bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time-Transformation Simulation of a 1.5 Stage Transonic Compressor
Authors: Zori Laith , Galpin Paul , Campregher Rubens , Morales Juan Carlos
Published: December 2016

Time-accurate transient blade row (TBR) simulation approaches are required when there is a close flow coupling between the blade rows, and for fundamentally transient flow phenomena such as aeromechanical analysis. Transient blade row simulations can be computationally impractical when all of the blade passages must be modeled to account for the unequal pitch between the blade rows. In order to reduce the computational cost, time-accurate pitch-change methods are utilized so that only a sector of the turbomachine is modeled. The extension of the time-transformation (TT) pitch-change method to multistage machines has recently shown good promise in predicting both aerodynamic performance and resolving dominant blade passing frequencies for a subsonic compressor, while keeping the computational cost affordable. In this work, a modified 1.5 stage Purdue transonic compressor is examined. The goal is to assess the ability of the multistage time-transformation method to accurately predict the aerodynamic performance and transient flow details in the presence of transonic blade row interactions. The results from the multistage time-transformation simulation were compared with a transient full-wheel simulation. The aerodynamic performance and detailed flow features from the time-transformation solution closely matched the full-wheel simulation at fractional of the computation cost.
A Predictive Framework for Dislocation-Density Pile-Ups in Crystalline Systems With Coincident Site Lattice and Random Grain Boundaries
Authors: Bond David M. , Zikry Mohammed A.
Published: December 2016

Evolving dislocation-density pile-ups at grain-boundaries (GBs) spanning a wide range of coincident site lattice (CSL) and random GB misorientations in face-centered cubic (fcc) bicrystals and polycrystalline aggregates has been investigated. A dislocation-density GB interaction scheme coupled to a dislocation-density-based crystalline plasticity formulation was used in a nonlinear finite element (FE) framework to understand how different GB orientations and GB-dislocation-density interactions affect local and overall behavior. An effective Burger's vector of residual dislocations was obtained for fcc bicrystals and compared with molecular dynamics (MDs) predictions of static GB energy, as well as dislocation-density transmission at GB interfaces. Dislocation-density pile-ups and accumulations of residual dislocations at GBs and triple junctions (TJs) were analyzed for a polycrystalline copper aggregate with Σ1, Σ3, Σ7, Σ13, and Σ21 CSLs and random high-angle GBs to understand and predict the effects of GB misorientation on pile-up formation and evolution. The predictions indicate that dislocation-density pile-ups occur at GBs with significantly misoriented slip systems and large residual Burger's vectors, such as Σ7, Σ13, and Σ21 CSLs and random high-angle GBs, and this resulted in heterogeneous inelastic deformations across the GB and local stress accumulations. GBs with low misorientations of slip systems had high transmission, no dislocation-density pile-ups, and lower stresses than the high-angle GBs. This investigation provides a fundamental understanding of how different representative GB orientations affect GB behavior, slip transmission, and dislocation-density pile-ups at a relevant microstructural scale.
Stability of Open Top Cylindrical Steel Storage Tanks: Design of Top Wind Girder
Authors: Azzuni E. , Guzey S.
Published: December 2016

Design of the top wind stiffeners of aboveground storage tanks designed to the requirements of API 650 is investigated. The current design methodology is based on intuition and experience without a sound technical justification. This paper investigates a diameter limit to be used in the design of the top stiffener ring by using finite-element analysis (FEA) in a parametric study. Linear bifurcation analysis (LBA) and geometrically nonlinear analysis including imperfections (GNIA) were performed on cylindrical storage tanks. By modeling tanks with different diameters and limiting the design of top stiffener ring for a diameter of 170-ft (52-m), the buckling loads are investigated. It was found that the 170-ft (52-m) diameter is a suitable upper limit to design the top stiffener rings for larger diameters.
Solar Field Optical Characterization at Stillwater Geothermal/Solar Hybrid Plant
Authors: Zhu Guangdong , Turchi Craig
Published: December 2016

Concentrating solar power (CSP) can provide additional thermal energy to boost geothermal plant power generation. For a newly constructed solar field at a geothermal power plant site, it is critical to properly characterize its performance so that the prediction of thermal power generation can be derived to develop an optimum operating strategy for a hybrid system. In the past, laboratory characterization of a solar collector has often extended into the solar field performance model and has been used to predict the actual solar field performance, disregarding realistic impacting factors. In this work, an extensive measurement on mirror slope error and receiver position error has been performed in the field by using the optical characterization tool called distant observer (DO). Combining a solar reflectance sampling procedure, a newly developed solar characterization program called firstoptic and public software for annual performance modeling called system advisor model (SAM), a comprehensive solar field optical characterization has been conducted, thus allowing for an informed prediction of solar field annual performance. The paper illustrates this detailed solar field optical characterization procedure and demonstrates how the results help to quantify an appropriate tracking-correction strategy to improve solar field performance. In particular, it is found that an appropriate tracking-offset algorithm can improve the solar field performance by about 15%. The work here provides a valuable reference for the growing CSP industry.
The Effect of Teeth Clenching on Dynamic Balance at Jump-Landing: A Pilot Study
Authors: Nakamura Tomomasa , Yoshida Yuriko , Churei Hiroshi , Aizawa Junya , Hirohata Kenji , Ohmi Takehiro , Ohji Shunsuke , Takahashi Toshiyuki , Enomoto Mitsuhiro , Ueno Toshiaki , Yagishita Kazuyoshi
Published: December 2016

The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of teeth clenching on dynamic balance at jump landing. Twenty-five healthy subjects performed jump-landing tasks with or without teeth clenching. The first 3 trials were performed with no instruction; subsequently, subjects were ordered to clench at the time of landing in the following 3 trials. We collected the data of masseter muscle activity by electromyogram, the maximum vertical ground reaction force (vGRFmax) and center of pressure (CoP) parameters by force plate during jump-landing. According to the clenching status of control jump-landing, all participants were categorized into a spontaneous clenching group and no clenching group, and the CoP data were compared. The masseter muscle activity was correlated with vGRFmax during anterior jump-landing, while it was not correlated with CoP. In comparisons between the spontaneous clenching and the no clenching group during anterior jump-landing, the spontaneous clenching group showed harder landing and the CoP area became larger than the no clenching group. There were no significant differences between pre- and postintervention in both spontaneous clenching and no clenching groups. The effect of teeth clenching on dynamic balance during jump-landing was limited.
Impact of a Long Run on Injury-Related Biomechanics with Relation to Weekly Mileage in Trained Male Runners
Authors: Paquette Max R. , Melcher Daniel A.
Published: December 2016

The purposes of this study were to compare selected biomechanical variables before and after a long run, and to assess the relationship between weekly running volume and changes in lower limb biomechanics after the run. Twelve trained habitual rearfoot strike male runners ran overground before and after a treadmill long run while kinematic and kinetic data were recorded. Repeated measures analysis of variance and Cohen’s d effect sizes were used to compare kinematic and kinetic variables before and after the run. Loading rate was 6% higher after the run (p < .05) but this difference had a small effect size (d = .32). Moderate effects were found for a 25% increase in peak ankle eversion (d = 0.62) and a 10% increase in hip adduction (d = 0.60) after the run. These findings suggest that the completion of a submaximal long run does not yield potentially injurious lower limb biomechanics in uninjured rearfoot strike runners. Weekly running mileage was not correlated to biomechanical changes observed before and after the long run. Since biomechanical responses to the long run varied among runners, differences in other factors such as specific training regimens and neuromuscular control should be considered in future studies.
A Comparative Study of the Effects of Pilates and Latin Dance on Static and Dynamic Balance in Older Adults
Authors: Sofianidis George , Dimitriou Anna-Maria , Hatzitaki Vassilia
Published: December 2016

The present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of exercise programs with Pilates and Latin dance on older adults’ static and dynamic balance. Thirty-two older adults were divided into three groups: Pilates group, Dance group, and Control group. Static and dynamic balance was assessed with following tasks: (a) tandem stance, (b) one-leg stance, and (c) periodic sway with and without metronome guidance. Analysis revealed a significant reduction of the trunk sway amplitude during the tandem stance with eyes closed, reduction in the center of pressure (CoP) displacement during one-leg stance, and increase in the amplitude of trunk oscillation during the sway task for both intervention groups, and reduction in the standard deviation of the CoP displacement during the metronome paced task only for the dance group. The differences in specific balance indices between the two programs suggest some specific adaptations that may provide useful knowledge for the selection of exercises that are better tailored to the needs of the old adult
The Effect of Joint Mobilization on Dynamic Postural Control in Patients With Chronic Ankle Instability: A Critically Appraised Topic
Authors: Kosik Kyle B. , Gribble Phillip A.
Published: December 2016

Clinical Scenario: Dorsiflexion range of motion is an important factor in the performance of the Star Excursion Balance Test (SEBT). While patients with chronic ankle instability (CAI) commonly experience decreased reach distances on the SEBT, ankle joint mobilization has been suggested to be an effective therapeutic intervention for targeting dorsiflexion range of motion. Clinical Question: What is the evidence to support ankle joint mobilization for improving performance on the SEBT in patients with CAI? Summary of Key Findings: The literature was searched for articles examining the effects of ankle joint mobilization on scores of the SEBT. A total of 3 peer-reviewed articles were retrieved, 2 prospective individual cohort studies and 1 randomized controlled trial. Only 2 articles demonstrated favorable results following 6 sessions of ankle joint mobilization. Clinical Bottom Line: Despite the mixed results, the majority of the available evidence suggests that ankle joint mobilization improves dynamic postural control. Strength of Recommendation: In accordance with the Centre of Evidence Based Medicine, the inconsistent results and the limited high-quality studies indicate that there is level C evidence to support the use of ankle joint mobilization to improve performance on the SEBT in patients with CAI.
Analysis of Gauntlet Test Performance and Injury Risk in Intercollegiate Division I Female Soccer (Football) Players: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Ness Brandon M. , Zimney Kory , Schweinle William E.
Published: December 2016

Context:

Injury risk factors and relevant assessments have been identified in women’s soccer athletes. Other tests assess fitness (eg, the Gauntlet Test [GT]). However, little empirical support exists for the utility of the GT to predict time loss injury.

Objectives:

To examine the GT as a predictor of injury in intercollegiate Division I female soccer athletes.

Design:

Retrospective, nonexperimental descriptive cohort study.

Setting:

College athletic facilities.

Participants:

71 female Division I soccer athletes (age 19.6 ± 1.24 y, BMI 23.0 ± 2.19).

Main Outcome Measures:

GT, demographic, and injury data were collected over 3 consecutive seasons. GT trials were administered by coaching staff each preseason. Participation in team-based activities (practices, matches) was restricted until a successful GT trial. Soccer-related injuries that resulted in time loss from participation were recorded.

Results:

71 subjects met the inclusion criteria, with 12 lower body time loss injuries sustained. Logistic regression models indicated that with each unsuccessful GT attempt, the odds of sustaining an injury increased by a factor of 3.5 (P < .02). The Youden index was 2 GT trials for success, at which sensitivity = .92 and specificity = .46. For successive GT trials before success (1, 2, or 3), the predicted probabilities for injury were .063, .194, and .463, respectively.

Conclusions:

The GT appears to be a convenient and predictive screen for potential lowerbody injuries among female soccer athletes in this cohort. Further investigation into the appropriate application of the GT for injury prediction is warranted given the scope of this study.
Regeneration of Skeletal Muscle After Eccentric Injury
Authors: Dueweke Jeffrey J. , Awan Tariq M. , Mendias Christopher L.
Published: December 2016

Eccentric-contraction-induced skeletal muscle injuries, included in what is clinically referred to as muscle strains, are among the most common injuries treated in the sports medicine setting. Although patients with mild injuries often fully recover to their preinjury levels, patients who suffer moderate or severe injuries can have a persistent weakness and loss of function that is refractory to rehabilitation exercises and currently available therapeutic interventions. The objectives of this review were to describe the fundamental biophysics of force transmission in muscle and the mechanism of muscle-strain injuries, as well as the cellular and molecular processes that underlie the repair and regeneration of injured muscle tissue. The review also summarizes how commonly used therapeutic modalities affect muscle regeneration and opportunities to further improve our treatment of skeletal muscle strain injuries.
The Role of Gender in Neuropsychological Assessment in Healthy Adolescents
Authors: Mormile Megan Elizabeth Evelyn , Langdon Jody L. , Hunt Tamerah Nicole
Published: December 2016

Context: Research in college athletes has revealed significant gender differences in areas of verbal memory, visual memory, and reaction time. Additionally, research has focused on differences in neuropsychological components and gender in college populations; however, such differences in gender have not been documented in healthy adolescent populations. Purpose: To identify potential differences between males and females using different components of a common computerized neuropsychological test. Methods: A computerized neuropsychological test battery (ImPACT®) was administered to 662 high-school age adolescent athletes (male: n = 451 female: n = 262). Differences between genders were calculated using a 1-way ANOVA. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS 23.0. Significance levels were set a priori at P < .05. Results: A 1-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences between males and females for composite reaction time (F1,660 = 10.68, P = .001) and total symptom score (F1,660 = 81.20, P < .001). However, no statistically significant differences were found between males and females in composite verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor, or impulse control (P > .05). Conclusions: Significant differences between males and females were discovered for composite reaction time and total symptom scores, with females reporting more symptoms and slower reaction times at a baseline assessment. Increased symptom reporting by females may be attributed to both hormonal differences and increased honesty. Quicker reaction times in males may support theories that repetition of activities and quicker muscle contraction are gender dependent. However, additional research is necessary to understand gender differences in adolescent athletes during periods of cognitive and physical maturation.
Clinical and pH study characteristics in reflux patients with and without ineffective oesophageal motility (IEM)
Authors: Triadafilopoulos George , Tandon Apurva , Shetler Katerina P , Clarke John
Published: December 2016

Background

The aetiology and clinical impact of ineffective oesophageal motility (IEM) remain poorly understood, but the condition is thought to worsen supine gastro-oesophageal acid reflux (GERD).

Aims

In this retrospective cohort analysis of symptomatic patients with abnormal oesophageal acid exposure, we sought to determine any clinical or functional characteristics that would distinguish those with normal peristalsis from those with IEM, defined using the Chicago classification. We hypothesised that the impaired oesophageal clearance in IEM would be contributing to more severe degrees of pathological acid exposure, as well as clinical and endoscopic GERD severity.

Methods

Consecutive symptomatic patients with GERD underwent clinical, endoscopic and functional evaluation that included high-resolution impedance manometry (HRIM) and ambulatory pH monitoring performed ‘off’ acid suppressive therapy.

Results

Of the 114 patients with abnormal oesophageal acid exposure, 71 had normal oesophageal motility by HRIM and 43 were diagnosed with IEM (38% prevalence). Age, gender and symptom duration were similar between the two groups. Both groups had similar magnitude and frequency of symptoms, making a distinction clinically impossible. Endoscopically, the two groups had similar rates of erosive disease, hiatal hernia and Barrett's oesophagus. Ambulatory pH, proton pump inhibitor (PPI) dosage and PPI response rates were also similar. Nevertheless, patients with IEM had significantly more impairment of oesophageal clearance (mean 56.9±6.4) than those with normal motility (mean 32.4±5.0) (p<0.003).

Conclusions

Symptomatic patients with IEM exhibit significant impairment of oesophageal clearance but are otherwise clinically indistinguishable from those with normal oesophageal motility and have a similar prevalence of erosive disease and pathological acid exposure.
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation Based Genetic Algorithm for Graph Distribution
Authors: Nacer Tabib , Eddine Saidouni Djamel
Published: December 2016

This paper proposes a novel versatile genetic algorithm (GA) for solving the graph distribution problem. The new GA is based mainly on an inspirational idea that exploits the Newton’s universal gravitation law to introduce a novel GA fitness function. By this,the new GA preserves the workload balancing property between the different sites of the graph network and reduces the inter-processors communications overhead. Moreover, three main variants of the novel GA are developed. The two first; centralized and distributed variants, are developed to conduct a graph distribution over homogeneous architectures. The third variant is a distributed one devoted for heterogeneous architectures where the impact of the auto-adaptation features of the GA emerges. The results obtained and the comparative studies show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Topological rigidity for FJ by the infinite cyclic group
Authors: Wang Kun
Published: December 2016

We call a group FJ if it satisfies the [Formula: see text]- and [Formula: see text]-theoretic Farrell–Jones conjecture with coefficients in [Formula: see text]. We show that if [Formula: see text] is FJ, then the simple Borel conjecture (in dimensions [Formula: see text]) holds for every group of the form [Formula: see text]. If in addition [Formula: see text], which is true for all known torsion-free FJ groups, then the bordism Borel conjecture (in dimensions [Formula: see text]) holds for [Formula: see text]. One of the key ingredients in proving these rigidity results is another main result, which says that if a torsion-free group [Formula: see text] satisfies the [Formula: see text]-theoretic Farrell–Jones conjecture with coefficients in [Formula: see text], then any semi-direct product [Formula: see text] also satisfies the [Formula: see text]-theoretic Farrell–Jones conjecture with coefficients in [Formula: see text]. Our result is indeed more general and implies the [Formula: see text]-theoretic Farrell–Jones conjecture with coefficients in additive categories is closed under extensions of torsion-free groups. This enables us to extend the class of groups which satisfy the Novikov conjecture.
Compiler-Directed Soft Error Detection and Recovery to Avoid DUE and SDC via Tail-DMR
Authors: Liu Qingrui , Jung Changhee , Lee Dongyoon , Tiwari Devesh
Published: December 2016

This article presents Clover, a compiler-directed soft error detection and recovery scheme for lightweight soft error resilience. The compiler carefully generates soft-error-tolerant code based on idempotent processing without explicit checkpoints. During program execution, Clover relies on a small number of acoustic wave detectors deployed in the processor to identify soft errors by sensing the wave made by a particle strike. To cope with DUEs (detected unrecoverable errors) caused by the sensing latency of error detection, Clover leverages a novel selective instruction duplication technique called tail-DMR (dual modular redundancy) that provides a region-level error containment. Once a soft error is detected by either the sensors or the tail-DMR, Clover takes care of the error as in the case of exception handling. To recover from the error, Clover simply redirects program control to the beginning of the code region where the error is detected. The experimental results demonstrate that the average runtime overhead is only 26%, which is a 75% reduction compared to that of the state-of-the-art soft error resilience technique. In addition, this article evaluates an alternative technique called tail-wait, comparing it to Clover. According to the evaluation with the different processor configurations and the various error detection latencies, Clover turns out to be a superior technique, achieving 1.06 to 3.49 × speedup over the tail-wait.
Efficient Elliptic Curve Cryptography for Embedded Devices
Authors: Liu Zhe , Weng Jian , Hu Zhi , Seo Hwajeong
Published: December 2016

Many resource-constrained embedded devices, such as wireless sensor nodes, require public key encryption or a digital signature, which has induced plenty of research on efficient and secure implementation of elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) on 8-bit processors. In this work, we study the suitability of a special class of finite fields, called optimal prime fields (OPFs), for a “lightweight” ECC implementation with a view toward high performance and security. First, we introduce a highly optimized arithmetic library for OPFs that includes two implementations for each finite field arithmetic operation, namely a performance-optimized version and a security-optimized variant. The latter is resistant against simple power analysis attacks in the sense that it always executes the same sequence of instructions, independent of the operands. Based on this OPF library, we then describe a performance-optimized and a security-optimized implementation of scalar multiplication on the elliptic curve over OPFs at several security levels. The former uses the Gallant-Lambert-Vanstone method on twisted Edwards curves and reaches an execution time of 3.14M cycles (over a 160-bit OPF) on an 8-bit ATmega128 processor, whereas the latter is based on a Montgomery curve and executes in 5.53M cycles.
Accelerating the Kamada-Kawai Algorithm for Boundary Detection in a Mobile Ad Hoc Network
Authors: Cheong Se-Hang , Si Yain-Whar
Published: December 2016

Force-directed algorithms such as the Kamada-Kawai algorithm have shown promising results for solving the boundary detection problem in a mobile ad hoc network. However, the classical Kamada-Kawai algorithm does not scale well when it is used in networks with large numbers of nodes. It also produces poor results in non-convex networks. To address these problems, this article proposes an improved version of the Kamada-Kawai algorithm. The proposed extension includes novel heuristics and algorithms that achieve a faster energy level reduction. Our experimental results show that the improved algorithm can significantly shorten the processing time and detect boundary nodes with an acceptable level of accuracy.
Privacy Games Along Location Traces
Authors: Shokri Reza , Theodorakopoulos George , Troncoso Carmela
Published: December 2016

The mainstream approach to protecting the privacy of mobile users in location-based services (LBSs) is to alter (e.g., perturb, hide, and so on) the users’ actual locations in order to reduce exposed sensitive information. In order to be effective, a location-privacy preserving mechanism must consider both the privacy and utility requirements of each user, as well as the user’s overall exposed locations (which contribute to the adversary’s background knowledge).

In this article, we propose a methodology that enables the design of
optimal
user-centric location obfuscation mechanisms respecting each individual user’s service quality requirements, while maximizing the expected error that the optimal adversary incurs in reconstructing the user’s actual trace. A key advantage of a user-centric mechanism is that it does not depend on third-party proxies or anonymizers; thus, it can be directly integrated in the mobile devices that users employ to access LBSs. Our methodology is based on the mutual optimization of user/adversary objectives (maximizing location privacy versus minimizing localization error) formalized as a Stackelberg Bayesian game. This formalization makes our solution robust against
any
location inference attack, that is, the adversary cannot decrease the user’s privacy by designing a better inference algorithm as long as the obfuscation mechanism is designed according to our privacy games.

We develop two linear programs that solve the location privacy game and output the optimal obfuscation strategy and its corresponding optimal inference attack. These linear programs are used to design location privacy--preserving mechanisms that consider the correlation between past, current, and future locations of the user, thus can be tuned to protect different privacy objectives along the user’s location trace. We illustrate the efficacy of the optimal location privacy--preserving mechanisms obtained with our approach against real location traces, showing their performance in protecting users’ different location privacy objectives.
Fine-Grain Power Breakdown of Modern Out-of-Order Cores and Its Implications on Skylake-Based Systems
Authors: Haj-Yihia Jawad , Yasin Ahmad , Asher Yosi Ben , Mendelson Avi
Published: December 2016

A detailed analysis of power consumption at low system levels becomes important as a means for reducing the overall power consumption of a system and its thermal hot spots. This work presents a new power estimation method that allows understanding the power breakdown of an application when running on modern processor architecture such as the newly released Intel Skylake processor. This work also provides a detailed power and performance characterization report for the SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks, analysis of the data using side-by-side power and performance breakdowns, as well as few interesting case studies.
A Software Cache Partitioning System for Hash-Based Caches
Authors: Scolari Alberto , Bartolini Davide Basilio , Santambrogio Marco Domenico
Published: December 2016

Contention on the shared Last-Level Cache (LLC) can have a fundamental negative impact on the performance of applications executed on modern multicores. An interesting software approach to address LLC contention issues is based on
page coloring
, which is a software technique that attempts to achieve performance isolation by partitioning a shared cache through careful memory management. The key assumption of traditional page coloring is that the cache is physically addressed. However, recent multicore architectures (e.g., Intel Sandy Bridge and later) switched from a physical addressing scheme to a more complex scheme that involves a hash function. Traditional page coloring is ineffective on these recent architectures.

In this article, we extend page coloring to work on these recent architectures by proposing a mechanism able to handle their hash-based LLC addressing scheme. Just as for traditional page coloring, the goal of this new mechanism is to deliver performance isolation by avoiding contention on the LLC, thus enabling predictable performance. We implement this mechanism in the Linux kernel, and evaluate it using several benchmarks from the SPEC CPU2006 and PARSEC 3.0 suites. Our results show that our solution is able to deliver performance isolation to concurrently running applications by enforcing partitioning of a Sandy Bridge LLC, which traditional page coloring techniques are not able to handle.
The Calculation of Single-Nucleon Energies of Nuclei by Considering Two-Body Effective Interaction, n(k,ρ), and a Hartree-Fock Inspired Scheme
Authors: Mariji H.
Published: December 2016

The nucleon single-particle energies (SPEs) of the selected nuclei, that is, O16, Ca40, and Ni56, are obtained by using the diagonal matrix elements of two-body effective interaction, which generated through the lowest-order constrained variational (LOCV) calculations for the symmetric nuclear matter with the Aυ18 phenomenological nucleon-nucleon potential. The SPEs at the major levels of nuclei are calculated by employing a Hartree-Fock inspired scheme in the spherical harmonic oscillator basis. In the scheme, the correlation influences are taken into account by imposing the nucleon effective mass factor on the radial wave functions of the major levels. Replacing the density-dependent one-body momentum distribution functions of nucleons, n(k,ρ), with the Heaviside functions, the role of n(k,ρ) in the nucleon SPEs at the major levels of the selected closed shell nuclei is investigated. The best fit of spin-orbit splitting is taken into account when correcting the major levels of the nuclei by using the parameterized Wood-Saxon potential and the Aυ18 density-dependent mean field potential which is constructed by the LOCV method. Considering the point-like protons in the spherical Coulomb potential well, the single-proton energies are corrected. The results show the importance of including n(k,ρ), instead of the Heaviside functions, in the calculation of nucleon SPEs at the different levels, particularly the valence levels, of the closed shell nuclei.
Defining the Optimal Region of Interest for Hyperemia Grading in the Bulbar Conjunctiva
Authors: Sánchez Brea María Luisa , Barreira Rodríguez Noelia , Mosquera González Antonio , Evans Katharine , Pena-Verdeal Hugo
Published: December 2016

Conjunctival hyperemia or conjunctival redness is a symptom that can be associated with a broad group of ocular diseases. Its levels of severity are represented by standard photographic charts that are visually compared with the patient’s eye. This way, the hyperemia diagnosis becomes a nonrepeatable task that depends on the experience of the grader. To solve this problem, we have proposed a computer-aided methodology that comprises three main stages: the segmentation of the conjunctiva, the extraction of features in this region based on colour and the presence of blood vessels, and, finally, the transformation of these features into grading scale values by means of regression techniques. However, the conjunctival segmentation can be slightly inaccurate mainly due to illumination issues. In this work, we analyse the relevance of different features with respect to their location within the conjunctiva in order to delimit a reliable region of interest for the grading. The results show that the automatic procedure behaves like an expert using only a limited region of interest within the conjunctiva.
Design and Optimisation of a Simple Filter Group for Reactive Power Distribution
Authors: Klempka Ryszard
Published: December 2016

Basic methods are presented to design a simple filter group and a method of shaping the resultant of the filter group’s impedance characteristics (distribution of the characteristics’ extremes) and then project equations were transformed into a uniform, common form that addresses issues of the reactive power distribution between component filters. The analysis also takes into account the filters’ detuning from the reduced harmonics and quality factors of passive elements. Another important factor of the analysis considered was the power grid equivalent impedance affecting the filtration effectiveness. A criterion for the filter group’s filtration effectiveness evaluation was proposed and optimisation was completed for the reactive power distribution between separate filters in the function of the power grid’s equivalent inductance.
Competitive Adsorption of Cadmium(II) and Mercury(II) Ions from Aqueous Solutions by Activated Carbon from Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge Hull
Authors: Zhang Xiaotao , Hao Yinan , Wang Ximing , Chen Zhangjing , Li Chun
Published: December 2016

This paper presents low-cost and recyclable activated carbon (XLAC) derived from Xanthoceras sorbifolia Bunge hull for high-efficiency adsorption of Cd(II) and Hg(II) ions in industrial wastewater. XLAC was prepared through H3PO4 activation and was characterized using N2 adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. In single-metal-system adsorption experiments, the maximum adsorption capacities for Cd(II) and Hg(II) obtained under different experimental conditions were 388.7 and 235.6 mg·g−1, respectively. All adsorption equilibrium data fit perfectly with the Langmuir isotherm model. In a binary metal system, competitive studies demonstrated that the presence of Cd(II) significantly decreased the adsorption of Hg(II), but the adsorption of Cd(II) showed a little change in the presence of Hg(II). In addition, XLAC can be regenerated with a 0.01 mol·L−1 HNO3 solution and reused at least four times. The FTIR spectra revealed that a chemical interaction occurs between functional groups containing lone electron pairs in XLAC and metal ions. Overall, these results suggest that XLAC may be suitable as an adsorbent for heavy metal removal from wastewater streams.
Incorporating Colour Information for Computer-Aided Diagnosis of Melanoma from Dermoscopy Images: A Retrospective Survey and Critical Analysis
Authors: Madooei Ali , Drew Mark S.
Published: December 2016

Cutaneous melanoma is the most life-threatening form of skin cancer. Although advanced melanoma is often considered as incurable, if detected and excised early, the prognosis is promising. Today, clinicians use computer vision in an increasing number of applications to aid early detection of melanoma through dermatological image analysis (dermoscopy images, in particular). Colour assessment is essential for the clinical diagnosis of skin cancers. Due to this diagnostic importance, many studies have either focused on or employed colour features as a constituent part of their skin lesion analysis systems. These studies range from using low-level colour features, such as simple statistical measures of colours occurring in the lesion, to availing themselves of high-level semantic features such as the presence of blue-white veil, globules, or colour variegation in the lesion. This paper provides a retrospective survey and critical analysis of contributions in this research direction.
Ship Hull Principal Dimensions Optimization Employing Fuzzy Decision-Making Theory
Authors: Jianping Chen , Jie Xu , You Gong , Li Xu
Published: December 2016

The paper presents an optimization method for the ship hull principal dimensions scheme employing the fuzzy decision-making theory. First of all, the paper establishes the fuzzy decision-making model of the ship hull principal dimensions optimization, and then a series of ship hull principal dimensions schemes are accordingly constructed by employing the variable value method. On the basis of this, the fuzzy decision-making method is employed to evaluate the series ship hull principal dimensions schemes. Finally, the optimal ship hull principal dimensions scheme is obtained. The example demonstration verified the proposed method’s validity for ship hull principal dimensions optimization economic performance.
Using CFD as Preventative Maintenance Tool for the Cold Neutron Source Thermosiphon System
Authors: Ho Mark , Jeong Yeongshin , Park Haneol , Yeoh Guan Heng , Lu Weijian
Published: December 2016

The cold neutron source (CNS) system of the Open Pool Australian Light-Water (OPAL) reactor is a 20 L cryogenically cooled liquid deuterium thermosiphon system. The CNS is cooled by forced convective helium which is held at room temperature during stand-by (SO) mode and at ~20 K during normal operation (NO) mode. When helium cooling stops, the reactor is shut down to prevent the moderator cell from overheating. This computational fluid dynamics (CFD) study aims to determine whether the combined effects of conduction and natural convection would provide sufficient cooling for the moderator cell under the influence of reactor decay heat after reactor shutdown. To achieve this, two commercial CFD software packages using an identical CFD mesh were first assessed against an experimental heat transfer test of the CNS. It was found that both numerical models were valid within the bounds of experimental uncertainty. After this, one CFD model was used to simulate the thermosiphon transient condition after the reactor is shut down. Two independent shutdown conditions of different decay-heat power profiles were simulated. It was found that the natural convection and conduction cooling in the thermosiphon were sufficient for dissipating both decay-heat profiles, with the moderator cell remaining below the safe temperature of 200°C.
Renal Urotensin II System Plays Roles in the Regulation of Blood Pressure in Dahl Salt-Resistant Rat
Authors: Wu Fei , Chen Guanjong , Zhang Aihua , Yu Yang , Fan Minhua , Tang Chaoshu
Published: December 2016

Introduction. Dahl salt-resistant (SR) animal models are similar to peritoneal dialysis patients with fluid volumes overload with normal blood pressure in hemodynamic profiles. We will verify the roles of UII in the regulation of blood pressure in these animal models.Methodology. The Dahl salt-sensitive (SS) and SR rats and UII receptor gene knocked out (KO) mice were placed on a high-salt diet. Renal tissues were performed for the expression of UII in Dahl groups.Results. After high-salt diet for 6 weeks, the systolic blood pressure (SBP) in SR group was significantly lower, accompanied with higher urinary UII levels, higher 24-hour urinary sodium excretion, and higher urinary creatinine clearance in the SR rats in comparison to SS group. The expressions of UII and UT were both upregulated in the kidney tissues of SR group in comparison to SS group (P<0.05). After high-salt diet for 8 weeks, the SBP of the KO group is significantly higher than that of the wild type group.Conclusion. We first demonstrate that renal UII system can play important roles in the regulation of blood pressure in Dahl SR rats which can be highly correlated to its effect on renal tubular sodium absorption.
Biologics for Targeting Inflammatory Cytokines, Clinical Uses, and Limitations
Authors: Rider Peleg , Carmi Yaron , Cohen Idan
Published: December 2016

Proinflammatory cytokines are potent mediators of numerous biological processes and are tightly regulated in the body. Chronic uncontrolled levels of such cytokines can initiate and derive many pathologies, including incidences of autoimmunity and cancer. Therefore, therapies that regulate the activity of inflammatory cytokines, either by supplementation of anti-inflammatory recombinant cytokines or by neutralizing them by using blocking antibodies, have been extensively used over the past decades. Over the past few years, new innovative biological agents for blocking and regulating cytokine activities have emerged. Here, we review some of the most recent approaches of cytokine targeting, focusing on anti-TNF antibodies or recombinant TNF decoy receptor, recombinant IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) and anti-IL-1 antibodies, anti-IL-6 receptor antibodies, and TH17 targeting antibodies. We discuss their effects as biologic drugs, as evaluated in numerous clinical trials, and highlight their therapeutic potential as well as emphasize their inherent limitations and clinical risks. We suggest that while systemic blocking of proinflammatory cytokines using biological agents can ameliorate disease pathogenesis and progression, it may also abrogate the hosts defense against infections. Moreover, we outline the rational need to develop new therapies, which block inflammatory cytokines only at sites of inflammation, while enabling their function systemically.
Epileptic Seizures Induced by a Spontaneous Carotid Cavernous Fistula
Authors: Çelik Güner Koyuncu , Yildirim Erkan
Published: December 2016

A 79-year-old woman was admitted to our emergency department with complaints of fainting and loss of consciousness three times during the past month. She was diagnosed with epilepsy and started to be treated with antiepileptic drug. Physical examination showed, in the left eye, chemosis, limited eye movements in all directions, and minimal exophthalmos as unexisting symptoms on admission developed on the sixth day. Orbital magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging revealed a carotid cavernous fistula (CCF). Epileptic attacks and ophthalmic findings previously present but diagnosed during our examinations were determined to ameliorate completely after performing the coil embolization. Based on literature, we present the first case with nontraumatic CCF manifesting with epileptic seizures and intermittent eye symptoms in the present report.
ERBB2 Expression as Potential Risk-Stratification for Early Cystectomy in Patients with pT1 Bladder Cancer and Concomitant Carcinoma in situ
Authors: Breyer Johannes , Otto Wolfgang , Wirtz Ralph M. , Wullich Bernd , Keck Bastian , Erben Philipp , Kriegmair Maximilian C. , Stoehr Robert , Eckstein Markus , Laible Mark , Schlombs Kornelia , Eidt Sebastian , Denzinger Stefan , Burger Maximilian , Hartmann Arndt ,   on behalf of the BRIDGE Consortium
Published: December 2016

Background/Aims/Objectives: It is difficult to identify patients with a non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) at stage pT1 with concomitant carcinoma in situ (Cis) who will benefit from an early cystectomy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues of patients with NMIBC. Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of progesterone receptor (PGR), estrogen receptor (ESR1), ERBB2, and marker of proliferation Ki-67 (MKI67) was measured by single-step reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction using RNA-specific TaqMan assays. Relative gene expression was determined by the normalization of 2 reference genes (CALM2, B2M) using the 40 ΔΔCT method and relative gene expression was correlated to the histopathological stage and oncological outcome. Results: Of 302 patients with pT1 NMIBC in the initial transurethral resection of the bladder, 65 had a concomitant Cis. Elevated ERBB2 expression (>40.1) significantly correlated with progress in patients with and without concomitant Cis (p = 0.020 and p = 0.049, respectively). For the subgroup of pT1 with concomitant Cis, elevated ERBB2 expression significantly discriminated between a high-risk group of 55% progression-free survival (PFS) and a low-risk group of 90% PFS after a 5-year follow-up (p = 0.020). Cox-regression analysis revealed ERBB2 expression as the only independent prognostic factor for PFS (p = 0.0037). Conclusions: High mRNA expression of ERBB2 can identify patients with pT1 NMIBC with concomitant Cis, who have a high risk of progression and might benefit from an early cystectomy.
Diagnose emendada de Gangamopteris buriadica Feistmantel do Permiano do Gondwana
Authors: Iannuzzi Roberto , Bernardes-de-Oliveira Mary Elizabeth Cerruti , Pillai Sankar Suresh Kumar , Tybusch Graciela Pereira , Hoelzel Amanda
Published: December 2016

O principal objetivo deste estudo é reavaliar os caracteres diagnósticos de Gangamopteris (?) buriadica Feistmantel com base na análise do material tipo, depositado na coleção do Serviço Geológico da Índia, Calcutá, e outros espécimes depositados em distintas coleções situadas no sudeste (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro) e sul (Porto Alegre) do Brasil. Um recente reexame do material tipo revelou uma feição tafonômica única: a lâmina foliar está lateralmente dobrada sobre si mesma. Este fato implica em uma nova interpretação da forma da folha de um contorno lanceolado-espatulado para um mais ovalado-obovado. Além disso, a visão apenas parcial da lâmina não permite o entendimento do verdadeiro padrão das veias laterais por completo, as quais se inclinam em direção às margens laterais. Como uma conseqüência desta reinterpretação, propomos uma emenda à diagnose original desta espécie, a fim de incluir a lâmina curvada e o padrão de venação das margens laterais da folha como características diagnósticas da mesma. Alguns outros espécimes dos estratos permianos iniciais da Bacia do Paraná, também demonstraram essas mesmas feições diagnósticas e por isso foram incluídas nesta espécie fóssil. Conseqüentemente, a ocorrência de G. buriadica Feistm. emend. é confirmada e estendida para a Bacia do Paraná, sendo estratigráfica (Grupo Itararé e Formação Rio Bonito) e geograficamente (estados de São Paulo e Rio Grande do Sul) distribuída pelo sudeste-sul do Brasil. Por último, os significados taxonômico, tafonômico e ecológico da presença de folhas curvadas são brevemente discutidos.