of hyperbolic fibered two-bridge link complements
Authors: Sakata Naoki
Published: January 2016

In his previous work, the author proved that the canonical decompositions of hyperbolic fibered two-bridge link complements are layered. This implies that they admit taut structures. In this paper, we completely determine, for each hyperbolic fibered two-bridge link, whether the canonical decomposition of its complement is veering with respect to the taut structure.
Supporting Healthcare Executive Managers’ Decisions Through Dashboards
Authors: Erdem Sabri , Kizilelma Turan Tolgay , Vural Ceren Altuntaş
Published: January 2016

Information visualisation plays an important role for executives in order to drive business effectively and efficiently. Dashboard design, which is one of the best tools of visualization to meet the information needs at adequate levels, is becoming more important parallel to advances in information processing technologies. This study aims to provide a conceptual framework for developing a dashboard for executives. Healthcare management was chosen to demonstrate the methodology of research design, data gathering and visualisation examples. Results show that the study is applicable to other areas as well to meet the information requirements of top and mid-level managers.
Customers’ Expectations for Next Generation Internet Banking
Authors: Seetharaman Arumugam , Singhal Saurabh , Galdhar Pankaj , Rudolph Raj John , Saravanan A. S.
Published: January 2016

This paper posits six new factors that impact customers’ expectations for next generation internet banking. The factors are innovative interface, integration with social media, money management tools, instant customer service, enhanced convenience, and next generation security. The data was collected from 310 respondents, who currently use internet banking services from leading countries. The results suggest that three factors, namely, integration with social media, money management tools, and enhanced convenience, would significantly affect customers’ expectations for next generation internet banking. The results also suggest the role of innovative interface, next generation security, and instant customer support and service in influencing the customers’ expectations. The proposed model would be useful for banks and technology providers to not only understand bank customers’ expectations, but also to launch innovative marketing strategies to gain competitive advantage, and to craft a unique selling proposition to its customers.
Semi-supervised learning using ensembles of multiple 1D-embedding-based label boosting
Authors: Wang Jianzhong
Published: January 2016

The paper continues the development of the multiple 1D-embedding-based (or, 1D multi-embedding) methods for semi-supervised learning, which is preliminarily introduced by the author in [J. Wang, Semi-supervised learning using multiple one-dimensional embedding based adaptive interpolation, Int. J. Wavelets, Multiresolut. Inform Process. 14(2) (2016) 11 pp.]. This paper puts the development in a more general framework and creates a new method, which employs the ensemble technique to integrate multiple 1D embedding-based regularization and label boosting for semi-supervised learning (SSL). It combines parallel ensemble and serial ensemble. In each stage of parallel ensemble, the dataset is first smoothly mapped onto multiple 1D sequences. On each 1D embedded data, a classical regularization method is applied to construct a weak classifier. All of these weak classifiers are then integrated to an ensemble of 1D labeler (E1DL), which together with a nearest neighbor cluster (NNC) algorithm extracts a newborn labeled subset from the unlabeled set. The subset is believed to be correctly labeled with a high confidence, so that it joins with the original labeled set for the next learning stage. Repeating this process, we gradually obtain a boosted labeled set and the process will not stopped until the updated labeled set reaches a certain size. Finally, we use E1DL to build the target classifier, which labels all points of the dataset. In this paper, we also set the universal parameters for all experiments to make the algorithm as a parameter-free one. The validity of our method in the classification of the handwritten digits is confirmed by several experiments. Comparing to several other popular SSL methods, our results are very promising.
Face recognition via collaborative representation based multiple one-dimensional embedding
Authors: Wang Y. , Tang Yuan Yan , Li Luoqing , Wang Jianzhong
Published: January 2016

This paper presents a novel classifier based on collaborative representation (CR) and multiple one-dimensional (1D) embedding with applications to face recognition. To use multiple 1D embedding (1DME) framework in semi-supervised learning is first proposed by one of the authors, J. Wang, in 2014. The main idea of the multiple 1D embedding is the following: Given a high-dimensional dataset, we first map it onto several different 1D sequences on the line while keeping the proximity of data points in the original ambient high-dimensional space. By this means, a classification problem on high dimension reduces to the one in a 1D framework, which can be efficiently solved by any classical 1D regularization method, for instance, an interpolation scheme. The dissimilarity metric plays an important role in learning a decent 1DME of the original dataset. Our another contribution is to develop a collaborative representation based dissimilarity (CRD) metric. Compared to the conventional Euclidean distance based metric, the proposed method can lead to better results. The experimental results on real-world databases verify the efficacy of the proposed method.
Displacement-Based Seismic Analysis of Slopes, Dams and Embankments
Authors: Marin Alexandru , Laue Jan
Published: January 2016

The seismic design of slopes, dams, or embankments is usually based on limit-equilibrium calculations, which include the seismic action by means of an equivalent static force acting on the failure mechanism. This approach is limited, especially in situations in which existing over-inclined structures or steep natural slopes have to be analyzed. An alternative approach which overcomes the limitations of the classical limit-equilibrium calculations is available with displacement-based methods. The displacement-based analysis offers the possibility of evaluating the seismic behavior in terms of displacements, in contrast to the limit-equilibrium calculations, which only provide information about the ratio between the stabilizing and destabilizing forces acting on the structure. The displacement-based approach allows the analysis of the seismic behavior and, based on the resulting deformations, the corresponding risk evaluation. In addition to that, the optimized seismic design of new geotechnical structures is possible by ensuring the compliance of the seismic behavior with given requirements. This paper presents a displacement-based procedure to be incorporated in the Swiss design codes for the seismic analysis of slopes, dams, and embankments.
Fluorescence-based gene reporter plasmid to track canonical Wnt signaling in ENS inflammation
Authors: Di Liddo Rosa , Bertalot Thomas , Schuster Anne , Schrenk Sandra , Müller Oliver , Apfel Johanna , Reischmann Patricia , Rajendran Senthilkumar , Sfriso Riccardo , Gasparella Marco , Parnigotto Pier Paolo , Conconi Maria Teresa , Schäfer Karl Herbert
Published: January 2016

In several gut inflammatory or cancer diseases, cell-cell interactions are compromised, and an increased cytoplasmic expression of β-catenin is observed. Over the last decade, numerous studies provided compelling experimental evidence that the loss of cadherin-mediated cell adhesion can promote β-catenin release and signaling without any specific activation of the canonical Wnt pathway. In the present work, we took advantage of the ability of lipofectamine-like reagent to cause a synchronous dissociation of adherent junctions in cells isolated from the rat enteric nervous system (ENS) for obtaining an in vitro model of deregulated β-catenin signaling. Under these experimental conditions, a green fluorescent protein Wnt reporter plasmid called ΔTop_EGFP3a was successfully tested to screen β-catenin stabilization at resting and primed conditions with exogenous Wnt3a or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). ΔTop_EGFP3a provided a reliable and strong fluorescent signal that was easily measurable and at the same time highly sensitive to modulations of Wnt signaling following Wnt3a and LPS stimulation. The reporter gene was useful to demonstrate that Wnt3a exerts a protective activity in the ENS from overstimulated Wnt signaling by promoting a downregulation of the total β-catenin level. Based on this evidence, the use of ΔTop_EGFP3a reporter plasmid could represent a more reliable tool for the investigation of Wnt and cross-talking pathways in ENS inflammation.
Predicting the activation states of the muscles governing upper esophageal sphincter relaxation and opening
Authors: Omari Taher I. , Jones Corinne A. , Hammer Michael J. , Cock Charles , Dinning Philip , Wiklendt Lukasz , Costa Marcello , McCulloch Timothy M.
Published: January 2016

The swallowing muscles that influence upper esophageal sphincter (UES) opening are centrally controlled and modulated by sensory information. Activation and deactivation of neural inputs to these muscles, including the intrinsic cricopharyngeus (CP) and extrinsic submental (SM) muscles, results in their mechanical activation or deactivation, which changes the diameter of the lumen, alters the intraluminal pressure, and ultimately reduces or promotes flow of content. By measuring the changes in diameter, using intraluminal impedance, and the concurrent changes in intraluminal pressure, it is possible to determine when the muscles are passively or actively relaxing or contracting. From these “mechanical states” of the muscle, the neural inputs driving the specific motor behaviors of the UES can be inferred. In this study we compared predictions of UES mechanical states directly with the activity measured by electromyography (EMG). In eight subjects, pharyngeal pressure and impedance were recorded in parallel with CP- and SM-EMG activity. UES pressure and impedance swallow profiles correlated with the CP-EMG and SM-EMG recordings, respectively. Eight UES muscle states were determined by using the gradient of pressure and impedance with respect to time. Guided by the level and gradient change of EMG activity, mechanical states successfully predicted the activity of the CP muscle and SM muscle independently. Mechanical state predictions revealed patterns consistent with the known neural inputs activating the different muscles during swallowing. Derivation of “activation state” maps may allow better physiological and pathophysiological interpretations of UES function.
Csk/Src/EGFR signaling regulates migration of myofibroblasts and alveolarization
Authors: Li Jianhui , Li Yahui , He Hua , Liu Chengbo , Li Wen , Xie Lijuan , Zhang Yongjun
Published: January 2016

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is characterized by premature alveolar developmental arrest. Antenatal exposure to inflammation inhibits lung morphogenesis, thus increasing the risk of developing BPD. Alveolar myofibroblasts are thought to migrate into the septal tips and elongate secondary septa during alveolarization. Here we found lipopolysaccharide (LPS) disrupted the directional migration of myofibroblasts and increased actin stress fiber expression and focal adhesion formation. In addition, COOH-terminal Src kinase (Csk) activity was downregulated in myofibroblasts treated with LPS, while activation of Src or epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was upregulated by LPS treatment. Specifically, decreased Csk activity and increased activation of Src or EGFR was also observed in primary myofibroblasts isolated from newborn rat lungs with intra-amniotic LPS exposure, a model for BPD. Further investigation revealed that EGFR was involved in cell migration impairment induced by LPS, and Src inhibition blocked LPS-induced activation of EGFR or cell migration impairment. Csk silencing also resulted in EGFR activation and cell migration impairment. Besides, we found the effect of EGFR on myofibroblast migration was mediated through RhoA activation. EGFR inhibition alleviated the abnormal localization of myofibroblasts and improved alveolar development in antenatal LPS-treated rats. Taken together, our data suggest that the Csk/Src/EGFR signaling pathway is critically involved in regulating directional migration of myofibroblasts and may contribute to arrested alveolar development in BPD.
Development and validation of a computational finite element model of the rabbit upper airway: simulations of mandibular advancement and tracheal displacement
Authors: Amatoury Jason , Cheng Shaokoon , Kairaitis Kristina , Wheatley John R. , Amis Terence C. , Bilston Lynne E.
Published: January 2016

The mechanisms leading to upper airway (UA) collapse during sleep are complex and poorly understood. We previously developed an anesthetized rabbit model for studying UA physiology. On the basis of this body of physiological data, we aimed to develop and validate a two-dimensional (2D) computational finite element model (FEM) of the passive rabbit UA and peripharyngeal tissues. Model geometry was reconstructed from a midsagittal computed tomographic image of a representative New Zealand White rabbit, which included major soft (tongue, soft palate, constrictor muscles), cartilaginous (epiglottis, thyroid cartilage), and bony pharyngeal tissues (mandible, hard palate, hyoid bone). Other UA muscles were modeled as linear elastic connections. Initial boundary and contact definitions were defined from anatomy and material properties derived from the literature. Model parameters were optimized to physiological data sets associated with mandibular advancement (MA) and caudal tracheal displacement (TD), including hyoid displacement, which featured with both applied loads. The model was then validated against independent data sets involving combined MA and TD. Model outputs included UA lumen geometry, peripharyngeal tissue displacement, and stress and strain distributions. Simulated MA and TD resulted in UA enlargement and nonuniform increases in tissue displacement, and stress and strain. Model predictions closely agreed with experimental data for individually applied MA, TD, and their combination. We have developed and validated an FEM of the rabbit UA that predicts UA geometry and peripharyngeal tissue mechanical changes associated with interventions known to improve UA patency. The model has the potential to advance our understanding of UA physiology and peripharyngeal tissue mechanics.