bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quantitative measurement of crystalline impurity in a pharmaceutical tablet by X-ray powder diffraction and method validation
Authors: Casella R. , Boudreau S. , Wesley James A. , D'Aloise Robert
Published: June 2013

A powder X-ray diffraction method was developed and validated to measure the crystalline impurity 4-(5-cyclopentyloxy-carbonylamino-1-methyl-indol-3-ylmethyl)-3-methoxy-N-o-tolylsulfonylbenzamide hydrate in a pharmaceutical tablet ranging from 0.6 to 3% (w/w). The calibration plot was found to be linear with a correlation coefficient (r2) of 0.996, and was reproducible among operators. The detection limit was determined to be 0.6% with a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1. The quantitation limit was determined to be 1% with a signal-to-noise ratio of 5:1. Instrument precision at the quantitation limit was 5.8%. Method precision was 6.1% at the quantitation limit and 7.4% at the detection limit. Intermediate precision at the quantitation limit was 7.3% during a 6-month study. Accuracy measurements using crystalline impurity standards prepared in an excipient mixture ranged from 89.3 to 105.5%. Accuracy measurements using tablets containing spiked quantities of crystalline impurity ranged from 72.0 to 92.7%. Accuracy measurements using spiked tablets were complicated because the crystalline impurity was lost during the manufacturing process and a correction factor was used. Ruggedness was assessed by evaluating repetitive assay, repetitive packing, sample packing, and sample stability. Repetitive assays show the exposure of standards to a relative humidity in excess of 57% caused displacement error because of an increase in sample volume and a peak-position shift. Repetitive-packing studies show the analyte was extracted from the sample at a low relative humidity because of a static-charge induction. Sample-packing studies show that two subjective packing techniques were equivalent, and that under- and over-packing samples cause changes in sample density which would not affect results within ±16%. Sample-stability studies show that the quantitation-limit standard was stable as long as the sample was exposed to a relative humidity below 57%.
Seroprevalence ofBordetella pertussisin the Mexican population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: CONDE-GLEZ C. , LAZCANO-PONCE E. , ROJAS R. , DeANTONIO R. , ROMANO-MAZZOTTI L. , CERVANTES Y. , ORTEGA-BARRÍA E.
Published: June 2013

Serum samples collected during the National Health and Nutrition survey (ENSANUT 2006) were obtained from subjects aged 1–95 years (January–October 2010) and analysed to assess the seroprevalence ofBordetella pertussis(BP) in Mexico. Subjects' gender, age, geographical region and socioeconomic status were extracted from the survey and compiled into a subset database. A total of 3344 subjects (median age 29 years, range 1–95 years) were included in the analysis. Overall, BP seroprevalence was 47·4%. BP seroprevalence was significantly higher in males (53·4%,P = 0·0007) and highest in children (59·3%) decreasing with advancing age (P = 0·0008). BP seroprevalence was not significantly different between regions (P = 0·1918) and between subjects of socioeconomic status (P = 0·0808). Women, adolescents and young adults were identified as potential sources of infection to infants. Booster vaccination for adolescents and primary contacts (including mothers) for newborns and infants may provide an important public health intervention to reduce the disease burden.
Impact of an enhanced antibiotic stewardship on reducing methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in primary and secondary healthcare settings
Authors: ALDEYAB M. A. , SCOTT M. G. , KEARNEY M. P. , ALAHMADI Y. M. , MAGEE F. A. , CONLON G. , McELNAY J. C.
Published: June 2013

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of restricting high-risk antibiotics on methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) incidence rates in a hospital setting. A secondary objective was to assess the impact of reducing fluoroquinolone use in the primary-care setting on MRSA incidence in the community. This was an interventional, retrospective, ecological investigation in both hospital and community (January 2006 to June 2010). Segmented regression analysis of interrupted time-series was employed to evaluate the intervention. The restriction of high-risk antibiotics was associated with a significant change in hospital MRSA incidence trend (coefficient = −0·00561, P = 0·0057). Analysis showed that the intervention relating to reducing fluoroquinolone use in the community was associated with a significant trend change in MRSA incidence in community (coefficient = −0·00004, P = 0·0299). The reduction in high-risk antibiotic use and fluoroquinolone use contributed to both a reduction in incidence rates of MRSA in hospital and community (primary-care) settings.
Pollution Concepts and Marriage for the Southern African Iron Age
Authors: Whitelaw Gavin
Published: June 2013

This article draws on the ethnography of South African Bantu speakers to model an archaeologically useful relationship between pollution beliefs and marriage. Typically, pollution beliefs intensify with more complex marital alliances, first with the increasing significance of relations between wives and their cattle-linked siblings, and then with a shift towards a preference for cousin marriage. The article applies the model to the Early Iron Age (ad 650–1050) record and concludes that Early Iron Age agriculturists practised non-kin marriage, but that a high bridewealth, and possibly hypogamous marriage, generated considerable structural tension in Early Iron Age society.
Developmental potential of in vitro or in vivo matured oocytes
Authors: Alcoba Diego D. , Pimentel Anita M. , Brum Ilma S. , Corleta Helena E.
Published: June 2013

This study compared the embryological features of mature and immature oocytes (different stages) collected from stimulated cycles of in vitro fertilization (IVF). Immature oocytes were identified, classified as PI (prophase I – germinal vesicle, GV) or MI (metaphase I), were matured in vitro and fertilized using the intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) technique. Fertilization potential, cleavage, and subsequent transfer/cryopreservation of the embryos derived from these in vitro matured oocytes were compared with those of in vivo matured oocytes (collected at the MII stage). The characteristics of embryos derived from gametes recovered in the MI and MII stages were similar. The fertilization rate of immature oocytes recovered in PI was significantly lower than that of MII oocytes (P = 0.031), and the cleavage rate of the PI group was also lower than that of the MI (P = 0.004) and MII (P < 0.001) groups. In vitro maturation of MI oocytes is a suitable alternative when immature oocytes are recovered, as their characteristics and development are similar to those of in vivo matured oocytes. Optimization of outcomes for PI oocytes will require development of techniques that can distinguish which of these gametes will mature and fertilize.
Meta-Worry in Adolescents: Examination of the Psychometric Properties of the Meta-Worry Questionnaire in an Adolescent Sample
Authors: Fisak Brian , Mentuccia Marco , Przeworski Amy
Published: June 2013

Background: Meta-worry is considered a central component of the Metacognitive Model of Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Although initial research provides support for the applicability of this model to adolescent samples, the construct of meta-worry has yet to be examined in adolescents. Aims: The purpose of this study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Meta-Worry Questionnaire (MWQ), a measure designed to assess negative beliefs about worry, in an adolescent sample, and to examine the degree to which meta-worry is associated with pathological worry in adolescents. Method: A non-referred sample of 175 adolescents completed a modified version of the MWQ along with the Meta-Cognitions Questionnaire-Children (MCQ-C) and the Penn State Worry Questionnaire for Children (PSWQ-C). Results: The MWQ was found to exhibit strong psychometric properties. Most noteworthy, the MWQ was found to be a particularly robust predictor of scores on the PSWQ-C, and incremental validity was also demonstrated. Conclusions: Overall, the current findings provide support for the reliability and validity of the MWQ in adolescents and support for meta-worry as a predictor of worry symptoms in adolescents.
Monitoring salt and iodine intakes in Dutch adults between 2006 and 2010 using 24 h urinary sodium and iodine excretions
Authors: Hendriksen Marieke AH , van Raaij Joop MA , Geleijnse Johanna M , den Hooven Caroline Wilson-van , Ocké Marga C , van der A Daphne L
Published: June 2013

Objective

To monitor the effectiveness of salt-reduction initiatives in processed foods and changes in Dutch iodine policy on Na and iodine intakes in Dutch adults between 2006 and 2010.

Design

Two cross-sectional studies among adults, conducted in 2006 and 2010, using identical protocols. Participants collected single 24 h urine samples and completed two short questionnaires on food consumption and urine collection procedures. Daily intakes of salt, iodine, K and Na:K were estimated, based on the analysis of Na, K and iodine excreted in urine.

Setting

Doetinchem, the Netherlands.

Subjects

Men and women aged 19 to 70 years were recruited through random sampling of the Doetinchem population and among participants of the Doetinchem Cohort Study (2006:n317, mean age 48·9 years, 43 % men; 2010:n342, mean age 46·2 years, 45 % men).

Results

While median iodine intake was lower in 2010 (179 μg/d) compared with 2006 (257 μg/d;P< 0·0001), no difference in median salt intake was observed (8·7 g/d in 2006v. 8·5 g/d in 2010,P= 0·70). In 2006, median K intake was 2·6 g/dv. 2·8 g/d in 2010 (P< 0·01). In this 4-year period, median Na:K improved from 2·4 in 2006 to 2·2 in 2010 (P< 0·001).

Conclusions

Despite initiatives to lower salt in processed foods, dietary salt intake in this population remains well above the recommended intake of 6 g/d. Iodine intake is still adequate, although a decline was observed between 2006 and 2010. This reduction is probably due to changes in iodine policy.
Reisedestination Südamerika
Authors: Neumayr Andreas
Published: June 2013

Die Zahl der Touristen, die Südamerika besucht ist gemessen am Gesamtvolumen des weltweiten internationalen Reisestroms (2011 ca. 980 Mio.) relativ klein. Dennoch hat diese Zahl in den letzten Jahren deutlich zugenommen (2000: 15.3 Mio.; 2005: 18.3 Mio.; 2010: 23.6 Mio.; 2011: 26.1 Mio.) und 2011 belegte Südamerika unter den Reisezielen mit der höchsten jährlichen Zuwachsrate an internationalen Touristen mit 10.4 % sogar die weltweite Spitzenposition [1]. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es auf praxisrelevante Aspekte von Impfungen und Malariaschutz sowie auf einige beratungsrelevante Gesundheitsrisiken von Südamerikareisenden einzugehen.
Exazerbation eines lumbospondylogenen Schmerzsyndroms mit überraschender Wendung
Authors: Winnik Stephan , Hitz Alessandra , Wyden Stefan , Peter Urs , Eriksson Urs , Stieger Roland
Published: June 2013

Wir berichten über einen 88-jährigen Patienten, der sich mit progredienten Schmerzen im rechten Knie und Unterschenkel sowie Parästhesien des rechten Beines bei bekanntem lumbospondylogenen Syndrom präsentierte. Wir beschreiben Verlauf und diagnostische Abklärungsschritte, die zur Diagnose einer akuten Lyme-Borreliose führten.
Investigation of Whole-Brain White Matter Identifies Altered Water Mobility in the Pathogenesis of High-Altitude Headache
Authors: Lawley Justin S , Oliver Samuel J , Mullins Paul G , Macdonald Jamie H
Published: June 2013

Elevated brain water is a common finding in individuals with severe forms of altitude illness. However, the location, nature, and a causative link between brain edema and symptoms of acute mountain sickness such as headache remains unknown. We examined indices of brain white matter water mobility in 13 participants after 2 and 10 hours in normoxia (21% O2) and hypoxia (12% O2) using magnetic resonance imaging. Using a whole-brain analysis (tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS)), mean diffusivity was reduced in the left posterior hemisphere after 2 hours and globally reduced throughout cerebral white matter by 10 hours in hypoxia. However, no changes in T2 relaxation time (T2) or fractional anisotropy were observed. The TBSS identified an association between changes in mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy, and T2 both supra and subtentorially after 2 and 10 hours, with headache score after 10 hours in hypoxia. Region of interest-based analyses generally confirmed these results. These data indicate that acute periods of hypoxemia cause a shift of water into the intracellular space within the cerebral white matter, whereas no evidence of brain edema (a volumetric enlargement) is identifiable. Furthermore, these changes in brain water mobility are related to the intensity of high-altitude headache.
Resistance of Optogenetically Evoked Motor Function to Global Ischemia and Reperfusion in Mouse in Vivo
Authors: Xie Yicheng , Chen Shangbin , Anenberg Eitan , Murphy Timothy H
Published: June 2013

Recently we have shown that despite reperfusion, sensory processing exhibits persistent deficits after global ischemia in a mouse in vivo model. We now address how motor output, specifically cortically evoked muscle activity, stimulated by channelrhodopsin-2 is affected by global ischemia and reperfusion. We find that the light-based optogenetic motor map recovers to 80% within an hour. Moreover, motor output recovers relatively faster and more completely than the sensory processing after 5-minute period of global ischemia. Our results suggest a differential sensitivity of sensory and motor systems to the effects of global ischemia and reperfusion that may have implications for rehabilitation.
Current Use and Developments Needed for Optimal Design in Pharmacometrics: A Study Performed Among DDMoRe's European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations Members
Authors: Mentré F , Chenel M , Comets E , Grevel J , Hooker A , Karlsson MO , Lavielle M , Gueorguieva I
Published: June 2013

Methods and software tools for optimal design in nonlinear mixed effect models, based on the Fisher information matrix, have been developed for a decade.1,2 Academic groups regularly proposed new versions.3–5 Present tools do not incorporate adaptive designs for these models although prior information is needed and adaptive designs are increasingly used in drug development.6 We conducted a study among drug companies of the Drug and Disease Model Resources consortium7 to identify current practices and expectations.

CPT: Pharmacometrics & Systems Pharmacology (2013) 2, e46; doi:10.1038/psp.2013.19; advance online publication 5 June 2013
Joint cross‐layer optimised routing and dynamic power allocation in deep space information networks under predictable contacts
Authors: Zhang Long , Zhou Xianwei
Published: June 2013

In this study, the authors explore a joint cross‐layer optimised routing and dynamic power allocation for intermittently connected deep space backbone layer in deep space information networks via predictable contacts. First, the authors build up the payoff function and state dynamics based on differential game theory via two defined cost function paradigms. Then they establish a general differential game model for dynamic power allocation by the associated payoff function and state dynamics, and further propose the theoretical results of dynamic power allocation in a cooperative or non‐cooperative manner. To describe the routing metric, they introduce the concept of hybrid link homeostasis which illustrates the connection between the predictable contact and the transmitted power along the corresponding backbone link. In addition, they propose a polynomial time algorithm of cross‐layer optimised routing, which realises joint routing selection, transmitted power allocation and predictable contact schedule simultaneously. The numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness and feasibility of the authors proposed joint cross‐layer optimised routing and dynamic power allocation.
Outage probability and power consumption for distributed antenna systems in multicell environment
Authors: Liu Yuxi , Liu Ju , Guo Weidong , Zheng Lina , Zhang Guowei
Published: June 2013

Distributed antenna systems (DAS) have been paid much attention for low outage probability in future wireless communications, since it can reduce the radio transmission distance between the transmitter and the receiver. In this study, the authors present a study on DAS for two different transmission strategies: blanket transmission scheme and single selection transmission scheme (SSTS). The outage probabilities of the two schemes are re‐analysed over Rayleigh fading adopted non‐central limit theorem (NCLT) and compared with central limit theorem (CLT) method. Moreover, the authors derive analytical expressions of the outage probability for both no shadowing and shadowing scenarios, respectively. Then, an energy efficient power allocation strategy is proposed. Finally, extensive simulation results validate the theoretical analysis and demonstrate the proposed NCLT method can describe the system performances more accurately.
On channel estimation of orthogonal frequency‐division multiplexing amplify‐and‐forward cooperative relaying systems
Authors: Sheu Jeng‐Shin , Lain Jenn‐Kaie , Wang Wen‐Hung
Published: June 2013

This study investigates channel estimation for amplify‐and‐forward (AF) relaying systems. For a two‐hop relaying system, channel estimation of a relay path (source–relay–destination) with AF relaying is unique because both individual source‐to‐relay (S–R) and relay‐to‐destination (R–D) links are necessary at the destination to perform the optimum combination of signals received from the direct path (source‐to‐destination) and relay path if employing a cooperative diversity transmission. Until now, most literature about channel estimation on relaying systems has focused on the composite channel of the relay path, and not its individual links. Current methods to separate the estimation of both individual links require the relay to either deliver a quantised version of the S–R link estimate through an independent feed‐forward channel, or to perform discrete Fourier transform/inverse discrete Fourier transform operations before amplifying the received signals. In this study, the respective channel estimations are done at the destination. First, the destination utilises a relay amble (R‐amble) to obtain channel estimation of the R–D link. Next, exploiting the R–D link estimate, a maximum‐likelihood estimator is proposed for the S–R link in a decision‐directed (DD) way. Simulation results show that the proposed scheme out performs the current relay‐assisted methods in most circumstances. In addition, numerical results reveal that the mean‐square error can be significantly reduced in a DD way for symbol error rates of interest.
Analysis of quantisation noise within signal band for sinusoidal signal
Authors: Tian Pengwu , Kang Rongzong , Yu Hongyi , Wu Ying
Published: June 2013

This study re‐examines the spectrum of quantisation noise and studies the quantisation noise within signal band for sinusoid signals and for uniform quantiser. Both the process of sampling and folding which have not been fully taken into account in previous analysis are considered theoretically. The authors’ results show that the quantisation noise within signal band for sinusoid input decreases in broken line as the sampling rate increases, which suggests that a higher signal to in‐band quantisation noise ratio will be obtained if the sinusoid signal is sampled at odd multiple of its fundamental frequency. Moreover, the effects of quantisation step size and the amplitude of sinusoid signal to in‐band quantisation noise are presented by computer simulations.
Distributed quality of service provision using coalitions and the Nash bargaining solution
Authors: Vatsikas Stefanos , Armour Simon , Lewis Tim , De Vos Marina
Published: June 2013

A new scheduler with the capability for distributed quality of service (QoS) provision is presented. Based on the game‐theoretic concepts of coalition formation and bargaining, this scheduler follows a hybrid approach to allocate subcarriers and to satisfy the minimum rate requirement of the wireless users. In the first part of the allocation process, a greedy approach is used to provide users minimum data rate requirements. Then, in the game‐theoretic part of the process, the remaining resources are split in a fair manner between the users by forming dynamically sized coalitions and by allowing users to bargain with each other, using the Nash bargaining solution. The novelty of this approach lies in the fact that it allows the distributed, partly‐cooperative provision of QoS in a multiuser wireless channel. This new scheduler is compared against the proportional fair and greedy schedulers and the simulation results indicate that the proposed scheduler offers better QoS outage performance than others. It also offers fairness and sum rate that are comparable to the PF scheduler, while the comparison with the Greedy scheduler indicates significantly better fairness, but lower sum rate.
Large‐scale multiple‐input–multiple‐output transceiver system
Authors: Abu‐Ella Omar , Wang Xiaodong
Published: June 2013

In this study, the authors propose a transceiver system for large‐scale multiple‐input–multiple‐output (MIMO) (LSM) wireless communications. The authors present the main challenges facing such LSM system, also, they find solutions for those problems. The transmitters in this proposed downlink system uses a simple fair user scheduling based on limited‐feedback algorithm with basic random precodeing algorithm. On the other side, receivers employ constrained partial group decoder to detect their desired signals. Simulation is used to evaluate sum‐rate performance of this LSM downlink system against the total number of users and signal‐to‐noise ratio, using different number of scheduled users and with various group sizes of jointly decoded users. Numerical results interestingly show an encouraging performance for the proposed transceiver system in this study to be considered as a candidate scheme for LSM communication systems.
Calculation of measurement uncertainty for plastic (ABS) material in flexural testing
Authors: Gunay A. , Fank S. , Gulmez T. , Durakbasa N.M.
Published: June 2013

In order to determine mechanical properties of materials various kind of tests can be applied by means of using their tensile strength, lower yield stress, proof stress, impact strength, Brinell, Rockwell and surface hardness, elongation after fracture properties. Among these tests, three point flexural testing method has some advantages such as easy preparation (production) of samples and no gripping problems comparing to tension test. Flexural tests results should be obtained accurately to provide expected testing performance. The measurement uncertainty of flexural tests should be calculated by conducting all effective uncertainty parameters during the test procedure. In this study, the measurement uncertainty of the flexural test of ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) material was investigated, which is widely used as industrial plastic material in many applications.
Relationship between measurement uncertainty and verifiability of geometric specifications: the case study of drilled hole orthogonality
Authors: Vetturi D. , Lancini M. , Bodini I. , Pasinetti S.
Published: June 2013

In mechanical design, geometrical specifications and dimensional tolerances are commonly used to avoid final product malfunction and to allow for assembly integration. Geometric specification usage, in particular, has many manufacturing and durability implications, the feasibility of their measurement and verification, however, is often neglected and the influence of measurement uncertainty in their evaluation underestimated. Often geometrical specifications are defined without considering measurement uncertainties, or measurability at all: it is not uncommon to find approved specifications prescribing unverifiable geometry, or dimension tolerances that exceed state-of-art measurements. This article explores the case study of orthogonality between a circular hole and the plane on which it is drilled, evaluated using a Coordinate Measuring Machine. Such specification is defined, according to ISO 14253, as the angle between the plane normal and cylinder axis. Uncertainty of points coordinates obtained can, however small, play a key role in the final evaluation of orthogonality: if the specified tolerance is thigh enough it is also possible to have misalignment uncertainty higher than the tolerance itself. The authors propose the results of a mathematical and numerical model, meant to help the designer to define specification to assess the relationship between cylinder-plane misalignment measurability, CMM uncertainty and features dimensions.
Optimization of accelerated testing through design of experiment for ageing of lead-free electronic interconnection material
Authors: Catelani M. , Scarano V.L. , Berni R.
Published: June 2013

Understanding the ageing of materials for electronic application is a complex challenge, in particular for composite material as electrically conductive adhesive consisting of a nonconductive polymer binder and conductive filler particles. This research involves a large amount of parameters related to both operating conditions and material structure, which act together. Accelerated testing, with the aim to consume rapidly lifetime without inducing incorrect failure mechanisms, is difficult to optimize and its modelling to describe the ageing process is a challenge. To reach this aim could be interesting for the characterization of the material but above all for the general validity of the proposed methodology.
An improved procedure for combining Type A and Type B components of measurement uncertainty
Authors: Willink R.
Published: June 2013

The Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement describes a method of evaluating measurement uncertainty that involves attributing an underlying variance to each component of the total measurement error. Assessment of such a variance by statistical methods is known as Type A evaluation of uncertainty, while assessment by any other means is known as Type B evaluation. The involvement of degrees of freedom with Type A evaluation is in accordance with statistical theory. However, the use of “degrees of freedom” with Type B evaluation is an idea primarily developed for practicality, and might be improved upon. That idea ignores the fact that the underlying distribution of the corresponding error will often be assumed to be blunter than normal, as with a uniform distribution, and it can lead to underestimation of the total error variance. Consequently, an alternative concept for Type B evaluation is presented. The resulting analysis fits easily with the use of degrees of freedom in Type A evaluation and leads to an overall method of evaluation that often permits the proper quotation of shorter uncertainty intervals.
Effect of sampling strategy on uncertainty and precision of flatness inspection studied by dynamic minimum deviation zone evaluation
Authors: Barari A. , Mordo S.
Published: June 2013

Evaluation of geometric deviations for the purpose of determining compliance with specified form tolerances requires the acquisition of numerous measured data points and extensive computation to accurately characterize the inspected part’s geometry. If there are not enough data points measured or when the measured points are not distributed properly on the measured surface a high level of uncertainty in characterizing the inspected part’s geometry can be expected. However, increasing the number of data point also significantly increases the computational time and also increases computational uncertainty by adding to instability of the optimization process required to find the minimum deviation zone. Selections of number and location of the measured date points need to be performed by understanding the significance of these two sources of uncertainties. This paper discussed the effect of sampling procedure on uncertainty and precision of flatness inspection.
Sphenoid Sinus and Sphenoid Bone Fractures in Patients with Craniomaxillofacial Trauma
Authors: Cantini Ardila Jorge Ernesto , Mendoza Miguel Ángel Rivera , Ortega Viviana Gómez
Published: June 2013

Background and Purpose

Sphenoid bone fractures and sphenoid sinus fractures have a high morbidity due to its association with high-energy trauma. The purpose of this study is to describe individuals with traumatic injuries from different mechanisms and attempt to determine if there is any relationship between various isolated or combined fractures of facial skeleton and sphenoid bone and sphenoid sinus fractures.

Methods

We retrospectively studied hospital charts of all patients who reported to the trauma center at Hospital de San José with facial fractures from December 2009 to August 2011. All patients were evaluated by computed tomography scan and classified into low-, medium-, and high-energy trauma fractures, according to the classification described by Manson.

Design

This is a retrospective descriptive study.

Results

The study data were collected as part of retrospective analysis. A total of 250 patients reported to the trauma center of the study hospital with facial trauma. Thirty-eight patients were excluded. A total of 212 patients had facial fractures; 33 had a combination of sphenoid sinus and sphenoid bone fractures, and facial fractures were identified within this group (15.5%). Gender predilection was seen to favor males (77.3%) more than females (22.7%). The mean age of the patients was 37 years. Orbital fractures (78.8%) and maxillary fractures (57.5%) were found more commonly associated with sphenoid sinus and sphenoid bone fractures.

Conclusions

High-energy trauma is more frequently associated with sphenoid fractures when compared with medium- and low-energy trauma. There is a correlation between facial fractures and sphenoid sinus and sphenoid bone fractures. A more exhaustive multicentric case–control study with a larger sample and additional parameters will be essential to reach definite conclusions regarding the spectrum of fractures of the sphenoid bone associated with facial fractures.
Electrostatic graphene loudspeaker
Authors: Zhou Qin , Zettl A.
Published: June 2013

Graphene has extremely low mass density and high mechanical strength, and key qualities for efficient wide-frequency-response electrostatic audio speaker design. Low mass ensures good high frequency response, while high strength allows for relatively large free-standing diaphragms necessary for effective low frequency response. Here, we report on construction and testing of a miniaturized graphene-based electrostatic audio transducer. The speaker/earphone is straightforward in design and operation and has excellent frequency response across the entire audio frequency range (20 Hz–20 kHz), with performance matching or surpassing commercially available audio earphones.
Photonic lattices
Authors: Schechter Martin
Published: June 2013

We use critical point theory to find periodic solutions of the nonlinear steady state Schrödinger equations arising in the study of photonic lattices. We show that nontrivial solutions exist for wide ranges of the parameters. It follows that there is a large continuous energy or wavenumber spectrum that allows the existence of steady state solutions. Our results hold in arbitrary dimensions.
Comparative studies of structural and electrical properties of co-doped ZnO thin films prepared by direct current sputtering as a front contact for copper indium gallium di-selenide solar cell
Authors: Ashis Gupta Chandan , Mangal S. , Singh U. P.
Published: June 2013

Doped and co-doped ZnO thin films are currently under intense investigation and development for optoelectronic and solar cell applications. Here in this study Aluminum and Boron (ZAB), Gallium and Boron (ZGB), and Gallium and Aluminum (ZGA) co-doped ZnO thin films were deposited on glass substrate using DC magnetron sputtering at room temperature. A comparative study of the above co-doped ZnO thin films was done on the basis of its structural and electrical properties for solar cell application. All thin films have shown excellent optical properties with more than 80% transmission in the visible range of the light. From the X-ray diffraction patterns, it is found that the films were polycrystalline in nature and the ZAB thin film is more crystalline than the other co-doped ZnO thin films. The surface morphology showed different growth structure of the films. For ZAB and ZGA thin films, the rounded grains were observed and for ZGB thin film some rounded as well as corn type grains were observed. The electrical properties of all the thin films were measured using Hall measurement system at room temperature. For ZGB and ZGA thin films, the resistivity was obtained in the order of 10−3 ohm cm and for ZAB thin film the lowest resistivity of the order of 10−4 ohm cm was obtained which is ideal for transparent conducting oxide thin films to be used as window cum-front contact in multi-junction solar cell such as CIGS solar cell.
The atomic orbitals of the topological atom
Authors: Ramos-Cordoba Eloy , Salvador Pedro , Mayer István
Published: June 2013

The effective atomic orbitals have been realized in the framework of Bader's atoms in molecules theory for a general wavefunction. This formalism can be used to retrieve from any type of calculation a proper set of orthonormalized numerical atomic orbitals, with occupation numbers that sum up to the respective Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules (QTAIM) atomic populations. Experience shows that only a limited number of effective atomic orbitals exhibit significant occupation numbers. These correspond to atomic hybrids that closely resemble the core and valence shells of the atom. The occupation numbers of the remaining effective orbitals are almost negligible, except for atoms with hypervalent character. In addition, the molecular orbitals of a calculation can be exactly expressed as a linear combination of this orthonormalized set of numerical atomic orbitals, and the Mulliken population analysis carried out on this basis set exactly reproduces the original QTAIM atomic populations of the atoms. Approximate expansion of the molecular orbitals over a much reduced set of orthogonal atomic basis functions can also be accomplished to a very good accuracy with a singular value decomposition procedure.
Spinodal decomposition and the emergence of dissipative transient periodic spatio-temporal patterns in acentrosomal microtubule multitudes of different morphology
Authors: Buljan Vlado A. , Damian Holsinger R. M. , Brown D. , Bohorquez-Florez J. J. , Hambly B. D. , Delikatny E. J. , Ivanova E. P. , Banati R. B.
Published: June 2013

We have studied a spontaneous self-organization dynamics in a closed, dissipative (in terms of guansine 5′-triphosphate energy dissipation), reaction-diffusion system of acentrosomal microtubules (those nucleated and organized in the absence of a microtubule-organizing centre) multitude constituted of straight and curved acentrosomal microtubules, in highly crowded conditions, in vitro. Our data give experimental evidence that cross-diffusion in conjunction with excluded volume is the underlying mechanism on basis of which acentrosomal microtubule multitudes of different morphologies (straight and curved) undergo a spatial-temporal demix. Demix is constituted of a bifurcation process, manifested as a slow isothermal spinodal decomposition, and a dissipative process of transient periodic spatio-temporal pattern formation. While spinodal decomposition is an energy independent process, transient periodic spatio-temporal pattern formation is accompanied by energy dissipative process. Accordingly, we have determined that the critical threshold for slow, isothermal spinodal decomposition is 1.0 ± 0.05 mg/ml of microtubule protein concentration. We also found that periodic spacing of transient periodic spatio-temporal patterns was, in the overall, increasing versus time. For illustration, we found that a periodic spacing of the same pattern was 0.375 ± 0.036 mm, at 36 °C, at 155th min, while it was 0.540 ± 0.041 mm at 31 °C, and at 275th min after microtubule assembly started. The lifetime of transient periodic spatio-temporal patterns spans from half an hour to two hours approximately. The emergence of conditions of macroscopic symmetry breaking (that occur due to cross-diffusion in conjunction with excluded volume) may have more general but critical importance in morphological pattern development in complex, dissipative, but open cellular systems.
On the stability of Hamiltonian systems with weakly time dependent potentials
Authors: Levitan J. , Yahalom A. , Horwitz L. , Lewkowicz M.
Published: June 2013

We show here that a recently developed criterion for the stability of conservative Hamiltonian systems can be extended to Hamiltonians with weak time dependence. In this method, the geodesic equations contain the Hamilton equations of the original potential model through an inverse map in the tangent space in terms of a geometric embedding. The second covariant derivative of the geodesic deviation generates a dynamical curvature, resulting in a (energy dependent) local criterion for unstable behavior different from the usual Lyapunov criterion. We show by direct simulation that our geometrical criterion predicts correctly the stability/instability of motions, sometimes contrary to indications of the local Lyapunov method.
Channel doping-dependent analytical model for symmetric double gate metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor. I. Extraction of subthreshold characteristics
Authors: Cho Edward Namkyu , Shin Yong Hyeon , Yun Ilgu
Published: June 2013

An analytical 2D model of subthreshold current (IDSsub), subthreshold swing (Ssub), and threshold voltage (VTH) roll-off with a variation of channel doping concentration (NA) for symmetric double gate (DG) metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) is presented. First of all, the channel potential is obtained by solving the 2D Poisson's equation with the help of the evanescent method. Based on the obtained channel potential, IDSsub, Ssub, and VTH roll-off expressions are derived in the analytical model. It is shown that the subthreshold characteristics predicted by the analytical model are in good agreement with commercially available 2D numerical simulation results for different channel length (L), channel film thickness (tsi), gate oxide (tox), and NA.
Tunable metallic silicon nanowires and quantum dots with tailored dimensions and spacing
Authors: Zhang Liangchi , Mylvaganam Kausala
Published: June 2013

Metallic silicon nanowire and quantum dots are promising low dimensional materials for a great range of applications. A critical issue is their quality-controlled, cost-effective fabrication. This paper presents a simple method for making seamlessly integrated tunable metallic silicon nanowires and quantum dots in the subsurface of mono-crystalline silicon by mechanical scratching. The study predicted, with the aid of the molecular dynamics analysis, that arrays of stable metallic bct-5 silicon nanowires and conductive quantum dots could be produced in the subsurface of silicon by scratching the {001} surface along a ⟨110⟩ direction. The dimension and spacing of the nanowires and quantum dots can easily be controlled by adjusting the distance between scratching tips, the size of the tips, and their depth-of-cut. It was also shown that the metallic bct-5 silicon is stable under a residual octahedral shear stress of 5 to 8 GPa.
Low surface energy and corrosion resistant ultrathin TiSiC disk overcoat
Authors: Rose F. , Pocker D. , Xiao Q.-F. , Rawat V. , Brinkman E. , Marchon B.
Published: June 2013

Ultra-thin films of titanium silicon carbide (TiSiC) were deposited by magnetron sputtering (using Ti2SiC3 targets) to form protection overcoats (OCs) onto magnetic recording media of hard disk drives. The chemico-physical properties (composition, optical constants, electrical resistivity, mass density, and surface energy) of titanium silicon nitride (TiSiN) films were measured and correlated to their OC performances in terms of protection against Si oxidation, Co corrosion, and Co diffusion. Performances of TiSiC OCs were compared to those of silicon carbide (SiC), silicon nitride (SiN), and TiSiN OCs. It was found that Ti incorporation into SiC and SiN considerably densifies the films, reduces their surface energy, and renders them more metallic. 25 Å thick TiSiC OC forms stable protecting barriers than can sustain hydrolysis conditions without growth of surface silicon oxide or cobalt diffusion or oxidation in the underlying recording magnetic medium. Overall, TiSiC OCs outperformed TiSiN, SiC, and SiN OCs as disk protection layers. We could directly correlate good protection against surface silicon oxide formation with film's lower surface energy, and good protection against Co diffusion with film's higher mass density.
Microfluidic device for trapping and monitoring three dimensional multicell spheroids using electrical impedance spectroscopy
Authors: Luongo Kevin , Holton Angela , Kaushik Ajeet , Spence Paige , Ng Beng , Deschenes Robert , Sundaram Shankar , Bhansali Shekhar
Published: June 2013

In this paper, we report the design, fabrication, and testing of a lab-on-a-chip based microfluidic device for application of trapping and measuring the dielectric properties of microtumors over time using electrical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Microelectromechanical system (MEMS) techniques were used to embed opposing electrodes onto the top and bottom surfaces of a microfluidic channel fabricated using Pyrex substrate, chrome gold, SU-8, and polydimethylsiloxane. Differing concentrations of cell culture medium, differing sized polystyrene beads, and MCF-7 microtumor spheroids were used to validate the designs ability to detect background conductivity changes and dielectric particle diameter changes between electrodes. The observed changes in cell medium concentrations demonstrated a linear relation to extracted solution resistance (Rs), while polystyrene beads and multicell spheroids induced changes in magnitude consistent with diameter increase. This design permits optical correlation between electrical measurements and EIS spectra.
Formation of structures based on semiconductor quantum dots and organic molecules in track pore membranes
Authors: Orlova A. O. , Gromova Yu. A. , Maslov V. G. , Prudnikau A. V. , Artemyev M. V. , Fedorov A. V. , Baranov A. V.
Published: June 2013

We prepared hybrid structures based on CdSe/ZnS quantum dots and organic azo-dyes and porphyrin molecules embedded into polymer track pore membranes. The quenching of the quantum dot's photoluminescence and the shortening of its decay time, accompanied in the latter case by a porphyrin sensitized photoluminescence, present a clear evidence of the efficient energy transfer in these structures. The proposed quantum-dot/azo-dyes and quantum-dot/porphyrin structures can be used in different microfluidic systems for, e.g., sensing of metal ions or efficient singlet oxygen generation.
Low temperature boron doped diamond
Authors: Zeng Hongjun , Arumugam Prabhu U. , Siddiqui Shabnam , Carlisle John A.
Published: June 2013

Low temperature boron doped diamond (LT-BDD) film deposited under 600 °C (460 °C minimum) has been reported. Study reveals that the deposition temperature and boron dopant cause nanocrystalline diamond (NCD) instead of ultrananocrystalline diamond (UNCD®). Unlike conventional NCD, LT-BDD has faster renucleation rate, which ensures a low surface roughness (approximately 10 nm at 0.6 μm thickness). The overall characteristics of LT-BDD are mixed with the characteristics of conventional NCD and UNCD. Raman spectrum and electrochemical characterization prove that the quality of LT-BDD is similar to those grown under 650-900 °C. LT-BDD enables diamond applications on microelectromechanical systems, bio- and optical technologies.
Thermoelectric properties of SrTiO3 nano-particles dispersed indium selenide bulk composites
Authors: Lee Min Ho , Rhyee Jong-Soo , Vaseem Mohammad , Hahn Yoon-Bong , Park Su-Dong , Jin Kim Hee , Kim Sung-Jin , Lee Hyeung Jin , Kim Chilsung
Published: June 2013

We investigated the thermoelectric properties of the InSe, InSe/In4Se3 composite, and SrTiO3 (STO) nano-particles dispersed InSe/In4Se3 bulk composites. The electrical conductivity of the InSe/In4Se3 composite with self-assembled phase separation is significantly increased compared with those of InSe and In4Se3–δ implying the enhancement of surface conductivity between grain boundaries. The thermal conductivity of InSe/In4Se3 composite is decreased compared to those of InSe. When the STO nano-particle dispersion was employed in the InSe/In4Se3 composite, a coherent interface was observed between nano-particle precipitates and the InSe bulk matrix with a reduction of the thermal conductivity.
Low-temperature electron mobility in heavily n-doped junctionless nanowire transistor
Authors: Li Xiaoming , Han Weihua , Wang Hao , Ma Liuhong , Zhang Yanbo , Du Yandong , Yang Fuhua
Published: June 2013

The electron mobility in a heavily n-doped junctionless nanowire transistor is demonstrated by the experimental investigation of the transfer characteristics at low temperatures. It is found that the minimum electron mobility at a critical low temperature results from the interplay of the thermal activation and impurity scattering. The temperature-dependence tendency of the normalized electron mobility by theoretical calculation and experimental extraction reveals that the thermal activation is responsible for the impact of the donor ionization and thermal energy on the electron mobility.
On the importance of non-thermal far-field blooming in broad-area high-power laser diodes
Authors: Piprek Joachim , Simon Li Z. M.
Published: June 2013

High-power broad-area laser diodes often suffer from a widening of the slow-axis far-field with increasing current (lateral far-field blooming). This effect is commonly attributed to self-heating. Utilizing self-consistent electro-thermal-optical simulations, we analyze previous experimental investigations of 970 nm broad-area GaAs-based Fabry-Perot lasers and reproduce the blooming mechanism in good agreement with the measurements. The simulations reveal that a substantial part of the far field blooming is not caused by self-heating but by increasing carrier and gain non-uniformity in the quantum wells.
The validation of a model estimating the Leaf Area Index of grasslands in southern China
Authors: Sun Chengming , Sun Zhengguo , Liu Tao , Guo Doudou , Mu Shaojie , Yang Hongfei , Ju Weimin , Li Jianlong
Published: June 2013

In order to estimate the leaf area index (LAI) over large areas in southern China, this paper analysed the relationships between normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI) and the vegetation light transmittance and the extinction coefficient based on the use of moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer data. By using the improved Beer–Lambert Law, a model was constructed to estimate the LAI in the grassy mountains and slopes of southern China with NDVI as the independent variable. The model was validated with field measurement data from different locations and different years in the grassland mountains and slopes of southern China. The results showed that there was a good correlation between the simulated and observed LAI values, and the values of R2 achieved were high. The relative root mean squared error was between 0.109 and 0.12. This indicated that the model was reliable. The above results provided the theoretical basis for the effective management of the grassland resources in southern China and the effective estimation of grassland carbon sink.