bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Analysis of Engine Vibration and Noise Induced by a Valve Train Element Combined With the Dynamic Behaviors
Authors: Guo Jie , Cao Yipeng , Zhang Wenping , Zhang Xinyu
Published: February 2016

The engine vibration and noise induced by a valve train element are analyzed through the modeling and experiment method. The valve train dynamics are first studied to make clear the sources of the valve train noise. The component flexibility and inertia of mass are all taken into consideration as well as the contact or impact behaviors. The contact or impact forces are applied on the combined model of a combined structure. The resulting vibration responses at the outer surfaces are considered to be the boundary conditions of the acoustic model. The acoustic model is built by the boundary element method. The analysis results show that the noise induced by the valve train element is mainly in the 500–800 Hz 1/3 octave bands. The noise in this frequency range is related to not only the resonance of oil pan and valve cover but also the overall combined structure stiffness. And moreover, the resonance of the valve train element excited by the harmonic of the camshaft rotational frequency has heightened the noise radiation in this frequency range. The noise in the low-frequency range is determined by the exciting components of the cam profile, and that in the high-frequency range are produced mainly by the valve–seat impact and by the cam–tappet impact. The analysis results are proved well by comparison with the experimental results. Thus, the results are very useful for understanding the source characteristics of valve train noise.
Factors Affecting Surface Roughness Measurement Results, and the Impact on Predicted Life of Elastohydrodynamic Lubricated Rolling-Element Bearings
Authors: Holzhauer Wolfgang , Gnagy James R. , Evans Ryan D.
Published: February 2016

This work investigates the sensitivity of the surface roughness lubricant life adjustment factor for rolling-element bearings to variations in measured roughness. Roughness measurement results using different values of stylus tip dimension and short wavelength cutoff filter were obtained for several bearing raceway surfaces and used as the inputs for a lubricant life adjustment factor based on the lambda ratio—the ratio of elastohydrodynamic lubrication (EHL) film thickness to the composite surface roughness. The effect on predicted bearing life is shown to be significant. As one means of verification of surface roughness measurements, an ISO type D random/repeating precision roughness specimen was also investigated and shown to have excellent sensitivity to stylus tip dimension, demonstrating its effectiveness as a tool for assessment of stylus radius and condition.
The Effect of Diamondlike Carbon Overcoat on the Tribological Performance of the Dimple/Gimbal Interface in Hard Disk Drives1
Authors: Fu Youyi , Lubarda Vlado A. , Talke Frank E.
Published: February 2016

Fretting wear at the dimple/gimbal interface of a hard disk drive suspension was investigated for stainless steel dimples in contact with stainless steel gimbals coated with diamondlike carbon (DLC) of different thicknesses and different elastic moduli. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to evaluate the size and characteristics of the wear scar of both the dimple and the gimbal. Fretting wear and fatigue-type cracks were found predominantly on the dimple. For different dimple/gimbal combinations tested in this study, the least amount of wear was obtained for the case of a 690 nm thick DLC overcoat. Numerical simulations were performed to calculate the maximum principal stress in the dimple and the gimbal with the goal of correlating wear and the maximum principal stress. The maximum principal stress in both the dimple and the gimbal was found to increase with an increase of the elastic modulus of the DLC overcoat on the gimbal. On comparing the experimental and simulation results, we conclude that wear and fatigue crack formation can be explained by the different level of the maximum principal stress in both the dimple and the gimbal.
Sit-to-Stand and Stand-to-Sit Control Mechanisms of Two-Wheeled Wheelchair
Authors: Abdul Ghani N. M. , Tokhi M. O.
Published: February 2016

This paper presents a mechanism for standing and sitting transformation of a wheelchair using a two-wheeled inverted pendulum concept with reduced torque requirement, in simulation studies. The motivation of this work is to design a compact standing mechanism to help an elderly/disabled person with functional limitation in lower extremities to maneuver in small and confined spaces and enable them to perform standard daily life routines independently. The wheelchair system at the upright standing position is tested with different travel distances, and the challenge is to control both sit-to-stand and stand-to-sit operations in a stable manner using flexible-joint humanoid. An additional spring/damping element is incorporated at each wheel to provide a comfortable ride for the user especially during stand-to-sit transformation task. A PD-fuzzy control with modular structure is implemented, and the performance of the system is observed through visual nastran 4d (vn4d) visualization software and simulation in matlab. The stand-to-sit performance tests have shown more than 38% reduction in tilt and back seat angles fluctuation in linear travel motion using a suspension system, while the initial tilt torque needed is 50% less than the amount required in previous designs.
Processing Optimization in Multiheating Positions for Laser Thermal Adjustment of Actuators
Authors: Shen Hong , Wang Han , Hu Jun , Yao Zhenqiang
Published: February 2016

Laser thermal adjustment as an application of laser forming in microsystems attracts much attention. Previous work on laser thermal adjustment of the two-bridge actuator (TBA) shows that the deformations induced by laser forming are limited. In this paper, an actuator with three cut-outs including six heating positions is designed to enhance the deformation range. A deformation model is developed for such an actuator by introducing the factors of the in-plane and out-of-plane angles to the TBA's formula, which takes energy constraints into account to avoid the melting phenomenon and negative deformations. The deformation range of the three cut-outs actuator (TCA) is determined by using the relation between in-plane and out-of-plane angles of the TBA. The optimization of the processing parameters for the TCA is conducted to reach the designed target position based on the optimization algorithm of adaptive simulated annealing (ASA). The model prediction is validated by the finite-element analysis (FEA) simulation and experiments.
A Topology Optimization Method With Constant Volume Fraction During Iterations for Design of Compliant Mechanisms
Authors: Liu Chih-Hsing , Huang Guo-Feng
Published: February 2016

This study presents a topology optimization method for design of complaint mechanisms with maximum output displacement as the objective function. Unlike traditional approaches, one special characteristic of this method is that the volume fraction, which is defined as the calculated volume divided by the full volume, remains the same value throughout the optimization process based on the proposed pseudodensity and sensitivity number update scheme. The pseudodensity of each element is initially with the same value as the prespecified volume fraction constraint and can be decreased to a very small value or increased to one with a small increment. Two benchmark problems, the optimal design of a force–displacement inverter mechanism and a crunching mechanism, are provided as the illustrative examples to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results agree well with the previous studies. The proposed method is a general approach which can be used to synthesize the optimal designs of compliant mechanisms with better computational efficiency.
In situ collector cleaning and extreme ultraviolet reflectivity restoration by hydrogen plasma for extreme ultraviolet sources
Authors: Elg Daniel T. , Sporre John R. , Panici Gianluca A. , Srivastava Shailendra N. , Ruzic David N.
Published: February 2016

Laser-produced Sn plasmas used to generate extreme ultraviolet (EUV) light for lithography cause the release of Sn ions and neutrals in the EUV source chamber. These Sn atoms condense and deposit on the multilayer collector optic, which reduces its ability to reflect EUV light. This lowers the source throughput and eventually necessitates downtime for collector cleaning. In this paper, an in situ plasma-based collector cleaning technique is presented and experimentally demonstrated. First, the technique is shown to completely clean a 300 mm diameter stainless steel dummy collector. Second, simulations and secondary ion mass spectroscopy depth profiles show that the technique does not erode the real multilayer mirrors. Finally, EUV reflectivity measurements demonstrate the ability of the technique to restore EUV reflectivity to Sn-coated multilayer mirrors. This technique has the potential to be used in conjunction with source operation, eliminating cleaning-related source downtime.
Utilising temporal signal features in adverse noise conditions: Detection, estimation, and the reassigned spectrogram
Authors: Mill Robert W. , Brown Guy J.
Published: February 2016

Visual displays in passive sonar based on the Fourier spectrogram are underpinned by detection models that rely on signal and noise power statistics. Time-frequency representations specialised for sparse signals achieve a sharper signal representation, either by reassigning signal energy based on temporal structure or by conveying temporal structure directly. However, temporal representations involve nonlinear transformations that make it difficult to reason about how they respond to additive noise. This article analyses the effect of noise on temporal fine structure measurements such as zero crossings and instantaneous frequency. Detectors that rely on zero crossing intervals, intervals and peak amplitudes, and instantaneous frequency measurements are developed, and evaluated for the detection of a sinusoid in Gaussian noise, using the power detector as a baseline. Detectors that rely on fine structure outperform the power detector under certain circumstances; and detectors that rely on both fine structure and power measurements are superior. Reassigned spectrograms assume that the statistics used to reassign energy are reliable, but the derivation of the fine structure detectors indicates the opposite. The article closes by proposing and demonstrating the concept of a doubly reassigned spectrogram, wherein temporal measurements are reassigned according to a statistical model of the noise background.
Idealized digital models for conical reed instruments, with focus on the internal pressure waveform
Authors: Kergomard J. , Guillemain P. , Silva F. , Karkar S.
Published: February 2016

Two models for the generation of self-oscillations of reed conical woodwinds are presented. The models use the fewest parameters (of either the resonator or the exciter), whose influence can be quickly explored. The formulation extends iterated maps obtained for lossless cylindrical pipes without reed dynamics. It uses spherical wave variables in idealized resonators, with one parameter more than for cylinders: the missing length of the cone. The mouthpiece volume equals that of the missing part of the cone, and is implemented as either a cylindrical pipe (first model) or a lumped element (second model). Only the first model adds a length parameter for the mouthpiece and leads to the solving of an implicit equation. For the second model, any shape of nonlinear characteristic can be directly considered. The complex characteristic impedance for spherical waves requires sampling times smaller than a round trip in the resonator. The convergence of the two models is shown when the length of the cylindrical mouthpiece tends to zero. The waveform is in semi-quantitative agreement with experiment. It is concluded that the oscillations of the positive episode of the mouthpiece pressure are related to the length of the missing part, not to the reed dynamics.
Dynamic regulation of neutrophil polarity and migration by the heterotrimeric G protein subunits Gα
i
-GTP and Gβγ
Authors: Surve Chinmay R. , To Jesi Y. , Malik Sundeep , Kim Minsoo , Smrcka Alan V.
Published: February 2016

Opposing effects of G
i
protein α and βγ subunits on the abundance of the second messenger cAMP enable neutrophil migration.
Paper of note in
Science Translational Medicine
Authors: Gough Nancy R.
Published: February 2016

This week’s article describes a long noncoding RNA that contributes to heart disease.
From Drug Screening to Target Deconvolution: a Target-Based Drug Discovery Pipeline Using Leishmania Casein Kinase 1 Isoform 2 To Identify Compounds with Antileishmanial Activity
Authors: Durieu Emilie , Prina Eric , Leclercq Olivier , Oumata Nassima , Gaboriaud-Kolar Nicolas , Vougogiannopoulou Konstantina , Aulner Nathalie , Defontaine Audrey , No Joo Hwan , Ruchaud Sandrine , Skaltsounis Alexios-Leandros , Galons Hervé , Späth Gerald F. , Meijer Laurent , Rachidi Najma
Published: February 2016

Existing therapies for leishmaniases present significant limitations, such as toxic side effects, and are rendered inefficient by parasite resistance. It is of utmost importance to develop novel drugs targeting
Leishmania
that take these two limitations into consideration. We thus chose a target-based approach using an exoprotein kinase,
Leishmania
casein kinase 1.2 (LmCK1.2) that was recently shown to be essential for intracellular parasite survival and infectivity. We developed a four-step pipeline to identify novel selective antileishmanial compounds. In step 1, we screened 5,018 compounds from kinase-biased libraries with
Leishmania
and mammalian CK1 in order to identify hit compounds and assess their specificity. For step 2, we selected 88 compounds among those with the lowest 50% inhibitory concentration to test their biological activity on host-free parasites using a resazurin reduction assay and on intramacrophagic amastigotes using a high content phenotypic assay. Only 75 compounds showed antileishmanial activity and were retained for step 3 to evaluate their toxicity against mouse macrophages and human cell lines. The four compounds that displayed a selectivity index above 10 were then assessed for their affinity to LmCK1.2 using a target deconvolution strategy in step 4. Finally, we retained two compounds, PP2 and compound 42, for which LmCK1.2 seems to be the primary target. Using this four-step pipeline, we identify from several thousand molecules, two lead compounds with a selective antileishmanial activity.
Combined Bioinformatic and Rational Design Approach To Develop Antimicrobial Peptides against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Pearson C. Seth , Kloos Zachary , Murray Brian , Tabe Ebot , Gupta Monica , Kwak Jun Ha , Karande Pankaj , McDonough Kathleen A. , Belfort Georges
Published: February 2016

Drug-resistant pathogens are a growing problem, and novel strategies are needed to combat this threat. Among the most significant of these resistant pathogens is
Mycobacterium tuberculosis
, which is an unusually difficult microbial target due to its complex membrane. Here, we design peptides for specific activity against
M. tuberculosis
using a combination of “database filtering” bioinformatics, protein engineering, and
de novo
design. Several variants of these peptides are structurally characterized to validate the design process. The designed peptides exhibit potent activity (MIC values as low as 4 μM) against
M. tuberculosis
and also exhibit broad activity against a host of other clinically relevant pathogenic bacteria such as Gram-positive bacteria (
Streptococcus
) and Gram-negative bacteria (
Escherichia coli
). They also display excellent selectivity, with low cytotoxicity against cultured macrophages and lung epithelial cells. These first-generation antimicrobial peptides serve as a platform for the design of antibiotics and for investigating structure-activity relationships in the context of the
M. tuberculosis
membrane. The antimicrobial peptide design strategy is expected to be generalizable for any pathogen for which an activity database can be created.
Transmission-Blocking Potential of MEFAS, a Hybrid Compound Derived from Artesunate and Mefloquine
Authors: Penna-Coutinho Julia , Almela Maria Jesús , Miguel-Blanco Celia , Herreros Esperanza , Sá Paula M. , Boechat Núbia , Krettli Antoniana Ursine
Published: February 2016

Most antimalarial drugs target asexual parasites without reducing gametocyte formation or development. Drugs with dual roles, i.e., those that can target both asexual parasites and gametocytes, would improve the control of malaria. In the current study, MEFAS, a hybrid drug derived from mefloquine and artesunate that has been shown to be an active blood schizonticidal drug, was assessed to determine its ability to block the infectivity of
Plasmodium falciparum
gametocytes. MEFAS was 280 and 15 times more effective than mefloquine alone and artesunate alone, respectively.
HIV-1 Alters Intestinal Expression of Drug Transporters and Metabolic Enzymes: Implications for Antiretroviral Drug Disposition
Authors: Kis Olena , Sankaran-Walters Sumathi , Hoque M. Tozammel , Walmsley Sharon L. , Dandekar Satya , Bendayan Reina
Published: February 2016

This study investigated the effects of HIV-1 infection and antiretroviral therapy (ART) on the expression of intestinal drug efflux transporters, i.e., P-glycoprotein (Pgp), multidrug resistance-associated proteins (MRPs), and breast cancer resistance protein (BCRP), and metabolic enzymes, such as cytochrome P450s (CYPs), in the human upper intestinal tract. Intestinal biopsy specimens were obtained from HIV-negative healthy volunteers, ART-naive HIV-positive (HIV
+
) subjects, and HIV
+
subjects receiving ART (10 in each group). Intestinal tissue expression of drug transporters and metabolic enzymes was examined by microarray, real-time quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qPCR), and immunohistochemistry analyses. Microarray analysis demonstrated significantly lower expression of
CYP3A4
and
ABCC2
/MRP2 in the HIV
+
ART-naive group than in uninfected subjects. qPCR analysis confirmed significantly lower expression of
ABCC2
/MRP2 in ART-naive subjects than in the control group, while
CYP3A4
and
ABCG2
/BCRP showed a trend toward decreased expression. Protein expression of MRP2 and BCRP was also significantly lower in the HIV
+
naive group than in the control group and was partially restored to baseline levels in HIV
+
subjects receiving ART. In contrast, gene and protein expression of
ABCB1
/Pgp was significantly increased in HIV
+
subjects on ART relative to HIV
+
ART-naive subjects. These data demonstrate that the expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes and efflux transporters is significantly altered in therapy-naive HIV
+
subjects and in those receiving ART. Since CYP3A4, Pgp, MRPs, and BCRP metabolize or transport many antiretroviral drugs, their altered expression with HIV infection may negatively impact drug pharmacokinetics in HIV
+
subjects. This has clinical implications when using data from healthy volunteers to guide ART.
An Open, Randomized, Single-Center, Crossover Pharmacokinetic Study of Meropenem after Intraperitoneal and Intravenous Administration in Patients Receiving Automated Peritoneal Dialysis
Authors: Wiesholzer Martin , Pichler Petra , Reznicek Gottfried , Wimmer Michaela , Kussmann Manuel , Balcke Peter , Burgmann Heinz , Zeitlinger Markus , Poeppl Wolfgang
Published: February 2016

The objective of this study was to determine the pharmacokinetic profile of meropenem in automated peritoneal dialysis (APD) patients. In 6 patients without peritonitis, a single dose of 0.5 g of meropenem was applied intraperitoneally (i.p.) or intravenously (i.v.) and concentrations in serum and dialysate were measured at specified intervals over 24 h with high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The mean maximum concentrations of meropenem in serum (
C
max
) were 27.2 mg/liter (standard deviation [SD], ±6.9) and 10.1 mg/liter (SD, ±2.5) and in dialysate were 3.6 mg/liter (SD, ±2.3) and 185.8 mg/liter (SD, ±18.7) after i.v. and i.p. administrations, respectively. The mean areas under the curve from 0 to 24 (AUC
0–24
) of meropenem in serum were 173.5 mg · h/liter (SD, ±29.7) and 141.4 mg · h/liter (SD, ±37.5) (
P
= 0.046) and in dialysate were 42.6 mg · h/liter (SD, ±20.0) and 623.4 mg · h/liter (SD, ±84.1) (
P
= 0.028) after i.v. and i.p. administrations, respectively. The ratios for dialysate exposure over plasma exposure after i.v. and i.p. treatments were 0.2 (SD, ±0.1) and 4.6 (SD, ±0.9), respectively (
P
= 0.031). A mean target value of 40%
T
>MIC (time for which the free meropenem concentration exceeds the MIC) for clinically relevant pathogens with EUCAST susceptibility breakpoints of 2 mg/liter was reached in serum after i.p. and i.v. administrations and in dialysate after i.p. but not after i.v. administration. The present data indicate that low i.p. exposure limits the i.v. use of meropenem for PD-associated peritonitis. In contrast, i.p. administration not only results in superior concentrations in dialysate but also might be used to treat systemic infections.
The Protease Locus of Francisella tularensis LVS Is Required for Stress Tolerance and Infection in the Mammalian Host
Authors: He Lihong , Nair Manoj Kumar Mohan , Chen Yuling , Liu Xue , Zhang Mengyun , Hazlett Karsten R. O. , Deng Haiteng , Zhang Jing-Ren
Published: February 2016

Francisella tularensis
is the causative agent of tularemia and a category A potential agent of bioterrorism, but the pathogenic mechanisms of
F. tularensis
are largely unknown. Our previous transposon mutagenesis screen identified 95 lung infectivity-associated
F. tularensis
genes, including those encoding the Lon and ClpP proteases. The present study validates the importance of Lon and ClpP in intramacrophage growth and infection of the mammalian host by using unmarked deletion mutants of the
F. tularensis
live vaccine strain (LVS). Further experiments revealed that
lon
and
clpP
are also required for
F. tularensis
tolerance to stressful conditions. A quantitative proteomic comparison between heat-stressed LVS and the isogenic Lon-deficient mutant identified 29 putative Lon substrate proteins. The follow-up protein degradation experiments identified five substrates of the
F. tularensis
Lon protease (FTL578, FTL663, FTL1217, FTL1228, and FTL1957). FTL578 (ornithine cyclodeaminase), FTL663 (heat shock protein), and FTL1228 (iron-sulfur activator complex subunit SufD) have been previously described as virulence-associated factors in
F. tularensis
. Identification of these Lon substrates has thus provided important clues for further understanding of the
F. tularensis
stress response and pathogenesis. The high-throughput approach developed in this study can be used for systematic identification of the Lon substrates in other prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms.
New-onset haematoproteinuria in a 63-year-old man with intraperitoneal lymph node enlargement
Authors: Minakawa Akihiro , Hisanaga Shuichi , Sato Yuji , Fujimoto Shouichi
Published: February 2016

A 63-year-old man was referred to our hospital because of renal dysfunction with haematoproteinuria. Intraperitoneal lymph node enlargement was also noted. M protein was not detected by electrophoresis of his serum and urine; however, an increase in the κ/λ ratio was detected by free light-chain assay. Percutaneous kidney biopsy was performed, and the patient was diagnosed with proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits. Lymph node biopsy showed follicular lymphoma. Urinalysis findings improved after treatment of the lymphoma. Proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits is rarely considered to be associated with haematological disease. We report a case of lymphoma-associated proliferative glomerulonephritis with monoclonal immunoglobulin deposits with light-chain abnormality detected by free light-chain assay, but not by electrophoresis.
International recommendations for national patient safety incident reporting systems: an expert Delphi consensus-building process
Authors: Howell Ann-Marie , Burns Elaine M , Hull Louise , Mayer Erik , Sevdalis Nick , Darzi Ara
Published: February 2016

Background

Patient safety incident reporting systems (PSRS) have been established for over a decade, but uncertainty remains regarding the role that they can and ought to play in quantifying healthcare-related harm and improving care.

Objective

To establish international, expert consensus on the purpose of PSRS regarding monitoring and learning from incidents and developing recommendations for their future role.

Methods

After a scoping review of the literature, semi-structured interviews with experts in PSRS were conducted. Based on these findings, a survey-based questionnaire was developed and subsequently completed by a larger expert panel. Using a Delphi approach, consensus was reached regarding the ideal role of PSRSs. Recommendations for best practice were devised.

Results

Forty recommendations emerged from the Delphi procedure on the role and use of PSRS. Experts agreed reporting system should not be used as an epidemiological tool to monitor the rate of harm over time or to appraise the relative safety of hospitals. They agreed reporting is a valuable mechanism for identifying organisational safety needs. The benefit of a national system was clear with respect to medication error, device failures, hospital-acquired infections and never events as these problems often require solutions at a national level. Experts recommended training for senior healthcare professionals in incident investigation. Consensus recommendation was for hospitals to take responsibility for creating safety solutions locally that could be shared nationally.

Conclusions

We obtained reasonable consensus among experts on aims and specifications of PSRS. This information can be used to reflect on existing and future PSRS, and their role within the wider patient safety landscape. The role of PSRS as instruments for learning needs to be elaborated and developed further internationally.
Self-reported preparedness for clinical work has increased among recent cohorts of UK-trained first-year doctors
Authors: Lachish Shelly , Goldacre Michael J , Lambert Trevor
Published: February 2016

Introduction

UK medical schools have made considerable efforts to ensure that graduates are well prepared for their first year of clinical work. We report the views of two recent cohorts of UK-trained doctors 1 year after graduation about whether their medical school prepared them well, and compare responses with earlier cohorts.

Methods

We surveyed doctors who qualified in 2011 and 2012 from all UK medical schools. We obtained their responses to the statement ‘My experience at medical school prepared me well for the jobs I have undertaken so far’ on a 5-point scale from ‘Strongly Agree’ to ‘Strongly Disagree’. Responses were compared with those of the UK graduates of 1999, 2000, 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2009, surveyed in the same way 1 year after graduation.

Results

The percentage of doctors who either ‘Agreed’ or ‘Strongly Agreed’ that they were well prepared doubled from 35% in 1999 to 70% in 2012, while the percentage who ‘Strongly Agreed’ with the statement increased fourfold. Perceptions of being well prepared have increased in graduates from almost every medical school. Variation between medical schools in self-reported preparedness of their graduates has decreased in recent cohorts. However, some large differences between medical schools remain. Significant differences in perceived preparedness remain between white and non-white doctors, but have diminished between men and women.

Conclusions

Our work contributes to growing evidence suggesting that changes to medical education in the UK are producing doctors who feel well prepared for the challenges of being a doctor, though further improvements could be made.
Temporal bone partial ostectomy via the temporomandibular joint to treat osteosarcoma of the caudal zygoma in a three‐year‐old Labrador retriever
Authors: Dean Barnaby Luke , Nicholson Ian
Published: February 2016

A three years, seven‐month‐old male entire Labrador retriever was referred with a one‐month history of pain when yawning and eating. CT revealed a 20×10×10 mm mass in the region of the left caudal zygoma. CT‐guided biopsy results identified a florid periosteal reaction but were otherwise inconclusive. Surgery was performed to resect the left caudal zygoma via the temporomandibular joint. Further histopathological results confirmed completely resected osteogenic osteosarcoma with narrow margins. No other treatment modalities were pursued. The dog remained free from clinical signs until 28 months following surgery when local tumour growth and thoracic metastases were diagnosed.
Lactate administration increases mRNA expression of PGC-1α and UCP3 in mouse skeletal muscle
Authors: Kitaoka Yu , Takeda Kohei , Tamura Yuki , Hatta Hideo
Published: February 2016

To examine the potential role of lactate as a signalling molecule in skeletal muscle, we performed global gene expression analysis of the mouse gastrocnemius muscle, 3 h after lactate administration using the Affymetrix GeneChip system (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, Calif., USA). Among the top 15 genes with the largest fold change, increased expression of Ppargc1a, Pdk4, and Ucp3 was confirmed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Our findings suggest that lactate serves as a signal for upregulating genes related to mitochondrial function.
Traits to stay, traits to move: a review of functional traits to assess sensitivity and adaptive capacity of temperate and boreal trees to climate change
Authors: Aubin I. , Munson A.D. , Cardou F. , Burton P.J. , Isabel N. , Pedlar J.H. , Paquette A. , Taylor A.R. , Delagrange S. , Kebli H. , Messier C. , Shipley B. , Valladares F. , Kattge J. , Boisvert-Marsh L. , McKenney D.
Published: February 2016

The integration of functional traits into vulnerability assessments is a promising approach to quantitatively capture differences in species sensitivity and adaptive capacity to climate change, allowing the refinement of tree species distribution models. In response to a clear need to identify traits that are responsive to climate change and applicable in a management context, we review the state of knowledge of the main mechanisms, and their associated traits, that underpin the ability of boreal and temperate tree species to persist and (or) shift their distribution in a changing climate. We aimed to determine whether current knowledge is sufficiently mature and available to be used effectively in vulnerability assessments. Marshalling recent conceptual advances and assessing data availability, our ultimate objective is to guide modellers and practitioners in finding and selecting sets of traits that can be used to capture differences in species’ ability to persist and migrate. While the physiological mechanisms that determine sensitivity to climate change are relatively well understood (e.g., drought-induced cavitation), many associated traits have not been systematically documented for North American trees and differences in methodology preclude their widespread integration into vulnerability assessments (e.g., xylem recovery capacity). In contrast, traits traditionally associated with the ability to migrate and withstand fire are generally well documented, but new key traits are emerging in the context of climate change that have not been as well characterized (e.g., age of optimum seed production). More generally, lack of knowledge surrounding the extent and patterns in intraspecific trait variation, as well as co-variation and interaction among traits, limit our ability to use this approach to assess tree adaptive capacity. We conclude by outlining research needs and potential strategies for the development of trait-based knowledge applicable in large-scale modelling efforts, sketching out important aspects of trait data organization that should be part of a coordinated effort by the forest science community.
HIERARCHICAL MICRO–NANO COATINGS BY PAINTING
Authors: KIRVESLAHTI ANNA , KORHONEN TUULIA , SUVANTO MIKA , PAKKANEN TAPANI A.
Published: February 2016

In this paper, the wettability properties of coatings with hierarchical surface structures and low surface energy were studied. Hierarchically structured coatings were produced by using hydrophobic fumed silica nanoparticles and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) microparticles as additives in polyester (PES) and polyvinyldifluoride (PVDF). These particles created hierarchical micro–nano structures on the paint surfaces and lowered or supported the already low surface energy of the paint. Two standard application techniques for paint application were employed and the presented coatings are suitable for mass production and use in large surface areas. By regulating the particle concentrations, it was possible to modify wettability properties gradually. Highly hydrophobic surfaces were achieved with the highest contact angle of 165[Formula: see text]. Dynamic contact angle measurements were carried out for a set of selected samples and low hysteresis was obtained. Produced coatings possessed long lasting durability in the air and in underwater conditions.
APPLICATION OF EMPIRICAL MODE DECOMPOSITION–BASED FEATURES FOR ANALYSIS OF NORMAL AND CAD HEART RATE SIGNALS
Authors: SOOD SURABHI , KUMAR MOHIT , PACHORI RAM BILAS , ACHARYA U. RAJENDRA
Published: February 2016

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a heart disease caused due to insufficient supply of nutrients and oxygen to the heart muscles. Hence, reduced supply of nutrients and oxygen causes heart attack or stroke and may cause death. Also significant number of people are suffering from CAD around the world so timely diagnosis of CAD can save the life of patients. In this work, we have proposed computer assisted diagnosis of CAD using Heart Rate (HR) signals obtained from Electrocardiogram (ECG) signals. We have used the Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) technique to process the HR signals. The features namely: Second-Order Difference Plot (SODP) area, Analytic Signal Representation (ASR) area, Amplitude Modulation (AM) bandwidth, Frequency Modulation (FM) bandwidth and Fourier–Bessel expansion (FBE)- based mean frequency computed from the Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs) are extracted to discriminate normal and CAD subjects. Thereafter, Kruskal–Wallis statistical test is performed on these features. The features having p-value less than 0.05 are considered to be significant. Our results show that three features namely: AM bandwidth, FM bandwidth and FBE-based mean frequency are more suitable than ASR area and SODP area features for discrimination of normal and CAD subjects.
INFARCTED LEFT VENTRICLE CLASSIFICATION FROM CROSS-SECTIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAMS USING RELATIVE WAVELET ENERGY AND ENTROPY FEATURES
Authors: SUDARSHAN VIDYA K. , NG E. Y. K. , ACHARYA U. RAJENDRA , TAN RU SAN , CHOU SIAW MENG , GHISTA DHANJOO N.
Published: February 2016

Parasternal and apical echocardiography images captured from different cross-sectional planes (short-axis and four chambers) convey significant information about the structure and function of infarcted Left Ventricular (LV) myocardium. Thus, features from these cross-sectional views of echocardiograms extracted using computer-aided techniques may aid in characterizing Myocardial Infarction (MI). Therefore, this paper proposes a new algorithm for automated MI characterization using features extracted from parasternal short axis and apical four chambers cross-sectional views of 160 subjects (80 with MI and 80 normal) echocardiograms. The Stationary Wavelet Transform (SWT) method is used to extract the Relative Wavelet Energy and Entropy (RWE and RWEnt) features from the two cross-sectional views of echocardiography images separately. These features are ranked and subjected to classification in two different steps: (i) the features from each view are separately ranked using entropy, t-test and Wilcoxon ranking tests and fed to the classifier, and (ii) later, the features from both the views are combined and ranked. Finally, these ranked features are subjected to the Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifier for characterization of normal and MI using a minimum number of features. The proposed method is able to identify MI with 95.0% of accuracy, 93.7% of sensitivity and 96.2% of specificity using 32 features extracted from parasternal short-axis view; an accuracy of 96.2%, sensitivity of 97.5% and specificity of 95.0% with 18 apical four chamber view features. The results show that by combining the features from both views enables the confirmation of MI LVs with an accuracy of 96.8%, sensitivity of 93.7% and specificity of 100% using 16 features extracted from only two frames. Software development is in progress which can be incorporated into the echocardiography ultrasound machine for automated detection of MI patients.
DECISION SUPPORT SYSTEM FOR ARRHYTHMIA BEATS USING ECG SIGNALS WITH DCT, DWT AND EMD METHODS: A COMPARATIVE STUDY
Authors: DESAI USHA , MARTIS ROSHAN JOY , GURUDAS NAYAK C. , SESHIKALA G. , SARIKA K. , SHETTY K. RANJAN
Published: February 2016

Electrocardiogram (ECG) signal is a non-invasive method, used to diagnose the patients with cardiac abnormalities. The subjective evaluation of interval and amplitude of ECG by physician can be tedious, time consuming, and susceptible to observer bias. ECG signals are generated due to the excitation of many cardiac myocytes and hence resultant signals are non-linear in nature. These subtle changes can be well represented and discriminated in transform and non-linear domains. In this paper, performance of Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT) and Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) methods are compared for automated diagnosis of five classes namely Non-ectopic (N), Supraventricular ectopic (S), Ventricular ectopic (V), Fusion (F) and Unknown (U) beats. Six different approaches: (i) Principal Components (PCs) on DCT, (ii) Independent Components (ICs) on DCT, (iii) PCs on DWT, (iv) ICs on DWT, (v) PCs on EMD and (vi) ICs on EMD are employed in this work. Clinically significant features are selected using ANOVA test ([Formula: see text]) and fed to k-Nearest Neighbor (k-NN) classifier. We have obtained a classification accuracy of 99.77% using ICs on DWT method. Consistency of performance is evaluated using Cohen’s kappa statistic. Developed approach is robust, accurate and can be employed for mass diagnosis of cardiac healthcare.
Extremal entanglement witnesses
Authors: Hansen Leif Ove , Hauge Andreas , Myrheim Jan , Sollid Per Øyvind
Published: February 2016

We present a study of extremal entanglement witnesses on a bipartite composite quantum system. We define the cone of witnesses as the dual of the set of separable density matrices, thus [Formula: see text] when [Formula: see text] is a witness and [Formula: see text] is a pure product state, [Formula: see text] with [Formula: see text]. The set of witnesses of unit trace is a compact convex set, uniquely defined by its extremal points. The expectation value [Formula: see text] as a function of vectors [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] is a positive semidefinite biquadratic form. Every zero of [Formula: see text] imposes strong real-linear constraints on f and [Formula: see text]. The real and symmetric Hessian matrix at the zero must be positive semidefinite. Its eigenvectors with zero eigenvalue, if such exist, we call Hessian zeros. A zero of [Formula: see text] is quadratic if it has no Hessian zeros, otherwise it is quartic. We call a witness quadratic if it has only quadratic zeros, and quartic if it has at least one quartic zero. A main result we prove is that a witness is extremal if and only if no other witness has the same, or a larger, set of zeros and Hessian zeros. A quadratic extremal witness has a minimum number of isolated zeros depending on dimensions. If a witness is not extremal, then the constraints defined by its zeros and Hessian zeros determine all directions in which we may search for witnesses having more zeros or Hessian zeros. A finite number of iterated searches in random directions, by numerical methods, leads to an extremal witness which is nearly always quadratic and has the minimum number of zeros. We discuss briefly some topics related to extremal witnesses, in particular the relation between the facial structures of the dual sets of witnesses and separable states. We discuss the relation between extremality and optimality of witnesses, and a conjecture of separability of the so-called structural physical approximation (SPA) of an optimal witness. Finally, we discuss how to treat the entanglement witnesses on a complex Hilbert space as a subset of the witnesses on a real Hilbert space.
Quantum codes from cyclic codes over 𝔽q+v𝔽q+v2𝔽q+v3𝔽q
Authors: Gao Jian
Published: February 2016

We give a construction of quantum codes over [Formula: see text] from cyclic codes over a finite non-chain ring [Formula: see text], where [Formula: see text], p is a prime, [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text].
Electrochemical performance and electronic properties of shell LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 hollow spheres for lithium ion battery
Authors: Cui Yongli , Wang Jiali , Wang Mingzhen , Zhuang Quanchao
Published: February 2016

Shell spinel LiNi[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O4 hollow microspheres were successfully synthesized by MnCO3 template, and characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM. The results show that the hollow LiNi[Formula: see text]Mn[Formula: see text]O4 cathode has good cycle stability to reach 124.5, 119.8, and 96.6[Formula: see text]mAh/g at 0.5, 1, and 5 C, the corresponding retention rate of 98.1%, 98.2%, and 98.0% after 50 cycles at 20[Formula: see text]C, and the reversible capacity of 94.6[Formula: see text]mAh/g can be obtained at 1 C rate at 55[Formula: see text]C, 83.3% retention after 100 cycles. As the temperature decreases from 10[Formula: see text]C to [Formula: see text]C, the resistance of [Formula: see text] increases from 5.5 [Formula: see text] to 135 [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] from 27 [Formula: see text] to 353.2 [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] from 12.7 [Formula: see text] to 73.0 [Formula: see text]. Moreover, the B constant and [Formula: see text] activation energy are 4480[Formula: see text]K and 37.22[Formula: see text]KJ/mol for the NTC spinel material, respectively.
An Excursion to Software Development Life Cycle Models
Authors: Shah Unnati S. , Jinwala Devesh C. , Patel Sankita J.
Published: February 2016

Software Engineering provides a standard way to develop and maintain a complex software. Industry uses software development Life Cycles (SDLC) to develop a software. SDLC plays an important role as it helps to define the software requirements, model the software component, reduce development and maintenance cost and finally provides manageable software. There exist numerous SDLC models viz. Waterfall, Incremental, Rapid, Agile, Hybrid etc. After a comprehensive study and analysis of existing SDLC models, I observe all models are complementary, not competitive. I divide all models into three broad categories viz. Traditional models, Agile models and Hybrid models. The main objective of the paper is to give a quick review of SDLC models and an effective answer to the most confusing question arise in software engineering practice "how to select an efficient SDLC model for practice?" Many factors viz. nature of requirements, the size of software development team, project size, customer interaction etc. have an effect on selection criteria. This paper presents a brief insight into each model and its comparative analysis. The analysis helps to understand the basic characteristics of each model and its applicability. Furthermore, the analysis helps software manager to select the appropriate model for practice
Scrum Powered by Essence
Authors: Park June Sung , McMahon Paul E. , Myburgh Barry
Published: February 2016

This paper shows how Scrum project management practice can be described using Essence kernel and language which has recently been adopted as an official Object Management Group standard for creating and enacting software engineering methods. Practical benefits of using Essence as a common foundation for defining software engineering practices are demonstrated. These practical benefits include the ability to compare practices, assess potential gaps, make needed practice improvements, and assemble select practices into a coherent method to benefit the project team. In addition, by providing practical checklists, as opposed to conceptual discussions, the Essence-powered practice becomes something the team uses on a daily basis. This is a fundamental difference from traditional approaches, which tend to overemphasize method description as opposed to method use
Software Engineering Research & Industrial Practice IEEE ICSE 2015 Workshop Report
Authors: Fraser Steven
Published: February 2016

This report provides an overview of the presentations and discussions of the 2nd IEEE ICSE Workshop on "Software Engineering Research and Industrial Practice" held May 17, 2015 in Florence Italy. The program consisted of keynotes, paper presentations, a panel, and a group dinner.
Environmental Control of Root System Biology
Authors: Rellán-Álvarez Rubén , Lobet Guillaume , Dinneny José R.
Published: February 2016

The plant root system traverses one of the most complex environments on earth. Understanding how roots support plant life on land requires knowing how soil properties affect the availability of nutrients and water and how roots manipulate the soil environment to optimize acquisition of these resources. Imaging of roots in soil allows the integrated analysis and modeling of environmental interactions occurring at micro- to macroscales. Advances in phenotyping of root systems is driving innovation in cross-platform-compatible methods for data analysis. Root systems acclimate to the environment through architectural changes that act at the root-type level as well as through tissue-specific changes that affect the metabolic needs of the root and the efficiency of nutrient uptake. A molecular understanding of the signaling mechanisms that guide local and systemic signaling is providing insight into the regulatory logic of environmental responses and has identified points where crosstalk between pathways occurs.
Broad Consent for Genomic Research and Biobanking: Perspectives from Low- and Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Tindana Paulina , de Vries Jantina
Published: February 2016

Genomic research and biobanking are increasingly being conducted in the context of collaborations between researchers in high-income countries and those in low- and middle-income countries. Although these scientific advancements have presented unique opportunities for researchers to contribute to cutting-edge scientific projects and address important health problems, they have also challenged existing ethical and regulatory frameworks, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Broad consent is a model that allows the use of human biological samples and associated data in future research that may be unrelated to the original study. Drawing on emerging perspectives in low- and middle-income countries, we argue that broad consent is equivalent to consent to governance and that a robust governance framework for genomics and biobanking should seek to promote global health and research equity and take into account five key elements: respect, authentic community engagement and trust building, the preservation of privacy and confidentiality, feedback of results, and capacity strengthening.