bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Worker Centers, Worker Center Networks, and the Promise of Protections for Low‐Wage Workers
Authors: Cordero‐Guzmán Héctor R.
Published: March 2015

Over the last two decades, a number of community‐based and community‐led organizations—known as worker centers—have been engaging in organizing, research, direct service provision, policy analysis and development, and advocacy with low‐wage workers in the most marginalized sectors of the labor market. Worker centers and worker center networks engage in a broad range of labor market activities, including worker‐based programs, services, and campaigns; labor market intermediation; employer‐focused strategies; and a range of consumer and community education and engagement campaigns and initiatives. Worker centers and worker center networks play an essential role in low‐wage labor markets by identifying key sectors in the low‐wage economy where there are large numbers of vulnerable workers and labor violations; by organizing workers, developing and managing campaigns, and providing access to legal remedies for labor violations; and by developing strategies to improve pay, working conditions, and other aspects of job quality in low‐wage occupations. Any strategy designed to reduce labor violations and improve working conditions for low‐wage workers should take into account the functions and roles of worker centers and worker center networks in articulating the needs of workers and devising strategies, programs, campaigns, and initiatives designed to address them.
Fiber Laser Welding of Direct-Quenched Ultrahigh Strength Steels: Evaluation of Hardness, Tensile Strength, and Toughness Properties at Subzero Temperatures
Authors: Farrokhi Farhang , Siltanen Jukka , Salminen Antti
Published: March 2015

The recently developed direct-quenched ultrahigh strength steels (UHSS) possess an appropriate combination of high tensile strength and toughness properties at subzero temperatures down to −80 °C, while simultaneously having low carbon contents, which is beneficial for weldability. In this study, butt joints of Optim 960 QC direct-quenched UHSS with a thickness of 8 mm were welded with a 10 kW fiber laser to evaluate the characteristics of the joints within the range of low to high heat inputs possible for this welding process. The mechanical properties of the joints were studied by subjecting the specimens to a number of destructive tests, namely, hardness and tensile testing, as well as impact toughness testing at temperatures of −40 °C and −60 °C. It was found that high quality butt joints with superior tensile strength and good impact toughness properties at −40 °C could be obtained. However, having a high level of all these properties in the joint narrows the process parameters’ window, and the heat input needs to be strictly controlled.
Should Optimal Designers Worry About Consideration?
Authors: Long Minhua , Ross Morrow W.
Published: March 2015

Consideration set formation using noncompensatory screening rules is a vital component of real purchasing decisions with decades of experimental validation. Marketers have recently developed statistical methods that can estimate quantitative choice models that include consideration set formation via noncompensatory screening rules. But is capturing consideration within models of choice important for design? This paper reports on a simulation study of a vehicle portfolio design when households screen over vehicle body style built to explore the importance of capturing consideration rules for optimal designers. We generate synthetic market share data, fit a variety of discrete choice models to the data, and then optimize design decisions using the estimated models. Model predictive power and design profitability relative to ideal profits are compared as the amount of market data available increases. We find that even when estimated compensatory models provide relatively good predictive accuracy, they can lead to suboptimal design decisions when the population uses consideration behavior; convergence of compensatory models to noncompensatory behavior is likely to require unrealistic amounts of data; and modeling heterogeneity in noncompensatory screening is more valuable than heterogeneity in compensatory tradeoffs. This supports the claim that designers should carefully identify consideration behaviors before optimizing product portfolios. We also find that higher model predictive power does not necessarily imply more profitable design decisions; different model forms can provide “descriptive” rather than “predictive” information that is useful for design.
High power pulsed magnetron sputtering: A method to increase deposition rate
Authors: Raman Priya , Shchelkanov Ivan A. , McLain Jake , Ruzic David N
Published: March 2015

High power pulsed magnetron sputtering (HPPMS) is a state-of-the-art physical vapor deposition technique with several industrial applications. One of the main disadvantages of this process is its low deposition rate. In this work, the authors report a new magnetic field configuration, which produces deposition rates twice that of conventional magnetron's dipole magnetic field configuration. Three different magnet pack configurations are discussed in this paper, and an optimized magnet pack configuration for HPPMS that leads to a higher deposition rate and nearly full-face target erosion is presented. The discussed magnetic field produced by a specially designed magnet assembly is of the same size as the conventional magnet assembly and requires no external fields. Comparison of deposition rates with different power supplies and the electron trapping efficiency in complex magnetic field arrangements are discussed.
Risk Factors for Alcohol Abuse Among College Athletes
Authors: Jones Jacob A.
Published: March 2015

Self-concept theory was used as a theoretical basis to investigate the utility of social norms alcohol prevention programs for college athletes. The predictive relationship among alcohol use and athletic identity, competitiveness, drinking game participation, and level of sport participation was investigated. Drinking game participation was found to be a significant predictor of total weekly alcohol use above and beyond the other predictors. In addition, organized recreational sport participation was a significant predictor of total binge-drinking episodes. It was demonstrated that individuals not currently participating in sports with an athletic identity in the same range as current athletes consumed alcohol at similar rates to current athletes, thus supporting athletic identity as an alternative way of classifying athlete status when studying alcohol consumption patterns. These results highlight the importance of drinking game participation in the alcohol use of college athletes and the validity of applying self-concept theory to alcohol prevention programs.
Adoptive cellular therapy: A race to the finish line
Authors: June Carl H. , Riddell Stanley R. , Schumacher Ton N.
Published: March 2015

Engineered T cells are under development in academic-industry partnerships, accelerating the pace toward widespread availability.
Advances and challenges in immunotherapy for solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Authors: McDonald-Hyman Cameron , Turka Laurence A. , Blazar Bruce R.
Published: March 2015

This Review discusses new therapies that may help to prevent or treat graft-versus-host disease and solid organ transplant rejection.
i-gel: a new supraglottic device for effective resuscitation of a very low birthweight infant with Cornelia de Lange syndrome
Authors: Galderisi Alfonso , De Bernardo Giuseppe , Lorenzon Eleonora , Trevisanuto Daniele
Published: March 2015

Laryngeal Mask Airway (LMA) has been indicated as an effective device for airway management when face-mask ventilation and intubation have both failed in infants weighing >2000 g or delivered ≥34 weeks of gestation. All previous studies used a classic LMA. The current report describes the first case of a very low birthweight infant (1470 g, <3rd centile; 36+3gestational weeks) with micrognathia and palate cleft with Cornelia De Lange syndrome, resuscitated at birth with a new supraglottic airway device, i-gel size-1, positioned by a trainee paediatrician at first attempt. The procedure allowed reaching prompt effective ventilation and oxygenation of the patient, who was stabilised and intubated through i-gel.
A successful nationwide implementation of the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme in Brazilian elementary schools
Authors: Fuller Colin W , Thiele Edilson S , Flores Manoel , Junge Astrid , Netto Diogo , Dvorak Jiri
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To deliver a nationwide implementation of the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme in Brazil and to compare the outcomes with results obtained previously in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Method

A cohort study among 3694 Brazilian children aged 9–12 years within 128 elementary schools situated in 12 cities in the five Regions of Brazil. The ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme contains 11 90 min sessions: the first 45 min serve to encourage physical activity through the development of football skills (Play Football) and the second 45 min provide a vehicle for delivering 10 health messages (Play Fair). We measured preintervention and postintervention health knowledge (29-item questionnaire) and the children's evaluation of the programme (6-item questionnaire).

Results

Mean age of the children across the five Regions was 10.6 years (range 9.2–11.6). The mean preintervention health knowledge score for the five Regions was 60.2% (range 53.8–65.3%); the mean postintervention score was 78.6% (range 70.7–86.8%); thus the mean increase in health knowledge was 18.4% (range 13.6–29.1%). 91% of the children gave a positive evaluation for the programme (range across five Regions: 82.3–96.7%).

The study showed that the ‘FIFA 11 for Health’ programme, which was originally developed in English and translated into another language, was delivered successfully with results equivalent to those previously obtained in Sub-Saharan Africa. The programme was effective across the five Regions of Brazil.
The labour market, psychosocial outcomes and health conditions in cancer survivors: protocol for a nationwide longitudinal survey 2 and 5 years after cancer diagnosis (the VICAN survey)
Authors: Bouhnik Anne-Deborah , Bendiane Marc-Karim , Cortaredona Sebastien , Sagaon Teyssier Luis , Rey Dominique , Berenger Cyril , Seror Valerie , Peretti-Watel Patrick ,   members of the VICAN Group
Published: March 2015

Introduction

Today, a growing need exists for greater research into cancer survivorship, focusing on different spheres of the day-to-day life of diagnosed patients. This article describes the design and implementation of VICAN (VIe après le CANcer), a national survey on French cancer survivors.

Method and analysis

The target population included patients aged 18–82, diagnosed with cancer between January and June 2010, and registered in one of the three main French Health Insurance Schemes. It was restricted to 12 tumour sites. Sampling was stratified using a non-proportional allocation, based on age at diagnosis (18–52 and 53–82) and tumour site. Data were collected from telephone interviews with patients 2 and 5 years after diagnosis, a medical survey completed by the physician who initiated cancer treatment, and information from the national medicoadministrative database on reimbursement data and hospital discharge records. First data collection, 2 years after diagnosis, occurred between March and December 2012. Second data collection, 5 years after diagnosis, will be conducted in 2015. Analyses will be conducted on various outcomes: quality of life, health status and psychosocial conditions, with a particular focus on the impact of cancer diagnosis on the labour market. The variety of measurements included in the survey will enable us to control a wide range of factors.

Ethics and dissemination

The methodology of the VICAN survey was approved by three national ethics commissions. Results of the study will be disseminated through national and international research conferences, and in articles published in international peer-reviewed journals.
Why do patients with multimorbidity in England report worse experiences in primary care? Evidence from the General Practice Patient Survey
Authors: Paddison Charlotte A M , Saunders Catherine L , Abel Gary A , Payne Rupert A , Campbell John L , Roland Martin
Published: March 2015

Objectives

To describe and explain the primary care experiences of people with multiple long-term conditions in England.

Design and methods

Using questionnaire data from 906 578 responders to the English 2012 General Practice Patient Survey, we describe the primary care experiences of patients with long-term conditions, including 583 143 patients who reported one or more long-term conditions. We employed mixed effect logistic regressions to analyse data on six items covering three care domains (access, continuity and communication) and a single item on overall primary care experience. We controlled for sociodemographic characteristics, and for general practice using a random effect, and further, controlled for, and explored the importance of, health-related quality of life measured using the EuroQoL (EQ-5D) scale.

Results

Most patients with long-term conditions report a positive experience of care at their general practice (after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and general practice, range 74.0–93.1% reporting positive experience of care across seven questions) with only modest variation by type of condition. For all three domains of patient experience, an increasing number of comorbid conditions is associated with a reducing percentage of patients reporting a positive experience of care. For example, compared with respondents with no long-term condition, the OR for reporting a positive experience is 0.83 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.87) for respondents with four or more long-term conditions. However, this relationship is no longer observed after adjusting for health-related quality of life (OR (95% CI) single condition=1.23 (1.21 to 1.26); four or more conditions=1.31 (1.25 to 1.37)), with pain making the greatest difference among five quality of life variables included in the analysis.

Conclusions

Patients with multiple long-term conditions more frequently report worse experiences in primary care. However, patient-centred measures of health-related quality of life, especially pain, are more important than the number of conditions in explaining why patients with multiple long-term conditions report worse experiences of care.
Can a theoretical framework help to embed alcohol screening and brief interventions in an endoscopy day-unit?
Authors: O'Neill G , Masson S , Bewick L , Doyle J , McGovern R , Stoker E , Wright H , Newbury-Birch D
Published: March 2015

Introduction and aims

The National Institute for Health Care and Excellence recommend that alcohol screening and brief intervention (ASBI) should be routinely implemented in secondary care. This study used theoretical frameworks to understand how health professionals can be supported to adapt their behaviour and clinical practice.

Design and methods

Staff training and support was conducted using theoretical frameworks. A 12-week study, delivering ASBI was carried out as part of routine practice in an endoscopy day-unit. Anonymised patient data were collected using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Tool (AUDIT) and whether patients received a brief intervention. Staff completed the Shortened Alcohol and Alcohol Problems Perceptions Questionnaire at three time points and took part in a focus group both pre and post study.

Results

For staff, levels or role adequacy, role legitimacy, motivation to discuss alcohol, security in their role, job satisfaction and commitment to working with patients who drink increased during the time of the study. 1598 individual patients were seen in the department in the timeframe. Of these, 1180 patients were approached (74%); 18% (n=207) of patients were AUDIT positive.

Discussion

This study has shown that it is possible to reach a high number of patients in a busy hospital out-patient department and deliver ASBI by working with staff using theoretical frameworks for training. Embedding evidence-based public health interventions into routine clinical environments is complex. The social system in which professionals operate requires consideration alongside individual professionals’ real and perceived barriers and facilitators to change.
Schwarz maps for the hypergeometric differential equation
Authors: Fujimori Shoichi , Noro Masayuki , Saji Kentaro , Sasaki Takeshi , Yoshida Masaaki
Published: March 2015

We introduce the de Sitter Schwarz map for the hypergeometric differential equation as a variant of the classical Schwarz map. This map turns out to be the dual of the hyperbolic Schwarz map, and it unifies the various Schwarz maps studied before. An example is also studied.
Modified Hawking temperature and entropic force: A prescription in FRW model
Authors: Mitra Saugata , Saha Subhajit , Chakraborty Subenoy
Published: March 2015

The idea of Verlinde that gravity is an entropic force caused by information changes associated with the positions of material bodies, is used in the present work for the Friedmann–Robertson–Walker (FRW) model of the Universe. Using modified Hawking temperature, the Friedmann equations are derived on any horizon. For the validity of the first law of thermodynamics (i.e. Clausius relation) it is found that there is modification of Bekenstein entropy on the horizon. However, using equipartition law of energy, Bekenstein entropy is recovered.
Negative energy particle as an expanding wormhole
Authors: Culetu Hristu
Published: March 2015

The properties of a dynamic wormhole are investigated. Using a particular equation of state for the fluid on the wormhole throat, we reached an equation of motion for the throat (a hyperbola) that leads to a negative surface energy density σ. The throat expands with the same acceleration 2π|σ| as the Ipser–Sikivie domain wall. We found the Lagrangian leading to the above equation of motion of the throat. The associated Hamiltonian corresponds to a relativistic free particle of a time-dependent negative energy -ℏc/R, where R is the throat radius, similar in form with the Casimir energy inside an expanding spherical box.
Weinhold geometry and Ruppeiner geometry of black holes with conformal anomaly
Authors: Mo Jie-Xiong
Published: March 2015

The thermodynamic geometry of black holes with conformal anomaly has been investigated in this paper. We study two classical kinds of thermodynamic geometry. Namely, Weinhold geometry and Ruppeiner geometry. It is shown that the condition when Weinhold scalar curvature diverges is the same as the phase transition condition characterized by the divergence of specific heat. It is also shown that Ruppeiner scalar curvature not only reveals the phase structure but also contains the information of Hawking temperature. In a word, both Weinhold metric and Ruppeiner metric can correctly reproduce the phase structure of black holes even when conformal anomaly is taken into consideration.
CaCu3Ti4O12–PVDF polymeric composites with enhanced capacitive energy density
Authors: Ouyang Xin , Cao Peng , Zhang Weijun , Liu Zhuofeng , Huang Zhaohui , Gao Wei
Published: March 2015

CaCu 3 Ti 4 O 12 (CCTO)–poly(vinylidene fluoride (PVDF)) composites were prepared by melt blending and hot molding techniques. The addition of CCTO remarkably enhanced the dielectric properties and the thermal conductivity of PVDF composites, while the melting point of the PVDF composites (~170°C) was almost independent of the CCTO concentration. Based on the results of dielectric constant and dielectric breakdown voltage, the PVDF composite containing 40 vol.% CCTO fillers shows the optimized capacitive energy storage potential (7.81 J/cm3).
Inhomogeneity on texture, microstructure and magnetic properties of hot deformed R2Fe14B-typed magnet
Authors: Lee Y. I. , Shih C. W. , Chang W. C. , Chang H. W. , Chen Y. J.
Published: March 2015

The inhomogeneity on texture, microstructure and magnetic properties of hot deformed (HD) disc shape R 2 Fe 14 B -typed magnets along radial and axial directions has been investigated. HD disc shape NdFeB magnet exhibits inhomogeneous texture, grain morphologies and magnetic properties not only along the radial direction but also along the axial direction. Higher magnetic properties can be found in the middle part of the HD magnet, due to the existence of larger volume fraction of plate-like Nd 2 Fe 14 B grains and the well c-axis alignment parallel to the pressing direction. In addition, particle-like and coarser grains are easily found not only in the bottom but also in the edge of the HD magnet, which may degrade the magnetic performance of the samples cut from those parts. Owing to the inhomogeneity of (00L) texture and grain morphologies along axial and radial directions, the optimal magnetic properties of B r = 12.7 kG, H ci = 5.1 kOe and (BH) max = 39 MGOe can be obtained only in the middle sample of HD magnet with slight polishing the top and bottom surfaces.
Microstructure and properties of Ni–Co–TiO2 composite coatings fabricated by electroplating
Authors: Wang Yuxin , Shu Xin , Gao Wei , Shakoor R. A. , Kahraman Ramazan , Yan Pengfei , Lu Wei , Yan Biao
Published: March 2015

Ni – Co coatings are widely used due to their unique mechanical properties, high anticorrosion properties, good thermal stability and special magnetic properties. Ni – Co – xTiO 2 ( x = 0–20 g/L in the electrolyte) composite coatings were fabricated by electrodeposition on mild steel. The effect of TiO 2 concentration on the microhardness, surface morphology and tribological behaviour has been studied. The results show that, comparing with pure Ni – Co coating, both microhardness and wear property of the Ni – Co – TiO 2 composite coatings were significantly improved. The microstructure and properties for the Ni – Co – TiO 2 composite coatings were varied following with the TiO 2 concentration. The mechanism of mechanical property improvement was also discussed.
Statistical theory for the compressible scalar turbulence with inviscid limitation
Authors: Ni Qionglin
Published: March 2015

We developed the statistical theory for compressible scalar turbulence in the inviscid limit, in which the spatial structures of the precursors of velocity and scalar discontinuities (i.e. preshock and prefront) were discussed. By analyzing the asymptotic statistics of scalar turbulence in the strong compression region, it was found that the prefront structure of scalar influenced negligible to the statistics of velocity gradient, except certain Mach number (M) modulations such as M-2/3 and M-4/3.
The automorphisms of endomorphism semigroups of free burnside groups
Authors: Atabekyan V. S.
Published: March 2015

In this paper, we describe the automorphism groups of the endomorphism semigroups of free Burnside groups B(m, n) for odd exponents n ≥ 1003. We prove, that the groups Aut (B(m, n)) and Aut ( End (B(m, n))) are canonically isomorphic. In particular, if the groups Aut ( End (B(m, n))) and Aut ( End (B(k, n))) are isomorphic, then m = k.
Multiscale homogenization in Kirchhoff's nonlinear plate theory
Authors: Bufford Laura , Davoli Elisa , Fonseca Irene
Published: March 2015

The interplay between multiscale homogenization and dimension reduction for nonlinear elastic thin plates is analyzed in the case in which the scaling of the energy corresponds to Kirchhoff's nonlinear bending theory for plates. Different limit models are deduced depending on the relative ratio between the thickness parameter h and the two homogenization scales ε and ε2.
Reliability Baseline Management and Applications in Semiconductor Manufacturing
Authors: Chien Wei-Ting Kary , Zhao Yong Atman , Zhang Mark , Li Ming
Published: March 2015

Reliability assessment is very important in semiconductor manufacturing, and we need to setup and maintain an efficient and effective reliability baseline (BL) management system to, for example, assess reliability risks, to dispose impacted lots, and to release equipment. To achieve these goals, we propose a corresponding flow and pinpoint the critical points to establish and maintain reliability BLs. To provide insights to readers by actual cases on reliability BL analyses and applications, we setup and analyze the BLs for the electric-field acceleration factor and activation energy of gate oxide, the gate voltage exponent of device Negative Bias Temperature Instabilities (NBTI), and the parameters of interconnect model for current density and activation energy. We also find the enriched reliability BL database does benefit line excursion disposition, process optimization, quicker judgment on the reliability impacts of nonconformance, feasibility studies of process changes, faster tool releases, risk assessments of common reliability tests, and earlier root cause identifications of abnormality by narrowing down failure mechanisms.
Gorenstein dimensions over some rings of the form R ⊕ C
Authors: Aung Pye Phyo
Published: March 2015

Given a semidualizing module [Formula: see text] over a commutative Noetherian ring, Holm and Jørgensen [Semi-dualizing modules and related Gorenstein homological dimensions, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 205(2) (2006) 423–445] investigate some connections between [Formula: see text]-Gorenstein dimensions of an [Formula: see text]-complex and Gorenstein dimensions of the same complex viewed as a complex over the “trivial extension” [Formula: see text]. We generalize some of their results to a certain type of retract diagram. We also investigate some examples of such retract diagrams, namely D’Anna and Fontana’s amalgamated duplication [An amalgamated duplication of a ring along an ideal: The basic properties, J. Algebra Appl. 6(3) (2007) 443–459] and Enescu’s pseudocanonical cover [A finiteness condition on local cohomology in positive characteristic, J. Pure Appl. Algebra 216(1) (2012) 115–118].
IMPACT ASSESSMENT RESEARCH IN IRELAND AND SPAIN: AN OVERVIEW OF CURRENT TRENDS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS
Authors: GONZÁLEZ DEL CAMPO AINHOA
Published: March 2015

Incorporation of impact assessment in undergraduate academic curricula has remained underdeveloped in both Ireland and Spain, with the subject commonly narrowed down to a general introduction to impact assessment legislation and procedural stages supported by a number of illustrative case studies. This approach is often transferred to postgraduate level, with a limited number of Masters programmes including impact assessment as a subject, and fewer being dedicated to impact assessment alone. This, in turn, has resulted in limited research in the area and more importantly, in very few academic research publications. At Master's level, research has mainly focused on the quality of EISs (often focusing on controversial sectors such as wind energy or mining) and public participation related issues. At the doctorate level, a limited number of EIA/SEA related PhD dissertations can be found, and the range of issues covered is quite varied and sparse. The largest drivers for SEA research are government initiatives and research calls. This commonly translates into publication of extensive normative guidance on EIA, SEA and Appropriate Assessment, as well as on current practice review reports and good practice recommendations. Relevant dissemination activities can also be found in Ireland and Spain, including provision of platforms for knowledge exchange and learning on impact assessment methods and tool. More efforts and funding are however needed to promote empirical academic research, and thereby advance impact assessment research and practice in relevant sectors and areas, including impact assessment theory and governance, public participation effectiveness, cumulative effects assessment or environmental limits.
Experimental Study on Condensation Heat Transfer and Flow Modes of R245fa on Enhanced Surface Tubes
Authors: Jige Daisuke , Matsuno Tomonobu , Inoue Norihiro
Published: March 2015

The present study experimentally investigated the condensation heat transfer characteristics and condensate flow mode of R245fa on horizontal low-finned and microscopic-grooved tubes. Five low-finned tubes and a microscopic-grooved tube with tube diameters at the fin tip of approximately 19 mm were used. Experiments were conducted at a saturation temperature of 40°C. The fundamental heat transfer characteristics of the low-finned and microscopic-grooved tubes were experimentally investigated to clarify the flow modes of the condensate and the efficacy of the enhanced heat transfer.
Timing-Driven Titan
Authors: Murray Kevin E. , Whitty Scott , Liu Suya , Luu Jason , Betz Vaughn
Published: March 2015

Benchmarks play a key role in Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) architecture and CAD research, enabling the quantitative comparison of tools and architectures. It is important that these benchmarks reflect modern large-scale systems that make use of heterogeneous resources; however, most current FPGA benchmarks are both small and simple. In this artile, we present Titan, a hybrid CAD flow that addresses these issues. The flow uses Altera’s Quartus II FPGA CAD software to perform HDL synthesis and a conversion tool to translate the result into the academic Berkeley Logic Interchange Format (BLIF). Using this flow, we created the Titan23 benchmark set, which consists of 23 large (90K--1.8M block) benchmark circuits covering a wide range of application domains. Using the Titan23 benchmarks and an enhanced model of Altera’s Stratix IV architecture, including a detailed timing model, we compare the performance and quality of VPR and Quartus II targeting the same architecture. We found that VPR is at least 2.8 × slower, uses 6.2 × more memory, 2.2 × more wire, and produces critical paths 1.5 × slower compared to Quartus II. Finally, we identified that VPR’s focus on achieving a dense packing and an inability to take apart clusters is responsible for a large portion of the wire length and critical path delay gap.
Analysis of Schemas with Access Restrictions
Authors: Benedikt Michael , Bourhis Pierre , Ley Clemens
Published: March 2015

We study verification of systems whose transitions consist of
accesses to a Web-based data source
. An access is a lookup on a relation within a relational database, fixing values for a set of positions in the relation. For example, a transition can represent access to a Web form, where the user is restricted to filling in values for a particular set of fields. We look at verifying properties of a schema describing the possible accesses of such a system. We present a language where one can describe the properties of an access path and also specify additional restrictions on accesses that are enforced by the schema. Our main property language, AccessLTL, is based on a first-order extension of linear-time temporal logic, interpreting access paths as sequences of relational structures. We also present a lower-level automaton model, A-automata, into which AccessLTL specifications can compile. We show that AccessLTL and A-automata can express static analysis problems related to “querying with limited access patterns” that have been studied in the database literature in the past, such as whether an access is relevant to answering a query and whether two queries are equivalent in the accessible data they can return. We prove decidability and complexity results for several restrictions and variants of AccessLTL and explain which properties of paths can be expressed in each restriction.
Gaze and Attention Management for Embodied Conversational Agents
Authors: Pejsa Tomislav , Andrist Sean , Gleicher Michael , Mutlu Bilge
Published: March 2015

To facilitate natural interactions between humans and embodied conversational agents (ECAs), we need to endow the latter with the same nonverbal cues that humans use to communicate. Gaze cues in particular are integral in mechanisms for communication and management of attention in social interactions, which can trigger important social and cognitive processes, such as establishment of affiliation between people or learning new information. The fundamental building blocks of gaze behaviors are
gaze shifts
: coordinated movements of the eyes, head, and body toward objects and information in the environment. In this article, we present a novel computational model for gaze shift synthesis for ECAs that supports parametric control over coordinated eye, head, and upper body movements. We employed the model in three studies with human participants. In the first study, we validated the model by showing that participants are able to interpret the agent’s gaze direction accurately. In the second and third studies, we showed that by adjusting the participation of the head and upper body in gaze shifts, we can control the strength of the attention signals conveyed, thereby strengthening or weakening their social and cognitive effects. The second study shows that manipulation of eye--head coordination in gaze enables an agent to convey more information or establish stronger affiliation with participants in a teaching task, while the third study demonstrates how manipulation of upper body coordination enables the agent to communicate increased interest in objects in the environment.
Formate metabolism in fetal and neonatal sheep
Authors: Washburn Shannon E. , Caudill Marie A. , Malysheva Olga , MacFarlane Amanda J. , Behan Nathalie A. , Harnett Brian , MacMillan Luke , Pongnopparat Theerawat , Brosnan John T. , Brosnan Margaret E.
Published: March 2015

By virtue of its role in nucleotide synthesis, as well as the provision of methyl groups for vital methylation reactions, one-carbon metabolism plays a crucial role in growth and development. Formate, a critical albeit neglected component of one-carbon metabolism, occurs extracellularly and may provide insights into cellular events. We examined formate metabolism in chronically cannulated fetal sheep (gestation days 119–121, equivalent to mid-third trimester in humans) and in their mothers as well as in normal full-term lambs. Plasma formate levels were much higher in fetal lamb plasma and in amniotic fluid (191 ± 62 and 296 ± 154 μM, respectively) than in maternal plasma (33 ± 13 μM). Measurements of folate, vitamin B12, and homocysteine showed that these high formate levels could not be due to vitamin deficiencies. Elevated formate levels were also found in newborn lambs and persisted to about 8 wk of age. Formate was also found in sheep milk. Potential precursors of one-carbon groups were also measured in fetal and maternal plasma and in amniotic fluid. There were very high concentrations of serine in the fetus (∼1.6 mM in plasma and 3.5 mM in the amniotic fluid) compared with maternal plasma (0.19 mM), suggesting increased production of formate; however, we cannot rule out decreased formate utilization. Dimethylglycine, a choline metabolite, was also 30 times higher in the fetus than in the mother.
A DNA Structure-Based Bionic Wavelet Transform and Its Application to DNA Sequence Analysis
Authors: Chen Fei , Zhang Yuan-Ting
Published: March 2015

DNA sequence analysis is of great significance for increasing our understanding of genomic functions. An important task facing us is the exploration of hidden structural information stored in the DNA sequence. This paper introduces a DNA structure-based adaptive wavelet transform (WT) – the bionic wavelet transform (BWT) – for DNA sequence analysis. The symbolic DNA sequence can be separated into four channels of indicator sequences. An adaptive symbol-to-number mapping, determined from the structural feature of the DNA sequence, was introduced into WT. It can adjust the weight value of each channel to maximise the useful energy distribution of the whole BWT output. The performance of the proposed BWT was examined by analysing synthetic and real DNA sequences. Results show that BWT performs better than traditional WT in presenting greater energy distribution. This new BWT method should be useful for the detection of the latent structural features in future DNA sequence analysis.
Sensory Integration with Articulated Motion on a Humanoid Robot
Authors: Rojas J. , Peters II R. A.
Published: March 2015

This paper describes the integration of articulated motion with auditory and visual sensory information that enables a humanoid robot to achieve certain reflex actions that mimic those of people. Reflexes such as reach-and-grasp behavior enables the robot to learn, through experience, its own state and that of the world. A humanoid robot with binaural audio input, stereo vision, and pneumatic arms and hands exhibited tightly coupled sensory-motor behaviors in four different demonstrations. The complexity of successive demonstrations was increased to show that the reflexive sensory-motor behaviors combine to perform increasingly complex tasks. The humanoid robot executed these tasks effectively and established the groundwork for the further development of hardware and software systems, sensory-motor vector-space representations, and coupling with higher-level cognition.
Control of Oscillating Foil for Propulsion of Biorobotic Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV)
Authors: Singh S. N. , Mani S.
Published: March 2015

The paper treats the question of control of a laterally and rotationally oscillating hydrofoil for the propulsion of biologically inspired robotic (biorobotic) autonomous underwater vehicles (BAUVs). Sinusoidal oscillations of foils produce maneuvering and propulsive forces. The design is based on the internal model principle. Two springs are used to transmit forces from the actuators to the foil. Oscillating fins produce periodic forces, which can be used for fish-like propulsion and control of autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs). The equations of motion of the foil include hydrodynamic lift and moment based on linear, unsteady, aerodynamic theory. A control law is derived for the lateral and rotational sinusoidal oscillation of the foil. In the closed-loop system, the lateral displacement and the rotational angle of the foil asymptotically follow sinusoidal trajectories of distinct frequencies and amplitudes independently. Simulation results are presented to show the trajectory tracking performance of the foil for different freestream velocities and sinusoidal command trajectories.
Characterization of Chitosan Films for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Ghanem A. , Katalinich M.
Published: March 2015

Chitosan (β-(l,4)-2-amino-2-deoxy-D-glucose) is a naturally occurring, abundant biopolymer with desirable biomedical material properties of biodegradability, low toxicity, and good biocompatibility. These properties indicate that chitosan may be suitable as a surface for mammalian cell growth and tissue engineering. The attachment and growth of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts on chitosan films and controls was measured. Chitosan films of 0.5, 1.5, and 3.0% (w/v) support the attachment and proliferation of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts at rates slightly lower than polystyrene controls. The film tensile properties, surface roughness, and surface free energies indicate that the film-formation technique gives films with reproducible physical and chemical properties. Our results indicate that UV–IR treatment of chitosan films can change the water in air (WIA) contact angle and surface free energy (SFE) of the films, and can potentially be used to optimize the attachment and spreading of fibroblasts on these films. The ability of these chitosan films to support cell attachment and growth indicates their potential use as biomedical surfaces. This research may result in the development of biodegradable tissue-engineering matrices.
Robotic Measurement and Control for Chiropractic Research
Authors: Goldsmith P. , Wynd S. , Kawchuk G.
Published: March 2015

The precision and programmability of robotic manipulators makes them suitable for biomechanics research, particularly when an experimental procedure must be accurately repeated multiple times. This paper describes a robotic system used to investigate biomechanical mechanisms of stroke in humans. A parallel robot manipulator is used to reproduce chiropractic manipulations on animal subjects using a 3-D vision system. An algorithm for calibrating the system is proposed and tested on the robot. An iterative learning control scheme is then introduced to improve positional accuracy. Experimental results demonstrate that the calibration procedure and learning scheme are both effective.
Optimal Design of a Bio-Inspired Anthropocentric Shoulder Rehabilitator
Authors: Mustafa S. K. , Yang G. , Yeo S. H. , Lin W.
Published: March 2015

This paper presents the design of a bio-inspired anthropocentric 7-DOF wearable robotic arm for the purpose of stroke rehabilitation. The proposed arm rehabilitator synergistically utilizes the human arm structure with non-invasive kinematically under-deterministic cable-driven mechanisms to form a completely deterministic structure. It offers the advantages of being lightweight and having high dexterity. Adopting an anthropocentric design concept also allows it to conform to the human anatomical structure. The focus of this paper is on the analysis and design of the 3-DOF-shoulder module, called the shoulder rehabilitator. The design methodology is divided into three main steps: (1) performance evaluation of the cable-driven shoulder rehabilitator, (2) performance requirements of the shoulder joint based on its physiological characteristics and (3) design optimization of the shoulder rehabilitator based on shoulder joint physiological limitations. The aim is to determine a suitable configuration for the development of a shoulder rehabilitator prototype.
Simulating CALUMA (CAssino Low-Cost hUMAnoid) Robot Carrying a Load
Authors: Nava Rodriguez Nestor Eduardo , Carbone Giuseppe , Ceccarelli Marco
Published: March 2015

In this paper, the operation of CALUMA (CAssino Low-cost hUMAnoid) robot has been investigated for a task while carrying a load. CALUMA robot is the result of a design project that has been elaborated for designing and building a low-cost easy-operation humanoid robot by summarizing experiences and prototypes that have been developed at LARM. Dynamic simulations have been computed by using ADAMS software in order to study dynamical aspects of CALUMA operation while carrying a load. The dynamic simulations have also been used for studying the manipulation performance of CALUMA robot. Simulations have given results that confirm the feasibility of the proposed design, as shown in the reported examples.
3D Image Modelling and Specific Treatments in Orthodontics Domain
Authors: Goularas Dionysis , Djemal Khalifa , Mannoussakis Yannis
Published: March 2015

In this article, we present a 3D specific dental plaster treatment system for orthodontics. From computer tomography scanner images, we propose first a 3D image modelling and reconstruction method of the Mandible and Maxillary based on an adaptive triangulation allowing management of contours meant for the complex topologies. Secondly, we present two specific treatment methods directly achieved on obtained 3D model allowing the automatic correction for the setting in occlusion of the Mandible and the Maxillary, and the teeth segmentation allowing more specific dental examinations. Finally, these specific treatments are presented via a client/server application with the aim of allowing a telediagnosis and treatment.
Oscillatory Adaptive Yaw-Plane Control of Biorobotic Autonomous Underwater Vehicles Using Pectoral-Like Fins
Authors: Naik Mugdha S. , Singh Sahjendra N.
Published: March 2015

This article considers the control of a biorobotic autonomous underwater vehicle (BAUV) in the yaw plane using biologically inspired oscillatory pectoral-like fins of marine animals. The fins are assumed to be oscillating harmonically with a combined linear (sway) and angular (yaw) motion producing unsteady forces, which are used for fish-like control of BAUVs. Manoeuvring of the BAUV in the yaw plane is accomplished by altering the bias (mean) angle of the angular motion of the fin. For the derivation of the adaptive control system, it is assumed that the physical parameters, the hydrodynamic coefficients, and the fin force and moment are not known. A direct adaptive sampled-data control system for the trajectory control of the yaw-angle using only yaw-angle measurement is derived. The parameter adaptation law is based on the normalised gradient scheme. Simulation results for the set point control, sinusoidal trajectory tracking and turning manoeuvres are presented, which show that the control system accomplishes precise trajectory control in spite of the parameter uncertainties.
A Potential Application of a Piezoelectric Atomiser for Ophthalmic Drug Delivery
Authors: Xia Wei , Hsu Hung-Yao , Kong Lingxue , Evans Allan , Lee Ryan
Published: March 2015

A liquid atomiser composed of a piezoelectric transducer and a metal plate with numerous micro-apertures is studied to identify the most influential factors on its atomising performance. The Taguchi method is employed in the experiment design and analysis of the study on how each factor acts in the atomising process. An optimal condition is determined for producing a stream of droplets. The study shows that the droplet size and the spraying velocity are suitable for ophthalmic drug delivery application, with an even distribution of the drug over most of the eyeball surface area due to the controllable cross-sectional area of the droplet stream. This greatly improves the treatment effectiveness and efficiency of eye therapy. Finally, a structure of the ophthalmic drug delivery system is proposed.
The New Method of Electroencephalogram Representation
Authors: Al-Kasasbeh R. T. , Shepovalnikov R. A.
Published: March 2015

A new method for visualization of electroencephalogram process is developed, using factorial analysis. This method permits data compression and visualization in a form adequate for humans to trace continuous change patterns, compare data from brain hemispheres and delete apparent artifacts using combined man-computer mode for achieving additional reliability. Accordingly, this method is realized in software that allows an operator to select various modes of representation of results and speed of visualization.
A Robotic Brain Scheme: Proposal Originated by a Modular Robotic Control
Authors: Negrete-Martínez J.
Published: March 2015

A robot brain scheme has been implemented, based on and controlled by analog circuits and micro-controllers. The modules have been classified as: (a) world signal processing, (b) world signal relevance assessing, (c) pre-motor decisions, (d) motor behavior, and (e) planning and sequencing motor behaviors. There are two types of pre-motor processing: main and world signal tracking. Motor behavior includes all the final motion units. Each of these five classes roughly corresponds to areas in a vertebrate’s brain and proved to be an effective robotic brain scheme as they assist in the development of greater complexity in robotic brains and a means to compare different implementations. The scheme stresses the importance of motor behavior modules fed by pre-motor decision modules. The pre-motor decision modules aim the movement while the motor behavior module creates the behavior. Finally, the planning and sequencing modules are imperative implementations in a robotic brain.