bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effects of spectral fine structure and amplitude envelope on perceived similarity and identification of approaching vehicles
Authors: Gaston Jeremy , Dickerson Kelly , Ericson Mark
Published: May 2014

The recognition and identification of important complex natural sound sources is a critical component of maintaining environmental awareness. The properties of sound sources are not static; environmental factors can cause dramatic shifts in acoustic structure. The present study investigates the effects of large imposed acoustic changes on listener perception of approaching ground and aerial vehicles. In the first experiment, listeners rated the perceived similarity of the vehicle stimuli that were either (1) unaltered, or had (2) spectral fine structure replaced with random noise, or (3) had their natural amplitude envelopes flattened. The results of a multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis found that the ordering of perceptual space for each of the conditions was generally a function of the acoustic information available. The second experiment investigated listener identification for the same sets of sounds. Identification performance across vehicle sounds had good agreement with similarity mappings and was best when spectral fine structure was smoothed and variations in amplitude envelope were maintained, and worst when the opposite was true. These results are consistent with the notion that amplitude envelope is a critical component in the recognition and identification of complex natural sound sources.
Modeling three-dimensional propagation in a continental shelf environment using the finite element method
Authors: Goldsberry Benjamin , Isakson Marcia J.
Published: May 2014

Horizontal refraction is a well known three-dimensional propagation effect in underwater continental shelf environments. However, only a few experimental observations of this phenomenon exist. In 2007, horizontal refraction was not only experimentally verified off the coast of Florida but was found to dominate the acoustic propagation. Numerical models that allow for azimuthal variations in the geometry are needed to accurately model this environment. In this work, a three-dimensional finite element method with the longitudinally invariant technique is presented. In this method, a cosine transform is applied to the three-dimensional Helmholtz equation to remove the range-independent dimension. The finite element method is used to solve the transformed Helmholtz equation for each out-of-plane wavenumber. The inverse cosine integral is then used to transform the pressure field back to three-dimensional spatial coordinates. The computed pressure field is then suitable for comparison to experimental measurements. [Work supported by ONR, Ocean Acoustics.]
Explanation of an extended arrival structure measured in the Catoche Tongue using a three-dimensional propagation model
Authors: Ballard Megan S. , Sagers Jason D. , Knobles David P.
Published: May 2014

This paper presents data recorded on a sparsely populated vertical line array (VLA) moored in the center of the Catoche Tongue, a major reentrant in the Campeche Bank in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. An extended arrival structure observed in the pressure time series data resulting from signals underwater sound (SUS) deployed 50 to 80 km from the VLA is examined. Two distinct classes of arrivals are associated with the reception of each SUS event. The first class of arrivals was identified as resulting from the direct path, and the second class of arrivals is believed to result from horizontal refraction from the margins of the tongue. The difference in time between the onset of the first and second class of arrivals decreases as the distance from the VLA increases in a manner that is consistent with a decrease in the length of the refracted path relative to the direct path as suggested by the environment geometry. The observations are further supported by a three-dimensional (3D) acoustic propagation computation which reproduces many of the features of the measured data and provides additional insight into the details of the 3D propagation. [Work supported by ONR.]
Horizontal refraction and whispering gallery sound waves in area of curvilinear coastal wedge in shallow water
Authors: Katsnelson Boris , Malykhin Andrey
Published: May 2014

Horizontal refraction of sound signals in area of coastal wedge determines specific structure of the sound field in horizontal plane, including multipath areas and caustics (in the framework of approximation of horizontal rays and vertical modes). This structure depends on mode number and frequency. In the paper sound field of signal, radiated by the point source is studied in the shallow water area which can be considered as a wedge with curvilinear coastal line (lake, gulf, cape, etc.). It is shown that for some distances from the source to the beach whispering gallery waves (whispering gallery horizontal rays) exist, propagating along the coast, where energy is concentrated in narrow area in horizontal plane. Structure and characteristic of these rays depend on mode number, frequency and waveguide parameters (in particular, steepness of sea floor and radius of curvature). Intensity fluctuations as well as variation of pulse shape and frequency spectrum are studied; analytical estimations are presented as well as discussion of possible experimental observations. [Work was supported by RFBR and BSF.]
The effect of large- and small-scale sound velocity field structure on shallow water sound propagation in the East China Sea
Authors: Nadig Clare G. , Bradley David L.
Published: May 2014

During the Transverse Acoustic Variability Experiment (TAVEX) in 2008, towed CTD measurements were used to record the sound speed field over an area of the East China Sea surrounding 34- and 20-km acoustic paths. The data revealed several propagating internal wave packets along with sound speed variability due to density-compensated thermohaline variations (spice). Concurrent acoustic data were also recorded from 300- and 500-Hz sources. Parabolic equation modeling is used to examine the effects of the measured internal waves and spice on acoustic propagation and to make comparisons with the recorded acoustic data.
Bottom interacting acoustics in the north Pacific
Authors: Stephen Ralph A. , Worcester Peter F. , Udovydchenkov Ilya A. , Dzieciuch Matthew A.
Published: May 2014

During the 2004 Long-range Ocean Acoustic Propagation Experiment (LOAPEX), a new class of acoustic arrivals was observed on ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs) for ranges from 500 to 3200 km. The arrivals were called deep seafloor arrivals (DSFAs), because they were the dominant arrivals on the ocean bottom seismometers (OBSs), but were very weak on the deep vertical line array (Deep VLA), located above 750 m from the seafloor. Stephen et al. [JASA 134, 3307–3317 (2013)] attributed some of these arrivals to bottom-diffracted, surface-reflected (BDSR) energy that scattered from a seamount near the Deep VLA and subsequently reflected from the sea surface before arriving at the OBSs. In the Ocean Bottom Seismometer Augmentation in the North Pacific (OBSANP) Experiment in June to July 2013, we returned to the Deep VLA site with a near-seafloor Distributed Vertical Line Array (DVLA) that extended upward 1000 m from the seafloor and 12 OBSs. We transmitted to the instruments with a ship-suspended J15-3 acoustic source. The receiver locations and transmission program were designed to test the hypothesis that DSFAs correspond to BDSR energy, to further define the characteristics of the DSFAs, and to understand the conditions under which DSFAs are excited and propagate.
Weakly dispersive modal pulses in long-range underwater acoustic communications
Authors: Udovydchenkov Ilya A.
Published: May 2014

Weakly dispersive modal pulses are contributions to acoustic wave field from individual modes that are characterized by weak dispersion- and scattering-induced broadening. These pulses experience little propagation-induced distortions and are suitable for communications applications. This work investigates, using numerical simulations, how to design a communication system that takes advantage of the physics of weakly dispersive modal pulses. Two groups of weakly dispersive modal pulses are identified in typical mid-latitude ocean environments: the lowest order modes, and mode numbers with the waveguide invariant being near-zero (often around mode 20 at 75 Hz). This work analyzes the source and receiving array requirements for achieving low bit error rates (BERs) in a binary communication without performing channel equalization. It is shown that low BERs are achieved with only 3 hydrophones for mode 1 processing at 500 km and with 30 hydrophones for mode 20 at 400 km range with good signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). It is demonstrated that if depths of hydrophones are allowed to vary with the source-receiver distance, 2 hydrophones are often sufficient to achieve low BERs even with intermediate mode numbers. Thus, full modal resolution is often unnecessary to achieve low BERs. The effects of variable SNR are also studied. [Work supported by ONR.]
Low frequency acoustic communication and the waveguide modal behavior during Shallow Water 2006 experiment
Authors: Badiey Mohsen , Song Aijun
Published: May 2014

Low frequency (i.e., <500 Hz) acoustic intensity fluctuations in the presence of internal waves has been studied in some detail during the past two decades. However, not much has been reported on the relationship between the modal behavior of the waveguide and the potential for long-range communications. Previously, we have shown significant performance degradation at higher frequencies (i.e., 800 and 1600 Hz) while an internal wave packet travels through a source-receiver track. Here, we further examine the acoustic transmissions at lower frequencies (i.e., 100 and 200 Hz) during the same internal wave event. Significant intensity fluctuations at these frequencies can be explained by modal analysis. We also report acoustic communication performance at multiple frequencies (i.e., 100, 200, 800, and 1600 Hz). The frequency dependency is analyzed with the focus on modal behaviors to explain the performance variation of acoustic communication during the passage of the internal waves.
Multiple input multiple output underwater communication based on differential amplitude phase shift keying modulation
Authors: Xia Xu , Yin Jingwei
Published: May 2014

The MIMO-OFDM combining time, spatial, and frequency diversity can effectively improve channel capacity and transmission efficiency of underwater acoustic (UWA) communication system. Space-time coding needs a large number of pilot signals to estimate UWA channel at the receiving end, which increases the complexity of the systems and limits the communication rate. For this, space-time coding combined with differential amplitude phase shift keying modulation (DAPSK) is proposed in this paper. It can complete the decoding without any prior knowledge of UWA channel, reducing the complexity of the system, saving channel resources and improving the transmission efficiency. Simulation analysis on UWA MIMO-OFDM systems shows this algorithm is feasible, which provides a feasible method for high-speed transmission in UWA communication.
A Stiffness-Mediated Oncogenic Hammer
Authors: Ghajar Cyrus M.
Published: May 2014

A recent study in
Nature Medicine
identified a tissue stiffness–induced microRNA that mediates oncogenic signaling; interestingly, its expression stratifies luminal breast cancer survivors to predict accelerated metastatic relapse.
The spiritual environment in New Zealand hospice care: identifying organisational commitment to spiritual care
Authors: Egan Richard , MacLeod Rod , Jaye Chrystal , McGee Rob , Baxter Joanne , Herbison Peter
Published: May 2014

Objectives

Spiritual matters naturally arise in many people who have either a serious illness or are nearing end-of-life. The literature shows many examples of spiritual assessments, interventions and care; however, there is a lack of focus on organisational support for spiritual care. We aimed to ascertain the structural and operational capacity of New Zealand's hospices to attend to the spiritual needs and concerns of patients, families and staff.

Methods

As part of a larger study, a mail out cross-sectional survey was distributed to 25 New Zealand hospices and asked details from staff about facilities, practices and organisational aspects of spiritual care. Data were collated by creating a ‘hospice setting spiritual score’ based on an aggregate of eight items from the survey.

Results

There was a 66% response rate. Summary scores ranged from 2 to 7 indicating that while sites delivered a range of spiritual services, all could improve the level of spiritual care they provide. The two most common items missing were ‘spiritual professional development’ and ‘formal spiritual assessment.’

Conclusions

This simple setting spiritual score provides a snapshot of a hospice's commitment to spiritual care. It could be used as a preliminary auditing tool to assist hospices in identifying organisational and operational aspects that could be improved to enhance spiritual care delivery.
Socioeconomic gradients in body mass index (BMI) in US immigrants during the transition to adulthood: examining the roles of parental education and intergenerational educational mobility
Authors: Albrecht Sandra S , Gordon-Larsen Penny
Published: May 2014

Background

Despite comparatively lower socioeconomic status (SES), immigrants tend to have lower body weight and weaker SES gradients relative to US-born individuals. Yet, it is unknown how changes in SES over the life-course relate to body weight in immigrants versus US-born individuals.

Methods

We used longitudinal data from a nationally representative, diverse sample of 13 701 adolescents followed into adulthood to investigate whether associations between SES mobility categories (educational attainment reported by individuals as adults and by their parents during adolescence) and body mass index (BMI) measured in adulthood varied by immigrant generation. Weighted multivariable linear regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race/ethnicity and immigrant generation.

Results

Among first-generation immigrants, although parental education was not associated with adult BMI, an immigrant's own education attainment was inversely associated with BMI (β=−2.6 kg/m2; SE=0.9, p<0.01). In addition, upward educational mobility was associated with lower adult mean BMI than remaining low SES (β=−2.5 kg/m2; SE=1.2, p<0.05). In contrast, among US-born respondents, college education in adulthood did not attenuate the negative association between parental education and adult BMI. Although an SES gradient emerged in adulthood for immigrants, remaining low SES from adolescence to adulthood was not associated with loss of health advantage relative to US-born respondents of US-born parents of similar SES.

Conclusions

Immigrants were able to translate higher SES in adulthood into a lower adult mean BMI regardless of childhood SES, whereas the consequences of lower childhood SES had a longer reach even among the upwardly mobile US born.
Finite-size effects of linear sigma model in compactified space–time
Authors: Phat Tran Huu , Thu Nguyen Van
Published: May 2014

The finite-sized effect caused by compactified space–time is scrutinized by means of the linear sigma model with constituent quarks at finite temperature T and chemical potential μ, where the compactified spatial dimension with length L is taken along the Oz direction. We find several finite-size effects associated with compactified length L: (a) There are two types of Casimir energy corresponding to two types of quarks, untwisted and twisted quarks. (b) For untwisted quarks, a first-order phase transition emerges at intermediate values of L when the Casimir effect is not taken into account and is enhanced by Casimir energy at small L. (c) For twisted quarks, the phase transition is cross-over everywhere when μ≤200 MeV . When μ> 200 MeV there occurs a first-order phase transition at large L and becomes cross-over at smaller L.
EMPLOYEES AND THE INNOVATIVE IDEA CONTRIBUTION PROCESS: CLARIFYING INDIVIDUAL AND CONTEXTUAL CHARACTERISTICS
Authors: SERGEEVA NATALYA
Published: May 2014

Understanding how contextual and individual characteristics affect employee willingness to propose innovative ideas to an organization is an important, if understudied aspect of the innovation process. Based on an interactional perspective, widely used in creativity and innovation studies, this paper examines the influence of both contextual and individual characteristics on employee willingness to contribute innovative ideas to other organizational actors. Using a quasi-experimental approach, it is reported that intrinsic motivation, knowledge and curiosity are more important motivators than individual position in the company and any potential financial rewards. Additionally, the personality dimensions of the Big-Five Inventory (BFI) show no significant affect on employee willingness to contribute ideas. The results of the study are contextualized with the literature regarding the idea contribution processes, and further research directions are indicated.
Structural Stiffness Identification Based on the Extended Kalman Filter Research
Authors: Wang Fenggang , Ling Xianzhang , Xu Xun , Zhang Feng
Published: May 2014

For the response acquisition of the structure section measuring points, the method of identifying the structural stiffness parameters is developed by using the extended Kalman filter. The state equation of structural system parameter is a nonlinear equation. Dispersing the structural dynamic equation by using Newmark-βmethod, the state transition matrix of discrete state equation is deduced and the solution of discrete state equation is simplified. The numerical simulation shows that the error of structural recognition doesnot exceed 5% when the noise level is 3%. It meets the requirements of the error limit of the engineering structure, which indicates that the derivation described in this paper has the robustness for the structural stiffness recognition. Shear structure parameter identification examples illustrate its applicability, and the method can also be used to identify physical parameters of large structure.
A New Sum Analogous to Gauss Sums and Its Fourth Power Mean
Authors: Ru Shaofeng , Zhang Wenpeng
Published: May 2014

The main purpose of this paper is to use the analytic methods and the properties of Gauss sums to study the computational problem of one kind of new sum analogous to Gauss sums and give an interesting fourth power mean and a sharp upper bound estimate for it.
Fluorescence-Guided Surgery and Biopsy in Gliomas with an Exoscope System
Authors: Piquer José , Llácer Jose L. , Rovira Vicente , Riesgo Pedro , Rodriguez Ruben , Cremades Antonio
Published: May 2014

Background. The introduction of fluorescence-guided resection allows a better identification of tumor tissue and its more radical resection. We describe our experience with a modified exoscope to detect 5 ALA-induced fluorescence in neuronavigation-guided brain surgery or biopsy of malignant brain tumors.Methods. Thirty-eight patients with a suspected preoperative diagnosis of high-grade astrocytoma were included. We used a neuronavigation device and a high-definition exoscope system with a built-in filter to detect 5-ALA fluorescence in all cases. Thirty patients underwent craniotomy with tumor resection and 8 underwent frameless stereotactic brain biopsy.Results. Histopathological diagnosis confirmed the presence of high-grade gliomas in 34 patients. Total resection was achieved in 23 cases and subtotal in 7. No relevant complications related to the administration of 5-ALA were detected.Conclusions. The use of the exoscope in 5-ALA fluorescence-guided tumor surgery has twofold implications: during brain tumor surgery it can be considered a valuable tool to achieve a more radical resection of the lesion, and when applied to a biopsy of a suspected brain high-grade glioma, it decreases the possibility of a negative biopsy.
Stagnation-Point Flow and Heat Transfer over a Nonlinearly Stretching/Shrinking Sheet in a Micropolar Fluid
Authors: Zaimi Khairy , Ishak Anuar
Published: May 2014

This paper considers the problem of a steady two-dimensional stagnation-point flow and heat transfer of an incompressible micropolar fluid over a nonlinearly stretching/shrinking sheet. A similarity transformation is employed to convert the partial differential equations into nonlinear ordinary ones which are then solved numerically using a shooting method. Numerical results obtained are presented graphically, showing the effects of the micropolar or material parameter and the stretching/shrinking parameter on the flow field and heat transfer characteristics. The dual solutions are found to exist in a limited range of the stretching/shrinking parameter for the shrinking case, while unique solutions are possible for all positive values of the stretching/shrinking parameter (stretching case). It is also observed that the skin friction coefficient and the magnitude of the local Nusselt number increase as the material parameter increases.
Association of Serum Tumor Necrosis Factor-Related Apoptosis Inducing Ligand with Body Fat Distribution as Assessed by Dual X-Rays Absorptiometry
Authors: Cervellati Carlo , Secchiero Paola , Bonaccorsi Gloria , Celeghini Claudio , Zauli Giorgio
Published: May 2014

A low chronic inflammation mediated by cytokine release is considered a major pathogenic mechanism accounting for the higher risk of cardiovascular disease in the overweight/obese population. In this context, although the existence of a possible interaction between soluble tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL) and quantity and localization, of adiposity in the body has been hypothesized, no studies have yet investigated this link by radiologic techniques able to assess directly fat mass (FM) in different body regions. To address this issue, we assessed body fat distribution by dual X-rays absorptiometry (DXA) in a sample of 103 women and investigated the possible association between the derived adiposity measures and serum TRAIL concentration. The level of TRAIL showed a positive and independent correlation with arms FM (P<0.05), trunk FM (P<0.001) and trunk FM% (P<0.05), total FM and total FM% (P<0.001for both), and an inverse association with legs FM% (P<0.05). Only trunk FM retained a significant correlation (P<0.05) with TRAIL after adjusting for all the other indices of regional adiposity. In conclusion, from our study it emerged a significant and independent association of serum TRAIL levels with overall, and, mainly, central adiposity. Further studies are needed to longitudinally investigate the cause-effect relationship between change in body fat distribution and TRAIL.
Enhanced Oral Bioavailability of Efavirenz by Solid Lipid Nanoparticles:In VitroDrug Release and Pharmacokinetics Studies
Authors: Gaur Praveen Kumar , Mishra Shikha , Bajpai Meenakshi , Mishra Anushika
Published: May 2014

Solid lipid nanoparticle is an efficient lipid based drug delivery system which can enhance the bioavailability of poorly water soluble drugs. Efavirenz is a highly lipophilic drug from nonnucleoside inhibitor category for treatment of HIV. Present work illustrates development of an SLN formulation for Efavirenz with increased bioavailability. At first, suitable lipid component and surfactant were chosen. SLNs were prepared and analyzed for physical parameters, stability, and pharmacokinetic profile. Efavirenz loaded SLNs were formulated using Glyceryl monostearate as main lipid and Tween 80 as surfactant. ESLN-3 has shown mean particle size of124.5±3.2nm with a PDI value of 0.234, negative zeta potential, and 86% drug entrapment.In vitrodrug release study has shown 60.6–98.22% drug release in 24 h by various SLN formulations. Optimized SLNs have shown good stability at 40°C±2°C and75±5% relative humidity (RH) for 180 days. ESLN-3 exhibited 5.32-fold increase in peak plasma concentration (Cmax⁡) and 10.98-fold increase in AUC in comparison to Efavirenz suspension (ES).
Yi Qi Qing Re Gao Attenuates Podocyte Injury and Inhibits Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Overexpression in Puromycin Aminonucleoside Rat Model
Authors: Zhan Yongli , Yang Liping , Wen Yumin , Liu Huijie , Zhang Haojun , Zhu Bin , Han Wenbing , Gu Yanting , Sun Xueyan , Dong Xi , Zhao Tingting , Ma Huixia , Li Ping
Published: May 2014

Proteinuria is the hallmark of chronic kidney disease. Podocyte damage underlies the formation of proteinuria, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) functions as an autocrine/paracrine regulator. Yi Qi Qing Re Gao (YQQRG) has been used to treat proteinuria for more than two decades. The objective of this study was to investigate the protective effect and possible mechanisms of YQQRG on puromycin aminonucleoside (PAN) rat model. Eighty male Sprague‐Dawley rats were randomized into sham group, PAN group, PAN + YQQRG group, and PAN + fosinopril group. Treatments were started 7 days before induction of nephrosis (a single intravenous injection of 40 mg/kg PAN) until day 15. 24 h urinary samples were collected on days 5, 9, and 14. The animals were sacrificed on days 3, 10, and 15, respectively. Blood samples and renal tissues were obtained for detection of biochemical and molecular biological parameters. YQQRG significantly reduced proteinuria, elevated serum albumin, and alleviated renal pathological lesions. YQQRG inhibited VEGF‐A, nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP mRNA expression and elevated nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP protein levels starting on day 3. In conclusion, YQQRG attenuates podocyte injury in the rat PAN model through downregulation of VEGF‐A and restoration of nephrin, podocin, and CD2AP protein expression.
Gravity Modulation Effects of Hydromagnetic Elastico-Viscous Fluid Flow past a Porous Plate in Slip Flow Regime
Authors: Dey Debasish
Published: May 2014

The two-dimensional hydromagnetic free convective flow of elastico-viscous fluid (Walters liquid ModelB′) with simultaneous heat and mass transfer past an infinite vertical porous plate under the influence of gravity modulation effects has been analysed. Generalized Navier’s boundary condition has been used to study the characteristics of slip flow regime. Fluctuating characteristics of temperature and concentration are considered in the neighbourhood of the surface having periodic suction. The governing equations of fluid motion are solved analytically by using perturbation technique. Various fluid flow characteristics (velocity profile, viscous drag, etc.) are analyzed graphically for various values of flow parameters involved in the solution. A special emphasis is given on the gravity modulation effects on both Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids.
Antitumor Effects and Biological Mechanism of Action of the Aqueous Extract of the Camptotheca acuminata Fruit in Human Endometrial Carcinoma Cells
Authors: Lin Chi-Shian , Chen Pin-Chien , Wang Chien-Kai , Wang Chia-Woei , Chang Yu-Jia , Tai Cheng-Jeng , Tai Chen-Jei
Published: May 2014

The aqueous extracts of the leaves and fruit of Camptotheca acuminata have long been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for treating cancer patients. The chemotherapeutic drug, camptothecin (CPT), and related analogs were first isolated from C. acuminata in the 1970s. Although the antitumor effects of CPT have been characterized in recent years, the antitumor effects of aqueous extracts of C. acuminata have not been clarified. The aims of our current study were to determine the tumor‐suppression efficiency of an aqueous extract of the fruit of C. acuminata (AE‐CA) in the human endometrial carcinoma cell lines, HEC‐1A, HEC‐1B, and KLE, and compare its antitumor effects with those of CPT. Cell viability assays indicated that a dosage of AE‐CA containing 0.28 mg/mL of CPT demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity, compared with CPT treatment. The effects of AE‐CA on the induction of cell cycle arrest, the accumulation of cyclin‐A2 and ‐B1, and the activation of caspase‐3 and caspase‐7 were similar to those of CPT. Furthermore, AE‐CA exhibited a synergistic effect on the cytotoxicity of cisplatin in HEC‐1A and HEC‐1B cells. These results indicated that AE‐CA is a potent antitumor agent and can be combined with cisplatin for the treatment of human endometrial cancer.
Detection of Triphenylmethane Drugs in Fish Muscle by Surface‐Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Coupled with Au‐Ag Core‐Shell Nanoparticles
Authors: Pei Lu , Huang Yiqun , Li Chunying , Zhang Yuanyuan , Rasco Barbara A. , Lai Keqiang
Published: May 2014

Silver‐coated gold bimetallic nanoparticles were synthesized and used as substrates for surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in detecting prohibited triphenylmethane drugs (including crystal violet and malachite green) in fish muscle. The optical properties and physical properties of bimetallic nanospheres were characterized by UV‐Vis spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The optimal nanospheres selected had relatively uniform size (diameter: 33 ± 3 nm) with a silver layer coated on the surface of gold seed (diameter: 18 ± 2 nm). For both crystal violet and malachite green, characteristic SERS spectral features could be identified at concentration as low as 0.1 μg/L with these bimetallic nanospheres. Crystal violet and malachite green residues in fish muscle could also be detected at levels as low as 0.1 ng/g, which could meet the most restricted regulatory requirements for the limit of detection in terms of analytical methods for crystal violet or malachite green in fish muscle. This study provides a basis for applying SERS technology with bimetallic nanoparticles to the identification of trace amounts of prohibited substances in aquatic food products, and the methodology could be extended to analyses of other hazardous chemicals in complex food matrices like vegetables and meats.
Evaluating the Performance of Absolute RSSI Positioning Algorithm‐Based Microzoning and RFID in Construction Materials Tracking
Authors: Truijens M. , Wang X. , de Graaf H. , Liu J. J.
Published: May 2014

High accuracy of construction materials tracking with radio frequency identification technology (RFID) is challenging to achieve. The microzoning method consists essentially of an absolute received signal strength indication (RSSI) positioning algorithm on the basis of measuring the distance of tag from antennas base. In this paper, we analyse and examine the effects of microzoning method on the performance of RFID tags. A system was set up whereby RFID tags and antennas with the microzoning method were developed and studied. The performance of the tag antennas was studied with the practical read‐range measurements. The study results showed that this absolute algorithm worked reliably and was suitable for RFID applications requiring identification of positions of onsite materials and components. The results also showed that the algorithm achieved a large read range and high accuracy. The study investigates the RFID solutions for Australian LNG (liquefied natural gas) industry and was initiated by the collaboration between Woodside Energy, Curtin University, and Industrial Automation Group Pty Ltd.
The Hybrid Projection Methods for Pseudocontractive, Nonexpansive Semigroup, and Monotone Mapping
Authors: Katchang Phayap , Plubtieng Somyot
Published: May 2014

We modify the three-step iterative schemes to prove the strong convergence theorems by using the hybrid projection methods for finding a common element of the set of solutions of fixed points for a pseudocontractive mapping and a nonexpansive semigroup mapping and the set of solutions of a variational inequality problem for a monotone mapping in a Hilbert space under some appropriate control conditions. Our theorems extend and unify most of the results that have been proved for this class of nonlinear mappings.
Interaction of Water Waves and a Submerged Parabolic Obstacle in the Presence of a Following Uniform/Shear Current Using RANS Model
Authors: Chen Yen-Lung , Hung Jing-Bo , Hsu Shih-Lun , Hsiao Shih-Chun , Wu Yuan-Chieh
Published: May 2014

This paper simulates regular waves propagating over a submerged parabolic obstacle in the presence of a uniform/shear current using a two‐dimensional numerical model, named COBRAS (Cornell Breaking and Structure). The numerical model solves the Reynolds‐Averaged Navier‐Stokes (RANS) equations and the free surface deformation is tracked using the volume of fluid method (VOF). The capability of the numerical model to simulate regular waves with a uniform or shear current over a constant water depth is first validated with available analytical solutions and experimental data. Comparisons among the experimental data, analytical solutions, and present numerical results show good agreements. Then, regular waves propagating over a submerged parabolic obstacle with a following current are investigated. Detailed discussions including those on the velocity and vorticity fields and the relation between free surface and vorticity are given.
Research on Intelligent Optimization Control Method for Oil Pumping
Authors: Tian Jingwen , Gao Meijuan , Ge Guangshuang
Published: May 2014

In the oil production process, some oil pumps exist in the light load running and empty pumping problems, which result in the waste of electric energy. In order to realize the oil pumping energy saving optimal control by adopting oil pumping start-stop intermittent control scheme, an intelligent energy saving optimal control system based on genetic algorithm and wavelet neural network is proposed in this paper. The Morlet wavelet is adopted as the activation function of neural network and builds the wavelet neural networkandthe structure and parameters of the wavelet neural network which are chromosome encoded, and the genetic algorithm is used to optimize the connection weights and the scale parameters in order to improve the generalization ability and the approximation ability of neural networks. The parameters of effective oil pumping energy saving optimal control are measured using multisensors. The system is used in the oil production plant; the test data show that the oil pumping energy conservation effect is obvious.
Prognosis of Patients With Non–ST-Segment–Elevation Myocardial Infarction and Nonobstructive Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Planer David , Mehran Roxana , Ohman E. Magnus , White Harvey D. , Newman Jonathan D. , Xu Ke , Stone Gregg W.
Published: May 2014

Background—

Troponin elevation is a risk factor for mortality in patients with non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndromes. However, the prognosis of patients with troponin elevation and nonobstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) is unknown. Our objective was therefore to evaluate the impact of nonobstructive CAD in patients with non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndromes and troponin elevation enrolled in the Acute Catheterization and Urgent Intervention Triage Strategy (ACUITY) trial.

Methods and Results—

In the ACUITY trial, 3-vessel quantitative coronary angiography was performed in a formal substudy of 6921 patients presenting with non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndromes. Patients with elevated admission troponin levels were stratified by the presence or absence of obstructive CAD (any lesion with quantitative diameter stenosis >50%). Propensity score matching was performed to adjust for baseline characteristics. Of 2442 patients with elevated troponin, 197 (8.8%) had nonobstructive CAD. Maximum diameter stenosis was 87.4 (73.2, 100.0) versus 22.6 (19.2, 25.7;
P
<0.0001) in patients with versus without obstructive CAD, respectively. Propensity matching yielded 117 patients with nonobstructive CAD and 331 patients with obstructive CAD, with no significant baseline differences between groups. In the matched cohort, overall 1-year mortality was significantly higher in patients with nonobstructive CAD (5.2% versus 1.6%; hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]=3.44 [1.05, 11.28];
P
=0.04), driven by greater noncardiac mortality. Conversely, recurrent myocardial infarction and unplanned revascularization rates were significantly higher in patients with obstructive CAD.

Conclusions—

Patients with non–ST-segment–elevation acute coronary syndromes and elevated troponin levels but without obstructive CAD, while having low rates of subsequent myocardial infarction and unplanned revascularization, are still at considerable risk for 1-year mortality from noncardiac causes.

Clinical Trial Registration—

URL:
http://www.clinicaltrials.gov
. Unique identifier: NCT00093158.
A remarkable new species of Mythomantis Giglio-Tos, 1916 from northern Borneo, with notes on the systematics of Deroplatyinae Westwood, 1889 (Mantodea: Mantidae)
Authors: SCHWARZ CHRISTIAN J. , HELMKAMPF MARTIN
Published: May 2014

A conspicuous new species of praying mantid, Mythomantis serrata sp. nov., from the Malaysian part of Borneo is described and illustrated. A key to the three known species of the genus Mythomantis and their known geographic distribution is provided. Several morphological characters, most notably those in the male genitals, suggest a close relationship between Mythomantis and the Southeast Asian genera Pseudempusa and Deroplatys. As a consequence, we propose to transfer Mythomantis from Angelinae to Deroplatyinae, and Pseudempusa from Miomantinae Rivetinini to Deroplatyinae, while removing Brancsikia from this subfamily.
The Emergence of Open-Source Software for the Weather Radar Community
Authors: Heistermann M. , Collis S. , Dixon M. J. , Giangrande S. , Helmus J. J. , Kelley B. , Koistinen J. , Michelson D. B. , Peura M. , Pfaff T. , Wolff D. B.
Published: May 2014

Weather radar analysis has become increasingly sophisticated over the past 50 years, and efforts to keep software up to date have generally lagged behind the needs of the users. We argue that progress has been impeded by the fact that software has not been developed and shared as a community.

Recently, the situation has been changing. In this paper, the developers of a number of open-source software (OSS) projects highlight the potential of OSS to advance radar-related research. We argue that the community-based development of OSS holds the potential to reduce duplication of efforts and to create transparency in implemented algorithms while improving the quality and scope of the software. We also conclude that there is sufficiently mature technology to support collaboration across different software projects. This could allow for consolidation toward a set of interoperable software platforms, each designed to accommodate very specific user requirements.
Detecting Dependence in the Sensitive Parameter Space of a Model Using Statistical Inference and Large Forecast Ensembles
Authors: McLay J. G. , Liu M.
Published: May 2014

This study looks for evidence of correlation among model physical parameters in the sensitive parameter space defined by those randomly sampled physical parameter vectors that induce the most notable response in some forecast metric. These “sensitive parameter vectors” are identified through an ensemble methodology. The correlation analysis is facilitated by two established techniques from statistical inference theory. The random parameter vectors are found to induce a considerable range of forecast responses in terms of five metrics, such as bias and variance. The metrics enable measurement not only of the biggest forecast response but also of the most beneficial forecast response (e.g., in terms of reduction of forecast error). For most metrics, multiple parameter pairs exhibit significantly more correlation than would be expected from random sampling processes. The correlations frequently involve parameters from two different physical routines. These inference results are independently supported by a Monte Carlo simulation. The results suggest that correlations among parameters must be taken into account in order to gain the most response from a model when carrying out parameter variation experiments. Also, they reinforce the idea that parameter estimation efforts need to be expanded so that they simultaneously estimate the joint distribution of parameters across multiple physical routines.
Evaluating the Effect of No Child Left Behind on U.S. Music Course Enrollments
Authors: Elpus Kenneth
Published: May 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate nationwide enrollment in high school music courses from 1982 until 2009 to determine what trends in music enrollment existed and whether these trends were affected by the passage and implementation of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB). With data from 10 separate nationally representative high school transcript studies conducted by the National Center for Education Statistics, a unique data set was constructed that tracked the transcript-indicated 9th- through 12th-grade music course enrollment patterns for the U.S. graduating classes of 1982, 1987, 1990, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2005, and 2009. Descriptive results showed that overall music enrollment patterns were relatively stable in the public schools, with roughly 34% of all students consistently enrolling in at least one music course during high school across all cohorts. Abbreviated interrupted time series analyses suggest that NCLB had no effect on overall music enrollment rates but exacerbated the preexisting underrepresentation in music courses of Hispanic students, English language learners, and students with Individualized Education Plans.
Percutaneous sinus angiography and three-dimensional CT imaging showing morphological and draining features of venous malformations in soft tissue
Authors: Yuan Si-Ming , Zhou Chang-Sheng , Cui Lei , Guo Yao , Wang Jun , Hu Xin-Bao , Zhou Ji-Hong , Hong Zhi-Jian , Jiang Hui-Qing
Published: May 2014

Objective

Venous malformation (VM) is a common vascular malformation in soft tissue. Its morphological and draining features, relationship with main vein, and hemodynamics in the lesion are not completely clear till now. Above information is important for choice of treatment.

Methods

From January 2012 to December 2013, 23 patients were enrolled into this study. Percutaneous puncture into the lesion was made and contrast media was injected into venous sinus. Immediately after that CT scan was performed, and repeated several minutes later. Then three-dimensional imaging was performed to show the morphology and draining veins of VMs, and the relevant main veins. The hemodynamics in the lesion was also evaluated.

Results

All patients underwent successful examination. Three-dimensional imaging showed an irregular shape of VM. Based on the draining features, VMs were classified into three types: (1) Type I (7/23): malformation without visible draining vein; (2) Type II (10/23): malformation with normal draining vein; (3) Type III (6/23): malformation with abnormal dilated draining vein. The flow in type I VMs was slow. Contrast media retained in the lesion for more than 1 day. The flow in type III VMs was fast. Contrast media flowed away rapidly. The flow of type II VMs was between type I and type III. According to above information and adjacent anatomy, all patients received suitable treatment, including sclerotherapy with absolute ethanol and bleomycin A5, intralesional copper wires retention, surgical removal, and combinational therapy of the above methods.

Conclusions

This procedure can clearly show the morphological and draining features of VM and its relationship with main vein, and further evaluate the hemodynamics in the lesion, which are helpful for the choice of treatment.
Worker well-being and the importance of work: Bridging the gap
Authors: Budd John W , Spencer David A
Published: May 2014

The importance of worker well-being is widely embraced both in theory and policy, but there are numerous perspectives on what it is, how to measure it, whether it needs improving and if so, how to improve it. We argue that a more complete approach to worker well-being needs to consider workers as full citizens who derive and experience both public and private benefits and costs from working. A broad framework on the meanings of work is used to expand the boundaries of worker well-being to reflect the broad importance of work in human life.
It will be a disaster! How people protest against things which have not yet happened
Authors: Quet Mathieu
Published: May 2014

In the field of science and technology studies, recent works have analyzed the multiplication of promises and predictions as a major evolution of science management. The authors involved in this “sociology of technical expectations” have documented the role played by promises in the elaboration of scientific projects and their impact on the social reception of scientific issues. Yet, little attention has been paid to the predictions regarding undesirable technological futures. This article proposes therefore to analyze the discursive and argumentative practices through which journalists, scientists, and politicians denounce and propose to counter a public issue “which does not exist yet”: gene doping (no case of gene doping has been recorded to date). After a literature review of the field of the sociology of technological expectations and a presentation of the corpus, the article describes the structure of predictions and analyzes the discursive strategies according to which social actors predict a disaster in the making. The analysis is based on the study of media discourses about gene doping, in a corpus of 163 French language articles from European newspapers, published between 1998 and 2012.
Using Video Prompting With Different Fading Procedures to Teach Daily Living Skills
Authors: Wu Pei-Fang , Cannella-Malone Helen I. , Wheaton Joe E. , Tullis Chris A.
Published: May 2014

Two students with developmental disabilities were taught two daily living skills using video prompting with error correction presented on an iPod Touch, and two different fading procedures were implemented. In one fading procedure, individual video clips were merged into multiple larger clips following acquisition of the entire skill. In the second fading procedure, video clips were backward “chunked” during the intervention as individual steps were mastered. A multiple probe across participants design within a reversal design was used. Results showed that video prompting with error correction was effective in teaching both daily living skills. Furthermore, fading the video prompts during the intervention resulted in more rapid learning and higher maintenance and generalization effects than fading after acquisition.
Theorizing about resource integration through service-dominant logic
Authors: Peters Linda D. , Löbler Helge , Brodie Roderick J. , Breidbach Christoph F. , Hollebeek Linda D. , Smith Sandra D. , Sörhammar David , Varey Richard J.
Published: May 2014

Resource integration, as it relates to value creation, has recently been a key aspect of the discussions about service-dominant (S-D) logic. However, the majority of research pays relatively little explicit attention to the process of theorizing and the epistomological and ontological assumptions upon which the theorizing process is based. This article addresses these issues. The processes that relate to theorizing and developing strong theory are discussed. We then examine how to conceptualize ‘resources’ and ‘resource integration’ following differing ontological and epistemological assumptions that guide the theorizing process. Research recommendations to help navigate through the finer details underlying the theorizing process and to advance a general theory of resource integration are developed.