bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Endovascular treatment of unruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms: comparison of dual microcatheter technique and stent-assisted coil embolization
Authors: Starke Robert M , Durst Christopher R , Evans Avery , Ding Dale , Raper Daniel M S , Jensen Mary E , Crowley Richard W , Liu Kenneth C
Published: March 2014

Background

Endovascular treatment of wide-necked aneurysms is challenging. Stent-assisted coiling (SAC) is associated with increased complications and requires dual antiplatelet therapy.

Objective

To compare treatment of unruptured, wide-necked aneurysms with a dual-microcatheter technique (DMT) versus SAC.

Methods

Between 2006 and 2011, 100 patients with unruptured wide-necked intracranial aneurysms were treated with DMT and 160 with SAC. Over time there was a significant decrease in the use of SAC and a corresponding increase in DMT. The investigators matched 60 patients treated with DMT blinded to outcome in a 1:2 fashion based on maximal aneurysm dome diameter with 120 patients treated with SAC. Outcomes were determined with conditional (matched) multivariate analysis.

Results

There were no significant differences in patient or aneurysm characteristics between cohorts, including aneurysm diameter, neck width, or volume. Overall packing density and coil volume achieved was not significantly different between cohorts. There were higher rates of overall complications in those receiving SAC (19.2%) compared with DMT (5.0%; p=0.012), but no significant difference in major complications (8.3% vs 1.7%, respectively; p=0.103). At a mean follow-up of 27.0±18.9 months, rates of retreatment did not differ between DMT (15.1%) and SAC (17.7%). Delayed in-stent stenosis occurred in five patients and in-stent thrombosis in four patients treated with SAC. There was no difference in favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin score 0–2) between those treated with DMT (90.6%) compared with SAC (91.2%).

Conclusions

DMT and SAC are effective endovascular approaches for unruptured, wide-necked aneurysms; however, DMT may result in less morbidity. Further long-term studies are necessary to determine the optimal indications for these treatment options.
Growth and structural characterization of Cu2ZnSnSe4 compound for solar cells
Authors: Seña N. , Mesa F. , Dussan A. , Gordillo G.
Published: March 2014

This work reports results concerning the effect of the deposition parameters on the structural properties of Cu2ZnSnSe4 thin films, grown through a chemical reaction of the metallic precursors via coevaporation in a three-stage process. X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the samples deposited by selenization of Cu and Sn grow in the Cu2Se and SnSe2 phases, respectively. The effect of deposition temperature and Cu/Se mass ratio on the transport properties of Cu2ZnSnSe4 films was analyzed. The electrical behavior of the compound was studied.
β-Keratin composition of the specialized spectacle scale of snakes and geckos
Authors: van Doorn Kevin L.H. , Sivak Jacob G. , Vijayan Mathilakath M.
Published: March 2014

The eyes of snakes and most geckos are shielded beneath a layer of transparent skin (the “spectacle”), of which the outermost layer consists of an optically transparent scale. The characteristics of the spectacle scale that contribute to its transparency are not well understood but may conceivably be related to its biochemical composition. The composition of the spectacle scales of numerous snakes and two geckos was analyzed with particular focus on β-keratins, the hard proteins that form the outermost layer of squamate scales, to determine whether spectacle scales differ biochemically from other scales and whether they differ between species. Results indicate that the spectacle scale of snakes differs in the types of β-keratins it contains and that diversity in spectacle β-keratins occurs between species and bears a relationship with taxonomy, suggesting that optical transparency is not restricted to a few isoforms. Other findings include a greater β-keratin to α-keratin ratio in the embryonic spectacle of pythons compared with those from after hatch and a complete absence of β-keratin in gecko spectacle scales, an unusual characteristic for squamate integument. Expression of β-keratins in the spectacle has clearly evolved for needs specific to this specialized region of the integument.
Egg yolk fatty acids as a proxy to quantify diets of female Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri)
Authors: Wang Shiway W. , Hollmén Tuula E. , Iverson Sara J.
Published: March 2014

Determining the diets of threatened Spectacled Eiders (Somateria fischeri (Brandt, 1847)) in relation to life-history stages will provide information to help identify and characterize their critical habitats. Quantitative fatty acid signature analysis (QFASA) is a novel tool that estimates the proportion of diet items in consumers from their fat depots. We conducted feeding experiments to validate the use of QFASA to estimate the mixed diets of captive female Spectacled Eiders using egg yolk fatty acids (FA) collected in 2008 and 2009. Calibration coefficients (CCs) for individual FA were developed to account for FA modification (due to eider lipid metabolism) from diets of eiders into egg yolk. We also compared the FA profiles between fertile and infertile eggs. Egg yolk FA profiles did not differ significantly between infertile and fertile eggs collected in either year. Using the CCs developed from eggs collected in 2008, QFASA closely estimated the 2009 diet composition of eiders. We conclude that using infertile eggs has the potential to provide a noninvasive method to elucidate diets of breeding female Spectacled Eiders and possibly other avian species, and to provide insight into understanding the sources (i.e., marine wintering or freshwater breeding habitat) and timing (i.e., prebreeding or breeding) of nutrient acquisition during reproduction.
The Monge–Ampère type equation in the weighted pluricomplex energy class
Authors: Hai Le Mau , Hiep Pham Hoang , Hong Nguyen Xuan , Phu Nguyen Van
Published: March 2014

In the paper, we prove the existence of solutions of the complex Monge–Ampère type equation -χ(u)(ddcu)n= μ in the class [Formula: see text] if there exist subsolutions in this class. As an application, we prove that the complex Monge–Ampère equation (ddcu)n= μ is solvable in the class [Formula: see text] if there exist subsolutions locally. Moreover, by an example we show that the conditions in our above result are sharp.
Examples of finitely determined map-germs of corank 2 from n-space to (n + 1)-space
Authors: Sharland Ayşe Altıntaş
Published: March 2014

We produce new examples supporting the Mond conjecture which can be stated as follows. The number of parameters needed for a miniversal unfolding of a finitely determined map-germ from n-space to (n + 1)-space is less than (or equal to if the map-germ is weighted homogeneous) the rank of the nth homology group of the image of a stable perturbation of the map-germ. We give examples of finitely determined map-germs of corank 2 from 3-space to 4-space satisfying the conjecture. We introduce a new type of augmentations to generate series of finitely determined map-germs in dimensions (n, n + 1) from a given one in dimensions (n - 1, n). We present more examples in dimensions (4, 5) and (5, 6) based on our examples, and verify the conjecture for them.
Exceptional points, non-normal matrices, hierarchy of spin matrices and an eigenvalue problem
Authors: Steeb Willi-Hans , Hardy Yorick
Published: March 2014

Exceptional points of a class of non-hermitian Hamilton operators Ĥ of the form Ĥ = Ĥ0+ iĤ1are studied, where Ĥ0and Ĥ1are hermitian operators. Finite dimensional Hilbert spaces are considered. The linear operators Ĥ0and Ĥ1are given by spin matrices for spin s = 1/2, 1, 3/2, …. Since the linear operators studied are non-normal, properties of such operators are described.
A model for the bandgap energy of the dilute nitride InGaNAs alloys by modifying simplified coherent potential approximation
Authors: Zhao Chuan-Zhen , Qu You-Yang , Wei Tong , Sun Xiao-Dong , Wang Sha-Sha , Lu Ke-Qing
Published: March 2014

In this paper, a model describing the bandgap energy of the dilute nitride alloy In x Ga 1-x N y As 1-y is developed based on the modification of simplified coherent potential approximation (MSCPA) and the band anti-crossing model (BAC). The parameters in the model are obtained by fitting the experimental bandgap energies of the ternary alloys InGaAs , InGaN , GaNAs and InNAs . It is found that the results agree well with the experimental data. We also find that although the bandgap energies of In x Ga 1-x N y As 1-y and In x Ga 1-x As can be calculated by using MSCPA, the physical mechanisms for the bandgap evolution of In x Ga 1-x N y As 1-y and In x Ga 1-x As are very different. In addition, it is found that the model in this work may be used in a larger composition range than the BAC model.
Evidence of deconfinement phase transition in multiparticle production in relativistic nuclear collisions
Authors: Kamal Arshad , Ahmad Shakeel , Ahmad N. , Irfan M.
Published: March 2014

This paper presents the results of an investigation pertaining to multifractal structure, degree of multifractality and occurrence of deconfinement phase transition. These results are obtained by carrying out analysis of generalized dimensions and Levy index involving relativistic charged particles produced on 14.5A GeV/c28 Si -nucleus collisions following Takagi's approach. The values of Levy index, μ, generalized fractal dimensions, Dq and degree of multifractality, βq, for different orders of moments are calculated in terms of Takagi moments for the experimental, FRITIOF, HIJING and random Monte Carlo (MC-RAND) generated events. The values of multifractal specific heats for all the above data sets are extracted using generalized dimensions, Dq. The analysis also shows small variations in the degree of multifractality for the experimental, FRITIOF and HIJING simulated events. However, the degree of multifractality is quite larger for the random Monte Carlo 28 Si -nucleus generated events at 14.5A GeV/c. Furthermore, the analyses of multifractal specific heat and Levy index in terms of Takagi moments support the presence of multifractality and occurrence of deconfinement phase transition in the experimental and simulated data sets, but for the uncorrelated Monte Carlo simulated events, occurrence of nonthermal phase transition is revealed.
NUMERICAL MODELING OF CAPILLARY–GRAVITY WAVES USING THE PHASE FIELD METHOD
Authors: SOHAIL AYESHA , WAJID HAFIZ ABDUL , RASHIDI MOHAMMAD MEHDI
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we present a numerical model based on the widely used finite element formulation to analyze in detail the effect of surface active agents on capillary–gravity wave parameters such as phase velocity and wave amplitude. Moreover, the effect of a physicochemical parameter, which is the ratio of surface concentration to surface tension is also considered. For a number of fluid samples covering a range of concentrations from 0 to 0.01 molar, the phase speed of waves propagating on the surface of the liquid is found to decrease monotonically as the concentration of the solution considered is increased up to a limit of 0.004 molar. This is attributed to the corresponding increase in capillary number. It is shown numerically that the Marangoni effects contribute to the interfacial dynamics for fluid with physicochemical parameter value greater than 0.5. Moreover, a grid refinement study shows accuracies and convergence orders of the numerical model.
The apparent enhancement of CpG transversions in primate lineage is a consequence of multiple replacements
Authors: Borštnik Branko , Pumpernik Danilo
Published: March 2014

We claim that the apparently enhanced CpG transversions in the form CpG to CpC/GpG or to ApG/CpT are caused by the hypermutable CpG to CpA/TpG transition. The nucleotide replacement counts obtained from the human/chimpanzee/gorilla/orangutan sequence alignments representing the replacements due to the evolutionary species divergence and the results of 1000 genomes project that provide us with the differences due to the intraspecies diversification were analyzed to estimate the ratio of CpG versus non-CpG transversion probabilities. The trinucleotide replacement counts were extracted from the regions that are free of functional constraints. The CpG transversion probabilities based upon the genomic comparisons were found to exceed more than twice the non-CpG transversions. The diversity data emerging from 14 population groups were partitioned in five classes as a function of the parameter quantifying the spread of the polymorphic allele among the group of individuals. The results based upon the human polymorphism exhibit a trend where CpG over non-CpG transversion probability ratio is less and less exceeding unity as the values of the derived allele frequency (DAF) of snps are diminishing. A computer simulation of a simplified model indicates that the phenomenon of the apparent enhancement of CpG transversions can have its source in the interference of the entropic effects with the maximum likelihood methodologies.
A general heuristic for genome rearrangement problems
Authors: Dias Ulisses , Galvão Gustavo Rodrigues , Lintzmayer Carla Négri , Dias Zanoni
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we present a general heuristic for several problems in the genome rearrangement field. Our heuristic does not solve any problem directly, it is rather used to improve the solutions provided by any non-optimal algorithm that solve them. Therefore, we have implemented several algorithms described in the literature and several algorithms developed by ourselves. As a whole, we implemented 23 algorithms for 9 well known problems in the genome rearrangement field. A total of 13 algorithms were implemented for problems that use the notions of prefix and suffix operations. In addition, we worked on 5 algorithms for the classic problem of sorting by transposition and we conclude the experiments by presenting results for 3 approximation algorithms for the sorting by reversals and transpositions problem and 2 approximation algorithms for the sorting by reversals problem. Another algorithm with better approximation ratio can be found for the last genome rearrangement problem, but it is purely theoretical with no practical implementation. The algorithms we implemented in addition to our heuristic lead to the best practical results in each case. In particular, we were able to improve results on the sorting by transpositions problem, which is a very special case because many efforts have been made to generate algorithms with good results in practice and some of these algorithms provide results that equal the optimum solutions in many cases. Our source codes and benchmarks are freely available upon request from the authors so that it will be easier to compare new approaches against our results.
Dynamical behaviors of a diffusive predator–prey system with Beddington–DeAngelis functional response
Authors: Han Er-Dong , Guo Peng
Published: March 2014

In this paper, we present a diffusive predator–prey system with Beddington–DeAngelis functional response, where the prey species can disperse between the two patches, and there is competition between the two predators. Sufficient conditions for the permanence and extinction of system are established based on the upper and lower solution methods and comparison theory of differential equation. Furthermore, the global asymptotic stability of positive solutions is obtained by constructing a suitable Lyapunov function. By using the continuation theorem in coincidence degree theory, we show the periodicity of positive solutions. Finally, we illustrate global asymptotic stability of the model by a simulation figure.
A saccharides sensor developed by symmetrical optical waveguide-based surface plasmon resonance
Authors: Li Ang , Guo Zhouyi , Peng Qing , Du Chan , Han Xida , Liu Le , Guo Jun , He Yonghong , Ji Yanhong
Published: March 2014

We proposed a new saccharides sensor developed by symmetrical optical waveguide (SOW)-based surface plasmon resonance (SPR). This unique MgF 2/ Au / MgF 2/Analyte film structure results in longer surface plasmon wave (SPW) propagation lengths and depths, leading to an increment of resolution. In this paper, we managed to decorate the dielectric interface ( MgF 2 layer) by depositing a thin polydopamine film as surface-adherent that provides a platform for secondary reactions with the probe molecule. 3-Aminophenylboronic acid (3-PBA) is chosen to be the saccharides sense probe molecule in the present work. The aqueous humor of Diabetes and Cataract patient whose blood glucose level is normal are analyzed and the results demonstrated that this sensor shows great potential in monitoring the blood sugar and can be adapted in the field of biological monitoring in the future.
A note on weight distributions of irreducible cyclic codes
Authors: Sharma Anuradha , Sharma Amit K.
Published: March 2014

Irreducible cyclic codes form an important family of cyclic codes and have applications in space communications. Their weight distributions measure their error performance relative to several channels, and hence have been an interesting object of study for a long time. In this note, we provide a method to determine the weight distributions of q-ary irreducible cyclic codes of length n, where q is a prime power and n is a positive integer coprime to q. This method is more effective for irreducible cyclic codes of some special lengths. We also list some optimal irreducible cyclic codes, which attain the distance bounds given in Grassl's Table [Code Tables: Bounds on the parameters of various types of codes, http://www.codetables.de ].
Finger-thumb coupling contributes to exaggerated thumb flexion in stroke survivors
Authors: Kamper Derek G. , Fischer Heidi C. , Conrad Megan O. , Towles Joseph D. , Rymer William Z. , Triandafilou Kristen M.
Published: March 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate altered finger-thumb coupling in individuals with chronic hemiparesis poststroke. First, an external device stretched finger flexor muscles by passively rotating the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joints. Subjects then performed isometric finger or thumb force generation. Forces/torques and electromyographic signals were recorded for both the thumb and finger muscles. Stroke survivors with moderate ( n = 9) and severe ( n = 9) chronic hand impairment participated, along with neurologically intact individuals ( n = 9). Stroke survivors exhibited strong interactions between finger and thumb flexors. The stretch reflex evoked by stretch of the finger flexors of stroke survivors led to heteronymous reflex activity in the thumb, while attempts to produce isolated voluntary finger MCP flexion torque/thumb flexion force led to increased and undesired thumb force/finger MCP torque production poststroke with a striking asymmetry between voluntary flexion and extension. Coherence between the long finger and thumb flexors estimated using intermuscular electromyographic correlations, however, was small. Coactivation of thumb and finger flexor muscles was common in stroke survivors, whether activation was evoked by passive stretch or voluntary activation. The coupling appears to arise from subcortical or spinal sources. Flexor coupling between the thumb and fingers seems to contribute to undesired thumb flexor activity after stroke and may impact rehabilitation outcomes.
Unilateral electrical stimulation of rat locus coeruleus elicits bilateral response of norepinephrine neurons and sustained activation of medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Marzo Aude , Totah Nelson K. , Neves Ricardo M. , Logothetis Nikos K. , Eschenko Oxana
Published: March 2014

The brain stem nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) is thought to modulate cortical excitability by norepinephrine (NE) release in LC forebrain targets. The effects of LC burst discharge, typically evoked by a strong excitatory input, on cortical ongoing activity are poorly understood. To address this question, we combined direct electrical stimulation of LC (LC-DES) with extracellular recording in LC and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), an important cortical target of LC. LC-DES consisting of single pulses (0.1–0.5 ms, 0.01–0.05 mA) or pulse trains (20–50 Hz, 50–200 ms) evoked short-latency excitatory and inhibitory LC responses bilaterally as well as a delayed rebound excitation occurring ∼100 ms after stimulation offset. The pulse trains, but not single pulses, reliably elicited mPFC activity change, which was proportional to the stimulation strength. The firing rate of ∼50% of mPFC units was significantly modulated by the strongest LC-DES. Responses of mPFC putative pyramidal neurons included fast (∼100 ms), transient (∼100–200 ms) inhibition (10% of units) or excitation (13%) and delayed (∼500 ms), sustained (∼1 s) excitation (26%). The sustained spiking resembled NE-dependent mPFC activity during the delay period of working memory tasks. Concurrently, the low-frequency (0.1–8 Hz) power of the local field potential (LFP) decreased and high-frequency (>20 Hz) power increased. Overall, the DES-induced LC firing pattern resembled the naturalistic biphasic response of LC-NE neurons to alerting stimuli and was associated with a shift in cortical state that may optimize processing of behaviorally relevant events.
Nanoscale Strain Fields Research of Boundaries between B2 Matrix and G.P. Zone in Ni-Ti Alloy Thin Films
Authors: Zhao Shilei , Zhao Chunwang
Published: March 2014

Ti-47at.%Ni alloy films were prepared by magnetron sputtering followed by 460°C for 40 minutes heat-treatment. The strain fields between B2 phase matrix and G.P. zone were mapped by a combination of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and geometric phase analysis method. It was found that there is a compressive strain region parallel to the longitudinal axis of G.P. zone with 2 nm in width, −2.2% in average strain at the boundaries between B2 phase and G.P. zone.
The Existence of Positive Solutions for Fractional Differential Equations with Integral and Disturbance Parameter in Boundary Conditions
Authors: Jia Mei , Liu Xiping
Published: March 2014

We study the existence and nonexistence of the positive solutions for the integral boundary value problem of the fractional differential equations with the disturbance parameterain the boundary conditions and the impact of the disturbance parameteraon the existence of positive solutions. By using the upper and lower solutions method, fixed point index theory and the Schauder fixed point theorem, we obtain sufficient conditions for that the problem has at least one positive solution, two positive solutions and no solutions. Under certain conditions, we also obtain the demarcation point which divides the disturbance parameters into two subintervals such that the boundary value problem has positive solutions for the disturbance parameter in one subinterval while no positive solutions in the other.
Sparse-Representation-Based Direct MinimumLp-Norm Algorithm for MRI Phase Unwrapping
Authors: He Wei , Xia Ling , Liu Feng
Published: March 2014

A sparse-representation-based direct minimumLp-norm algorithm is proposed for a two-dimensional MRI phase unwrapping. First, the algorithm converts the weighted-Lp-norm-minimization-based phase unwrapping problem into a linear system problem whose system (coefficient) matrix is a large, symmetric one. Then, the coefficient-matrix is represented in the sparse structure. Finally, standard direct solvers are employed to solve this linear system. Several wrapped phase datasets, including simulated and MR data, were used to evaluate this algorithm’s performance. The results demonstrated that the proposed algorithm for unwrapping MRI phase data is reliable and robust.
Some Surfaces with Zero Curvature inℍ2×ℝ
Authors: Yoon Dae Won
Published: March 2014

We study surfaces defined as graph of the functionz=f(x,y)in the product spaceℍ2×ℝ. In particular, we completely classify flat or minimal surfaces given byf(x,y)=u(x)+v(y), whereu(x)andv(y)are smooth functions.
Smolyak-Grid-Based Flutter Analysis with the Stochastic Aerodynamic Uncertainty
Authors: Dai Yuting , Yang Chao
Published: March 2014

How to estimate the stochastic aerodynamic parametric uncertainty on aeroelastic stability is studied in this current work. The aerodynamic uncertainty is more complicated than the structural one, and it takes more significant effect on the flutter boundary. First, the nominal unsteady aerodynamic influence coefficients were calculated with the doublet lattice method. Based on this nominal model, the stochastic uncertainty model for unsteady aerodynamic pressure coefficients was constructed with physical meaning. Afterwards, the methodology for flutter uncertainty quantification due to aerodynamic perturbation was developed, based on the nonintrusive polynomial chaos expansion theory. In order to enhance the computational efficiency, the integration algorithm, namely, Smolyak sparse grids, was employed to calculate the coefficients of the stochastic polynomial basis. Finally, the flutter uncertainty analysis methodology was applied to an aircraft's wing model. The influence of uncertainty with uniform distribution for aerodynamic pressure coefficients on flutter boundary was quantified. The numerical results indicate that, the influence of unsteady aerodynamic pressure due to the motion of coupling modes takes significant effect on flutter boundary. It is validated that the flutter uncertainty analysis based on Smolyak sparse grids integration is efficient and accurate for quantifying input uncertainty with high dimensions.
Mean-Field Forward-Backward Doubly Stochastic Differential Equations and Related Nonlocal Stochastic Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Zhu Qingfeng , Shi Yufeng
Published: March 2014

Mean-field forward-backward doubly stochastic differential equations (MF-FBDSDEs) are studied, which extend many important equations well studied before. Under some suitable monotonicity assumptions, the existence and uniqueness results for measurable solutions are established by means of a method of continuation. Furthermore, the probabilistic interpretation for the solutions to a class of nonlocal stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) combined with algebra equations is given.
Bimaxillary Keratocystic Odontogenic Tumour: A Case of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Difficulty
Authors: Okoje-Adesomoju Victoria Nwebuni , Adisa Akinyele Olumuyiwa , Gbolahan Olalere Omoyosola , Olajide Mofoluwaso Abimbola
Published: March 2014

Keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) is a benign cystic intraosseous tumour of odontogenic origin that is usually solitary except when syndromic. It rarely occurs in the maxilla; therefore a rapidly progressive, nonsyndromic bimaxillary KCOT with locoregional extension poses significant diagnostic and management challenges. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, documentation of a nonsyndromic bimaxillary KCOT is nonexistent in the English literature. We therefore present the case of an extensive bimaxillary KCOT in a 38-year-old Nigerian male.
Coarse‐Grain QoS‐Aware Dynamic Instance Provisioning for Interactive Workload in the Cloud
Authors: Wan Jianxiong , Liu Limin , Lv Jie , Xu Zhiwei
Published: March 2014

Cloud computing paradigm renders the Internet service providers (ISPs) with a new approach to deliver their service with less cost. ISPs can rent virtual machines from the Infrastructure‐as‐a‐Service (IaaS) provided by the cloud rather than purchasing them. In addition, commercial cloud providers (CPs) offer diverse VM instance rental services in various time granularities, which provide another opportunity for ISPs to reduce cost. We investigate a Coarse‐grain QoS‐aware Dynamic Instance Provisioning (CDIP) problem for interactive workload in the cloud from the perspective of ISPs. We formulate the CDIP problem as an optimization problem where the objective is to minimize the VM instance rental cost and the constraint is the percentile delay bound. Since the Internet traffic shows a strong self‐similar property, it is hard to get an analytical form of the percentile delay constraint. To address this issue, we purpose a lookup table structure together with a learning algorithm to estimate the performance of the instance provisioning policy. This approach is further extended with two function approximations to enhance the scalability of the learning algorithm. We also present an efficient dynamic instance provisioning algorithm, which takes full advantage of the rental service diversity, to determine the instance rental policy. Extensive simulations are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms.
Reactivity of Alkyldibenzothiophenes Using Theoretical Descriptors
Authors: Rivera Jose Luis , Navarro-Santos Pedro , Hernandez-Gonzalez Luis , Guerra-Gonzalez Roberto
Published: March 2014

Theoretical calculations of the reactivity of dibenzothiophene and its methyl, dimethyl, and trimethyl derivatives show that local reactivity descriptors reproduce their experimental desulfurization reactivity trend if the first desulfurization step involves directly the sulfur atom, which only occurs if the sulfur atom is blocked at most by one methyl group. In the series of molecules{4,7-dimethyldibenzothiophene,x,4,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene (x=1,2,3)}, the most reactive molecule is 2,4,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene, and local descriptors show that the reactivity is linked to the activity of the sulfur atom, which is higher in 2,4,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene due to the position of the third methyl substitute, located in theparaposition with respect to the carbon bonded to the sulfur atom. The electrostatic potential of 2,4,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene shows one effective adsorption site, while 1,4,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene and 3,4,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene have more sites, contributing to the higher reactivity of 2,4,7-trimethyldibenzothiophene. The index of reactivity of other descriptors was evaluated and the effect of the position of the methyl substituents on adsorption parameters, as the dipole moment and the atomic charges were also studied.
Network-Based Analysis of Software Change Propagation
Authors: Wang Rongcun , Huang Rubing , Qu Binbin
Published: March 2014

The object-oriented software systems frequently evolve to meet new change requirements. Understanding the characteristics of changes aids testers and system designers to improve the quality of softwares. Identifying important modules becomes a key issue in the process of evolution. In this context, a novel network-based approach is proposed to comprehensively investigate change distributions and the correlation between centrality measures and the scope of change propagation. First, software dependency networks are constructed at class level. And then, the number of times of cochanges among classes is minded from software repositories. According to the dependency relationships and the number of times of cochanges among classes, the scope of change propagation is calculated. Using Spearman rank correlation analyzes the correlation between centrality measures and the scope of change propagation. Three case studies on java open source software projects Findbugs, Hibernate, and Spring are conducted to research the characteristics of change propagation. Experimental results show that (i) change distribution is very uneven; (ii) PageRank, Degree, and CIRank are significantly correlated to the scope of change propagation. Particularly, CIRank shows higher correlation coefficient, which suggests it can be a more useful indicator for measuring the scope of change propagation of classes in object-oriented software system.
Impact of Urban Surface Roughness Length Parameterization Scheme on Urban Atmospheric Environment Simulation
Authors: Cao Meichun , Lin Zhaohui
Published: March 2014

In this paper, the impact of urban surface roughness lengthz0parameterization scheme on the atmospheric environment simulation over Beijing has been investigated through two sets of numerical experiments using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with the Urban Canopy Model. For the control experiment (CTL), the urban surfacez0parameterization scheme used in UCM is the model default one. For another experiment (EXP), a newly developed urban surfacez0parameterization scheme is adopted, which takes into account the comprehensive effects of urban morphology. The comparison of the two sets of simulation results shows that all the roughness parameters computed from the EXP run are larger than those in the CTL run. The increased roughness parameters in the EXP run result in strengthened drag and blocking effects exerted by buildings, which lead to enhanced friction velocity, weakened wind speed in daytime, and boosted turbulent kinetic energy after sunset. Thermal variables (sensible heat flux and temperature) are much less sensitive toz0variations. In contrast with the CTL run, the EXP run reasonably simulates the observed nocturnal low-level jet. Besides, the EXP run-simulated land surface-atmosphere momentum and heat exchanges are also in better agreement with the observation.
Crystal and Molecular Structure of 1,1-Bis(methylthio)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,4-pentadien-3-one
Authors: Gudennavar Bubbly S. , Gudennavar Shivappa B. , Dhanya Viswam
Published: March 2014

The 1,1-bis(methylthio)-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1,4-pentadien-3-one compound crystallizes in the space group C2/c with unit cell parameters a=25.5763 Å, b=8.08863 Å, c=14.1452 Å, and β=108.6∘. The structure was solved by direct methods and refined to an R-factor of 0.0593. Due to the steric interaction between the two methyl groups, one of the methylthio groups is in cis conformation with C11–C10 double bond and the other is in trans conformation. The cinnamoyl group on the carbonyl carbon atom effects more delocalization of the electrons within the molecule so that the structure is highly conjugated and planar.
Semiempirical Methodology for Estimating the Service Life of Concrete Deck Panels Strengthened with Fiber‐Reinforced Polymer
Authors: Kim Eon-Kyoung , Oh Hongseob , Sim Jongsung
Published: March 2014

Deterioration of concrete bridge decks affects their durability, safety, and function. It is therefore necessary to conduct structural rehabilitation of damaged concrete decks by strengthening them with fiber‐reinforced polymer. Of the recent studies on the strengthened structures, most have focused on static behavior; only a few studies have investigated fatigue behavior. Accurate analysis of fatigue in concrete deck performance requires a more realistic simulated moving load. This study developed a theoretical live‐load model to reflect the effect of moving vehicle loads, based on a statistical approach to the measurement of real traffic loads over various time periods in Korea. It assessed the fatigue life and strengthening effect of bridge decks strengthened with either carbon fiber sheets or grid carbon fiber polymer plastic using probabilistic and reliability analyses. It used extrapolations and simulations to derive maximum load effects for time periods ranging from 1 day to 75 years. Limited fatigue tests were conducted and probabilistic and reliability analyses were carried out on the strengthened concrete bridge deck specimens to predict the extended fatigue life. Analysis results indicated that strengthened concrete decks provide sufficient resistance against increasing truck loads during the service life of a bridge.
The Inguinal Herniation of the Ovary in the Newborn: Ultrasound and Color Doppler Ultrasound Findings
Authors: Kaya Omer , Esen Kaan , Gulek Bozkurt , Yilmaz Cengiz , Soker Gokhan , Onem Onder
Published: March 2014

Inguinal hernias in the newborn age group are seldom encountered. In the affected female patient, the ovaries, fallopian tubes, and the intestines may settle in the hernia sac. The early diagnosis of torsion in cases in which the ovary is herniated into the inguinal canal is of utmost importance in order to give surgery the chance of reduction and correction. In this paper, a case of an ovarian herniation into the inguinal canal without the presence of torsion is being presented, and the place of US and CDUS in the differential diagnosis of the situation is being discussed.
The Low Energy Auger Electron Spectroscopy Lines as an Index of the Ba Overlayer Order on the Ni(110) Surface
Authors: Vlachos D. , Kamaratos M. , Foulias S. D.
Published: March 2014

We investigate the interaction of Ba with the Ni(110) surface at elevated temperatures by means of Auger electron spectroscopy and low energy electron diffraction. The results show that annealing of the substrate causes desorption and ordering of the initially amorphous overlayer, resulting in c(2×2) and (2×2) structures. It is observed that the induced ordering crucially affects the lineshape of the double Auger transition line Ba(73 eV)N45O23P1, establishing this line as an index of ordering of the Ba overlayer. The underlying physics of this effect is discussed.
Clustering and Uncertainty in Perfect Chaos Systems
Authors: Kamenshchikov Sergey A.
Published: March 2014

The goal of this investigation was to derive strictly new properties of chaotic systems and their mutual relations. The generalized Fokker-Planck equation with a nonstationary diffusion has been derived and used for chaos analysis. An anomalous transport turned out to be natural property of this equation. A nonlinear dispersion of the considered motion allowed us to find a principal consequence: a chaotic system with uniform dynamic properties tends to instable clustering. Small fluctuations of particles density increase by time and form attractors and stochastic islands even if the initial transport properties have uniform distribution. It was shown that an instability of phase trajectories leads to the nonlinear dispersion law and consequently to a space instability. A fixed boundary system was considered, using a standard Fokker-Planck equation. We have derived that such a type of dynamic systems has a discrete diffusive and energy spectra. It was shown that phase space diffusion is the only parameter that defines a dynamic accuracy in this case. The uncertainty relations have been obtained for conjugate phase space variables with account of transport properties. Given results can be used in the area of chaotic systems modelling and turbulence investigation.
Partitioned Quasi-Newton Approximation for Direct Collocation Methods and Its Application to the Fuel-Optimal Control of a Diesel Engine
Authors: Asprion Jonas , Chinellato Oscar , Guzzella Lino
Published: March 2014

The numerical solution of optimal control problems by direct collocation is a widely used approach. Quasi-Newton approximations of the Hessian of the Lagrangian of the resulting nonlinear program are also common practice. We illustrate that the transcribed problem is separable with respect to the primal variables and propose the application of dense quasi-Newton updates to the small diagonal blocks of the Hessian. This approach resolves memory limitations, preserves the correct sparsity pattern, and generates more accurate curvature information. The effectiveness of this improvement when applied to engineering problems is demonstrated. As an example, the fuel-optimal and emission-constrained control of a turbocharged diesel engine is considered. First results indicate a significantly faster convergence of the nonlinear program solver when the method proposed is used instead of the standard quasi-Newton approximation.
Risk Factors of Domestic Violence in Iran
Authors: Rasoulian M. , Habib S. , Bolhari J. , Hakim Shooshtari M. , Nojomi M. , Abedi Sh.
Published: March 2014

Objectives.In this study, we have evaluated the lifetime and past-year prevalence of exposure to physical violence among married women in the city of Tehran and urban and rural areas of Hashtgerd.Methods.The target population were noninstitutionalized female citizens, aged 15 years or older, who have at least one history of marriage and who resided in the capital city of Tehran or Hashtgerd County from the summer of 2008 to fall of 2010. We used a multistage sampling method. Tehran’s District Six, a central district in Tehran, was selected as a representative cluster of all municipal districts in Tehran. A total of fifty blocks were randomly selected from this district, from which 1,000 married women aged 15 years or older were interviewed using a cross-sectional design. Data was gathered face-to-face using a structured questionnaire. The lifetime prevalence, past-year prevalence, and related factors of domestic violence were measured. SPSS version 11.5 was used for the analyses.Results.Figures for lifetime prevalence and past-year prevalence were measured to be 38.7% and 6.6%, respectively. The independent effects of marital status and location and type of residency for women, along with education and smoking habits of their spouses, were statistically significant in multivariate logistic regression analysis.Conclusion.Domestic violence is a public health concern in Iran. Based on our findings, we propose that empowering women through education, and improving their ability to find employment and income, along with increasing public awareness of human rights issues through education could lower the prevalence of domestic violence.
State Estimator Design of Generalized Liu Systems with Application to Secure Communication and Its Circuit Realization
Authors: Sun Yeong-Jeu
Published: March 2014

The generalized Liu system is firstly introduced and the state observation problem of such a system is explored. A simple state estimator for the generalized Liu system is developed to guarantee the global exponential stability of the resulting error system. Applications of proposed state estimator strategy to chaotic secure communication, circuit implementation, and numerical simulations are provided to show the effectiveness and feasibility of the obtained results. Besides, the guaranteed exponential convergence rate of the proposed state estimator and that of the proposed chaotic secure communication can be precisely calculated.
Study on the Behaviors of a Conceptual Passive Containment Cooling System
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Guo Xueqing , Yu Shengzhi , Cai Baowei , Sun Zhongning , Yan Changqi
Published: March 2014

The containment is an ultimate and important barrier to mitigate the consequences after the release of mass and energy during such scenarios as loss of coolant accident (LOCA) or main steam line break (MSLB). In this investigation, a passive containment cooling system (PCCS) concept is proposed for a large dry concrete containment. The system is composed of series of heat exchangers, long connecting pipes with relatively large diameter, valves, and a water tank, which is located at the top of the system and serves as the final heat sink. The performance of the system is numerically studied in detail under different conditions. In addition, the influences of condensation heat transfer conditions and containment environment temperature conditions are also studied on the behaviors of the system. The results reveal that four distinct operating stages could be experienced as follows: startup stage, single phase quasisteady stage, flashing speed-up transient stage, and flashing dominated quasisteady operating stage. Furthermore, the mechanisms of system behaviors are thus analyzed. Moreover, the feasibility of the system is also discussed to meet the design purpose for the containment integrity requirement. Considering the passive feature and the compactness of the system, the proposed PCCS is promising for the advanced integral type reactor.
Does the Diabetic Foot Have a Significant Impact on Selected Psychological or Social Characteristics of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus?
Authors: Fejfarová Vladimíra , Jirkovská Alexandra , Dragomirecká Eva , Game Frances , Bém Robert , Dubský Michal , Wosková Veronika , Křížová Marta , Skibová Jelena , Wu Stephanie
Published: March 2014

The aim of our case-control study was to compare selected psychological and social characteristics between diabetic patients with and without the DF (controls).Methods. 104 patients with and 48 without DF were included into our study. Both study groups were compared in terms of selected psychosocial characteristics.Results. Compared to controls, patients with DF had a significantly worse quality of life in the area of health and standard of living as shown by lower physical health domain (12.7±2.8versus14.7±2.5;P<0.001) and environment domain (14.1±2.2versus15±1.8;P<0.01) that negatively correlated with diabetes duration (r=-0.061;P=0.003). Patients with DF subjectively felt more depressed in contrast to controls (24.5 versus 7.3%;P<0.05); however, the depressive tuning was objectively proven in higher percentage in both study groups (83.2 versus 89.6; NS). We observed a significantly lower level of achieved education (P<0.01), more patients with disability pensions (P<0.01), and low self-support (P<0.001) in patients with the DF compared to controls. In the subgroup of patients with a previous major amputation and DF (n=6), there were significantly worse outcomes as in the environment domain (P<0.01), employment status, and stress readaptation (P<0.01) in contrast to the main study groups.Conclusions. Patients with DF had a predominantly worse standard of living. In contrast to our expectations, patients with DF appeared to have good stress tolerability and mental health (with the exception of patients with previous major amputation) and did not reveal severe forms of depression or any associated consequences.
Further Investigation on the Relaxed Hybrid Steepest-Descent Methods for Variational Inequalities withk-Strict Pseudocontractions
Authors: Gong Qian-Fen , Wen Dao-Jun
Published: March 2014

We modify the relaxed hybrid steepest-descent methods to the case of variational inequality for finding a solution over the set of common fixed points of a finite family of strictly pseudocontractive mappings. The strongly monotone property defined on cost operator was extended to relaxed cocoercive in convergence analysis. Results presented in this paper may be viewed as a refinement and important generalizations of the previously known results announced by many other authors.
Effect of Seed Size ofAfzelia quanzensison Germination and Seedling Growth
Authors: Mtambalika Kupatsa , Munthali Chimuleke , Gondwe Dominic , Missanjo Edward
Published: March 2014

Afzelia quanzensisWelw is a valuable timber producing tree species in Africa. A study was conducted to evaluate the influence of seed size on seed germination and seedlings quality ofAfzelia quanzensis. Seed was categorized into three groups in regard to their length, small (<1.5 cm), medium (≥ 1.5 ≤ 2.5 cm), and large (>2.5 cm). The treatments were completely randomized into four replications. Germination percentage was not significantly(P>0.05)different between the treatments, although large seeds had the highest germination percentage of 94.9%. There were significant(P<0.05)differences in seedling height and root collar diameter among the different seed sizes, with large seeds having the highest seedlings height and largest root collar diameter. This was attributed to differences in the food reserves. Survival of transplants from shoot dieback was significantly(P<0.05)different such that seedlings from large seed attained the highest survival of 92%. It is therefore recommended that, for production of high quality transplants in the nursery, large seeds should be used.